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Otago Daily Times, Issue 2005, 3 June 1868, Page 4

Information has been received that the body of a man was found on the beach, at Kaat Taieri, washed up by the sea. An inquest wa» held on Saturday, before J. Dowe, Esq, Coroner. The body waa ao much decomposer!, that it could not bo identified j but from the evidence of one witness, who recognised tho neok-tio, it \n supposed tv have been the remains of a young man, who, it ia believed, took a boat belonging to Mr Harris, of Taieri Village, about flvo months ago, and who represented himself to be brother to tho Honorable Mr Pery, formerly of the Otago Police Force. Mr Pery'a brother has been missing for some time. Thei young man in question atated that ho was going, with his cousin, to Wnikava Saw Millw, as bullock-driver and wood-cutter.

Wo have received from Mr Burton, photo* grapher, Princes street, a very well executed photograph of the laying of tho first atone of tho Masonic Hall, Dunedin. Tho point o£ timo seems well chosen, aad, with suflicicnt; magnifying power, no clearly defined aro tba countenances, that there ia no difiicnlty in identifying the principal actors in tho imposing coremony. As a Masonic record, apart from its merit as a work of art, the photograph will bo esteemed valuable.

Oar correspondent in Victoria briefly alludes to the accidental shooting of a soldier at the Rifle Butts, Wi'liamatown, by * Volunteer, on Saturday, tbc 23rd ulto Tho Aryus gives tho following full account of tho affair:—"A melancholy accident ocenrrod at tho Wiiliamtitown rifle butta on Saturday last, by which tho life of a private soldier belonging to the Royal Artillery has been jeoparduscd. It had been previously arranged that a rifle match should take place on that day am >ng the local Volunteers, for the municipal eup3 and »ome money prizes, and accordingly about seven o'clock in the morning several members were on the ground, and tho first squad commenced firing at target Ni. 1, 300 yawls range. The morning was dark and foggy, and even at that abort distance it ia said that tho target was scarcely perceptible. About 103 feet from target No. 1 was another target—a large one, in front of which was standing Gunner Dooley, of tho Royal Artillery, who was engaged in repainting the bull's eye, and preparing for the 400 yards range. It appeals that upon the twentieth shot being fired, the marksman (a, volunteer named Alexander Ramaay) by mistake discharged his rifle at tho wrong target, and immediately Dooluy fell backward, and staggered into the marking bntt, calling ont to the marker at No. I target that he was shot. Tho marker at once made an alarm, and messengers were despatched for a Burgeon, and a vehicle to remove the wonnded man to the barracks, whithor ho was conveyed in great' agony. On making aa examination, Mr Figg ascertained that tho ball had entered the man's back, oa the right side, between the eighth and ninth ribs, perforating a portion of the lung; and had paawd out on the other side, between the eighth and ninth riba also. The wound is considered to be a very -dangerous one; but Dooley being a young and healthy man, it is possible he may recover, although it is certain he can never be so strong again as he was before ho sußtelned the injury. Of course, j tho shooting match was at once suspended. The accident waa subsequently reported to the military authorities, and at noon an inquiry warn commenced at the artillery bar* racks. South Williamstown, before Captain TweeJ.ie, Lieut, Smlthett, and Lieut. Legga Siverral witnesses were examined At this investigation, whoagreodintbcirleaUmony asto •the manner » which the accident occurred-.

' Tho volunteers stated, however, th.lt iione bt \ them saw a danger-flag at tho target which ! Dooloy was cleaning ; but Bombadier Allar^ who was acting as marker, at J\"o. 1 target, sworo distinctly that previous to the firing Dooloy had hoisted a red flag, which hung close to the flagstaff, as thcro was no wind to blow it out so as to show well; and that ho ( s llan) hai taken tho flag down himself about a quarter of an hour after the inaa was ahof. After hearing the testimony of tho various witnesses, Alexander Ramsay (the man who fired tho rille) was called in, and tho whole oE tho evidence taken down was read over to himv Having been cautioned iv tho usual way, ho was asked if ho wished to make any state* meut. Tho man replied that ho "would rather say nothing at present." Tho proceed* ings then terminated, aud tho Court rose. Ramsay is a quiet and inoffensive-looking man, apparently about fifty years old. JFIo has tho credit of being particularly careful in the use of firearms, and his general conduct is quite tho reverse of that of a reckless man. Thcro can be no doubt that tho shooting of Dooley was purely accidental. Tho only question is, as to whether tho volunteers were justified in commencing to nhoot so early as they did on such a dark and foggy morning. On making inquiries at the bairacks last evening, our reporter was informed that tho sufferer had passed a tranquil night, and was now progressing as favorably as could bo expected. It was said, that should no unfavorable symptoms appear for the next day or two, there would ha reason to hope that tho crisis had passed, and that there would bo a fair chance of the man's ultimately recovering. At a still later hour last evening wo were, however, informed that Dooloy was much worse."

rage."

