MISCELLANEOUS.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 25 May 1881, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS.

+ We take the following from a Home paper .—Earls seem to be having rather a hard time of it just at present Tt was but a week or two ago that the bailiffs were at Packington Hall, and the goods and chattels of the Earl of Aylesford trsnsfered to a Birminghim auctioneer. A few days ago the Earl of Hardwicke wis assuring the Court that, although ft bankrupt, he hopes by- , and-»by to pay twenty sbilliogs ia the pound ; and now we read in last night's Gazette the name of tho Earl of Perth and Melfort ns among tbose who have found ib necessary to take * the benefit of the Act. A very touching incident occurred and i** rolaf c .l by o:;.-.** nf th* survivors of the Tarr.ru:-. One of tho A, E

senmen, who was on tbe way to Melbonrne with bis wife and child, having been directed by tbe Captain to get oat of the boat*», naturally clung to his charge, but finding that he could not refuse bis duty, went and procurred clothing for tbem, and lashed his wife witk her child to tbe mast after placing with her all his money (£l9) and fate watch. The captain had to take the child to enable the man to eater tbe boat. On our arrival on tta beach on Sunday rfternoon we saw him with the identical shawl in his hands m-och tattered, but all the poor maa had left of those so dear to him, A curious accident happened in Dublin tbe other day. A young army officer was dancing in a drawing room with an open window when he suddenly tripped, and before he could save himself fell out into the street, a height of thirty feet ; his skull was fraetyred and he died shortly afterwards. Details of the occurrence are •not to be had, but probably tbe window must be. French casement without a balcony, otherwise the tale is unaccountable. We (Herald), are informed that a Dunedin gentleman whose portrait might possibly have been noticed by MB»tors to the Melbourne Exhibition, it the happy possessor of a gold medal, bearing stamp of the Royal Victorian Mint, and a certificate which runs as follows -—-'Exbibi* ion buildings Mel**bourne, April, 1881. First class award section «4; exhibit 967 P, F DEsq. Dear Sir—l have the honour to inform you that the jury of ladi.s have awarded your portrait, exhibit -967, section 84. the only gold medal awarded in this class for beauty and style.' Here follow signatures which .prove that a practical joke bai been perpetrated. A scene of a somewhat sensational character (says the Christchnrch Press) occurred on Monday evening near the Worcester .street bridge. A young lady— respectably connected, it is be<and well dressed— was observed to throw herself iato the river apparently determined on suicide, k Mr Day of the Telegraph Department, was .present, and at once rescued the rash one from her watery ■* refuge.' She .came out very damp indeed, and it m 'hoped, very sorry also for having •teed so foolish, but none the worse otherwise for her experience. The <present Conservative Adrainis.ration in Canada announced a surplus of £400,000. For the next fiscal year ,an expenditure of £5,242,000 is reck" oned for the anticipated revenue is £4,590,000,, so that Canadian finances would appear to be placed on a sound basis. This estimate does not include tbe making of the railway across the Continent, for which a special loan must be negotiated. The immense gain to Canada that ik- railway will be, makes even a heavy loan matter for congratulation. The railroad from the -United State has opened up immense areas to prosperity and immigration.