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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 179, 2 August 1867, Page 2

The Maori Ripene Paramatia was brought before the Resident Magistrate this morning, charged with assaulting the Maori woman Marara Horomona and her child, at one of the Maori houses on the beach, ou Monday evening, the particulars of which have already appeared in our columns. The prisoner pleaded guilt}', and the evidence of the woman was taken, as was also that of Mr. Barton, hospital attendant, who stated that Dr. Cusack had rjronounced the child out of danger, though not yet completely recovered. Under these circumstances, the prisoner was remanded until Tuesday next. A large number of Maoris were present in the Court, who evidently listened to the proceedings with the greatest interest. Mr. J. Maekay_officiated as interpreter. The prisoner Thompson, who yesterday attempted to escape from the custody of the overseer in charge of the working gang at the Botanical Gardens, was also brought up, but was remanded until to-morrow, some witnesses whose evidence was requisite in the case not being in attendance. Considerable excitement prevailed in town yesterday evening in consequence of a report which was rapidly in circulation, to the effect that a convict had made his escape from the custody of the over-

seer in charge of the gang now employed in levelling the Government reserve, known as the Botanical Gardens. On enquiry we ascertained that about half-past 4 o'clock a man named Thompson, (who, it will be remembered, was one of the three miscreants who " stuck up " Mr Nichol on the Waimangaroa, and was consequently an accomplice of Anderson, who some few weeks since escaped from the custody of the overseers whilst working outside the precincts of the gaol, and was captured the same night at the gorge ia the Maitai Valley), had attempted to escape by making his way over the steep hill flanking the reserve. The attention of one of the overseers in charge, named M'Donald, was called by Mr Trimble, who happened to be on the spot, to the fact that one of the prisoners had just dropped his barrow and was making off to a rock which juts out immediately above the gardens, aud past which he was hurrying up the gully which leads from the base of the hill. M'Donald immediately hailed his fellow-overseer, Macmahon, under whose charge the prisoner Thompson more immediately was, and he, leaving the other overseer, M'Donald, in charge of the rest of the gang, at once set off in pursuit, the prisoner keeping close to the fencing which runs to the top of the hill, and more than 100 yards ahead of the overseer. A lad named Williamson joined in the pursuit, and soon came up with the overseer. The excitement was in no way lessened by the firing kept up by both overseers, until the Provincial Secretary, who had arrived on the ground, ordered M'Donald to desist from firing, and to take the gang to the gaol, fearing lest he in his anxiety to 'wing' the fugitive, might leave himself unprovided with ammunition, in the event of the example proviug contagious to the other prisoners. Macmahon had discharged four ineffectual shots from his revolver at Thompson, Williamson taking his musket, and the trio had reached the top of the second hill, and were plunging through the scrub which covers the declivity on the further side, when the object of the chase was suddenly lost from sight. Some minutes elapsed before he was discovered by WilliamsonMyiug in the scrub ; he was then challenged by Macmahon, who had still two shots in his revolver, who threatened in case of further resistance to shoot him. Thompson immediately surrendered, crying out " Why don't you shoot me? I'd rather be shot than go back," but soon . after rose, and was escorted by Macmahon and Williamson down the hill, when he was speedily lodged in the lock-up at the Provincial Buildings. We have learned with no small surprise that when Thompson was examined, a sheath-knife and several large spike nails were discovered on his person, and it it is also stated that the prisoners confined in the gaol are permitted to carry these knives for daily use. We will not hint at the murderous facilities which are -thus placed in the hands of miscreants of the Sullivan, Anderson, or Thompson type, who may succeed in escaping from confinement, and under such circumstances find themselves confronted with any unarmed or less scrupulous individual who might attempt to cross their path, but we trust that the attention of the authorities will not be directed to the fact in vain. The Nelson Harmonic Society will give a concert on Thursday evening, at the Provincial Hall. We regret to learn that several cases of typhus fever have broken out in Napier, in at least two instances terminating fatally. Mea-les have also made their appearance aud are spreading rapidly. At the Chester Assizes, Edward Webb (on bail), a respectable-looking young man, was charged with wounding Henry Maurice Templeton, at Great Neston. The evidence went to prove that prosecutor was au itinerant conjuror and ventriloquist, and was giving an entertainment at the schoolroom, Neston. Among the tricks with which he amused the audience was the "gun delusion," in which a person is asked to load a gun with powder — the operator reserving to himself the placing of the ball in the barrel — and then to fire the same at the conjuror. The prisoner placed something out of his pocket in the barrel in the stead of the wad handed to him, and fired, shooting the conjuror in the arm. For the defence, Mr Brandt stated that Webb was not aware that he was likely to do any hurt, as he was under the idea that the "magician" had extraordinary means of preventing himself being hit. Verdict guilty. Sentence deferred.