The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1868.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 255, 27 October 1868, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1868.

An inquest was held yesterday afternoon at the Courthouse, before the coroner, Dr Squires, and a jury, of which Mr J. M'Artney was foreman, on the body of Charles Powell, who had been found drowned in the Maitai on the previous day, as stated in our last issue". The jury having viewed the body, which lay in the Deadhouse iv the Government Domain, Mr Thomas Butler stated that Jhe identified the body as beiDg that of a man named Charles Powell, who in February last had been discharged from the Luuatic Asylum as convalesceut, and who, he had learned, had gone to Havelock, where he was employed in mining. Robert Scott, a stockmiiD, deposed to findiug the body on Sunday morning in a hole in the river, near the Junction, some 14 feet deep, with the clothes aud swag about 300 yds. higher up the river. Sergeant Nash gave evidence as to the state iv which he had found the body, &c, yesterday morning, and ' the jury brought in a verdict of Found drowned. The general impression seemed to be that the uufortuuate man had got into the river to bathe at the spot where the clothes were left, and being seized with cramp or other sudden illness had been drowned, aud that the body had drifted down to the spot where it was discovered.

The latest intelligence we have from the Frout on the West Coast, informs us of the arrival at Wanganui of Colonel Whitmore as officer commanding. Another murder had been committed by the Hauhaus upon a man named Collins, who, with another Patea settler named Southby, was journeying overland from Wairoa to Patea, when they fell into an ambuscade of rebels midway between Wairoa and Whenuakura. The two endeavored to turn their horses and rode for tbeir lives. Southby was fortunate enough to succeed in this, but his companion's hoi'se got restive, and the sad result was that he fell into the hands of the enemy and was cut down by their tomahawks. Southby, on reachiug the Wairoa redoubt, reported the circumstances, and Captain Hawes aud a few men went to Patea by a different route next day, and haviug obtained an escort, they returned by the particular track taken by Southby and his companion. They discovei-ed the body of poor Collins iv a sadly mutilated state. The head was cut off and stuck on a pole ; the limbs were also severed from the body and the latter mangled terribly. Captain Hawes gathered up the remains and gave them burial.

Dr Bond haviog completed the analyses of the contents of the animals' stomachs lately poisoned at Motueka, the accused, J. H. Brookes, was again brought up yesterday, and Dr. Bond s evidence having proved that the deaths of the three animals resulted from the effects of arse n ite of copper, which forms a large ingredient iv Scheie's emerald green — a quantify of which had been found in the prisoner's workshop, and also scattered over the clover of the paddock in which the animals were grazing — he was fully committed for trial. Brookes was brought over yesterday afternoon by the Lady Barkly aud lodged in the Gaol.

To the anxiety which was displayed by both the Westport papers to supply their readers with the telegraphic intelligence conveyed by the last Pauama Mail we may doubtless attribute the extraordinary information which they communicated to the public, the Westport Times having announced that Jefferson Davis was arrested in London, instead of 'has arrived in Loudou,' and the Star having reported the accomplishment of the following feat in electric telegraphy : — « The King and Prince Waldemar have arrived at Copenhagen via Atlantic cable.'

We are glad to learn that the Committee of the Nelson Gymnasium have received such encouragemeut from the public since its commencement that they have determined on taking premises suitable for the purposes of the institution on a permanent footing. The bowling-saloon in Bridgestreet, near the Foresters' Arms, seemed 4 to present peculiar conveniences, and the Committee have beeii fortunately enabled to make arrangements which ivill insure its use to the members of the Gymnasium for, at all events, the next six months. The saloon, which is being fitted up with all the usual appliances for gymnastic exercises, was opened last night, between 40 aud 50 members being present; and much satisfaction was evinced on all sides at the arrangements made by the Committee.

