MISCELLANEOUS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 360, 30 May 1874, Page 4

MISCELLANEOUS.

The " Leader "says:—" Within thelast few months no less than four splendid ships in the Australian trade have been dismasted on the voyage out, under circumstances that lead to the impression that the iron used in their construction has been unsound, and therefore unfitted to bear the strain that would -be encountered in anything like a violent gale When the Dallam. Tower came into port, her splintered iron masts, the stumps of of which were still standing, might be broken off with the thumb and finger in large pieces, and the metal, whether from corrosion or other cause we cannot say, was as brittle as a piece of glass. Another ship, the Cambridgeshire, has just arrived in a similar plight, and from the appearance of the splintered iron that is left standing, it seems all but certain that her disaster may be traced to the use of inferior material in tho ironwoork of the ship. In the captains opinion the disaster is attributable to no other g cause. The masts of these and other ships are constructed of cast iron, not of very great thickness, and it may reasonably be doubted if they are subjected to such tests as effectually prove their capability of withstanding the great pressure they are exposed to in a heavy' gale.. The matter is one deserving of most serious attention. The Dallam Tower cost 'about £14,000 to refit, and the Cambridgeshire will probably need nearly as much expended upon her before she is ready for sea. Wrought-iron masts for ships would no doubt be heavier than cast metal, but this difficulty might be met by using wood for the topmasts.

The truest heroes are those of whom the world never hears. I came on a family party in one of our public gardens the other day. There were two little , children, about six years of age, dressed exactly alike, and evidently twins. 'A little farther on, in clothes of the same make, were two other little children, also evidently twins, aged, probably four. Then came the father and mother arm in arm, each holding by the hand a little toddler of about two, whom the most careless observer would have pronounced at once to be twins. And in 'the wake of this melancholy procession was a nurse-girl driving a double perambulator, in which reclined two infants a few months old, the last arrows in the quiver of this matrimonial warrior. . The man bore his blushing honours very meekly. There was nothing like pride in his gait. To look at, him one would never for a moment have imagined him to be a hero. As he strolled along in the midst of his triumphs, I noticed more than anything else an air of sadness and despondency that impressed me with the vanity of human greatness. He looked like, one satiated with success. A melancholy equal to that which devoured Charles V. seemed to prey upon him, and I have little doubt but that, if he could have had his way, he likewise would have been only too happy to retire for ever into the calm seclusion of a cloister.- "Australian Sketcher."

Make Twain's Hotel. — Having lately opened a hashery, I send you these, my rules and regulations : — This house shall be considered • strictly inn-temperate. None but the brave de3erv9 the fare. Persons owing bills for board will be ,bored for bills. Boarders who do not wish to pay in advance are requested to advance and pay. Boarders are expected to wait on the colored cook — for meals. Sheets will be nightly changed once in six months, and more if necessary. Double boarders can have two beds with a room in it, or two rooms with a bed in it, as they may choose. Boarders are requested to pull off their bbots before retiring, if they can conveniently do so. Beds with" or without bugs. All moneys and other valuables are to be left in care of .the proprietor. ' This is insisted on, as he will be responsible for no other losses. Inside matter will not be furnished to editors under any consideration. Relatives coming to make a six months' visit will be welcomed ; but when they bring their household furniture, virtue will cease to be a forbearance. Single men with their families will not be boarded. Beds with or without boards. Dreams will be charged for by the dozen. Nightmares hired out at reasonable rates." Stone vaults will -he furnished to snoring boarders, as the proprietor will in no wise be responsible for the broken tympanums of other ears. The "Lyttelton Times" learns that Mr. Watt, the owner of Lurline, intends to send his famous mare to Melbourne, to strive with worthy competitors in the next Melbourne Cup,' to be run for in November. It will be interesting to note how the New Zealand crack fares in Australian compauy. *The following figures, compiled by a competent authority, show the income and expenditure of the Melbourne " Argus " : — Daily circulation, 7,676 copies ; income derived therefrom, £58 175. ; daily income derived from advertisements, £237 45.; the entire mechanical and literary staff numbers 89 ; the annual income of the office is £92,365 135. ; the working expenses, £34,800 j net yearly income, £57,567-12s. Wiltshire, the pedestrian, is before the public again. Some persons having disputed his powers of endurance in walking 1000 miles in 1000, hours-f-a- feat which he successfully accomplished in Christchurch; some twelve months ago— he sunounces" r in the Timaru papers that he is open to walk it again if there should he a-guarantee of £300 if he complete it — if not, to lose all. • And he further offers to walk any man in the colony against time and endurance, a mile for every hour, for £300 or £500. . A Hokitika auctioneer has introduced the practice of selling coals' by auction* in lotß to suit purchasers. At Hunt's Beach, Westland, there has been a squabble over an abandoned race. It appears firearms were brought into requisition on the occasion. This style of argument seems to be growing in favor in the district. The message wired to the " Argus " from Warrnambool, on April 15, after the cor£ elusion of Sir' James M'Culloch's speech, contained 8,500 words, and was the longest ever telegraphed in Australia. An instance of determined courage in arresting a burglar Was Bhown on April ' 26, by Master Joseph AdamsOn, the son of the American Consul at Melbourne. ' Early on that morning Master Adamson found a person in his room, and immediately seized him. After a sharp struggle, Adamßon was thrown down the stairs to the first landing, and on seizing the man again was hurled to the bottom. He, however, again caught the burglar, and this time succeeded in holding him till his father came to his assistance. In the Auckland papers of May, the following ages appear in the obituary list:— Robt. Hunt, aged 83 years ; Henry Hill, aged 75 ; and Mrs. Shepherd, aged 74 ; tqtal aggregate, 232 years. Mr. Hill was a solicitor, and had been in the colony twenty-one years. Unper the arresting heading of "Telegraphic Monsters," we have an interesting correspondence on the legitimate and ill©-, gitimate use of compound words in foreign telegraphic messages. Some foolish people, it appears, with a view to economy of expense, have been attempting to pass as one word such extraordinary compounds as "fireinsurancepolicy," 'piglrontons,' "Wire&nswer/ '• lanternjawed," &c. The eastern companies won't stand it any longer,' and, instigated by the Indian Telegraphic department, have published » list of combinations which they refuse to forward as single words, among which Appears such words as ''anyone, "anything." Ac. Such revenge as this has elicited loud remonstrances, v * '