SOCIAL AND GENERAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5131, 29 July 1878, Page 2

SOCIAL AND GENERAL.

PERSONAL.

Mr W. Innes was on July 23rd elected Mayor of Port Chalmers by a majoiity of 18 votes over the number polled by his opponent, Mr W. Murray. The votes polled in the various wards were as follows :— Ilinh East Middle South Ward. Ward. Ward. Ward. Total. Inr.ea .. ..Go 44 33 22 — 16* Murray ..65 28 33 20 — 146 We are yery much pleased to learn that Mr J. B. Bradshaw has been called by the Government to the seat on the Otago Waste Lands Board, vacated by Mr Strode. That Mr Bradshaw is thoroughly fitted for fulfilling the duties of the position will be generally admitted, and it is satisfactory to feel that he will conscientiously exercise the functions pertaining to the Waste Lands' Commission in a manner the best calculated to promote the satisfactory settlement of population on the public lands.

The following is the order of merit in which the Otago candidates passed at the Civil Service examinations : —J uaiors : James Marchbanks, tenth—educated at the Middle District School for four years, and at the Albany street School for one year ; H. T. Halliwell, twelfth —educated at the Middle District School for three years, and at the High School for two years ; W. F. Marsh, thirteenth—educated at the _ High School for two year 3 and ahalf. Ssniors: Francis Duthie, seventh—educated at the Miiton Grammar School for ten years and a-half; H. T. Halliwell, tenth.

Mr William _ Reid declined to allow himself to be nominated as a candidate for the office of Mayor of Port Chalmers.

_ A Supplementary Gazette published at Wellington on tiie I2th annouuced that Sir George Grey had taken the portfolio of Commissioner of Customs and Stamps, formerly held by the Hon. J. Ballance; while Mr Ballauce lias accepted the duties of Colonial Treasurer.

a ter holding the position of Mayor of Port Chalmers for four years against all comers Mr Mhinnon retired, and Mr W. Innes was electod to toe office

AI u-nTh^ \ 6r "e l t?. e? lbci; ed (3ays the Oamaru Mail) that Mr Dick, who was one of the passengers in a coach that was upset a few months ago whilst being put across the Otekaike river, oil that occasion rescued & woman and two children from aeath by drowning .For this humane act the Royal Humane Society has forwarded to tne Hon. R. Campbell a medal for presentation to Air Dick for his noble act. I A public presentation was to have taken place last week in Oamaru, and Mr Dick was in Oamaru for the purpose of being present | thereat; but the absence in the North of the Hon. Mr Campbell, to whom the medal had been lonvarded for presentation, so interfered with the ceremony that it had to be abandoned, Mr Dick returned to Dunedin lately, and the medal will fallow him early this week. The many friends ; o f Mr Herman Lnka in Ouago, will regret to hear of his death at Fiji, \i iS? ? *?' "iV d also that of his PartnerMr Ridsdale mtelhgence of which has just been telegraphed from Australia, Mr Luks arrived m \ ictoria from Oldenburg, Germany, 25 years ago and was afterwards followed by his three brothers, ihey earned on business at the diggings for several years, and after the great fire at iuglewood, 15 years ago, when they were burnt out, came over to Otago and settled at Macraes and Waihemo, where they carried on business. Eleven or twelve years ago Mr Luks left Otago with Mr Ridsdale for Fiji, where they purchased four or five thousand acres of and, for which they only recently obtained Grown grants. They carried on with great enterprise _tne cultivation of sugarcane, cotton and maize, the last of which, however has proved the most profitable crop.' Two years and a half o g O Mr Luks visited Dunedin, where he was married. His death, and that of Mr RidsSSCff tediflKii'ffhßrethey We regret to learn that Dr Tighe, houses'™ "f T^ 6 DS!? edin H°spitaE died on the 13tn Juiy. The deceased gentleman had been a snfaerer from'consumption for seme time past. He arrived here about four years and a half ago by. the sh ip Surat, which was wrecked near Catlin River. It is perhaps a fact worth mentioning that Mr Archibald Ban-, Chief Postmaster of DunfefTh 1)Ie4 ed f h 1 v T tf enty-firat year in the serITU ot! ?° 3tal department of the Colony onth l-l TUne- l o^ lrßarr joined tbe service ontheiah June, ISu7, and has held the office of Chief Postmaster since IS6O.