A story has reached us, on what is generally considered as good authority, to tbe effect that Dr Hector had repeatedly stated his conviction that a severe earthquake would occur on the night of the lSth inst. He therefore invited several scientific friends to spend the evening with him, in order to make observations, stating tiiat he believed that the earthquake would take place about midnight. The mystic hour arrived, but brought no earthquake with it, and the learned doctor's friends began- to jest with him on the nonfulfilment of his prediction. He however requested them to suspend their judgment for a while, and having gone out ou the verandah for a few miuutes, returned, and immediately commenced a mock iucantatiou scene, calling around him by appropriafegestures,like another Zamiel, the dread powers of darkness, much to the amusement of his guests. Their horror however may be imagined when, only a few minutes after the Doctor had commenced his spells, the earthquake really came; and we can hardly be surprised to learn, as the story runs, that, yielding to a sudden and irrational impulse, they uuanimously implored him to desist from his unholy work! It is only fair to state that we find uo mention of this occurrence in onr Wellington files, but it is said to to have furnished subject for much comment in. the Capital City.

The Resident Magistrate's Court was occupied for a considerable time to-day with the action E. Ton ncr v. J. P. Lowe, brought by the master of the brig Nil Desperaudum against the defendaut, the secoud pilot of this port, to recover £45 4s 2d, the amount of damage done to the brig, through want of care, attention, and skill on Mr Lowe's part, while she was in his charge, and in moving her fi-om the Government-wharf to the Queenswharf, together with compensation for her consequent detention. Mr Kingdon appeared for the plaintiff, Mr Pitt for the defendant. A considerable number of witnesses were examined, the defendant attributing the injury sustained by the brig to the systematic disobedience shown to his orders by her sailors, which however was contradicted by the men. The case had not terminated when our reporter left.

We would remind our Voluuteer readers that the monthly inspection by the officer commanding the district takes place this evening at 6 o'clock at "Victory Square.

An excellent and very characteristic photographic likeness of our late Governor, Sir George Grey, taken in Wellington immediately before his departure for Europe, may now be seen at Mr W. Davis's studio in Trafalgar-street.

The Westport Star says that several persons who recently left Addison's Fiat and Charleston, for Auckland, have returned by the steamer Charles Edward. They describe the Auckland rush as * a complete swindle,' and state that many more may soon be expected to return.

Ifc is stated that the daily rations supplied to the Colonial Forces at Patea consist of 1|- lb bread, 1 lb meat, 2 oz sugar, one 6th oz tea, J oz coifee, one 36th oz pepper, and \ oz salt.

A Dnnedin telegram states that Sayers, M'K!enzie and Aylmer, implicated in the alleged frauds on the Southland Government, have been committed for trial.

It has transpired tbat while no less a sum than £6171 was actually voted for the Printing Department of the General Government Jast year, there was no less a sum than £1407 expended on this department without the. authority of law, the actual amount expended on stationery and printing paper being no less than £10,102 17s. Bd.

A case of poisoning by eating tutu took place a few days ago, at Cobden. Ifc appeared from the facts that transpired, that

a girl named Alice Hamilton Long, aged 5 years and 7 months, and a number of others, while out amusing themselves in the bush, commenced to chew the stalk of the tutu plant, which grows in abundance ou that part of the coast. Long was the only one who stripped the stalk and chewed the inner portion, which is very sweet and tempting to children. When she reached home her mother saw what she had been doing, and, knowing the daugerous nature of the plant, administered au emetic, but shortly afterwards lockjaw and convulsions set in. Drs Morrice and Smith were speedily in attendance, and applied the usual remedies, but the spasms were so strong that little good could be done. The poor girl died five hours after eating the plant, in great

agony.

The river was yesterday once more in a state of flood. Swollen by the raius of the previous day and night, it came down a raging torrent, pquriug an immense body of water at a treiheudous pace to the sea. It did not however overflow its banks oa this side, owiug possibly to the fact that a large body of water found a way into the lagoon in front of Cobden, and cut away the bank there about 10 feet, washiuoaway the ground and necessitating the removal of several houses. It formed quite a chauuel there with a steep face of an embark ment. On the Westland side no damage was done to the protective woi*ks, except the washing away of one of the sets of lauding steps, and shaking tbem* severely. As rumors have been circulated for some days past that the piling and planking work of the embaukraent has been seriously injured by the floods of lasfc week, we may state whab the facts really are. The scour caused by the floods of last week was ascertained, previous to yesterday's flood, to be from nine inches to six feet in depth, the greatest depth of water measured from the capping bein^ 22 feet. This was between Taiuui-street aud Kilgour's Hotel. The work has stood well, and as yet there is no fear as to its safety. — Grey River Argus, Oct. 22.

The Right Rev. H. C. Harper, D.D., Bishop of Christchurch, has been elected Primate of the Church of England in New Zealand.

