DUNEDIN NOTES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8597, 26 September 1893, Page 5

DUNEDIN NOTES.

September 25. The Star says apropos of the Midland Railway, "it is highly objectionable on many grounds to alter the very essence of the contract, particularly now that it has been partially carried out and the Company have obtained a large number of sections of the best land available, and have disposed of this at a high premium ou the initial value. The mischief, however, has been done, and it would be altogether unjustifiable now to pay the Company hard cash iv lieu of granting land, which it is reasonable to suppose front situation and quality would be exceedingly difficult to dispose of for settlement. The Company presumably have got the cream, and now want the colony to take the skim milk off their hands. The Committee recommend that an extension of time for the completion of the work be granted to the Company, such extension not exceeding five years from the date of signing the new contract. This is, under all the circumstances, reasonable. The difficulties of the Company in financing (although for these the colony is in no way responsible) may fairly be recognised so far. Mr Fish to-day telegraphed to a gentleman in town in reference to the Shop Hoars Bill that the Government had purposely delayed the Bill so that some of the members might be away. The House was demoralised and weary; nine members did not either vote or pair, and eight of these were against the Bill, so that the Government's majority was ouly two, and of the majority who voted for it at least three had said they did not believe in the Bill.

This afternoon Mr Carew, Coroner, held an inquiry touching tha death of Kate Biriey or Buckley, aged twenty-one years, who cied rather suddenly yesterday "afternoon at the house of Mrs Mary Cresswell, Stuartstreet.withwhomshehadbeenlodging. Deceased appeared at the police court last week to answer a charge of obtaining money by false pretences, aud had been admitted to bail. She had been in ilt-health for some time, and had just left the hospital when she was arrested, but was at ouce liberated on baiL Yesterday sho was seized with vomiting and the symptoms induced Dr. Stenhouse (who was called in, but the girl was dead before his arrival) to say that she must have taken some irritant poison, possibly arsenic or arsenic mixed with strychnine. She took something out of a cup and put it under the bed. When this was detected she got out of her bed, went into the bathroom, and washed ont the ccnteats of the cup. She was anxious that her mother should not know of what had occurred. The doctor said while she was in the Hospital her temperature was abnormally high. As the girl did not belong to the criminal class, he thought the police should have communicated with the medical officer of the hospital before making an arrest. Detective AleGrath informed the Coroner that that course h&d been followed by the police, who had treated tho girl very kindly. A verdict of " Committed suicide" was returned.

The Executive Central Railway League wish for a definite understanding with the Government as to what portion of the Hyde.Ewebura line is to be opened thi3 year, and point out that a considerable portioii of the proposed vote of £45,000 will be devoted to the discharge of last year's liabilities. Unbss there is a clear understanding oa the subject there may again be cause for dissatisfaction.