The remains of Thomas Lees, once a noted circus rider, who died in the Hospital on WedCeSf we™ mtered yesterday in the Northern Cemetery, ihe funeral was attended by nearly Cktco^y! °f Hay6S and B-h^ Dr William Stewart Roberts, M R C S E lately of Oamaru, and resident surgeon of'the Ws College Hospital, London, has been appointed nouse surgeon at the Dunedin HasPit til.

c regret to have to record the death of Mr James Anderson, of the firm of Smith and Ano.er.son, solicitors, of this city. Mr Ander son who died at Kew, near Melbourne, on the jith in.-,t., had been in a delicate state of health for many months. He was ihe third son of the p n-EeT- Jame3 Allder *™, M.A., rector of S^ a S^°' Ireland 'klldWaSill

PUBLIC WORKS

It is said tnat L2OOO have been subscribed towards the formation of a branch railway to Eihottvale coal pit. It is intended (says' the Bruce Herald) to form the line by mkns of a company under the District Railways Act. ATAt -a- m^ tin- hsl<l Messrs Street and Moms-s ofhee on the 23rd July, of .^ ntle . men interested in opening up steamboat communication between Dunedin aud the various settlements down the harbour, it was resolved to form a company with a capital of LlO 000 to carry out the desired object. A considerable portion of the capital has already been sub-

V el P r<° to a deP"tation that waited on the don J Mac-undrew on July IG, that gentleman stated that the section of the line that is to connect Duuedin and Christchurch will be completed n\ less than a month, and that locom°t»ves are now on the way to New Zealand tnat will a-jcomph.sh the journey in ten hours lne i line to xuvercargill is expected to be fmisned towards the end of September, should the weather prove favourable. The canal which connects the river traffic of Taieri Leach and Taieri Ferry with the main south, hue of railway at Titri is now finished but before it will be of any use the sid-V' promised by the Government must be constructed it was promised by the engineer who drew the plans lor the canal, that as soon as the contra-t was signed for excavating the canal the construction of the siding would be commenced Ihe canal is nnished, and the people of the surrounding districts are naturally anxiously waiting for the siding, without which their money has been spent iv vain. There will be a considerable amount of traffic at Titri as soon as the simng is laid down, and it is to be hoped tnat the Government will not delay this maiter any longer than i.s necessary. The Hons Messrs Macandrew and Stout, anu Messrs W. A.. Blair, R. A. Lawson, Hume, Couyers, Protessor Macgregor, aud several other gentlemen visited Blueskin by special train on the 17th July, for the purpose of selecting a sue for the new Lunatic Asylum lac sl te chosen is a reserve of 900 acres opposite Hiyuclifte fetation, and sloping towards Comer i,u*h._ It is about 23 miles from Duneu.n, is admirably situated, and is the one whicn was set aside for this purpose some time ago. We are informed that arrangements are to ne made at once for clearing the land, ani for the erection of the buildings. At the adjourned public meeting on July 10 in cuiinecr.ion with the proposed railway to' loi-cobeho, Mr Bastings sta.'ed that tho morrioters had already partly formed a Provisional Directory, and that steps were to be at ouce taken towards constructing the line under the provisions of the District Railways Act. At the dose of the meeting the folloiviii" h'fteci gentlemen appointed themselves a Committee to further the construction of a railway through the centre of the country :—Messrs T. Robertson, J. M'Lean, William Robertson. A. Siriail J. .Mafchieson, William Deck, Walter Riddle' piielojc'.anton, A. Nicol, R. Braid, A. Be"V Thomas Soinerville, Huyhßoss, Smithson, aiid Wiiliam Stewart.

Mr Yv. Wood, M.H.H., in reply to a communication from himself to the Government, P ll .*' tc, L;'.- Verl from the Under-Secret-a-y for lui;;ic\Vorks an assurance that the survey of the Jv.tendale and Fortrose railway will be ready m ample time for ths sitting of Parliament (says the Southland Xew*). The reply tMOM-u to some extent satisfactory, is not wtioHv so, seeing that the resolution passed by tbe Assembly in its last session was to the eiioct that not only was the survey of the railway hue to be made, but that the specification were also to be ready in time for the meetinot i tu-lijiment. But probably due represent^ ti'.u will also lead to the preparation of th t -<e being hurried on.

rii lae \\ iiiton correspondent of the Southland '! limes writes:—"This place is under a siron" ' phase of excitement at present, all the talk ; beii.g about the Winton and Nightcaps Rail- j way, and tho unprecedented price that shares ! are likely to rise to. The settlers in the LLed- ' don and Wmy^ Bush districts are going into i cultivation with renewed energy, since the i prospect of getting their produce to market by | rail hftH become so apparent. There is no dovnt but what this line will open up a splendid trrv.-k of country, which is destined to sup-

port thousands of human beings, and help to form the backbone of Southland. The directors apprehend no difficulty in filling up the share list within a very reasonable time. The sanction of the Government has already been obtained, and operations will be commenced as soon as possible."

