GENERAL NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 951, 23 March 1872, Page 3

GENERAL NEWS.

The Greymouth " Evening Star " of Monday last says, a Mr Strachan who Is at present in Westport advertises that he does hairdiessing bv steam. He designates himself " Professor

Itrachau, physiognomic operator and irofessor of the tonsurial art."

A thorough trial was lately made in Australian waters of Roff's patent for telling the weight of the contents ofa vessel. A barque, the Ecliptic, of 500 tons burthen, was fitted up with the machine, at Melbourne, and despatched to JNewcastle for a cargo of coal. "When she returned to port, she was visited by a large number of gentlemen connected with the shipping trade, and the machine was tested severely, but was found to be thoroughly correct, and to answer the fullest expectations of the promoters of the patent, claims on gold. The Rev. Mr Booker, Congregationalist Minister at Auckland, has been killed by a tree falling on Mm.

The recent dry weather in Otago is beginning to make itself shown in the lightness of the gold escort. The last one only brought down 98360z There has been some good falls of rain up-country, but the average is still far below the usual. During this week the weather has gradually imnroved, and is now quite fane again. We are enjoying something like the Indian summer. Farmers are busy securing the late crops, and a few days more of such weather will clear the fields.

The Old Whim party in Jones' Flat struck splendid wash, at a time when they were beginning to despond, having driven more than 100 ft and passed through an indifferent wash, which they feared was an evidence that the good run they were seeking did not pass through their claim ; but, while some of the party were in the Excelsior claim, taking bearings, the good news was brought that the lead was struck and prospected 20grs of gold to the dish—the same quality as is obtainable in the Cassius and Excelsior claims.

The ease of Fairbank v. Fairbank, and Behrens, which occupied the Supreme Court, Christchurch, in itDivorce and Matrimonial Cases Sittings, for two days last week, resulted in a verdict for the petitioner who is a chemist and druggist in that town. The wife made no defence, but the co-respondent, besides alleging that Mrs Fairbahk had been of loose character when Mr Fairbank married her, pleaded that the petitioner, had connived at and been accessory to the adultery. The evidence, however, did not support the plea of connivance, though it fully proved that Mrs Fairbank was Of the character alleged.