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Colonist, Volume II, Issue 157, 22 April 1859, Page 3

Improved Principle of ..Mowing.—Mr. Tucker, of Chilten Poulden, near Bridge-water, conceived that considerable manual labor was wasted by mowing grass with scythes so long as they are generally used, in consequence of the swing back necessary to bring the top of the scythe in the work. To convince himself, ho ordered two scythes 15 inches shorter than the common length, but in all other respects the same, which his laborers are now using. Mr Tucker considers the experiment so successful that he is anxious it should be made public He says he is ready to prove the same quantity of grass may be cut in a given time, and one third labor saved by using the short scythe instead of those of the general length. Disease of Poultry.—Complaint is made in every part of this island of the death of poultry, apparently from disease, but of the nature of that disease no persons seem to be informed. Our attention is called to the subject by a similar notice in a recent Melbourne Argus, in which the writer of a letter on the subject asserts, that the disease which causes the death of poultry is neither more nor less than vermin, and of this fact we have had personal confirmation. An examination of poultry, dead or alive, will convince any person.giving himsflf the t'-ouble to make it, of the truth, the fowls are literally crawling alive with vermin, and a further examination of the " lien roost" will shew the same state of things. The remedy for this is simple.' We extract it from the Argm. —"Let the fowl be rubbed all over the body with the asbps of a wood fire, and the second or third application will completely restore it to its accustomed vigor." "If an open box was to be filled with wood ashes, so that the fowls might roll and bathe in them, and they had a shady retreat to retire to daring sultry weather, I believe (says the writer) that there would not be half the mortality that there is now among the poultry." He continues: "I do not deny the existence of an atmospheric distemper amongst .them; on the contrary, I have called the attention of the savant anl the man of science to the fact." We recommend limeing the fowl houses, and if possible with chloride of lime, at: least once a week, this, together with the access to the poultry of boxes of wood ashes, will keep them healthy. The remedy is simple, and within the reach of every person 'to apply .—Hobarton paper. . 'Accident at the Hutt.—We regret having to record a rather serious mishap which occurred at the Hutt on Tuesday night last. The I circumstances are as follows:—Owing to the escape of the Chain Gang from Wellington Gaol, Mr. Fitzherberfc deemed it expedient to swear in two special native constables for the Hutt. Old Epuni (the. Pitone chief) was applied to, and he readily supplied two young men, Hare and Haira, who were accordingly installed as constables, and placed on duty in company with the two resident policemen. About five o'clock in the morning, whilst Hare was on duty near the bridge, a gun was fired from the window of an adjacent house, and he received a shot wound in the leg. His brother constables hastened to the spot, and lost no time in securing the assistance of a surgeon, who bound the wound, and pronounced the patient safe. It was found upon enquiry, that a Mr. Thomas—a man of extreme nervous temperament—was roused from his sleep by some noise outside, seized his loaded gun, rushed to the window, and observing in the street the —to his alarmed vision—unmistakeable form of a Chain Gang prisoner, he leveled his piece and fired! The calf of the poor man's leg is much lacerated, and the charge of shot still lodged there. He is now in the Provincial Hospital, and receiving every necessary attention. His friends take a very calm view of the case, are.convinced that it was purely an accident, but condemn the stupid perpetrator as being very "porangi,"' having first fired and then shouted, " Look out!"— Wellington Independent, April "8. ■ A now Knight of St. John.—The following paragraph has appeared in several papers:—Mr. Powyer, M.P., is to be installed f>y Cardinal Wiseman, at "the desire of the Pope, as a Knight Hospitaller, the first in England since the Reformation." It is. suggested that the reason why Indian servants are called Coolies is probably because their principal duty is to fan their master in the heat of the day.