At a meeting held in the Highcliffe district, Peninsula, recently, the settlers expressed themselves in opposition to the proposal made to bring the Peninsula and Ocean Beach Rail way Company under the District Railways Act, in order to carry out the proposed extension of the line to Portobello. The chief ground of opposition appeared to be that the line was to be taken down the edge of the bay, instead of through the centre of the district.

The section of the Railway between Blueskia and Waikouaiti was reopened on July Bth. Everything weut well, and the traffic on thia section of the line will be carried on the same as it was prior to the damage caused by the floods.

We observe that the Government are calling for tenders for the construction of the Tapanui branch railway—about fifteen miles and a-half in length. The contract will include formation, permanent way, buildings, &c.

ACCIDENTS AND OFFENCES,

James Blyth, who had absconded from his bail, made his re-appearance at the Police Court on 23rd July, in custody of Detective Bain, by whom he was brought from Melbourne per the Arawata, on the charge of embezzlement from the Albion Brewing Company. He was arrested in Melbourne by one of the detective force there, and handed over to Detective Bain, who proceeded thither from New South Wales, after searching that Colony in vain for the fugitive. Blyth was remanded. It was stated that in the absence of Mr Allan M. Dicker, the young man who raised auch an extraordinary defence t j the charge of embezzlement preferred against him by the same Com pany a short time since, and whp has now left the Colony, the prosecution against Blyth will probably fail. Blyth has since been discharged.

We learn from Mr Young, the Switzers mail-mail (says the Bruce Herald), that the stables of Mr John Cameron were burned to

the giound on July 21st in the atternoDn. Nothing was saved but the horses. A quantity of seed wheat and grass seed were destroyed. The clothing of a number of the station hands who slept over the stables was also burned. The origin of the (iie cannot be accounted for, as none of the men who slept in t!:e building were in the habit of smoking. It is not known if the place was insiued.

Through an accident which occurred on the iifch on the Main South Ji-jad, between the Reliance and the White House Hotels, a man named Alexander Rintoul lost his life. The accident occurred through Rintoul's horse falling with him, and apparently death had been instantaneous. Rintoul resided at Otakia, just opposite the lleliauce Hotel, and was engaged by a Air Crowther, of Port Chalmers, to seek a horse. He started about dinner time from the Reliance, aud while returning joined, at the White House, Mr Thomas Shand, with whom lie rode along the road. They had not gone far when llintoul suggested s race, but Mr Shand objected. Itintoul then started off alone, and on turning the next corner Mr Shand was surprised to see his horie galloping off withoub i*:s rider. Hasteuiug forward Mr Shawl found Rintoul lying on the road. He spoke to him, but got no answer, and noticing blood about Rintoul's face he rode back to the White House to get aid from Mr M'Kegg, the landlord. The latter gentleman at once proceeded to the spot, and on _ examination found llintoul quite dead. Evidently his horse had fallen, as there were marks of a fall and hair upon the road six or seven yards from where the body was lying. There was a deep ugly-looking wound on Rintoul's Jeft temple. An express waggon was got from the hotel, and the body was placed in it aud couveyed to the unfortunate ma.i's residence. Information of the occurrence was conveyed to the police at Mosgiel. llintoul was recently employed as shepherd by Mr S. O'Kaue, and was well-known iv the Taieri. He was a married man with a family. It is stated that he was perfectly sober at the time of the accident.