" A nomewhatunngual case of sticking-up,' saya the Colombo Ob*rrvr.r of tho 30th cf March, " took place a few ovcningß ago at Wakwclla, near Gallo. A young gentleman, •who had arrived a fow days previously from Auatralia,'on his way to Calcutta, proceeded, on tho afternoon of Thnrxlay laat, in a public conveyance, to tho Cinnamon Gardens. Arrived there, ho discharged tho cib, intending to return to (ialle on foot in tho cool of tho evening. Shortly after seven o'clock, while on bin way on foot, he was suddenly attackedfrombchind, and a heavy blow, which Btruck him on the back of his h«w'. »«•* hitn fc° th«ff"»""* J- Hereupon he wm attacked by four or five inon (natives), and rjbbod of nil the valuables he carried about him—about fifty ■sovereigns, gold hunting watch and cha'a, gold lockot. und fcho roMjers did not even leave him hia handkerchief or neck-tie. When recovered from the blow he h&d received, he ahontod out, and this attracted an old man, who took him to hia hut, where he passed the rent of tho night. Having fciven information to the police, a vigorous search waa at once instituted, and several arrcata have been made. Amongst those ii custody is the cab-driver who drove tho victim out to Wakwclla, and a strong suspicion points to him as the instigator of tho brutal oufc-

The Argwt gives the following aocottat of the arrangements proposed for settlement in tho Fiji Manda:—" The stoamship Albion, that sailed recently from Sydney for Fiji and Japan, had eighty passengers on board for King Thakombau's territory, and ho nnxneroua were the applications for berths that tho owners of the ship regretted they had not despatched her for Fiji alone, making Melbourne the port of d«partnre. There seems to be a very general curiosity on the subject of those islands both hero and in New South, Wales, and most of the Albion's passengers are understood to have gone thither with a view to ascertain the capsbilitiea of the islands in the way of trade, or as a field for settlement. Two of these, Messrs Brewer and Evans, are the Agents of a company which it is proposed to form ia this city, to carry

on extensive badness operations in the Fiji group, and they hwo taken with them a draft charter, to which they hope to obtain the signatures of the rei >n;n;* monarch and his principal chiefs. We have a copy of the charter before us, and as it may possibly become an important historical doenment at some future timo, wo wi'l state its more important details. Tn consideration of obtain important privileges to Ikj ceded to the company, tho latter is to ' make suitable provision for tho settlement of a claim of Ij 10,000, or thereabouts, preferred against King Thakombau by the American Government, for losses said to have been busttincd by American subjects who resided in his kingdom ;' pay the King an annuity (of which tho amount has not yet been filled in) from tho date of the company's formation ; pay annuities (blank sum) to certain chiefs (the number not stated), and 'at all times, after tho formation of the company, well and truly aid and assist King Thakombau in upholding and defending bis kingdom.' So much tho delegates aro to undertake on tho company's behalf. His Majesty, of tho other part, will, should ho sign the charter as drafted, * for ever grant, code, transfer, and act over unto trustees, on behalf of tho company, certain islands, and parts of islands, set forth in a schedule, together with the soil or bod of all ecus, rivers, and water adjacent to, or abutting on tho said scheduled territory, and also all harbours, inlctt, creeks, &c., wh;ch tho company may now or hereafter deem necessary for tho enjoyment of tho said scheduled lands, &c. ; also, all mines or minerals iv or upon the same.' Tho company will also havn tho ' sole and exclusive right to impose and levy anch duties of Castoms an to them may seem (it on the exportation and importation of goods into tho kingdom of Fiji, and to levy wharfage or harbor rates ; and tho exclusive right to establish banks, and iamic bank notes.' No portion of tho territory >9 to be alienated until the company has been offered ' tho preferential privilege «f acquiring the aime.' This company are to have full and absolute authority to make lawa for ths government of tho inhabitants (native and foreign) on tho lauds ceded to thorn ; alao to make laws to regulate tho trado and commerce of tho kingdom, or such p' rtions of it as may bo inhabited by a white or mixed population ; and to establish courts, appoint judges, magistrates, &c. Tho King pledging himself t<» uphold and defend tho Ifcws trado by the company, and to protect the inhabitants of the company's territory, and their property, from native or other violence."

