Local Intelligence.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIV, Issue 1022, 14 April 1857, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

Fatal Accident. — Inquest on the Bodt. — We have to record the deallvunder very painful circumstances, 6f Mr James Maxwell. The deceased resided at what is cailed Maxwell's Bush about 30 miles irora Auckland. On Thumlay morning, he left home on horseback to go to Maurice Kellys, a distance of about 12 miles. The same evening his horse returned without a rider, but Mrs. Maxwell did not feel nvieh alarmed, thrikuig that the animal had broken looße at the Wade. Next day, however, she sent her son, a youth, to the Wade, tor the purpose of enquiring whether his father had loft. He was informed that Mr. Maxwell had left about 4 o'clock on the Thursday, that, on leaving, he had tried to jump the horse over something, and been thrown, but that he had immediately re-mounted and galloped off. On returning home with this sad intelligence, the boy was sent to communicate with a neighbour, a Mr. Ralph Osbaldistone, residing about 6 miles off On the following day, Saturday, Mr. Osbaldistone searched for the deceased ; and, about one in the afternoon, found his body on the road, about 400 yards from his own home. The head wns doubled under the breast, and the body presented the appearance of having been for some time lifeless. Yesteiday, at an inquest held at the William Denny Hotel, before H. J. Andrews, Esq., coroner, and a jury, these facts were deposed to, although the evidence of the lad, owing to his youth, was inadmissable. Dr. Lee also testified to the state of the body, the inference from whose evidence being that the unfojtunate man had been thrown from his horse, and been kicked on tne head when on the ground. We may add that, although the body was received by the authoritips on Sunday, the widow having brought the remains of her husband to town, the inquest was not held till yesterday at A o'clock. This delay was caused by a wi*o on the part of the coroner that the evidence of Mr. Maurice Kelly, who last saw the deceased alive, should bavo been had at the inquest, The jury returned a verdict of "Found dead ".- The dei-eased, who was a very old settler, leaves a widow and large family to di • plore his lopg.

Tkiatkr Rotal. — We perceire, from our advertising columns, that a complimentary benefit is about to be given to Miss Fi9her, on Monday next, by the Dramatic Amateurs of Auckland. On Dit.— That the next "demonstration" is to be held at the Wade, Dr. in the chair, on which occasion the audience are to be edified by the usual quantum of abuse upon Messrs. Bartley and Carletou ; and the usual resolutions are to be carried by acc'ama tion. The performance, we learn on good authority, is t© conclude with a grand "blow-out" to he half a dozen patriots who so enthusiastically polled some 76 \otes in favour of the successful candidate at the last election for the Superintendency. Mechanics' Institute.— The following reference to a paper read by Mr. Sanderson, last Tuesday, is from the 'New-Zealander' :— '• Mr. Sanderson said that he hoped this would be the first of a series of practical papers upon the various industrial arts. His object on the present occasion was not so much to tell them of all the artificial-stone compo3i'ions that had been proposed, but to bring before them such as he considered might he practically useful in this colony, where a good durahie soft building stone was required. After speaking »bout concrete, and describing the process of making, its uses, and objections, Mr. Sanderson then proceeded to describe the various patent* taken out *y Mr. Raneome for •'Silicious Stone ;" also calling the attention of the audience to the large deposits of nearly pure silica existing in the Cabbage Tree Swamp. Mr. Hutchinson s patent for impregnating soft stones with coal-tar, resin, &c, was spoken of in very favorable terms, and a suggestion was thrown out that, could a cheap mode of -dissolving kauri gum be discovered, our beach sandstone could be brought into use. Mr. Sanderson also spoke, among some others, of an American composition which appeared to merit attention ; and also of a process discovered toy a Mr Sylvester for rendering stone and Tjriek impervious to moisture— a process in extensive use in many parts of the sea coast of England." _ We again remind our readers of the lecture to be delivered this evening by the Rev. T. Hamer. Stbw art's Point, Nokth Shore.— 'ln a recent number of this journal a letter appeared, signed "Rsay," complaining of the manner in which a stone jetty had been constructed. It did not, however, state to what particular jetty reference was made. This was owing to the accidental omission of the heading of the letter in question, which would have shewn that the structure alluded to was at Stewarts Point, North Shore.