It is feared (says the Western Star) that a man named Frank Gorsegogue has lost his life on Mr Aitken's run at the Waiau. He, along with a mate named Brown, came from Waimate to the Longwood about ten or twelve weeks^ ago, and not succeeding they went to Mr Aitken and took a contract for labbit killing. There not being sufficient rabbits to pay both of them, Brown was engaged as a general hand about the home station, and G-orsegogue was allotted quarters in a hut about four miles distant. Brown got a horse from Mr Aitken to visit Gorsegogue on Sunday morning last, but when he got to the hut there was no appearance of anyone about, and the hut did not appear to have been iuhabited since the previous day. Brown then called upon the wife of the ploughman, who lives in the vicinity, and she states she heard two shots on Saturday, but she did not see the missing man. Gorsegogue's steps were traced to the edge of the bush by Brown where three of his dogs were met with, but they were unaccountably timid and would not come when called upon, although Brown knew them well. After looking about in every direction^ Brown returned to the station in the evening. Before daylight on Monday morning, Mr Aitken mustered four or five hands as °a search party, but although the search was maintained till one or two o'clock on Tuesday morning, and every likely place examined, no trace of the unfortunate man could be found. Mr Aitken is ot opinion that a tree has fallen upon Gorseg-ogue, as the snow was very heavy, or that he has met with a gun accident. In the latter case, Mr Atken thinks it quite possible that if one of the monster pigs with >vhich the bush abounds was to come upon the body every morsel would be devoured. Gorsegogue is a married man, and his wife and children live at Waiinate.

The Press gives the following particulars with regard to a very tragic affair which occurred at Oxford on July lGth :—" It appears that at about half-past 11 in the morning the house of a Gorman named Hoff was oljserved to be on fire. Immediately on the alarm being given, the mill-hands hurried to the house to put out the Hames, the first to reach the place being Mr John Lee, junior, a mill owner. On his arrival he saw the wife of the man Huff lying on the ground within a few feet of the fire. He at ouce tried to lift her no, when he was horrified to discover a fearfufgash upon her head, from which the blood and brains were exuding, the woman being of course quite insensible. Dr Weld wa3 immediately sent for, and on his arrival soon after, pronounced the woman to be in a dying state. Within a short time the police reached the spot, and a report was then circulated that Hoff had been seen rushing about the bush in a demented state, with a gun or pistol in his possession, ihe constables immediately set off in pursuit. A litter was then made with saek3 and with the help of a number of the bystanders, the poor woman was carried down the hill, as steadily as the rough nature of the ground permitted, to Ferguson's hotel, where she soon afterwards expired. The opinion of the doctor was that the wound which had proved fatal was distinctly a cut. At a later hour of the day the man Hoff was arrested. He does not appear to have made any real attempt to escape, or even to deny that lie had killed his wife. He came openly into the public-house with another German, who treated him to % glass of beer. Hoff then said that that would be the last gla-<s he should have in Oxford, His companion asked him why so. Hoff then made a statement to the effect that his wife had struck him in the face with the back of her hand, and that be had retaliated by striking her with the tomahawk. The above are all the certain particulars which have as yet reached town regarding this sad affair. It is_coiijectur-;d that subsequent to striking his wife, Hoff set fire to his house. The man lias .since been committed for trial for murder.

We learned, with .sincere regret, on July 12 (says the Palmerston Times), tliu!;, on the previous day, a very serious accident had happened to Mr George: Sloan, of Pleasant Valley. When out shooting on Thursday, the barrel of the gun burst, and Mr Sloan's left hand wa.s so much injured, that amputation of the thumb was deemed necessary. A most painful feature of tne oa-se i.s that Mr Sloan had to walk about two miles before he could reach any dwellingall the time endeavouring to prevent the flow of blood from the injured hand. On arrivin" at Mount Ptoyal, the residence of Mr John Douglas, Mr Sloan was at once made a welcome inmate, Dr Brown attended to his injuries, and everything necessary to alleviate his suffniing.s and administer to his comfort was willingly and promptly done. When wo ><ist inquired Mr Sloan was considered to be progressing favourably, and we sincerely trust tbat ere long we shall be able to report his speedy recovery.

A man named Samuel Goodall, while ridiu" on the main road from Port Chalmers to Dun°edm on the Bth July, was thrown from hip horse, and sustained a fracture of one of his legs. He was taken to the I [ospital.

The Colonial Bank at Xaseby had a narrow escape from destruction by fire on July 11th, at about 5 o'clock. The fire was caused by a defective ilue, but as there was plenty of assistance at hand the flames were extinguished before more than about 1,00 worth of damage wt-sdone. The building way insured with the Company.

A lad named Brook, 17 years of age, met with a severe accident on Friday the 12th. He was engaged at his trat'e as a plumber, in the employ of Messrs Anderson raid Morrison, and was working upon the roof of Messrs W. Gr sgg and CVs new building, in the neighbourhood of the Rattray street jetty. Through a sheet of galvanised iron giving way or slipping from beneath him while he was .stepping from one portion of the roof to another, he f.-JI through ou to the ground, about 18 feet. ne did not appear to be much tho wor.;e when some of his fellow workmen went to his assistance, but as he complained of a pain in his baclvit was deemed advisable to take him to the Hospital. It was found there that his injuries were more severe than appeared outwardly and it is feared his spine is injured. Ke died ou the 23rd iust.

