MISCELLANEOUS.

Southland Times, Issue 755, 27 November 1867, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

Curious Relic. — A valuable gold pocket compass, believed to have been lost upwards of twenty years ago, by the Captain of H.M. brig Osprey, was found at Wangaroa, last week, by a youth named Kelly, and was brought to town on Monday by tho master of the schooner Helen. The compass haß been identified, by an old resident at Wangaroa as the one lost by the captain of the Osprey. The latter vessel, it will be remembered, was lost whilst cruising off False Hokianga, about twenty years ago. The compass was enclosed in a small box, which fell to pieces on being taken up by the youth who discovered it. — Southern Cross. The Eupe^ob Maximilian. — The memoirs of the unfortunate Emperor Maximilian of Mexico will appear shortly at Leipzic. They were announced some time ago, and even the printing was begun during the lifetime of the Emperor. Now they are to come out at the special desire of the Emperor of Austria. The work will comprise seven volumes, and will appear under the title of "My life; Travelling Sketches, Aphorisms, Poems." The first will contain his diary of a journey in Italy. The Prince was then only nineteen, and shows himself in his note-book full of candour, ieeling, and chivalry. — Athenaeum. Fish. — Some curious evidence was given on Monday before the Select Committee on the Sea Coast Fisheries of Ireland, by Professor Huxley, with reference to the habits of the fish on the coasts of the United Kingdom. The learned professor asserted that, with the exception of the spawn of herring and cod, naturalists were in absolute ignorance with reference to the manner in which deep sea fish deposited their spawn, and in what localities it was to be found. He stated that he had visited, in common with the other Eoyal Commissioners who held their inquiry two year 3 ago, every station of importance in England, Scotland, aud Ireland, and that tho evidence with regard to the damage done to the spawn of fish by trawlers was most conflicting and unreliable. His own experience was that spawn was nos taken up by dredging the bottom of the sea, as he had himself searched for it in vain. He was in favor of absolute free trade in fishing, and ho believed that all tho dexterity of men in capturing fish had no appreciable effect upon diminishing-the quantity in the sea, and that millions of fish were devoured by other fish. The learned Professor added that he did not believe that a bay or estuary could be trawled out, and instanced the case of a bay which had been trawled for 80 years, and in which fish of all aorta were as abundant as ever. — Correspondent of N.B. Daily Mail. Rifles ik Unskilful Hands. — A pleasant little military anecdote comes from the Cape of Gl-ood Hope. The 86th Foot, under orders for the fever-striken Mauritius, was landed and sent into camp near Port Mizabeth, there to remain until the sugar colony should have a clean bill of health. When the new-comers had been ashore long enough to get themselves and their camp in order, down came the General to hold an inspection. In order to test the condition of their arms, one round of blank cartridge per man was served out ; but when, in due course, the command came to fire a volley, no fewer than four hucdred and fifty-one rifles missed fire. That fact speaks volumes for the excellent state of preparation to meet a foe in which the gallant 86th had been maintained. Of course there i 3 in explanation. We are told that the rifles had been well greased within and without for the long sea voyage ; that the grease had been duly removed from the barrels by the aid of water — a dry rag would have been more effective ; but that the interior of the nipples had not been properly cleansed. The explanation is very significant, as implying a bad method of cleaning the guns and "examining arms." Suppose the regiment had been railed upon suddenly to fire b«4l at an. enemy \~ Telegraph,

Air Authentic and Singhtxab Sktaxe AdvenTUBE. — One day during the itf&ek Mr Potter and a friend accomDanied an old shepherd into the bnih to look for a reef which the shepherd had discovered while minding his flock BOrne time previously. They had not gone far, when they discovered a snake; the old shepherd, who was carrying a reversible coat on his arm, threw the coat over the reptile till one of the party procured a ifcick to despatch the " varmiiit" with. No time was lost in procuring the necessary weapon, *nd when all was ready the coat was removed with great caution, and to the utter disappointment of the party the snake had disappered , and how it got away unseen became the mystery of the day with the trio. The man th/ew his coat on his arm and the journy was resume 1. After walking about fifteen miles night came on ; the party finding themselves near an old hut agreed to stop for the night ; they coiled themselves down for a snooze and threw their coats over themselves. In the middle of the night the shepherd roused his companions, and said "I'll be blessed," or something else, " if the snake ain't in my coat still." " Oh ! that be blow'd," said the others. " I felt him move," said . the shepherd. " Pitch it oat," cried the others. He took the coat outside and gave it a severe beating With a stick and then left it. In the morning an, examination showed that the snake had managed to get between the two cloths of which the coat was composed, and this accounted for its disappearance, and rendered it certain that the man had carried the reptile fifteen or sixteen miles without knowing it ; it was not a small one either, as it measured no less than three feet. — M'lvor Times.