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Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3549, 11 May 1880, Page 2

Tenders will be received during the present week by Lieut. Burton at the Junction Hotel for sundry repairs required by the Naval Brigade gig. Lieutenant Barlaw has sent in the resignation of his commission in the Engineers. This is to be regretted, as Mr Barlow has been one of the most ardent supporters of the volunteer movement. His soldierly attainments and bearing have made him valued among volunteers, <of whom he has been a persistent champion through the Press. The Hauraki Engineers are greatly indebted to Lieutenant Barlow for their successful organization and status. Messes Thornton, Smith, and Firth have reduced both Crown and T.S.F. brands of flour £1 per ton. The P.S. Enterprise will leave the Goods Wharf at 7.30 this evening. A LABaE number of persons continue to visit Barnum's menagerie in McGregor's old mart, Brovra street, aud all appear satisfied with the show. The non> descript—half cat and half monkey—is certainly , a most-peculiar animal. Its body and tail resemble that of a cat, while its legs and other portions are evidences of its connection with the monkey t^ibe. The animal is very quiet, and when patted purrs like a cat Other features of the show are two large South. American tortoises, a dingo, opossums, etc. The tortoises are most peculiar looking animals and an inspection of them is well worth the price of admission.

If we are to believe a story which is current in Oamaru just now it would seem that the great sea serpent is not to have all his own way. The ISforth Otago Times publishes the story as follows:— " On my way home to-night, April 14, at six o'clock, 1 drew the attention of two of my fetlow workmen to a sight we never saw before, in the shape of a bird, beast, or fish, between the sea and the sky. It came in sight off the Awamoa Creek and passed through the air nearly to Kakanui. It £hen turned back, stopped half way, and looked of immense size. Then it proceeded back to where seen first, and disappeared in the sea. It looked a large black object—l thought a balloon, but I cannot form an opinion of what it was on account of its immense size. It appeared to be about two miles off, close into land, and say 200 yards hi#h in the air. Ifc was quite distinct to look at, but what it was. we could not tell. The object was certainly wonderful in its appearance."

It may not be generally known that the differences between .Roman Catholics and Protestants extend even to the mode of spelling. Yet such is the fact. At the recent trial of Mr J. C. Young, Mr Abraham Warbrick explained the discrepancies in the form and spelling of some of the signatures by the fact that sometimes a .Roman Catholic would sign for a Protestant and a Protestant for a Roman Catholic, and as the mode of spelling by the creeds was different, the names would thus appear differently spelled. For instance, Paul was spelled Pauro by Eoman Catholics, and Paora by Protestants. —Bay of Plenty Times. A man of eccentric habits, named Lyne (says the Bolton Evening Guardian), recently died &t Wigan. Feeling some time ago that his dissolution was not far distant, he walked into an undertaker's and had himself measured for his wooden suit. The coffin was prepared and embellished according to his own instructions, and paid 'for down on the nail, Lyne declining to be buried on credit by the parish authorities. This piece of furniture having been constructed according to the directions of its yet living tenant, Lyne wrote out his funeral cards, intimating the day and date of his demise, and requesting the attendance of his friends. Everything being in readiness for his death, the man quietly laid himself down and died. How he managed to die it is difficult to say, although it is certain the man laid no violent hands on himself. Among the many qualifications necessary in a bank inauager in Victoria a thorough knowledge of fire arms appears to be one, if we may judge by the following, clipped from, the Bcualla Standard :—" A severe reprimand was administered to a bank manager in this district the other daj by his inspector.

The inspector, while on 'his rounds, called in at the bank, and before leaving took up a revolver, which had been provided as a protection against the Kellys. Upon examination the inspector found it to be unloaded, and .immediately asked the reason why the weapon was empty in the Kelly country. The manager, after a little hesitation, replied that he had fired off the six chambers for practice, but confessed that he did not know how to reload the weapon. • The reprimand followed closo upon the last admission." The unrivalled fiuccees of O. McLifeb'b .Smoking-rooms are quite apparent through the crowded state of his rooms nightly, enjoying and amusing themselves at Draughts, I Dominoes, Cribbage, etc. The energy and perseverance of 0. McL. in securing good brands of Tobacco and Cigars for the district ia meeting with its just reward. N.B.— Great variety of Meer-chaum, Briar, and Cherry -wood Pipes. —C. McLivbb, Tobacconist. . The puzzle that lias taken San Francisco by storm ia now at work in Lawless and Cos. Smoking-room every evening. Vanity Fair, Richmond Geih*, Old Judge and Zetland Cigarettes. Ebony and Meerschaum Pipes. Smoking - room unequalled.—LawliESS and Co. \