Local News and Notes.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 34, 26 August 1863, Page 4

Local News and Notes.

The new Court-house was opened for business ! on Mondav, and is undoubtedly a great improvement on the old tent system both for the officials engaged and for litigants. We might mention, however, that if a rail were erected across the court it would save much crowding and inconvenience, to say nothing of I he noise occasioned by the tramping of feet, which at times almost drowns the voices of the speakers. An accident, which very narrowly escaped a ( fatal termination, happened on Saturday to a party of miners who are working at the Twelve-1 mile Creek on Lake Wakatip. It appears that they had diverted the water from their race in consequence of its rushing down with such force as to cut into the side of the hill and threaten considerable damage. Instead of spreading over and running off the surface of the ground some impediment must have dammed it up for a time, | and it came suddenly down on the party, hurl- j ing a quantity of debris with it. David Moore, | one of the miners, was thrown down and very seriously injured. Medical assistance was at once sent for to Queenstown, and as soon as possible Dr. Croft was on the spot and remained with the sufferer all night. We are happy to hear he gives hopes of his recovery. An accident of a very serious nature occurred yesterday morning to a miner named M'Grate, on his way from the Court-house, whilst crossing the apology for a bridge lately erected near that building. It appears that while on the bridge his foot slipped heavily and his head came in contact with some object lying in the creek, causiDg a fearful wound on the left eye. Drs. Croft and Evison were immediately on the spot, and by their united exertions and after much difficulty they succeeded in bringing the sufferer to his senses.' They describe the wound as being two and a half incnes in length and laying bare the frontal bone, causing profuse hemorrhage aud total insensibility. The man now lies at the Wakatip Hotel in a very precarious state. ? A public meeting was held on Monday evening at the Criterion Hotel, Arthur's Point, to elect members for the General Managing Committee of the Hospital. Mr. Pritchard and Mr. Mirfin were unanimously chosen. While making every allowance for the numerous and multifarious duties of Mr. Beetham, our Resident Magistrate, we are compelled to notice the very irregular time kept in commencing business at the Court-house, numerous complaints having been made to us by unfortunate litigants who have been "just ten minutes too late" to prosecute or defend their respective causes. On Monday last, business was not commenced till a quarter to twelve, whLe yesterday His Worship took his seat at ten o'clock. If it were possible to name a certain time, and adhere to it, it would be a great advantage to those whose time is of value; and we feel convinced that it only requires the attention of Mr. Beetham to be directed to this grievance to ensure its being obviated for the future. On Monday evening, some surprise and curiosity prevailed among our townspeople at seeing a number of persons congregated together on one of the terraces immediately behind the town, and a man being violently led to and fro in the midst of the crowd. The man, whose name is Gerald Webster, it appears had been endeavoring to commit suicide by taking an ounce and a-half of laudanum ; and but for the untiring exertions of Dr. Young in keeping the man moving, would have resulted fatally. It seems strange that a man of Dr. Young's usual good sense should sell a man in a state of incipient delirium tremens so large a quantity of poison at one time, without first making himself thoroughly acquainted with the use to which he intended to apply the same. The would-be suicide was brought up yesterday, charged with this offence, and was remanded for three days. The example set by Mr. Tom Fawcett is now about to be followed by another gentleman of a similar profession, and one too, equally well and favorably known. Assisted by Messrs. Wright and Morgan, and by several lady and gentlemen amateurs, Mr. Jim Hull, the " local" vocalist has announced a concert on behalf of the Wakatip Hospital, to take place on Friday next, at Bracken's Hotel. Any comment on the talent of the professional performers who have guaranteed their services would be entirely superfluous, for their abilities are too well known and appreciated for praise to increase their fame, or for detraction to injure it; and for the amateurs, we have no doubt they will acquit themselves both to the credit of themselves, the satisfaction of their audience, and the benefit of the noble institution to the service of which their disinterested exertions are dedicated. We trust that the generous support accorded to similar entertainments on former occasions will not be denied in this instance; and that the result will be a considerable addition to the funds of the Hospital. The gentlemen of the long robe seem as if they will reap a pretty substantial harvest through the present tor acions for libei. For some | time we on this side of the v.ater have been, accustomed to sneer and laugh at the thiu-

skinned irritibility of oar Australian friends; but we now find their example being followed in Duntdin, and have not been a little amused by the report of the case " Vogel v. Grant," in the Otago Drily Times. The former gentleman is well known to most Victorians, especially those from Inglewood t>nd Maryborough; while the latter is also a public character, as many who have listened to his declamations in the Octagon off the many grievances of the " working man " will readily admit. The gist of the matter seems to be that Mr. Grant took offence at the return of Mr. Vogel for the township of Jonjones, Waikouaiti, and published two pamphlets—"The Wandering Jew at Waikouaiti," and " Jeshuran playing on his Harp to the Christian electors of DuneduT—at which the editor of the Times thought fit to feel affronted, and laid a criminal information against the perpetrator. We are glad to observe Mr. Vogel's newlyacquired orthodox horror of libel, and hope such a desirable state of things will long continue, though we must admit feeling some degree of astonishment at his change of opinion regarding meum and tuum as applied to reputations. Perhaps a late gallant officer in Victoria, and now a Jehh in Otago, could throw a light on our meaning.