Australian Summary.

Hastings Standard, Issue 437, 28 September 1897, Page 4

Australian Summary.

A Chinaman in the hospital ai Narrabri (N.S.W.). has developed symptoms of leprosy. At Nimitybelle (N.S.W.), a lad named Stewart Rankin accidentally shot himself in the head, and died in a few hours. A man named William Jones was accidentally drowned at Strahan, Tasmania, by a boat capsizing just off the wharf. A painter named Hugh Davney, while working on the Mirani Bridge at Mackay, Queensland, slipped backwards, and falling to the bed of the river was killed. Among a number of bullocks consigned from Moree to Sydney market through Murray and Scott, five beasts were estimated to scale a dead weight of 15001b. A pen and ink forgery of an E.S. and A. £lO bank note has been found at Dubbo (N.S.W 7 .). A girl has been committed for trial on a charge of attempting to pass it. So far over £IOOO has been subscribed to the Lucknow miners' strike fund by the various mining centres throughout Australia. During the two years that the New South Wales Crown Lands Act has been in force, acres of residential selections have been taken up, and 20,690 individuals settled on the land. In the Sydney Supreme Court Mrs Agnes Smith obtained a verdict of £SOO damages against the Railway Commissioners for injuries received owing to a collision between a tram and an omnibus. The agricultural industry in New South Wales is in a flourishing condition, and there is every prospect of a record crop possibly 11,600,000 bushels. An inquiry was held at Melbourne a few days ago into the death of John Coulter, who died in the Melbourne Hospital prior to an operation. Drs W. E. Williams and C. Perry stated that deceased suffered from an ulcer on the left leg, and was to have been operated upon. After examining his heart, a mixture of ether and chloroform was given him. Just as the operation was about to commence his breathing ceased, and all attempts at resuscitation failed. Dr C. H. Mollison deposed that death was due to asphyxia from failure of the heart, following on the administration of ether and chloroform. The operation justified the administration of the anaesthetic, which was given with due precaution. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned. On September 13, Charles John Hall was hanged at Bendigo Gaol for the murder of his wife at Eaglehawk. Arrangements were carried through without the slightest hitch, and death was instantaneous. Hall passed a very restless night, and was up and dressed at a very early hour. The Rev. R. C. Nugent-Kelly was in attendance as soon as the condemned man had completed dressing and remained with him to the end, Hall paying earnest attention to his ministrations. His breakfast consisted of a little bread and butter and a cup of tea. At 10 o'clock the sheriff demanded the body of liall, and the latter walked out of the cell between the hangman and his assistant, with a firm tread. Hall was a splendidly built young man, five feet four inches in height, and weighed list 41b, about a pound lighter than when he entered the gaol. He walked quietly on to the trap-door, and glanced at the officials and the few press representatives present. The noose was placed on his neck, and the sheriff asked him if he had anything to say. Hall replied in a low tone, " I commit my soul to God." The sheriff then gave the signal, the bolt was drawn, and Hall dropped seven feet, his neck being broken. The body never even quivered after the drop, and death must have been instantaneous. The parents of Hall visited him on the previous day, and a pathetic scene was witnessed. His mother completely collapsed, and had to be carried out. Her hair had changed from jet black to almost white since her son was arrested. When shown his three - year-old son Hall broke down, and said, " Poor little Willie."