Cromwell Argus AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell: Tuesday, August 13, '95. SPECIAL TELEGRAPHIC.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXVII, Issue 1372, 13 August 1895, Page 4

Cromwell Argus AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell: Tuesday, August 13, '95. SPECIAL TELEGRAPHIC.

FROM OUR OWN CORRKBPONDKNT. DUN ED I N. Monday Evening. At a meeting of the A. and P. Association it was pointed out that sheep owners would suffer great hardship from having to pay the sheep tax on the number returned'. in May through great losses having occurred owing to severe weather. It was decided to urge Government to forego tax due Ist September and collect same on Ist February, on the actual number of sheep shorn. At the Police Court, John Meiveu, a shop boy, was committed on a charge of stealing from a dwelling articles to the value of over L 6. ' ■. The football team to play Southland next Saturday is remarkable, aa having only two players who have not previously played in interprovincial matches.' >■■-.,:. Auckland beat Wanganui by 6 points to 3, and Wellington beat Mana-watu by 14»to nil. George Porter was killed in his claim at Preservation Inlet, on 3rd inst., by a block of cement wash falling on him while at work. The trial of Andrew J. Somerville for the murder of Herbert, was concluded at Wellington on Saturday night. Much medical evidence was given tending to show that Somerville was insane, and the jury, after consideration for an hour and a / half, returned a verdict of "Not Guilty," on grounds of insanity. The ■Chief Justice, ordered Somerville to bo kept in strict confinement during the pleasure of the Colonial Secretary. Although the trial did not end till midnight, the court was crowded, a large number of women remaining till the end. The Grand National meeting at Christchurch had to be postponed on Saturday owing to the quantity of rain which had fallen. * At the County Councils Conference at Wellington, a deputation was appointed to wait on the Premier and ask for, a copy of the local Government bill. The Premier replied that it would not be ready till Friday, and he could not give the a copy till it was laid before ■ - the Hiuse. \ The conference adjourned till Thursday. ' < " ' A long cabinet' meeting was held on Saturday, when it is understood the vacancy of the Supreme Court Bench was considered. It is considered in many quarters that District Judge Ward , has the best chance for the vacancy. New South Wales beat Vicloria at Rugby football by 25 points to 6; aad Queensland beat ISew South Wales- by 26 points to 16. Beef ton returns are as follows : Keep-it-dark ; *ll3oz amalgam from 87 tons; Hercules 114oz from 45 tons; Big River 220z from 23 tons. Dunedin Gold Dredging Co. obtained 83oz of gold for last week. V.A.T. Grand National was won by Daimio, with Romedale 2, Geometry 3., QABLE, HB?S. i London, August 10. In an engagement between -Turkish troops and Macedonian insurgents, the former were victorious and the latter lost 200 killed. , The directors of the Manchester Canal Co. are conferring with the Agent General of Victoria relative to the direct line of steamers from Australia to Manchester. In commercial circles ib is believed that the negotiations will bear fruit. Lady Francis Gaming has been committed for trial on a charge of forging her father's name to bills of exchange. She has admitted the offenco. Owing to Kurdish raids in Malon and Moorish, Armenia, sowing the crops is prevented, and 5000 people are on the verge* of starvation. A number of villages have been destroyed, and 800 people are said to be living in caves, and many are" naked, their only food bein the leaves of trees and green plants. ■ The Chinese Minister and the British Cabinet are consulting with regard to the the christian massacre at Kucheng. It has been announced that stringent orders "have been issued by the Chinese Government to prevent further outrages, and 1500 soldiers have been despatched to protect the missionaries in Kucheng and punish the murderers. The Warrimoo went ashore near Vancouver, but was floated off without injury. J. W. M'Kay and othor 'Frisco capitalists are said to be co-operating to

lay a Pacific cable. For the Oowes Cup Ailsa beat the Prince of Wales' yacht Britannia. INTERCOLONIAL. London. August 11. An explosive placed in a letter in a box at Daylesford Advocate office exploded and partially wrecked the building. Fourteen other charges which were not exploded were found in the building. A fire broke out in the tea bunker of the steamer Orient but was extinguished. The cargo and internal fittings were much damaged. Sydney, August 11. Tugs have picked up a second cutter of the steamer Catterthun, but no more survivors. The ladies were drowned apparently because they were afraid • to leave the cabin. One of the survivors ststes that when he came up he got on top of a meat safe. He was joined by a Chinaman who, in bland terms, said, "More better you go catchee another piece of box." The safe supported them both. > I EXECUTION OF MINNIE DEAN. Minnie Dean was executed at Invercargill this morning. She slept from 11.30 last night till 3 a.m., but had no breakfast. At 3 minutes to 8 the Sheriff demanded' the body, and at 2 minutes past, Minnie Dean was dead. She walked to the scaffold with a firm step and it was not till her legs were pinioned that her self possession gave way a little. In reply to a question if Bhe had anything to say, she replied "no, except that I am innocent." Death was instantaneous. To Rev; Mr Lindsay she is said to.'have stated "that as "far as the evidence was concerned the sentence was justified, but she pretested her innocence as regards intention and forethought. She has left a written statement which will be forwarded to Government. ♦ •.