MISCELLANEOUS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 109, 10 March 1870, Page 6

MISCELLANEOUS.

A despatch from San Francisco, dated Novemper 9, states that the Tahiti Cotton Company, about si^y months ago, sent the barque Margaret . Cander, Captain Blackett, to the Gilbert Islands for a cargo of coolies. The captain succeeded in securing about 3000, and, during the return voyage, they mutinied, and killed the captain and two officers, horribly mutilating their bodies. The mate escaped to the hold of the vessel. There he placed a keg of powder under the main hatch, and having arranged a fuse, called the coolies, when the savages crowded around the hatchway. The fuse was fired, killing nearly all onboard. The rest jumped overboard or fell victims to the mate and remaining men. The vessel was brought safely to Tahiti. The "London Economist" has an article under the heading of Marine Insurances, which endeavours to reach some general results concerning the comparative safety of vessels propelled by steam and sails. From the article it appears that there are only about one-twentieth as many steamers as sailing vessels, on the whole ; but they do more than twice the work, in proportion to their number. The entries and clearances of steamers in the United Kingdom, for instance one-fourth of the whole number A given number of steamers suffer from about twice as many accidents as the same number of sailing vessels, so that for a voyage; or for the same amount of trade, it appears that steam is somewhat safer than sails. But the results in trans- Atlantic navigation is now marked. The voyagesmade by steamers between Europe and the United States in 1868 were onefourth of the whole number; so that the safety of steamers, voyage for voyage, is nearly double that of sailing ships. Another point is to be noted. Not only are steamers twice as secure against casualties of all sorts, but the casualties which do happen them are not so fatal. In almost all cases the loss by steamer is less ; the instances of total loss, both to ship and cargo, being very considerably less. But on the other hand, steamers suffer twice as much in proportion from collisions as sailing ships,which are more exposed to other casualties of the sea; and many collisions are probably noted which come to little. Whatever may be the case, the fact it seems is not usually so grave as a casualty to a steamer is not usually so grave as a casualty to a sailing ship. The estimates are useful as well as interesting. It is evident, also, that year by year the trade of the world is abandoning all the slower method of locomotion. The " Impartial " of Smyrna gives an account of a frightful catastrophe. The town of Oula, in the district^* Menteche, a dependency of Aidin, has disappeared — entirely swallowed up in the earth after three successive shocks of earthquake. Providence seems to have had pity on the inhabitants, as a day or two before, they were to some extent warned of what was about to occur by dull rumbling and alarming sounds, which were soon followed by a first shock that made them fly terrified to the neighbouring hills. With the exception of three men, whose cupidity probably detained them, all the inhabitants escaped with their lives ; but it was, it is said, a pitiful sight to see men, women, and children — some on their knees, and others lying flat on the ground — contemplating the destruction of their homes, and all they possessed engulphed by the cruel earth before their eyes. Marmaritza and Moula, in the same district, have also suffered severely. The Governor ad inferiinhms, however, sent provisions, tents, and money to these unfortunate people, who are thus left without a roof.

In the Court of Chancery, lately, a question was raised in the case of "Gilliatt v. Gilliatt" of considerable interest to auctioneers and others having to do with sales of land by auction. An estate in Sussex was offered for sale by auction, subject to a reserved bidding, and this was stated in the conditions of sale. Mi\ Bridges, to whom the estate was knocked down for £29,000, having found out that a "puffer" was employed, although no right of bidding on behalf of the owner was reserved, took out the summons to set aside the purchase. It was proved that a "puffer" had been employed, who had bid on himself and made in all four bids, though he did not go beyonct the reserved price. His lordship said that the Act was clear to the effect that sales should be void in equity as Well as in law where a "puffer" was employed, although no right of bidding on behalf of the owner was reserved. The sale must be set aside and the deposit returned. Holloway's Ointment and Pills. — The skin disease to which the bon vivant and man of indolent habits are peculiarly subject, as well as those scorbutic affections caused by a superabundance of salt diet and the hardships and privations of a seaman's life, are readily removed by Holloway's Ointment. The disfiguring blotches, pustules, pimples, &c, arising from supressed perspiration or obstruction in the secretive organs, are also immediately obliterated by this purifying and beautifying agent. It has no equal as a means of clearing the complexion and releiving the skin of discolorations and excrescences. The Pills, as^ they carry off all inward impurities, are an important -auxiliary to the Ointment in such: cases*