MISCELLANEOUS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 82, 4 September 1869, Page 5

MISCELLANEOUS.

A ctjeious and suggestive little passage at arms occurred recently between Mr. Grant and Mr. Duffy, during the debate in the Victorian Legislative Assembly on the charges against Mr. Miller, ML. A. While Mr. Duffy was illustrating a point in his speech by reference to an Irish gentleman recently arrived in the Colony, with whom he had had a conversation, Mr. Grant started up from his repose on the Treasury bench, and inquired, in a very coarse and unbecoming manner, whether the gentleman in question was a Fenian. " I cannot tell, sir," retorted Mr. Duffy, "but I venture to affirm that he is not a white-washed Yankee republican of the school of General Jackson, who abandoned his republican opinions to creep into office. He is a man of character, and sober reputable conduct, in which respect he is a remarkable contrast to some persons who have scrambled into important places in this Colony." Mr. Grant did not pursue the conversation further.

The " Pall Mall Gazette " mentions that "it lately occurred to the management of the Eoyal Alfred Theatre that the severity of the rule 'No children in arms admitted ' might be mitigated for matrons of dramatic taste, by providing a special cloak room, where they could leave their infants just as other ladies leave their shawls and bonnets. A creche was accordingly instituted in the theatre, with an experienced nurse to welcome the little strangers and attend to their wants. A small charge was made for each of them, the mother receiving a ticket, on presentation of which the child was returned to her. The experiment, however, has been attended with unforseen results, which have compelled its abandonment. We learn from a notice which has just been posted at the theatre, that while mothers have been glad to avail themselves of the new cloak room, they have forgotten to come back for their babies. The result is an accumulation of infants, which the manager now threatens to send to the workhouse, if not claimed within three days, and all expenses paid.' 'No more children,' it is added, ' can be taken care of as previously announced.' "

Hair Thieves. — An American paper states that in consequence of the demand for hair of peculiar colours and shades, a new branch of " klpetic industry " has sprung up in New York. It appears that the hair thief abounds in the horse cars of the city, where the excuse of putting his elbow on the window enables him to operate with greater ease j but he is also to be found in every place of public gathering, the church included. The tresses dangling behind the head are his easy prey.

!Road Steamers. — The following information regarding road steamers was given in reply to some questions asked by Messrs. W. '& G. Turnbull by George Duncan & Co., London. Our readers will remember that an article on their advantage appeared some time back in our columns : — The price of a six-horse power engine would be about d68OO; the india rubber tires, included in this sum, cost £150, and are stated to be easily put on, and last a considerable term. The water — 100 gallons — is sufficient when drawing a load for a run of from 10 to 15 miles ; but, if required, the capability of carrying could -be increased. The road steamers appear to have been well tried and thoroughly approved of.

Alasming Peospect. — In drawing attention to the preponderating number, of girls to boys born in this district in the last fortnight, and recorded in our columns this week, we may state that we have taken the trouble of reckoning up the number of each sex born in the Wairarapa during the last six weeks, and find that the daughters almost exactly double the number of sons born.. " airarapa Mlereury."

A Brussels correspondent writes : — "Easter week has closed with a fearful occurrence at Bailleul. A troupe of performing lions had been visiting the place. On the night of the last named performance the lion tamer was suddenly taken ill,' and in order not to disappoint the public, the director of the circus, M. Brennett, notwithstanding the opposition of his friends, was rash enough to undertake the dompteur's part. M. Brennett entered the cage, and succeeded for a time in making the lions go through their performance ; but when it came to the close, which consists of giving the animals raw meat, the director lost courage, and instead of keeping a firm eye on the animals, as tamers are wont to do, he trembled and made for the door of the cage. This sealed his doom. A large lioness was the first to pounce upon him, and in a few minutes the man was torn to pieces. The excitement among the audience can be better imagined than described."

A duel was fought on May 22 at the He de Croissy, near St. Germain, between M. Beaudeuf, the Secretary of Legation at Haiti, and M. Lenormarid de Villeneuve, nephew of the Secretary-General of the Minister of Justice. M. Baudeufs friends were Count France d'Houdetot and M. Villette, two officers in a regiment of marines, to which M. de Villeneuve lately belonged. ' Shots were exchanged without effect, and then the seconds declared "honour satisfied," and the affair ended.