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Ashburton Herald, Volume I, Issue 241, 8 January 1879, Page 2

The Case of Atack, the painter, who some weeks ago committed an indecent assault upon a little girl in this township, was yesterday sentenced at the Supreme Court, Christchurch, to twelve months’ imprisonment with hard labor. Cricket. —The match Melbourne v. Canterbury has been concluded, the former team gaining a decided victory by 169 runs. In the match All England v. Australia, the English team scored 113 in their first innings, the Colonials having three wickets down for 68 runs.

Chertsey Sports. —A correspondent at Chertsey sends us the following regarding the sports held there on on New Year’s Day, on the Railway reserve, adjoining the township. A capital programme was arranged by the committee (Messrs. W. A. Brown, J. Fowler, J. Wallace, R. Littlecott, and H. Childs), and great praise is certainly due to them for the efficient manner in which they did their work. There were eighteen events in all, and prizes amounting to £2O were given away. The way in which the principal events were contested speaks volumes for so young a district. A capital luncheon was spread by Host Wallace, of the Chertsey Hotel, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. A number of toys were distributed to the children for races, <ftc. , these were kindly arranged by Mesdames Brown and Childs. Our old friend, Aunt Sally, was on the ground, and to all appearance the spirited proprietor must have turned in a “bob or two.” A capital dance in Mr. Wallace’s large dining-room wound up the j oiliest New Year’s Bay Sports in Chertsey. Adjourned Inquest.— The adjourned inquest on the death of William Williams, ferryman at the Rangitata, was resumed on Tuesday, the 7th inst. This enquiry was adjourned to allow of the production of the man Barrett, who was one of the men in the boat at the time Williams met his death. Dennis Barrett crossed the river on Christmas Day—Returned about 7 or 8 o’clock on Boxing Day ; deceased took me over. Brooks, deceased, and myself were in the boat. It seemed that Barrett was under the influence of drink,, and was ordered into custody by the Coroner. Dr. Ross —I examined certain wounds on the face and forehead of deceased. There were all the marks externally of death by drowning, and in addition there were three contusions—*one on the nose, and two on the forehead. I should think these bruises could not have been produced very long before death ; they might have been produced after death ; the body washed up on a shingle bed, or striking against rounded stones, might have received them. They had not the appearance of bruises raised by a man’s fist. A smooth instrument might produce such wounds a very short time before or after death. To the Coroner: A smooth pole 4 or 5 feet long would produce these bruises. My opinion is that death resulted from drowning, so far as one can judge from an external examination only. By a juror : The wound would stun the man to a certain extent, and cause him to be less able to swim. The Coroner read certain statements he had received relative to Barrett ; also one made by himself, in which he stated that, at the time of crossing the river, all three were sober. This statement, in many particulars, differed from the evidence given at the previous occasion, and was not considered reliable. The Coroner then addressed the jury, who, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict of found drowned, but how, there was no evidence to show. The Post Office Alterations, so long promised, have at last been commenced, and there is now a probability that before very long we shall have a comfortable place in which to transact postal and telegraphic business.

Change of Meeting Place.— At its meeting to-day, the County Council resolved to rent the Road Board office for twelve months at a sum of £6O a year—the next meeting of the County Council to be held in that building.

The Rangitata Road Bridge.— The County Council to-day resolved to repair the Rangitata Bridge at an estimated cost of £IO,OOO. Solid iron piles are to be used, of Gin. diameter, and the material is to be ordered from England by the next San Francispo mail.