MISCELLANEOUS.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1285, 15 June 1883, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Wellington • Times ' states :— " A clergyman lately from. England, a. B. A. of Cambridge University, became a prey to the consuming vice of drunkenness, and having starved and then deserted his wifo and young family in Wellington, they had to seek that relief which is the local equivalent of the parish dole, though less degrading. The case has excited much sympathy during the last lew weeks ; and this instructive contrast is now presented, that whereas the husband who ought to be also the protecterand provider- for this family has gqtte his own selfish and sottish way, leaving them to perish for onght he cares. A crowd of seven or eight hundred people went to the Athenteuin concert last night to add their contributions for relieving this deserted family. Between £30 and £40 will have been realised. The property in the Transvaal, from which was reported some time ago, on good authority, that enormous quantities of gold — reaching in certain cases as much *s 1000 ounces to the ton — were likely to he taken, has been acquired by an English compauy, whose engineer and geologist, sent out to examine the prospects of the under taking, have sent home most satisfactory reports on the subject ' Two diggers,' says one of them, ' employing ! seven Kaifirs, r has just cleaned up for the week 78. ounces of gold, aud their means of working are most inefficient. It is by far the richest place I have seen, and the amount it will produce is something fabulous.' Ec the late John Brown, a London letter states that " the Queen talked to him more than to any other person in the Castle, and whatever the canny Scotchman suggested somehow very generally came to pass. I understand the Prince of Wales is by no means broken-hearted at the calamity. He disapproved strongly of the late favorite, and more than once suggested the propriety of allowing Brown to retire on a pension. The Empress Eugenic was one of the deceased's warmest friends. She always made a point of addressing him most graciously when I visiting the Queen, and sent a magnificent weath to place on his coffin." From the San Francisco Bulletin we learn that the American export of fresh meat reached its maximum in 1881, when beef to the value of 9,860,254d01, and mutton to the value of 256,008d0L was exported. In 1882 the figures fell to C,768,881d0l worth of beef, and 131,641d0l worth of mutton. The increase of the Home demand seems to be the cause, but the Bulletin believes that the immense resources of the country will soon increase the supply. Since, 1877 horned cattle have been exported to the average value of 15,000,000d0l annually. A correspondent informs the ' Times ' of a romantic incident which has recently occured in a prosperous London suburb. A devoted young High Church curate of interesting appearance and great popularity in his district, was waited upon by a young lady of considerable attractions, but with an air of deep melancholy, and clad iv a somewhat ascetic garb. After some confusion and the shedding of a tear she revealed to him that she had ventured to visit him on a matter deeply affecting her happiness, she feared her life. The curate naturally asked what it might be, but after several attempts to speak, choked by sobs, she informed him that the matter was one of such deep importance that she could not impart it except at her own abode, whence she adjured him as her spiritual friend, by

all he held sacred, to visit her. After some little conversation the reverend gentleman promised to do so, and the next day he called at the address given him. Then the young lady, with a look of still deeper dejection and a voice indicative of remorse and shame, revealed to him the fatal secret She had conceived a deep, a passionate love for the curate himself. She knew, she said, that her .passion was hopeless ; he in his devotion to the Church, for which she loved him all the more, had vowed himself to a life of celibacy, and she would resignedly carry her attachment to the grave, which she felt was not far oft. But there was one kindness which it was in his power to grant her, the remembrance of which would bring consolation to her dark and weary path. Would he, before they parted for ever, give her one kiss ? After some timidity and hesitation, the young curate, touched with pity, complied. The lady shed another tear bade him aideu .in a hollow voice, and he departed. A few days afterward he received a neat little parcel gracefully tied with a piece of blue ribbon, and, on opening it, found an instantaneous photograph (cabinet size) of himself kissing the younj lady. Accompanying this was a communication from the fair creature herself that there were eleven more copies, and that he might have the whole dozen at £20 a piece. Should he not be in want of them it was her intention to dispose of them in another quarter. Negotiations on the subject ■are said to be proceeding.