AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14150, 27 August 1909, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

A WOMAN'S DEATH. WARRANT AGAINST HER HUSBAND. An inquiry into the circumstances of the death of Mary Elizabeth von Hanstein, a young married woman, was held in Melbourne last week. Deceased, who was the daughter of Mrs. Honner, licensee of the Bridge Hotel, Burnley, was married in November last in Melbourne, and, with her husband, Rudolph Frederick von Hanstein, went to Sydney. They returned in March, and took up their residence at Mrs. Hormer'6 hotel. Oil March 16 von Hanstein was under the influence of liquor, and during the night piercing screams were heard coming from the room occupied by the* couple. Mrs. Honner, a Miss Naughton, and a Mr! Watson ran upstairs, and saw von Hanstein and his wife. Mrs. von Hanstein fell, and was carried to her mother's room. Her husband then retired to another room, where he remained all night. Mrs. von Hanstein complained that her 'husband had dragged her out of bed iby the neck, and bumped her violently with his knee against the edge of the bed. An operation was deemed necessary, and she was removed to a private hospital, where she died. Her husband, von Hanstein, disappeared, and a warrant was issued for his arrest on a charge of having inflicted grievous bodily harm upon his wife. He has not since been found. A verdict of manslaughter against von Hanstein was returned." CHARGE OF RITUALISM. Specific charges of ritualism have been laid against St. Peter's Anglican Church, Eastern Hill, Melbourne, in a letter to Archbishop Clarke by the secretary of the Victorian Evangelical Association (Mr. T. Grogan). Mr. Grogan alleged, in his report to the association, -that the dress of the clergy at service on Lammas Day consisted of vestments worn by the priests of the Roman. Catholic Church. In addition, Mr. Grogan protested against the use of candles, processional banners, making the sign of the cross, and setting up stations of the cross, which, he claimed, had alLbeen declared illegal in the Church of England. After discussion of the report, the committee of the association declared emphatically against the practices alleged against St. Peter's, and in the event of Archbishop Clarke refusing to take' steps to prevent .a repetition, consideration will be given to a proposal that the association take legal action on its own responsibility. • - " BREACH OF PROMISE CASE. In an action for breach of promise of marriage brought at Colac (Victoria) by Ellen Max-field against John Clarke, jun., defendant gave evidence,' during which he admitted misconduct -with plaintiff, and violently assailed 'her character. ActingJudge Neighbour stopped defendant, and told Clarke that he did not believe a word he had said, and ordered him to leave the box, a sensation being created in • Court. Plaintiff, who claimed £500 damages, was awarded £10. . <■„ DARING BURGLARY. • Last week jewellery to the value of £250 was stolen by burglars from the house -of Professor Lowrie, Director of Agriculture, in Perth (W.A.). The professor when at ; dinner, heard a noise in the bedroom, and a servant saw two men leaving the room, but nothing was missed till next day, when the professor discovered that his" wife's jewellery had been stolen. : p_\ .■ ";■ STRANGE SHOOTING ACCIDENT. Whilst four Lithgow ■'. residents were out shooting in the Rylstone (N.S.W.) district, One of the number, Mr. J. , Beynon, was standing about 80yds from on© of his mates, when the latter fired at a wallaby. The shot was deflected through striking the Wire of the fence, caught Mr. Beynon over "the right eye, and became ..'. embedded in the side of his head. For the time it stunned him. ' His ijnates rendered first aid 5 and Mr. Beynon' was able to continue shooting. His eyesight, has; not been interfered with though he had a narrow escape. '•