Northern Territory Times and Gazette (Darwin, NT : 1873 - 1927), Saturday 12 May 1888, page 3


COUNTRY. NOTES

SOUTHPORT.

This township is gradually. fading away. All the European stores have been closed for some time, and all the Chinese storekeepers but two have sought fresh fields, and it is probable that they too will make an early exit. The only European resident is the Postmaster : he can hardly be called a telegraph master, for his occupation is gone, and he, with his two Chinese assistants, will desert the place as soon as ever the up-country mail is despatched by rail, instead of road, which should be very soon now. Our only constable has been away for some time on the sick list. His occupation too. is almost gone as far as Southport is concerned. The mail contractors by road and river must be losing money on every? trip, for a passenger either way is now quite a

rare arts.

ADELAIDE RIVER. ; ' ; ;

An aboriginal in the employ of W;. Rose, teamster, died suddenly on Monday night or Tuesday morning. It was reported to the police, who had the body buried. There was not the slightest foundation, for the rumour that the man was in a trance and buried before he was dead.

The., crushing plant for Maudie's Creek, and the pumping, machinery for the Eveleen have reached here all right, and are being despatched to their destinations with all speedy Phil Ray is superintending the removal of Ffrench & Brownes battery, and a surprising everybody by the way he tackles hard work, and at the same time brings considerable skill to bear upon the work in

hand.

Platelaying on the railway is still stuck up by the bridge, over Burrell's Creek Solderbloom is busy on the cutting that Market started upon ; it is doubtful if it will be finished without further delaying the platelaying.

UNION.

The Union battery, which has been hung up for a short time, will start crushing again on Monday, 14th inst;

Many cricketers have head the story of Fuller Pilch refusal to give the Doctor " (E. M. Grace) out on his first appearance at Canterbury. The bats-: man was palpably out before he had scored. On being remonstrated with Pitch defended himself with the ingenious explanation that he "wanted to see if this ere Muster Grace could beat."

Mr. Fitzgerald, President of the Irish National League, has issued a special appeal for aid, to the weather Irishmen in America, in which he says :-" If England needed assistance 1000 Englishmen would be found in America within- 30 days who would each subscribe $1000. Let 5000 Irish do the same for Ireland, who on her knees in chains begs that, aid without

which she must die. Ireland 1__kaLl0QflL_. Irishmen in America for $500 or $1000 each." Mr. Fitzgerald himself heads the subscription with $1000..

A skipper of a coasting vessel called at the village inn and asked the land-lady, a young widow : "Do you know where I can get a mate ? I have lost

my mate. " " I am very sorry for joins Mr.-," she said, smiling. "I want a mate, too, and cannot get one. As we are in the same position, I'll tell you what 111 do : if you will be mine,

I will be yours " He closed with the bargain, and the widow keeping to her word, he is now supplied with two

mates.