INTERCOLONIAL ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9249, 31 December 1888, Page 6

INTERCOLONIAL ITEMS.

CRUSHED TO DEATH. Early on the morning of December 21, a miner named George Williams was killed in the New Kong Meng mine, Maryborough. He was proceeding along the drive to speak to his mate when tho timber under which ho was passing suddenly gafo way, crushing him to death instantly. Ho was a married man, and leaves a large family. DETERMINED TO DIE. What appears to be a suicide of a determined character occurred during the voyage of the American ship Parameta, from New York to Melbourne. On October 8, in latitude '26& degrees N., a passenger named Joseph Tomkins deliberately jumped overboard. Captain- Prescott threw a lifobuoy to him, and a boat was in the water in something like four minutes' time. Tomkins was a good swimmer, but he deliberately turned his back on the lifebuoy, and when the boat was being pulled towards him, ho kept his head under water, and so drowned himself. Tomkins was a single man, 22 years of age. HIS COURAGE FAILED HIM. On Monday morning, tho 17th instant, George Howard, boot shopkeeper, in Bourkestreet, Melbourne, reported to the police that he had been stabbed and robbed in his own yard about midnight on Sunday. The detectives investigated the matter, and found that although there were wounds on Howard's body there were no corresponding cuts in the clothes he wore. On December 21 Howard admitted to the detectives that his story was a fabrication. He stated he was in monetary difficulties, and took some drink on Sunday night. He conceived the intention of committing suicide, and took off his coat and went into the back yard, and tried to stab himself in the heart, but failed. He then attempted to sever an artery in his left arm, but nis courage failed him, and he threw tho knife away, and crawled back te the door and called the housekeeper. NOVEL CONTEST. A novel competition took place at Trinity Church, East Melbourne, about 45 licensed readers of the diocese and theological students of Trinity College taking part in a roading competition for money prizes ranging from £7 to £1. The competitors read passages from Scripture to a board of examinors appointed by the Bishop, audibility, solemnity, and good taste being regarded as special requisites. The highest number of marks were obtained by Thomas Ward, licensed reader at Geclong Gaol. AN OLD MAN'S DEATH. A man, aged 72 years, named James M'Nulken, whilst rowing in a boat in Newcastle harbour, suddenly threw up -his arms, exclaiming, " Oh, this is grand," and dropped back dead. Syncope was the cause of death.. BRUTAL MURDER. _ An Italian hawker of jewellery, named Marsue, was brutally murdered in Charters Towers on Thursday morning, October 20. His box, broken open and spattered with blood, was first found, and subsequently tho body was discovered in a house in the main thoroughfare, tho head having been hacked

apparently with a tomahawk." A' Maltese and two brothers, natives of Jerusalem," have been arrested on suspicion. TYPHOID IN MELBOURNE. A startling increase in the number of typhoid cases has been reported in Melbourne for last week. There were thirty-one cases, of which eight were fatal. A severe outbreak of diphtheria is also reported from Lang Lang. A DARING ROBBERY. Last Monday evening a daring robbery was committed at the Enterprise Permanent Benefit Building Society's office, South Melbourne. A man entered the premises arid sent the clerk for the manager. During the clerk's absence a cashbox containing £229 in cheques and £179 in gold was stolen. DECOYED AND MURDERED. The South Sea Island labour schooner Ariel has arrived at Bundaberg, bringing the news that Mr. Armstrong, the Government agent, was killed by the natives at Malayta. He was decoyed on shore by the statement that the chief was sick, and after landing was cut to pieces with axes and knives. - ':. ; BALLOON ASCENT. , ; On Monday afternoon Professor Bartholomew, an American aeronaut, made a balloon ascent from the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the presence of about 7000 persons. ' When a height of 3000 ft had been reached the aeronaut made a leap, and as the parachute filled the crowd cheered. During the descent he performed several acrobatic , feats, and landed on the roof of Dr. Singleton's residence. This ; is , Professor Bartholomew's fifty-fourth ascent.

FATAL FIRE IN SYDNEY. Early on Christmas morning the Wentworth House family hotel, • in Church-hill, Sydney, and all its contents, were destroyed by. fire. The damage is estimated at £4000. The saddest feature of the fire is that two young men, named Armstrong and Caulfield, were killed by falling from the roof while endeavouring to escape from the flames. Constable McDonald, who was on duty in the vicinity, endeavoured to save the men from their terrible position on the roof, which was speedily becoming untenable. He got on to the roof, but owing to its steep, smooth nature, was unable to go along, and had to return to the next building. He then endeavoured to find some means of communication with them; but while he was so engaged, the unfortunate men, blinded by smoke and exhausted by heat, lost their hold, and slipping from the roof, fell to the earth at the rear of the building, nearly 50 feet below. They were fearfully injured, Armstrongs head being smashed, while Caulfield's back was severely injured. Armstrong was picked up dead, and Caulfield, who was insensible, died shortly afterwards. Both the deceased were single men. Armstrong was about 2-1 years of age, and was employed in the New South Wales Railway Office, Pitt-street. He has been in the colony about five years, and during the past ten weeks resided at the hotel where he met his death. His parents are said to reside in Dublin. Caulfield is about 23 years of age, and is well-connected in Dublin. He has been staying at. the hotel for about four weeks, and came to Australia to gain colonial experience. Both were fine, well-made men.