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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 192, 17 August 1867, Page 2

Another old' settler has departed from the scene of his labors. Mr Packer, of Hope, came out about twenty-four years ago, and was schoolmaster for twenty-two years. This office he undertook when masters were scarce and their pay scant, and he continued zealously to fulfil his duties nearly up to the day of his death. In the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, James Wilkie was charged with having, ou the morning of Friday last, unlawfully assaulted and beaten Frederick Spencer. Mr Pitt appeared for the complainant, Mr W. Adams for the defendant. It appeared from the evidence adduced that the complainant was standing on the site of Mr Taylor's shop in Bridge-street, when the defendant suddenly came up to him, caught hold of him by the neck, and threw him over on his back, accusing him of stealing a valuable watch, which he (the defendant) had deposited, as he thought, in a place of safety, when the fire broke out, bat which could not afterwards be found. The complainant dropped some money out of his pocket during the fracas, and when he stooped to pick it up, the defendant hit him on the head, and he was now uuder medical treatment in consequence. The complainant, being cross-examined, said that he had never heard the defendant order him off his premises before he touched him, and that he was not on his premises during the fire, not having arrived on the scene of the disaster until the fire was nearly extinguished. Defendant stated that, having been a heavy loser, to the extent of* £2Bo, by thefts committed since the fire on his premises, including a valuable watch and chain, aud having entertained some suspicions with regard to the complainant, when he saw him on the ground, he ordered him off. He then became abusive, and refused to leave, upon which the defendant struck •him, and after he had picked up his money, he went into tbe street, and again abused the defendant, who theu struck him a second time. Mr. Wilkie's evidence was borne out by the witnesses, and the Magistrate having observed that the case was evidently one of common assault, the complainant having sustained but little ■ injury, adjudged the defendant to pay 1/. and costs. The following persons were each lined 10s. and T-sts, under the pro-

visions of the Dog Act : — W. Hargreaves, W. Spencer, I-I. A. Levestam, G-. Land, A. Wett, T. Freeman, E. Ball, and IL Bush. F. Atkinson was also fined 1/* and costs, for two unregistered, dogs. Similar cases against Messrs. Mcccli and Milner were dismissed. ■•*. The attention which bas been directed towards the Karamea gold-field in consequence of the various efforts which have been made by the Government and by private individuals to facilitate access to it, seems to have had the effect of already attracting a considerable number of miners to the locality from the West Coast. We understand that the Kennedy brought 40, and the Lyttelton 42 diggers from the Buller on their last trips, aud lauded them at the mouth of the Karamea, the site of the future township, where there is a good bar, with nine feet of water. The Lady Barkly also left this morning for Motueka, conveying 'about twelve passengers, amongst whom were a party of diggers bound for the Karamea, and carrying with them a goodly supply of provisions. We regj'et to state that an accident of a very serious character accurred to Mr S. Wadman, of this city, abou!; 5 o'clock yesterday evening. It appears.lhat Mr Wadman was driving at a rapid rate down the hill ou (he Waimea Eoad, aud when at the junctiou with the Waiinea-slreet, below Mrs Snow's house, the vehicle suddenly sweived, and was upset, throwing Mr. Wadman on the ground with much violence, the side of the cart falling on his back. Mr. Stringer, who fortunately happened to be at hand, immediately repaired to the spot, and with some assistance raised the cart, aud released Mr. Wadman, who was quite insensible. He shortly afterwards, however, regained consciousness, and was conveyed home, where be remains in a very precarious state, under the care of Dr. Cusack.