A Canterbury clergyman has written to tbe Lyttelton Times to say that he feels himself compelled to become a disciple of Emanuel Swedeuborg, the Norwegian visionary. He iutends to deliver a lecture in explanatrou of his conduct, and requests the public, meanwhile, to suspend their judgment.

A Sydney telegram in the Argus ofthe 10th inst. says that the New South Wales Ministry have decided to resign unless his Excellency the Governor will accede to a dissolution, in which case they will retain office, and appeal to the country.

Speaking of railways in New South Wales, the Minister of Lands in thafc colony stated at a recent Agricultural Show that the extension of the railway into <"he southern and western districts had kept the loaf in Sydney this year a penny or twopence lower than it would otherwise have been; large importations of wheat had been kept out, and at least £50,000 or £60,000, which would have been sent to California for breadstuffs, had been diffused in the colony. The completion of the line to Sutton Forest had increased the price of wheat in the Queanbean district from 2s. and 2s. 3d. to 7s. and 7s. 6d. per bushel.

A man named John F. Lennan has died suddenly at the Green Hills Hotel, Kerrifc Bareet, iv the Ballarat district, Victoria, from suffocation, whilst eating salt beef for dinner.

It is stated that in the course of the past year not fewer than 40,000 kaugaroos have been killed on three stations in the Mount Gambier district, Victoria, viz., Mount Schanck, Benaira, and German Creek.

' A Victim,' writing to the Melbourne Argus, says that 'unless the sums of money owing to divers persons iv connection with the reception of the Duke of Edinburgh be paid before mail day, I shall cause to be inserted in the leading journals of Europe notices of the interessing fact that Victoria received and glorified the Prince at the expense of a few private tradesmen of this colony.'

• Parliament was prorogued on the 29fch ult. During the rec6ss preparations are to be made for vigorous retrenchment iv the public service. Some departments are to be abolished, others consolidated, and a general reduction made. Wise yet vigorous action in this direction bas been long required, and what should have been done

years ago is at last forced upon the colony by the necessity of reducing its expenditure.

The Melbourne Government have determined to abolish the Geological Survey department at the end of the year. The •head of that department, Mr Selwyn, will return to England.

The Ballarat Star of 10th October says that out of the two dozen rooks shipped on board the Norfolk which arrived oa the Bth, for the Acclimatization Society, only two have reached port. A party of miners on the Bellblock •claim, in the neighborhood of St Arnaud, came upon a mass of gold and quartz weighing about 500 ounces, and estimated to contain ouly 70ouuces of stone. Application for a lease of Richmond Flat, Melbourne, has been made, with the inteution to sink for the deep ground in the Yarra valley.

So far as the year has gone the rainfall in Victoria generally has been very short of the requirements and far below the average of former years. The wool clip is likely to suffer seriously in value in consequence of the absence of rain and the chronic difficulty of getting other supplies of water.

An arrest of 10 or 12 gamblers has been made at the Derby Hotel. They vrere admitted to bail. These arrests created some excitement, as several of the more ■reputable inhabitants are reported to be amoug tbe number.

The crops in Tasmania appear to promise well. According to the Launceston Examiner the weather continues all that farmers can desire. Copious showers have been succeeded by warm, bright days, highly favorable to vegetation. From all quarters the most cheering reports reach *us as to tbe present appearance of the crops, so that with a genial spring the ■prospects of the yet remote harvest are encouraging.

The tidal wave of the 16th of August reached the Fiji Islands ou the same day. It overwhelmed the township of Apia, -while at Tongaloa a bouse was carried away.

A story being current that Mr Tilton, editor ofthe New York Independent, and Auna Dickinson, had matrynouial designs upon each other, Mr T. responded to a letter of enquiry on the subject as follows: — « Ottawa, Illinois, Jan. 21, 1867.— My dear sir, — -In reply to your kind inquiry whether the story be indeed true that I am to marry my pleasant friend Miss Anna Dickenson, permit me just to mention .(what must suffice for the present), that -in this, as in every other important matter, I am bound by a rule vvhich I have observed for now nearly 11 years; and that is not to take a conclusive action without •the advice of Mrs Elizabeth R. Tilton, a very sensible woman, and tbe wife of yours truly, Theodore Tilton.'