GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 256, 26 December 1872, Page 5

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

L&rt Sunday wits the hottest day expert, enced in Dunedin this summ»r. The thermometer, shortly after noon, stood at 89deg. fabr. in the shade, and Hwdep. in the sun. From the last statement published in the New Zealand Gazette, we observe that; the amount of deposits in the Post Office Savings Bank, Napier, during the quarter ended 30th September was L' 2442 13s, and the amount of withdrawals, including principal and interest, L 1756 15s Bd, leaving a surplus, of L 713 6s Id. The amount of money orders issued at Napier during the same quarter was LIB7B, and of money orders received was L6lO l'Bs lid. It is satisfactory to observe that, as regards the whole Colony, the business done in both departments shows a very great increase on that done duriagtue corresponding quarter of 1871. In the Post Office Savings. Banks throughout the Colony the balance left in deposit on tbe 30th September last was T. 35,557 2s 7d, as compared with L 14.468 5s 2d on the 30th September, 1871. Under the heads of money orders issued and paid, we find totals of I 52,172 2s 5d and L 36.658 178 2d, respectively, as compared with L 40.932 0s 6d issued, and L 25.632 17s lid paid during the corresponding quarter of last year. These results are gratifying, both as showing the increased prosperity ef the Colony, and as indicating the fact that the Post Office Savings Bank and' Money Ordej system is proving itself every day more wid more unmistakeably successful. A young man named David Chalmers, . .s struck by lightning at the Woolsbed during the severe thunderstorm on December 9th. While walking along with his two mates, he felt something suddenly strike him on the cheek. He was at once thrown down insensible, in^ which condition be continued for about five minutes. Upon recovering consciousness he instinctively put liis hand to his cheek, which was as cold as ice. He also had a severe pain in his chest, but it left shortly afterwards, and no evil effects remained. The two men who were with him also experienced a slight shock and felt a strong smell of sulphur, but escaped uninjured. The fact of an American barque, the Matilda, have captured in New Zealand waters, within a few hours of each other, two sperm whales, and having within a period of not more than three weeks captured three whales, variously estimated as being Worth from L 2.500 to L 3,000. induces tbe Southland News to enquire why it is that there has not yet been found in the Colony some one possessing sufficient enterprise and energy to set about reaping ! the rich harvest, tbe existence of which at our very doors- has been so abundantly proved. It thinks that such an undertaking, well-manned and properly equipped, has as fair a chance of success upon its side as any one of. the numerous speculations that from tune to time secure favor at the hands of a discerning public. It also direct* attention to seal fisheries and remarks : — " Within the past few weeks three or four vessels ha/c returned to Invercargill well freighted with skins from the West Coast hunting grounds, which leaves no doubt but that the produce for the current year will be considerably more than one hundred percent, increase, as' compared with the produce of last year.? If such rapid ftrides can be made by one ortwo private individuals, what dimensions is the trade not likely to assume, if prosecuted under a pnblic company, with unlimited capital and influence at its disposal ; and the apprehensions expressed that the trade, if not taken up by us on our account, 'will eventually fall into the hands of American whalers, would seem to be not altogether groundless. Meantime there is one point connected with this matter, which demands the early attention of the Legislature. From inquiries made, we learn that a ruthless and indiscriminate slaughter of seals has been going on. The effect of this is noc only to destroy the growth of the species, but likewise to drive away such as survive from our shores. . It seems that there is this peculiarity in the natural instincts of the animal — that if its rookeries happen to be invaded during the period of propagation, which extends over some two or three months of the year, it never returns to theae haunts again. The question of providing a close season was, we understand, inquired by select committee of the General Assembly, but for some reason or other the proposal was "not given effect to. If the trade is worth cultivating, it is surely worth while protecting it. Indeed, we are led to believe that unless steps fqr this purpose be goon taken, the prospects of {;be sealers, sq far. at least, as par coasts. a.re cqneerned, wilj speedily be guinea £qr years, to come. At Qreymouth, lately, a child named Parkinson", aged three years, the son of a stationer there, died from eating a quantity of phosphorised matches. It transpired at the coroners enquiry that the deceased had been' in the habit of picking up matches, and putting them in his mouth, and his parents had been careful to keep them out of the way, but it