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Southland Times, Issue 1565, 19 April 1872, Page 2

We have to acknowledge receipt of a further batch of Parliamentary papers. New Zealand preserved meat is being retailed in several French towns at one franc per lb. The Rev. Mr M'Ara has rec jived a unanimous call from the Presbyterian congregation at B-il-clutha. A black whale was seen off Cape Saunders oh Monday laat. Two boats started in pursuit, but failed to effect a capture. A consignment of four cases of books has been received at the Education Office for distribiatijn among the public libraries of the Province. Despatches received by the Government from the Agent-General state that a steady stream of immigrants will arrive in May and June. The Council of the New Zjalan 1 University have decided to. have the University established at Wellington. The New Zealand Herald complains of the rat pest in Auckland. " The town and country alike," it says, " are overrun by these disgusting vermin." Judge Johnston has delivered judgment on the Whitaker-Lundon claim for compensation, in favor of the Government. The mutter will eoine before the Court of Appeal. In a private telegram, received the other day by a resident in town fWxn the il.)n. Dilloa Bell, that gentleman says : — " I was detained in the North a fortnight longer thin I expected. I go down immediately to meet the eloetors, and will tilograph the exact day, as I trust Mr JBrogden will accompany me." We invite the attention of the public to an announcement which appears in our advertising columns, to the effect that a lecture will be delivered in the Town Hall this evening by Mr John Hislop, Inspector of Schools, on the interesting Bubject of " School and Family Education." The proceeds are to be devoted to tho Athon«eam . It wi 1 be remembered that at the last exhibition of the Horticultural Society, some grapes were exhibited by Mr D. ll' Arthur, grown in the open air on his farm at Waikiwi. Doubts were then expressed as b~> the possibility of their ripening. Mr M' Arthur has brought to our office a sample, thoroughly ripe, which sets the question at rest, and shows that the culture of the vine is at least a possible native industry. The Isybtelton Times says that the provincial revenue of Canterbury has greatly decreased of late, and is still declining, with no immediate or remote prospect of improvement. It has been suggested that the Provincial Council ought to meet to consider this unfortunate state of thing 3 before the General Assembly is next convened, but there is some reason for supposing that the Executive object to that proposal. Of the recent double Buicide at Wanganui, of which we have published telegraphic particulars, the Wanganui Herald of the 30th ult. gives fuller details. From these we gather that a lad named James saw a man and woman conversing together on the bridge on Friday night, and heard a heavy splash immediately after passing them. The G-o-a-Head people also heard the noise, and put off a boat to ascertain the cause. On arriving underneath the bridge, a gentleman's white hat, of the " bell- topper" shape, and the lady's white straw hat, with brown gossamer on, were found .floating in the water. Aftor putting off the Bteamer people said they heard feeble cries i proceeding from the water ; and a Mrs Blair on the other side of the river said she heard a moan. It appears that the couple are not man and wife as was at first thought, nor could poverty and a consequent depression of spirits have been the cause, as they had money and valuables, and Crossing only a few days before bought Mr Towneend's farm on the Brunswick Line. The inquiries of the police discovered that the couple had brought with them from Sydney a servant named Luscombe, and he states that Crossing left a wife and family in Sydney, and brought the female with him, passing her off as his wife ; that lately he had been in a desponding state, and yesterday afternoon, he gave him (Luscombe) a watch and pocket-book to keep for him, and later still a roll of notes. In the pocket-book was found a letter bidding farewell to his friends, and intimating contemplated suicide. The couple were seen about 8.30 p-m. at the Red Lion Hotel, where they had called for some refreshment, partaking of hot brandy and water. The man was a stout elderly uidivido.il, apparently about 55 years of age, the female, stated to have been liia niece, being only about 20.