About a quarter-past 2 a.m. on July 16th a. tire broke out iv a small two-roomed cottage oc-' cupied by Win. Thomaa, a contractor, at the rear of the Gas Works, South Dunedin. The flames spread rapidly over the building, and before any of the furniture could be removed "?« cottage was completely destroyed. Some difficulty was experienced in saving Mrs Thomas and the three children from the fire. A sum of L4O, the balance of L6O received recently by Mr Thomas from the Corporation of South iJunedm, for work done by him, was lost, it having been left in a wooden drawer. The premises were insured in the Victoria Insurance Company for L 75, and the furniture in the same office for LGO. Mr Thomaa'a loss is estimated at LBO.

A serious fatal accident happened on the 12th at the Hercules Flat, near Roxburgh. A miner named Patrick Ricard, . while engaged working in his claim along with John Borland, his mate,- was struck by a fall of earth, which almost covered him. Borland succeeded in clearing Ricard's head, intending to proceed for assistance, but before he was able to do so a, second and much larger fall occurred, completely burying the unfortunate man Ricard, Borland escaping with difficulty. Fully one hundred tons of earth are estimated to have fallen, the face of the claim being about sixty feet deep. Ricard was one of the oldest residents in the district. He leaves a wifeand four young children, for whom much commiseration is evinced throughout the pls.ee.

A tragic occurrence took place on' July 12th, at a brothel in Xewton, Auckland. It appears that a man named Wm. Francis Crowe resided there with four notorious women — Kate M'Maun, Georgina Lee, Jane Jackson, and Carry Spayne. Yesterday morning a man well known to the police, named Hemy Black, went to the house in search of M'Mann, when Crowe refused him admission. Subsequently both men went into the back yard and fought the quarrel out, Black proving the victor, and gaining entrance to the house. Crowe, un noticed by Bl;ick, got a billhook, came in behind him whilst he was talking to one of the women, and striking him with the weapon fractured his skull. An hour afterwards the police became acquainted with the affair ami found Black lying welterir.g in his blood. They removed him to the H-wpical. He slept well last night, aad to-day was conscious, but his depositions have bean taken us a precautionary measure. Dv Philson Las h->pc.s of .■-.•> viyg hi.-? life if no unforeseen syicpO'.um supervene. Crowe and the women ware speedily apprehended by the police. Crowe, the perpetrator of the_ outrage, was brought up on the l-")t'u instant ami remanded for a week. The injured man Black now givea his name tj the Police as Harry Broome, and claims to be a member of the London piz eriug. He came here as a stow-away ill the steamer which brought Cooper and Bailey's circus troupe, and has been in trouble frequent y since.

A little boy named John Cassels had histhioh bone broken through sliding over the asphalte in the Arcade, while coming from school on the 17th.

A little boy named Daren was slightly wounded in the chest with a pocket knife on the 19th, while quarrelling with another boy. He was taken to the Hospital, where the wound was dressed,

Last week a fisherman named Oliver, wellknown and respected in the Port Molyneux district, left the coast in a small dingy on a fishing excursion. Soon after, leaving (says the Ciutha Leader) boisterous weather set in from the south-west, causing a heavy sea, and as nothing his been heard of Oliver since, it is feared he has been blown to sea, or probably the boat ha 3 been swamped and the man hag perished.

We learn from the Ciutha Leader that an accident, which might easily have been attended with fatal consequences, occured at the Waiwera last week. Mr Patrick O'Rorke, an overseer on the road works, was, about 1 or 2 o'clock in the morning, aroused from his sleep by fire. His hue was completely enveloped in flames, and so stupefied and half suffocated was he thac he made several attempts before he could find the door. What clothing he.;was able to seize hold of was reduced by the fire to a few shreds ore ho could gain the open air. JIo made big way with difficulty, so perished was he with cold in his half naked state, to Mr Pagan's, about a quarter of a mile distant, where he at once received every care and attention. His hands were very severely burnt in tearing*open the door, and he is at present at Clinton under medical care, but ia, we are glad to say, progressing favourably.