is supposed 7 that he had found some in the yard adjoining the house, where a fire had been Ut on the day on which he fell sick. i. At a meeting held recently in iiondon for the purpose of raising funds for exploring the ruins of Palestine— the Archbishop of York in the chair— the followin-' resolution yas proposed by Mr Thomas ' t qoney, late pf Melbourne; — v . That an exploration of ttye ruins' of hnmanjtyi'enyeloped |p squalor, poyerty, ignorance, vice, and crime, which Cover at least one-third of the e'ntjre population of London, ought to, be preferentially Bjdertaken."' Tlje rpßolut}qi}, wp are. tpld, created th§ utmost; consternation amonggt ffte episcopal an.4 archaeological element en ihe platforjn; and the chairman refused to put it to the meeting. ' A Committee appointed by the Canterbury Provincial Council to pronounce on the suitability- of certain- timbers for railway purposes, give it as their opinion that Oregon timber of the best quality is equal, if not superior to black pine, but inferior to totara, jarrah, and other timbers of like quality obtainable in New Zealand and Australia. They are therefore of opinion that the latter class of, timber should be obtained for railway 1 sleepers, in prefecenee to -Oregon pine, even at a considerably enhanced price. We note from the. General, Government Gazette af the 21st ult. that the third of the series of annual International Exhibitions of selected works of fine art (including music), industrial Art, and recent scientific inventions and discoveries, under the direction of HIM. Commissioners for the Exhibition of I§sl, will" be opened at South Kensington, London, in Ap'ri}, ' 1873. "The Exhibition will cottsist' of tne 1 three following divisions : —Ist, fine aits ; 2114, manufactures • and 3rdT recent fcienjifii; inventions and new discoveries of all kinds.' D,etai}ed particulars fpr' exhibiting manufactures in each of the seven exhibitions to follow that of 1873 are published iv the same Gazette. ; An unnatural mother, named J»,ue Lyons, has been committed for tfia.l for mm■laughter at Christchurch. One of the witnesses called to give evidence against her, apolice constable, said: -"on the night of Saturday, the 30th November, I was called into the Al Hotel. In the dining-room I found the prisoner drunk. She was throwing a baby from one arm to the other. I requestedher to leave the hotel, and she took tttUVy with her fight hand by tbe back |

and slunjf it under her left arm. She then staggered against the <icor-po«t| and squeezed the baby who gave a faint cry. She then * retarfieri irittf itoe 1 dining-room. . She was * holdin? the child on her' knee with it's * hoa I down, and I noticed it wns black in the face." The barman at tbe hotel «aid — , "I noticed the child was very ill. She was 3 putting it from one -arm to the other. I told j her to go straight to the Hospital, and she t said he could not walk. 1 said 1 would get ; a cab, and he replied that she had no money. i 1 told her that the child was ill, and I would I pay for the cab. She said she would not go, , and I told her I would send for the police. . A constable came, and she threw herself on [ the floor. He took charge of the baby and , the woman. A woman who was called in .by the policeman said :—": — " I saw' prisoner , with her baby in her lap. She was very ( tipsy. The baby was lying with its heels i up, and its head downwards, and was quite . black in the face. It had every appearance of death. Prisoner was ao tipsy that she [ could not handle it. The baby was taken from prisoner, and hauded to me by the I cons'.ablcß. It appeared to me to he about : three weeks old. It bad nothing on it but a [ dirty calico nieht-dress. It had nc flannel , on, or any other clothing whatever. The : insufficiency of clothing was enough to kill tbe chad." i The amended regulations for nominated immigration, now in force, provide that 1 families and single men can receive passages to the Colony on payment, in advance, of four pounds for each adult (between the ages of 12 and 50 year^, and two pounds for each child under 12 years of age. Free passages are granted to girls of 12 years of age ami upwards, accompanying their parents, and to single women between the ages of 16 and 35, provided they are able to produce proof of good character to the satisfaction of the Agent-General in Londou ; and a gratuity of ten shillings will be paid by the AgentGeneral to heads of families emigrating under these regulations, for every such single woman, not being a member of the family, brought out uuder their protection. If the persons nominating friends do not wish to pay the passage money in advance, they can -give bills at the rate of LU per statute adult, which bec'ime due 30 days after the arrival 1 of the immigrants. If ' necessary, however, longer time will be allowed, and arrangements may be made with the Imnrpration 1 Officer for the payment of the bills by instalments. Applications for passages can be made at -ny money order post-office, or at the Immigration v ffice, Dunedin. At a recent meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, the Chairman said that the Drawbacks