MISCELLANEOUS.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1307, 8 October 1883, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS.

♦ In ten years New Zealand has spent (Mr Gray, the indefatigable temperanc. advocate, has found) on its liquor bil twenty-four millions and a-half. For the twelve years ending 1882, the amouut of that bill is twenty-eighl millions. While the debt of the Colony was being inrceased from six millions tc twenty-eight, the people drank twentyeight millions worth of hard and soft stuff. The capacity of this country for gaining hy self-denial is enormous. Mr Gray's figures are simply the Government returns, and are therefore correct. There are in Switzerland 19 associations promoted for the purpose of collecting the discarded ends of cigars, selling them, and applying the proceeds to charitable purposes. An official report recently published shows that for twelve months' operations these associations can show a net profit of 31,250 francs, with which 1726 poor children were provided with clothing. The waste which occurs in the manufacture ofgas is estimated by Dr Siemens at .£2,000,000 annually in England alone. Tbe waste occurs in the nonutilisation of the tar, sulphur, an-d ammouical liquors produced in the process of extracting gas from coal. The only element besides the gas thai has until lately been used is the coke. A new oven is now heing introduced into England which at an extra cost of only about 15d per ton saves nearly a crown's worth of the elements hitherto | wasted, besides producing 10 per cent. I more coke than the old "beehive" oven. One of the most remarkable printers' errors in all literature is doubtless that of "Men of the Time," cd. 1556, in which the then Bishop of Oxford is thus described: — "Oxford, Bishop of (Rt. Rev. Samuel). A more kindhearted and truly benevolent man does not exist. A sceptic as regards religious revelation (sic), he is yet an out-and-out believer in spirit manifestations." The error is easily explained : the lines had been " dropped " from " Owen (Robert) of Lanark " on to the broad shoulders of Dr Wibelforce, who heartily enjoyed the obvious bluuder, and took some trouble to procure a copy of the soon-suppressed issue for his private library.

The popularity of burnt cork in London appears by no means on 'he wane. The Moore and Burgess Minstrels reckon theii* audience by thouI sands. On a recent bank holiday 9000 people attended their two performances 1 and over 5000 people assembled at the Agricultural Hall to welcome the Mohawk Minstrels back to the metropolis. There is great excitement in theatrical circles over the announcement that Miss Fortescue, of the Savoy Theatre is to be married to Lord Garmoyle, eldest son and heir presumptive to one of the proudest of Tory noblemen, Earl Cairns. Lord Garmoyle will i n the ordinary course of events succeed to the earldom on the death of his distinguished father. The last Engh'sh actress who married a British peer was Kitty Stephens, who wedded the Earl of Essex in 1838. At the last appearance of the bride , elect m the part of an " influential ; fairy" in" lolanthe" she was warmly welcomed, and the audience enjoyed a sly laugh at some of the sentences which fell to her lot. There was a round of cheers at the line "Its not death to wish to marry a mortal. We know it's weakness, but the weakness is so strong." There was more than a titter when the lady sang "You very wicked peers. Don't go!" and a. laugli outright when the fair Miss . Fortes oue, addressing the lords, had to say " Charming persons, are they not ? For self-coutained dignity, combined with airy condescensions, give me the British representative peer." , Mrs Langtry was hy last advices in ■ London for a short time, and wask pronounced to have grown quite plump. . She returns to New York in October. * Thick heads. — I'eavy stomachs bilious conditions— Wells' May Apple 1 Pills— anti-bilious, cathartic. sd. and -* ls Moses, Moss & Co., Sydney, General ' Agents. j! ( For rest of news see fourth page.)