A fire, by which Jenkins's Bridge Hotel, Ivaitangata, was completely destroyed, occurred about^ 2 o'clock on Tuesday, the 16th (says the Ciutha Leader). It is supposed to have originated under the grate of an upstairs sitting room which had been occupied during the evening by Air Taylor, School Inspector, and two Messrs Holmes; and which, like so many fireplaces in hotels, was in anything but a safe condition: the defective state of this one admitting of live cinders falling on the joints beneath. These it is presumed caught fire. We regret to hear that Mr Jenkins, who was only lessee of the hotel, and his family,have lost all their effects, which were uninsured, saving barely sufficient clothing to cover them. The hotel, -which belonged to Mrs Gray, was insured vyitn the Victoria Insurance Company for LSOO, and the stock and furniture with the National Insurance Company for LSOO. These amounts, wo believe, fall far short of the value of the property destroyed.

A young lad named Houston met with a very cevera accident on the 15th July. He was driving some horses to drink at the cresk at Ulenore, when one of the a-.rimals kicked him in tne forehead, causing fracture of the skull. JJr 1. Stewart, of Milton, was sent for to attend the injured lad, who is a son of the man Houston, who died a weelc or two ago in the Dunedin Hospital from blood poisoning caused by skinning a dead bullock at Mount fctuart.

A man named Archibald Sturges was re ceived into the Hospital en July 23rd, sufferin" from injuries received through falling down the hold of the steamer Stella, at Port Cha'mers.

A fatal accident occurred on Wednesday night, the 17th, near the City Gasworks. The victim was a man named Peter Aud.er.son, a dealer in coal and firewood, having a yard in Hanover street, and it appears that it was a habit of his to go out to the Peninsula in his dray in the evening to get in a load of wood early ne'-t morning. On Wednesday evening he was going out as usual about 7 o'clock accompanied by his wife and child, eighteen months old, and when opposite the old Corporation manure depot was obssrved by a boy named Pessit, who happened to be passing, to extinguish a bottle lantern. Almost immediately afterwards Pessifc heard a cry for help. On goim< up to the deep ditch at the side of the road the lad found that the dray with its occupants had capsized into it, Mrs Anderson's head being alone visible. She implored him not to leave them, but as ha could do nothing by himself, he at once ran off for assistance to Mr Thomson's, the cordial manufacturer's place. That gentleman, with aMr Marryatt' who is foreman at the Gasworks, and .some others proceeded vigorously to work to extricate the family from the ditch, which was filled with tar and filth. Over half an-hour elapsed bc-foro the woman and child could be got out Ihe deceased had sunk out of sight, and when discovered his head was about eighteen inches under the surface of the mud. On boiii" talcn up, some froth escaped from his mouth hut otherwise there wore no signs of animation An express was obtained, and the body was sent to the Hospital, where life was pronounced to be extinct. It was with great difficulty tho body was got out at ail, the rescuers workinto their waists in the ditch. °

.No trace has been seen yet of the unfortunate Mr C. Marshall, ,Ll\, who has been missin-for nearly a week, and all hopes of his beino-'Vt ahvo have been given up by Ins friends. Mr Marshall was a son of the late Lord Cumehill a judge of the Supreme Court of Scotland ,- t gentleman who, whil.j practising as an advocate was considered one of the first authorities on all questions of mercantile law. Lord Curriehill's eldest son followed his profession, and i-; now a judge under the same title. Mr Charles Marsh.-.!! was established in business in Liverpool but in consequence of the outbreak of war in America, the house iv which he w-is - partner failed, and this event quite unsettled the deceased. After remaining for rather more than a year in Scotland ho accompanied some mends to Australia, where he stayed on a station fcr several years, lie then came over to if, , >Soa:e iltr-° afterwards landed in Auckland, purchasing a farm of about 11(10 acres at Whangapoa. JTo stocked it and built a commodious home. Some four sears ,-u-o ?ie married. About a year since his wif.i" ,an<l family removed to a residence at tho North Shore, and deceased w«s in the habit of visit ing them every week, remaining at the North .Shore over tho Sunday. He did not leave his farm on July 14th, the tide not suitiii" Hit a man who lived with him .saw that he got up at four o clock on Sunday morning. The win'1, was then favourable for his re-tehing the North rshm-a, but it was blowing fearfully, and it is believed that his boat was capsized or- the passage.

