OUR WOODVILLE LETTER. [Our Own Correspondent.) Woodville, 29th December.

Evening Post, Volume XLV, Issue 6, 9 January 1893, Page 4

OUR WOODVILLE LETTER. [Our Own Correspondent.) Woodville, 29th December.

An inquest on the body of the man John Thompson, at the Commercial Hotel, Pahiatua, on the 4th instant shewed that he was aged about 70 yeaTS, and had been following the trade of a carpenter in and around Pahiatua during the past eight months. He was superintending the removal of some timber at tho back of the hotel when he suddenly fell down. Mr. Snlli7an gave eyideneo as to finding tho deceased laying on his back, dead ; three seconds beforo this he saw him alive and apparently well. Mr. Renney, a carpenter, also gave evidence that he saw deceased fall dead. Ho at once called Sullivan. Dr. Milno said the deceased was suffering from an advanced state of fatty degeneration, and attributed death to that. A letter was found in his pocket from F. G. Field, which began with '"My Dear Brother," from which it might be assumed that he had been meroly going under the name of John Thompson. The boy Cosgrove, who gave himself up to' the Wellington police on a charge of stealing a saddle and bridle, was to-day charged with the offence. The evidence showed that he sold the saddle to a man at Palmerston for £3, and subsequently offered him £3 10s for it, but the man had sold it again. Tho offence was 'an indictable one, but in consideration of the youth of the accused, the Bench decided to give him the opportunity of being dealt with summarily, of which he availed himself. He then got into the box and mado a rambling statement as to how he became possessed of the saddle, which he Btated he found behind a log. Tho Justices, in consideration of his youth, and tho evil arising from the young coming into contact with older and moro hardened prisoners, determined to imprison him for a term of 21 days in Woodville Gaol. It has since transpired that he had beforo been convicted of stealing firewood, and is liable to be called upon at any time to receive eentenco. Very strenuous efforts will bo put forth next session to push tho Woodvillo Hospital Bill through. Captain Russell strongly opposed the Bill last session, and to him may bo attributed the failure of the measure. Ib would bo extremely difficult to find a reason for his action. Had ho shown similar opposition to thoso Bills generally on tho ground that facilities should not bo increased for State aid to the afflicted, one could have understood him, but knowing tho mine of wealth Woodvilie has boen to^him in the past, it comes as a great surprise. Four thousand yards of earth came down on tho Gorge lino in consequence of the late heavy rains. The reserve force were put on to remove it, and traffic was restored in a very short timo. Messrs. Thomas & Co. have discontinued their retail bntcher's shop, and are now serving their customers with carts from the slaughterhouse. The shop is to be oponed as an auction mart by Messrs. Hawkins, Crowley & Co. Mr. Henri de Clifton will act with them in their stock sales, which they propose to hold fortnightly. Owing to tho very wet season, fat stock is very scarce, and freozing is in consequence very limited, but a big rush maybe expected at the freezing works about the middle of February. Mr. L. D. Bickerton is about to enlarge his public hall to nearly twice ita present size. When entertainers of noto visit Woodville the people aro crushed out for want of sitting accommodation. Tho alteration will be a boon. The young man Cosgrove, convicted of stealing a saddle and sentenced to 21 days' imprisonment in Woodville Gaol, seems to owe his troubles a pood deal to racing proclivitios. In hi 3 evidence he admitted that, being fond of racing, ho sold the saddle and went to Wanganui races. Notwithstanding the dull weather crowds qf people camo into Woodville by road and rail to attend Woodvillo Now Year's Day racoß. The gronnd was heavy from the previous day's rain. The day was also very dull, but the rain held off throughout the day. The bookselling and fancy goods business lately carried on by G. J. Smith has been taken back by Charles Hall. When Mr. Smith agreed to buy Mr. Hall out, he merged his own business into Mr. Hall's. Mr. Hall now takes back tho morgod business. The farm lately owned and occupied by Mr. W. G. Crawford was bought by Mr. Manisty, solicitor, Woodvillo. It lies about a mile from Woodvillo, and its area is 4£ , acres, The prico was £950, or £21 an acre.

We havo to acknowledge rccoipt of the Hawkcs Bay and East. Coast Almanac and Diroctory for 1893, from the publishers, Messrs. Dinwiddie, Walker, & Co. The book is replete with information respecting the field it covers.