VICTORIAN ITEMS.

West Coast Times, Issue 571, 24 July 1867, Page 4

VICTORIAN ITEMS.

Yesterday, remark? the " Argus," a petition, not only of an unusual but, we should think, of an unprecedented, character, was. presented to the Assembly by Mr Love. It was a petition signed by about 100 of the Chinese, written in Chinese characters, in favor of the establishment of schools for the education of that portion of the community. An English translation, accompanied the petition, and from it we observe that, like the productions generally of the Celestial mind, it is somewhat grandiloquent in its style. It appears to be addressed "to the honorable and univer-sally-respected gentlemen in Parliament assembled, deliberating on the honorable affairs of state in obedience to the dictates ofheavenlyreason, and for the furtherance of the well-being of the people." It then states that the petitioners have heard that a.proposal has been submited for establishing among the Chinese schools for instructing them in their own and in English letters. They feel that the proposal indicated a benevolent heart, and a philanthropic purpose: and approaching the presence of Parliament with " profound, prostration," they hope that it will give effect to the laudable project, " seeing that it is one that will help to show us ignorant people that we are now to reject the evil and prefer the good." The .petitioners conclude by expressing; their "best wishes for the welfare of your members of your honorable House." If our Chinese brethren were acquainted with the character of the "proceedings in the House last night, they would scarcely describe its deliberations as being 'n obedience to the .dictates of heavenly reason."

The " water diviner," Morgan, at Ararat, has, says the "Argus," sued some persons at the local court for " work and labor done" in indicating to them where to sink for springs of water. In one case a verdict was given in his favor, the defendant not appearing. In giving his evidence, Morgan said that he was prepared to swear that wherever he divined the existence of springs of water they would be found by sinking. He always stipulated that he would not take upon himself to say whether the water was fresh or brackish. The statements made with respect to the results of his divination are curious, and such as scepticism must find it very difficult to explain away. In prosecuting his divination several attempts were made to prove the truth of his professions by those who engaged him and to these tests Morgan submitted cheerfully The plan usually pursued to corroborate the correctness of his indications was that of blindfolding, and bewildering him as far as possible as to the locality first pointed out. In all cases we learn that Morgan, blindfolded though he was, invariably returned to and pointed out the precise spot. To this test he submitted in every instance, and for his services received part payment, or promises that when the sinking had been prosecuted and the water found, the diviner would be amply rewarded. A large number of testimonials to the truth of his indications, as tested by sinking and discovering water at the depth mentioned by him, have been given by residents of the district on whose land he has pointed out springs, and one is published in a local paper with the names and addresses of the writers.

While some miner's at Mariner's Reef, Maryborough, on the 19fh, were breaking down some stone in the lower level, at a depth of 650 feet from the surface, a live frog was found imbedded in the stone. The " Argus " of the 24th states that the little creature was qnite lively, and is still living. ; '

It was a pointed remark of Franklin's, when lu> said, " If a wife is only half the acisßors, bUe is often the half with the point."