MEETINGS,

I he annual social meeting in connection with the ivriox Church Young Men's Mutual Improvement Society was held on July 25th in the class-room of the old church. There was an attendance of about L'GO persons. Th<> Rev Ur Stuart presided, and opened the procaedin-s with a suitable a-.id characteristic address The report of the Society v.-as read by the Secretary. It was of the dolorous ami dispiriting order, and was not inaptly described by one o"f tho spoakeiH .is the "wet blanket" of the evening's proceedings. The average attendance at meetings tor the past year ha-, been twelve A programme of songs, glees, ami recitations by amateurs, and a dramatic reading " Tho Graveyard Scene, from Hamlet," by Messrs llay, Bracken, and other members of tho Shakespeare Club, was very successfully gone through. Addresses were also delivered by Mr 1. S Whitbon, Vice-Pressdeut of tho Society ami Mr Donald Stuart, which wtra very well received by the audience. An interval rook place for refreshments, which were served in

brought the meeting to a close.

«Z q 1 i k^nws meoting of the Caithness, Sutherland Orkney, and Shetland AsaoiSi, 6ld m Murr»y'« H«tol on the lJtn. lhere was a good attendance of members. ff fv, vl er *s \ epott sh°wed that there was at the credit of the Society upwards of LIOO. Sub-committees were appointed for variou 3 purposes, amongst others that of inquiring into tn« state of the Otago subscription to the fund for establishing the Celtic Ch&ir in the Edinburgh University. The case of the fatal boat accident at Big Bay was brought before the meeting, and the sum of LlO was voted from the bocie.ys funds to assist Mrs Yell and children At the same time a subscription list was handed round the room, when a further sum of Ll3 was subscribed. A sub-committee was also appointed for the purpoge of collecting subscriptions for the object. Two of the unfortunate persons who were drowned were natives of bhetland. The meeting adjourned till the lotn of August.

A meeting of the Yorkshire and Lancashire rS f as°. urned from the Ist instant, was held at the CluD-room on July 16th. Mr Atkins in the chair. 1 here was a vory good attendance, and the following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing six months President, Wm. Conyers, Orawshaw ; Secretary, Mr T. K. Woodcock ; Treasurer, Mr T Dodson; Coramittee, Messrs fofrb^on°^/ aC fi kTi 1 ' Atkins > Hargreaves, rw.w*f ' . S,tansfield' and D. Swarm! The Committee will meet next Monday evening to rev lso the rules to meet the preset exifencies of the now greatly enlarged membership. S3ri y satisfactory financial statement laid vnf« nf^.fT 11?' a l Daoafc hearfcy and cordial vote of thanks to the retiring office-bear, r B tffi f ,Pa3Sod- -1* was aSreed to invest the future meetings of the Club with a more narmomc character than heretofore. A Humber of good songs, readings, and recitations then brought a very pleasant evening to an agreeable termination.

A special meeting of the Dunedin branch of the Society of Carpenters and Joiners was held on Saturday inght at Krull's Hotel, the President (Mr P. Sapwell) iv the chair. The object of the meeting was to consider the position of then- Manchester brethren, and it was resolved to call a levy of half-a-crown per member to help to support them in their struggle against a reduction or wages The question of celebrating the anniversary of the Society was postponed for a

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. The half-yearly meeting of the Linden Lodge No 19 1.0.0.1 for the installation of officer^ took place at the Lodge rooms, Linden, on \tV U n\¥ £ rand Lod «Je officers-Bros. MGraw, Ct.M. ; Braithwaite, P. G.M,; Alexander, G.I. ; lracey G. Marshal, installed tho following officers for the ensuing term :- Bros. Lindsay, N.G. ; Stewart, V.G. : Wilkinson, secretary; Ferguson, Treasurer: bheenan, Conductor j Millan, R.S.Q.N.G. ; Hodge., L.S Q N G. ; Ready, R.G. : Mar.hesonO.G.; Washer, R.S.S. ; James, L.S.S.; Matheson (Auditor). Bros. James and Moffatt were appointed a Visiting Committee. The visiting brothers from the Pioneer, Unity, and btar of Otago Lodges were present during the ceremony. s

Ihe usual fortnightly meeting of the Dunedin branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners was held at Krull'a Hotel on July 14th. There was a good attendance, and the President (Mr W. Carltoia) occupied the chair. Four new membera were admitted, and two candidates for admission were proposed. Messrs Carlton, Robb, a.id Dick were appointed a committee to make arrangements for the celebration of the anniversary of the Society. Dr Stenhouse was elected branch surgeon vice Dr Stackpole, resigned, lhe following new officers entered upon their respective ..duties for the ensuin<* term viz. :-B p., Bro. Carlton; V.P., Bro! Pickford; B A's, Bros. Bard well and Sapwell; B Committee, Bros. Ritchie and Johnson ; D X Bro. Harris ; Sick H.s Bros, bnelhng and Dick.

