DUNEDIN ITEMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12536, 25 June 1901, Page 9

DUNEDIN ITEMS.

[From Our Correspondent.] DUNEDIN, June 23. At the inquest on Carl Le Doux, whose body was found in the Botanical Gardens on Friday forenoon, tho evidence showed that he was a Belgian by birth, and was employed by either the Belgian Government or a syndicate to report on mining properties in the colonies. His mind seems to have become deranged through ill-health and financial difficulties. In a letter to the proprietor -of Wain’s Hotel he said; “ Words fail to express my deep regret that I should nob have received an answer by this evening (tho 19th) to my cable despatched on Alonday via Renters. I purposely absented myself entirely from your hotel bqt-h yesterday and to-day, but I do not think I can stand another night like last night without any protection bub an umbrella from tho inclement weather. Will you bo good enough to forward your account, with such additions as you may deem fit to compensate you for loss of interest? I have advised my father, whose address I give below, that I have requested you to do so. I think you will ultimately agree that the annoyance you have unfortunately been put to will be outweighed by the effect of my humiliating position, caused by a chapter of accidents, on myself. In my present bad state of health, insomnia from heart affection, I cannot stand the ridiculous state of affairs -any longer. With de*ep regret, etc.” The jury after a short retirement returned a verdict of found , dead, there being insufficient evidence in their opinion to show from what cause.

With respect to a rumour current in town on Saturday that counterfeit coins and Bank of New Zealand notes were in circulation, it is stated that there is no foundation for the rumour so far as the officials here are aware. Its origin, however, is probably based upon the fact that a man, professing to be an inspector of the bank, called upon several hotelkeepers in town and after introducing himself warned the persons in charge that forged notes were going the rounds. He further suggested that as a precaution it would be advisable for them to let him inspect their tiffs.

Air Murray Aston’s death was due to blood-poisoning. Deceased was a lay reader of the Anglican Church, and when h© contested Dunedin City at the general election in 1896, Bible reading in schools was the main plank in Ins platform, otherwise he etood as an independent candidate. He polled less than three hundred votes. At the Otago University Debating Society’s fortnightly meeting on Friday evening “ That Cremation is more Desirable than Interment,” was the subject of debate. An interesting debate resulted in the advocates of cremation being accorded the largest vote. At the request of the Society, Dr Colquhoun made some interesting and instructive remarks, bringing into prominence the fact that the advocates of cremation in .this city desired only to offer facilities to such as preferred cremation, and did mot wish to force an innovation upon those that hold other views. He also alluded to the sentiment- prevalent among many at tho present time that obstructed the examination by the medical profession of diseased bodies. This- sentiment Dr Calquhoun characterised as wicked, as well as a stumbling block in the way of a more scientific knowledge of disease. During the evening it was announced that the Otago University’s challenge for an inter-collegiate debate had been accepted by Canterbury College, and that the committee of the local Society had appointed the following as :—Messrs E. J. D. Hercus, B.Sc., E. Guthrie,; 8.A., and H. Bedford, B.A. The Rev Dr Waddell, of St Andrew’s Church, has been compelled' to take a short rest owing to -failing health.