Act, passed last session of Parliament, had been of great benefit to the merchants of New Zealand, and added, .that not a single recommendation of the Chamber had been neglected by the Government. The Bruce Herald regrets to learn that a caterpillar is committing great ravages amongst the crops in some quarters *in this neighborhood. In the district behind the Half-way Bush, in particular, they aie to be seen in thousand's, and are both above and under the ground. Several acres of barley have been destroyed, and a paddock of cocksfoot grass completely eaten up. So ■ great has been the damage done that one would almost suppose the district had been visited by a cloud of locusts. European astronomers have predicted that a large fall of aerolites may be expected during this month. The many shooting stars lately indicate that their calculations have not been misplaced. There appears to be no equivalent fur " Boad Board "in the Maori tongue. In the Poverty_JSay Standard,, in. tne native language, v?e find, in place of these untranslateahlo words, the following curious render* ing—" Bori Pori." A Government Gazette notifies that on and after the Ist day of January, 1873, the postage on newspapers posted within the Colony for delivery at places within the Colony, will be reduced to one-halfpenny each. In the Christchurch Police Court, on the 18th instant, tbe name of V. J. Wakefield appeared on the charge street for drunkenness, and be was fined 20a. Can thin be the mamber for Christchurch City ? If bo, pity 'tis that so much talent has gone to waste. Dr Hector is a passenger by the Lnna, and he is here for the purpose of scientific observations, especially regarding our coal deposits. After leaving Dunedin, the Luna will proceed tq Preservation Inlet, where T)r Hector will m^ke as careful an' examination of'th.e coal deposits, of that locality and neighborhoqd as may be po'siWe under tbe circumstances. The steamer will then coast round to the Grey, where she tvil 1 probably fill up with co 4 and return to Wellington. Mr Warden Beetbam and the party who accompanied him, returned to Queenstown on Wednesday evening last, from their exploration trip to and from Martin's Bay. All speak very highly of the great natural capabilities of a large portion of the country passed through, and especially of the Helly'iord Valley, which w said to average about four miles wide and fifteen long. The residents of Jamestown are anything but well provided with the necessaries of life, their only provisions being bread, tea, sugar, and some very bad " salt juuk " or beef. No wonder the people display so little energy in clearing the land, and' enriching the locality with the, fruits of their to.il. The Wahdip. ifes promises to giv^'afl ac.pouns of the $rip. ify Jts next The Queenstown Police ponr^ was occnpied the 1 ©tier daj- w^th a'pase whiph involved a legal confederation of the principal character in one qf Shakespeare's plays. Mr H. Manders, a. well-known resident at Queenstown, was summoned for addressing one Samuel CoUins, in one- of the principal streets of the place, and saying concerning him, «• Shylock, Shylock, are yoa now satisfied with your pound of flesh ?" The complaina&t stated in his . evidence that he did not know who Shylock was, whether he was a good or bad man ; but he considered the defendant was using a slang word for » Jew. After some argument as to the intended application of the words complained of, the Bench said they were of opinion that it was a. case that should, never have 'been brought into Court. They thought that the prosecutor, had brought it -with an -intention- to show up the defendant. Thejiroseoutor had stated, that he did not know who Shylock was j_ out the defendant, as • man of education, knew perfectly well the force of the language used. Be knew that Rhylock waa a double-dyed scoundrel, revengeful, [and, in fact', all that was atrocious. The defendant had referred to his standing, and his 'wellknown character of rather throwing oil upon the troubled waters than promoWg^qarrels; but the bench had to consider the case as iU had been brought before them. Though they could not approve of the motives that had actuated the prosecutor, still they could not | summarily dismiss the case, because it might ; ' tend to set a bad example, and justify others in using cearter language. They admitted that defendant had received provocation, and he had complained pf the treatment received ■ as not being •proper to a gentleman. His 1 proper course: would have been to avoid coming into contact with a man of plaintiffs character. They would inflict merely a nominal fine, as an example, bat allowed no expenses to prosecutor, who would have to pay ome witness 24«, and his own Cvftl,— | Fiutd li, udooftoof Coirt.

The following are' the names' ©f the eighteen cricketers from whom tbe team to play against Canterbury will be selected :—: — Messrs Allen, Buck, Collinson, Downes, Ferguson, Glen, Hellicar, H end ley, Johnston. Kettle, IVhcfarlan. Morrison, Aluir, Reade, Stewart, Slvppard, Sutcliffe f . and Tait. The match will be played about the end of January or the beginning of February at Christchurch.