PEOVINCIAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 214, 7 March 1872, Page 7

PEOVINCIAL AND GENERAL.

From an article in the " Pall Mall Gazette we learn that, since the termiuation of the war, habits of intemperance have greatly increased iv France, and in order to check the evil the French Academy of Medicine have appointed a commission to draw up a popular warning on the dangers of alcoholic liquors.

A rush has taken place to the kauri gum diggings at Mercury Bay. Auckland, and nearly all the miners have forsaken their claims to look for euro. About £1000 worth's being obtained weekly.

The Melbourne Leader has com-" menced the issue of a series of portraits of " successful colonists." It gives precedence to Mr. W. J. T. Clarke of whom it also publishes a biographical notice. In this it is stated that Mr. Clarke's wealth cannot be exactly calculated, but it must amount to nearly two millions sterling- His landed property consists of 120,000 acres iv Victoria, 50,000 il Tasmania, 75,000 in South Australia, and 45,000 in New Zealand. He has valuable town propteties iv Collius-streefc, Emetald Hill, and East Melbourne. He owns 15,000 shares in the Colonial Bank, anl he has a large number of shares in other gas and insurance companies, besides large sums lent out on mortgage. His brother

Lewis died some years ago, and the whole of the vast property accumulated will be inherited by his three sons, William Clarke of Sunbury, Thomas Biggs Clarke, of Quorn Hall, Tasmania, and Joseph Clarke, of Norton Mandeville. Mr. Clarke was borne in the year 1800, emigrated to Tasmania in 1829, and subsequently took part in the first colonisation of Port Phillip. He is said to* be in failing health but as anxious as ever to make money. His biographer says: — "He would rather take any amount of trouble than lose five shillings. Nor would he expend a single sixpence upon himself if it could be avoided. In the early days he would frequently travel from Melbourne to G-eclong without breaking his fast, rather than pay for a dinner on board the steamer."

During the discussion on the Estimates in the Westland County Council, a member stated that in the Grey mouth Goal there was only one prisoner, who occupied most of his time in playing cricket. The " Argus " admits there is only one prisoner, but says the statement as to bow he disposes of his time is a gross calumny.

New Zealand Sardines. — A contemporary writes — The mutton birds — of which such immense numbers are periodically observed off the coast — are, it is said, in attendance upon shoals of small fish of the herring species, upon which they feed and fatten until scarcely able to fly. The fish are occasionally driven ashore on the eastern side of Bluff Harbor in myriads, and are said, by those who have dressed and eaten them, to be equal in point of flavor to the best sardines. If so, it seems rather a pity that the mutton birds should be allowed to monopolise the supply. We suppose there is not such a thing as a herring net in this part of the Colony or it would bo well worth while to " try the fishing" oft" Bluff Harbor. There might be soj-re difficulty in "trawling" about that quarter, there would be none in " shooting a net."

One of the Auckland butchers announces his intention of selling good joints of beef and mutton at 2d. per Ib. It is stated that some six ladies availed themselves of the privilege of voting at the election of a city councillor for Auckland.

The Communist refugees in London have started a paper entitled " Qui Vive," under the editorial care of M. Vermersch, formerly editor in Paris of the " Pere Duchene."

A mountain' of silver, or, at all events, a mountain containing vast quantities of that metal, has born discovered in .Nevada, the State just admitted into the American Union. Its name is Silver peak, it is east of San Francisco, and about seventy miles south of Austin, and twelve immensely rich lodes have already been opened. The whole of Nevada is rich in silver, but this particular spot will, it is believed, produce more than any mines yet discovered. Close to the Pea'c is an extinct crater, near it a vast deposit of salt, within sight a hill of pure sulphur, and around an endless stony desert, the whole scene suggesting strongly the picture which Milton drew of Hell.

Hollowai/s Pills — The most popular medicine for the cure of female complaints. After many years' experience, it is incontestibly proved that there is no medicine equal to Hollnway's Pills for the cure of diseases incidental to females, and for the sub jection of the many ailments to which the young; and delicate are liable. The invigorating and purifying properties of Holloway's medicine render it invaluable. They may be taken by females of all ages for any disorganisation or irregularity of the system, speedily removing the cause, thus restoring the sufferer to robust health. As a family medicine they are une* quailed, and may be taken by old and young, restoring health and energy after all other tnea.ns have proved un. successful,