Untitled

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 75, 17 July 1869, Page 6

The problem for a lady's attire for the velocipede appears to be in a fair way of solution. A party of young ladies have taken up the matter in New York, preparatory to making their debut in the approaching summer, and the "Velocipedist" thus describes their dress :—": — " Let the outer dress skirt be made so as button its entire length in front. The back part should be made to button from the bottom to a point about three-eighths of a yard up the skirt. This arrangement does not detract at all from the appearance of an ordinary walking costume. When the wearer wishes to prepare for a drive she simply loosens two or three of the lower buttons at the front and back, and bringing together the two ends on each side separately, buttons them in this way around each ankle. This gives a full skirt around each ankle, and, when mounted, the dress falls gracefully at each side of the front wheel."

On Monday last, says the " Wagga Wagga Express " of the 26th May, in accordance with established usage, the annual dole of a blanket apiece was made by the Police Magistrate on behalf of the Government to the last miserable remnant of the once powerful tribe of Wagga Wagga blacks. Of the numerous tribe that a few years ago roamed as the lords of the soil over this portion of the Murrumbidgee, but seven only presented themselves on Monday last for the gift of the wretched yearly blanket which is all that they got from the race from which they have received from the first but little save disease, despoilation, and death. The blacks in this part of the country are very rapidly dying off, and if the present state of decrease continues, but a very few years will elapse ere, as has just happened in Tasmania, the last of the race disappears from the earth.

By the arrival of the schooner Kate Grant yesterday we learn that serious disturbances have taken place amongst the natives of the Samora group. The quarrel arose in connection with the appointment of a King for the whole Samora group. Most of the inhabitants are anxious to have a chief over the whole of the islands, but a dispute was engendered by a jealousy which existed Between the different islands, two of which put in a claim for one of their men to fill the office. The islands of Lavaii, Maneno, and Opulu are concerned in the dispute, and about 600 men altogether are under arms. The first engagement took place at Apia on the Island of Opulu on the Ist of April, when 70 natives were killed, the heads of all the wounded being cut off at the close of the fight. The flag of the British Consul was hauled down and torn to pieces, but no Europeans were molested. The fighting was still going on when the Kate Grant left, and Mr. Williams, the Consul, had despatched a letter to Sydney by a brig bound for that place, requesting the assistance of a man-o'-war. The day before the schooner left, Mr. Firth, the missionary stationed at Saluatata, came in to Apia to complain of the natives living at that station, who have assumed a most threatening attitude, and have taken up their abode in the chapel, in spite of all remonstrances. The hurricanes which proved so destructive to the Fiji group passed over the Samora group on the 16th March, by which a saw-mill belonging to Mr. Williams was destroyed, and a number of native houses at Tonga blown down. — " Southern Cross," June 4

A Valuable Remedy. — Kerosene is the best antidote for a severe burn or scald. Immerse the injured part in cold water for a moment, rub dry with a soft cloth, taking care not to rub at all ; then bathe in kerosene, and the terrible pain soon ceases. We know of a little child who put his foot and leg into a pail of nearly boiling water. The above remedy was applied, and in a few minutes the child's screams ceased. We know not the philosophy of the matter, but we do know that it is the most efficacious remedy for severe burns or scalds in the maieria medica. — " Echo." Discovery of Meerschaum. — It is reported that a ~ substance resembling meerschaum has been discovered in the north of Auckland,