BREVITIES.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 257, 7 February 1889, Page 3

BREVITIES.

Keep your skates oiled. Look out forlhe Champion Skater. Silver is being found in large quantities in the Madras Presidency. The Indian Government has called for a report on the oil wells of Burmab. It is expected that Germany will shortly impose a heavy duty on imported wool. We understand that the meeting re Law Library was adjourned for a week. The Maori Footballers defeated the Midland Counties by one goal and three tries to nil. A Borough Council pun—Mr Thompson won’t “ bonus ” for the fraction of a tenner.

Messrs Graham Pitt and Bennett hold an important sale of furniture on Saturday next. A new cycling machine hue been brought out, to carry three riders. In a trial recently a mile was ridden on the road in 2min 18seo.

Sir H. Parkes says he will never hold office if he is to be kicked and cuffed about by persons who know neither him nor the objects he has in view.

The Chief Commissioner of Victorian Police has refused to recommend an increased allowance to married members of the force for rent, fuel, and light.

An ambitious young French composer is at the present time engaged upon a “ Divorce March,” which he thinks will hit the taste of the Parisian public. The construction of the north-eastern wing of the Victorian Parliament House is to be proceeded with at once. Probable cost between £BO,OOO and £lOO,OOO. A Mrs Turnell was seized with a fit while attending the services in the Independent Church, Melbourne, and died on being removed from the bfiilding. The German Emperor has renewed the decree of bis grandfather, by which all servants of the Imperial Court are prohibited from wearing moustaches. Encouraging 1 An Australian sheriff officially wrote regarding a new assistant-hang-man : “ He promises to be a most suitable person, and is not nervous.” A six storey building in Chicago is being raised 6lt Sin. Several thousand screw jacks are used, and it takes 800 men to work them. The building weighs 20,000 tons.

If a man would keep both integrity and independence free from temptation, let him keep out of debt. Dr Franklin’said : "It is hard for an empty bag to stand upright.” In fining McElwain, a Wanganui publican, for selling liquor on Sunday, the Bench said he had been the victim of a cowardly act, and an information that was discreditable in the extreme.

They arc going election mad in New South Wales—even the members of the Football Association are trying to get a " bawler ” into Parliament, their President being the chosen one. There is one woman journalist reporting the proceedings of the Parnell Commission. She is said to be Madame Venturi, the friend of Mazzini, and holds the seat allotted to an Irish newspaper.

The Journal Des Debats will celebrate its centenary on August 29 next. It has had an eventful career, and as, Lamartine wrote, its history during sixty years, forms part of the history of France. An anti drinking syndicate has been formed in Coromandel, the members of which pay £5 each into a fund, In the event of any member being known to drink intoxicants his £5 is divided amongst the others who have •not broken the pledge. Not a feather to be seen nor a chirp to bo heard—that is on the southern shores of Lake Balkasb, Siberia. The Russian zoologist, Nicolsky, is reported to have found the region as birdless as the paleozoic age, This is all the more remarkable, seeing he has found there reptiles and tortoises ; also hares and mice.