The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-05-03
pETER sBrTRG.

INTERESTING RUMoR-A PAIR OF ALLI0AToRs
REPORTED IN THE APpoMATToxs RIVER
WHAT THE CAPTAIN OF A SCHOONER SAW. :
REDUCTION OF SALARIES OF CITY OFFICERS.
NEnBERs OF THE SCHOOL BOARbELECTED-
BRITISH SETTLERS IN DINWIDDIE-REa0VAL
or THE DEAD-THE PRIMARY. DC.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatchl
MAY 2, 1873.
A very interesting rnmor reached the city
from down the Appomattox this morning.
Captain Halleck, OF the schooner dien-
wood, which arrived at this port early TINS
morning. reports that when about four
miles below the city his attention was ut
tracted by a very peculiar noise near bis
weasel. On looking into the water to ascer-
tain the. cause he saw two large reptiles,
apparently about ten feet long. which
he at once pronounced TO be- alligators:
The Captain has spent good deal OF
his time on the rivers OF Florida, where he
has often seen aIiigators, and he THINKS ne
is not mistaken in pronouncing the Two
creatures he saw this morning 10 be verlta-
BILE reptile. of that species. Though 1t was
dark ct the time he saw them, yet ne
could distinguish their long heads and
backs. He heard them blowing sew
eral times. He is positive that they
were not sturgeon or anything but al
ligato,s. From the fact that these reptiles
have never been seen in our waters, the
story OF the Captain is looked uron as al
most incredible. And from the further TACT
that great numbers OF sturgeon are now
disporting themselves in our river, IL Is
thought he may have mistaken these nsn LOT
allicators. On the other hand, the captain
saws lie is familiar with the appearance and
habits OF alhga:ors, and is positive OF what
be asserts.
The Council last evening reduced the
salary OF the Mayer for the two years com
mencing July LIST next from $4,000 10 Sl,ooo
per annurn. and struck S40O OIL the salary
or the Commissioner of the Revenue. Ihese
are The only two officers the Council could
toucb, else it is probable there would nave
been = reduction of the salaries Of other
officers. An ordinance was introduced cut
ting down the fees Of the City Gauger from
TWENTY-FIVE cents per cask to fifteen and
ten cents, according to size. and making
sauging compulsory. This ordinance elected
n long discussion, especially as TO the COM
pulsorv feature, pending which the matter
was referred to special committee for re-
port. Mr.. A. ). Reinach was elected a
member of the Board OF Education vIce
George S. Bernard, whose term expires
shortly, and Mr. William A. Baxter UlCe
A. Roscnstock. BIZ. Andrew hevan and
DR.. David Steel were unanimously re-
elected from their respective school dis
tricts.
Mr.. e. $. Gregory has accepted an invi.
tatlon to deliver the address before the
"Margaret j. Preston Literary Society" OF
the Farmvile Female College at the annual
| celebration on the 4th Of June.
Through the instrumentality and advice
Of Mr.. William Tomlin, OF Bridgeport,
Conn.,, who was delegate to the British
International Celebration in this city in Nay
last, number OF settlers have recently To-
Gated 10 Dinwiddie county, and formed
colony in Sattony district. They express
themselves as much pleased with our soil
and climate. Mr.. TomIin writes that lie
expects soon to send on a good many more
settlers.
The police corps Of this city made 102 ar
rests last month. Breaches OF the peace
constituted majority of the offences.
Up to the LIST OF this month the remains
OF thirty-tve of the Catholic dead had been
removed from Blandford to st. Joseph's
Church Cemetery. The work OF removal
is going on gradually, just as it suits the
convenience OF the friends OF the dead.
One week from tomorrow the primary
election takes place. Were it not for the
fact that so many candidates are in the field
the vote would probably be very small
one. As it is, it is believed it will fall far
short OF the actual Conservative strength.
There will be no public celebration OF the
Queens birthday in Petersburg this year.
PDRIS AniJR