Some ratber uncomplimentary remarks, as to the horses imported into Ceylon from Australia, arc made by the OolomJm Observer of the 20th April, which contrasts unfavorably tho impoita from thut Colony with those from the Cape of Goad Hope. It ia said:— " Tho well-known Ceylon trader Francis arrived from tho Capo on the 10th instant, bringing six well-bred horses, besides numerous sheep and goats, which ought to find favor in oar market. Two of the horses (a fine pair) belong to an important official member of tho Civil Service, and having been landed in fine condition, wo may expect soon to see them in harness on Oalle Face, admired by all admirers. Another, a saddle-horse of fine raking form, ia for & well-known officer in the Artillery, and will no doubt pull off more than one good race at our forthcoming September meeting. The remaining three are for sale, and being handsome and well-bred, offer a decided contrast to most of the mongrel misshaped brutes we get from Australia. As they are brought more to try the Ceylon market than otherwise, it ia to be hoped that they will fetch such prices as will induce tho Capo people, and such enterprising ship-masters as Captiin F. W. Mill, to send or fetch us more of the same sort."

Tho Criminal Session of tho Supreme Court in to b© commenced thn forenoon, at ton o'clock, before Ilia Honor, Mr Justice Chapman.

To pVint exaggerated rumors as to the hatching of Salmon Ova at the Waiwers, ia to be guilty of an absurdity : but it is something wontc, when, consequent upon a correction of the exaggeration, an ill-mannered assertion of its truth is put into circulationTho evening paper which, on Saturday, stated tbat "Hevcral thousands of fish had been hatched," repeated tho statement last oveniug, and added, "it is given on tho beat authority;" There was a story in town on Saturday, to the effect tliat thousand!) of iish had been hatched ; but it waa a mere rumor, without authority of any kind. Mr Dawbin waa himself in town on Saturday evening and Sunday; and wo know tbat there was bia authority for our statement that, when bo left tho ponds on Friday, bo was certain tbat there were 5 0 fry, and that he thought there might bo between 700 and 1000, at the outside. Wo hope there may, at Homo time, be thousands of fish at the ponds.

The funeral of the laio Mr H. A. Julias started from tho Criterion Hotel, soon after noon yesterday, on its way to Oamarn. The hearse was followed by two mourning coachts, containing relatives and intimate friends of tho deceased ; and then came iW or more gentlemen on foot, headed by His Honor, the Superintendent, and Mr George Duncan, Secretary for Land and Works. Mott of the members of the Provincial Council were present, as were some of the leading merchants and bankers. About twenty vehicles, including four or five private carriages, completed the procession. Several shops in George street wore closed a« the funeral procession passed. From tho Water of Loith, tho hearse and the mourning coaches proceeded alone.

Tho lion. Secretary of the Acclimatisation Society desires to acknowledge the receipt of tho Hum of L 5, a donation to the funds of tho Society from the Stewards of tho Tradesmen's It aces.

The severe weather of last evening interfered with the attendance at the Princess Theatre, but the pieces wero played with the same attention to minutins as if tho hous*. had been lilted to overflowing. This evening " Court Cards" will precede the burlesque of " Pariß," which will bo played again, and which loses none of its attractiveness by repetition.

Tho monthly meeting of tho Shamrock Lodge, I.C, 448, will be held at the Masonic Hall this evening.

There will bo a meeting ofc tho Standard r>tv,rw>rty Investment Society this evening, for the purpose or receiving suDscnpucma.

Tho, Committee of the Otago Benevolent Institution acknowledge, by advertisement, a donation of L 5 from the stewards of the Tradesmen's Races.

The Melbourne Aye of the 23rd gives particnlars of the first sale of Tweeds manufactured by the Geelong Woollen Company. The sale took place on the 22nd May. "There was a large attendance at the sale, including many well-known men from Melbourne and Ballarat as well us the leading buyers in tho trade of Gealong. Tho biddings were spirited, and the prices realised ranged from Gs Cd to 9s per yard for narrow widths, and from 12a 6d to 15s per yard for double widths. A large quantity of cloth went to Melbourne and Ballarat. Ths event has caused aomo little sensation in the town, and tho result has given very general satistion."