TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLX, Issue 8163, 15 August 1887, Page 5

TELEGRAPHIC.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Dunedin, August 13. At the inquest on the body of Gray, drowned in the Waiwera, the mother stated that when the boy "slipped off her back into the stream she sat down on the bank, but made no effort to recover him. She then went along the line to her husband. The body was found in 18in of water. The jury added to their verdict a rider that the mother’s conduct was most reprehensible, almost amounting to criminality. The City Corporation have secured a windfall from the sinking fund, the Judge having decided that they are entitled to a refund from the Commissioners of £10,224. This will make a substantial reduction in,the overdraft. Blenheim, August 13. A public trial of Stenhouse and Smith’s patent rabbit ex*erminator was held yesterday at the Duminger station. The machine destroys rabbits by injecting fumes of sulphuric acid gas through the death appearing to be almost instantaneous. Several burrows were fumigated and dug out, numbers of dead rabbits being found. Inspectors Pas aon and Blundell, of the Babbit Department, and Inspector Collett, of the Awatere Babbit Board, were present, beside practical men from town. Great was expressed at the working of the machines, and it is understood the inspectors intend to report favorably. The machines are simple and inexpensive, and well adapted for ordinary sheep runs. William Turnbull was committed for trial this morning on a charge of assaulting a young girl with intent to commit rape. Turnbull is about 25 and the girl, who is the daughter of a farmer, is only 15.