t nnr "f'?! meetl'"Sr of the Unity Lodge, 1.00.F, held on July 17th G.M. Bro. Jas. T" ii \ W -' accomPanied by the grand officers, installed into then- respective chairs the following officers :-N.G., Bro. Pitts ; V.G., Bro. Yearnadge; See., Bro. Rewan : Treasure, Bro. Vv asher ; Warden, Bro. Phillips ; Conductor, ? r2* {Hf Mo<*forcl;RS.N.G.,Jßro. Tay'o-• L.b IS.Gr Bro. Christie; R.S. V.G., Bro. pV. |Io^ tord 5 L-S. V.G., Bro. Prouse ; L..0 &., Bro Bellman ; L.S.S., Bro. Crouch, i here was a large attendance of members, and the Lodge was visited by members of the Inncess, Leith, and Star of Otago Lodges.

t i i- u^ aAla^ lon of ofncers of the Pioneer Lodge, 1.0.0.1., took place on the 9th July. Grand .bodge officers attending were : G M Bro M'Gaw, D.G.M. Bro Wheeler, G.M. Bro lracey, and Grand Secretary Bro Reid. Tbe officers installed were :-Noble Grand, Bro H. £apatah; Vice-Grand, Bro Michael Cohen; Secretary, Bro Michie ; and Treasurer, Bro Jacobs The. N.G. (Bro Naphtali) then appointed the tollowing officers :—Conductor Lro Hamilton : Warden, Bro Stohr ; R.S. to &.G., Bro Moritzon ; L.S. to N.G., Bro Porter ; LG. Bro Kirk; 0.G., Bro Walls. The A ice-Grand appointed Bro Vezey R. 3., and Bro Langley L.S., Bro Wilkin R.S.S., Bro Underwood L S.S. Bro Bennett was appointed J. 1 ast Grand for the ensuing term. The G M i-.ro M &aw addressed the Lodge at some length. Ine Noble mid Vice-Grand and other officers returned thanks for their election, and tne JLodge was duly closed.

GOOD TEMPLARS.

A concert and ball to celebrate the openinof the new > Good Templar Hall at Kaikoral took place in that building on the 12th, and was well attended. Mr Adams occupied the chair, and gave an inaugural address in a very creditable manner.

The xvaikorai Good Templar Hall Company may be congratulated on the very fine hall ™h'"h has Ju?t been completed for them by Mr l/iilliiigton, builder, and Messrs Mason, Wale« and btevenson, architects. Its finish is equal' lfnot superior, to any hall in or about L>uneuin. lhe hr.it meeting held in it took place on \\ ednesday, the 3rd, when the Grand Lod-e J'.xecative were present, and formally dedicated the building according to the Good Templar ceremony, in the name of "Faith, Hope, and Chanty, to the cause of temperance. Brother Jago, G.W.C.T., assisted by Brother ]) C .V'ViV'Tr"1, G.W.S., Brother Price, Act-In-n'\lr ,;/•', . Brother Davidson, ActinU\\ . Chaplain, and the olliccrs of the Star or" 1< reedom Lodge, officiated, ar.d conducted the r.-ereiuoiiy m a very mariner; after which the Star of Freedom Lodge, X v 5 1.0.Cr.'1., was. opened, the G.W.O.T. pre.-id--1 fi'i t 1 e;' llcln- sion °f the routine business oftheL,dge Brother K. N. Adams in a few well chosen sentences presented to the L)d"e mthe name of Brother George Davi^son^a handsome volume of the Holy Bible. Brother xhom, W.OT suitably acknowledged the gift on behalf of the Lodge, and in its name conveyed its sincere thanks to Brother Davidson for Lhe very suitable gift. The G. WC T then addressed the Lodge at considerable length on various subjects of engrossing interest Lhmng the course of his spe^h l, c alluded to the excellent quarters to which the Lodm had tnuisferre.l its place of mating, and heartily congratulated the members on tho cheering change. They had now one of the finest Lo^e-room:-, m the country to meet in, and he trusted they would make the best use of their privileges. Other visitors having addressed the Lodge, a vote of thanks was given to all who bad contributed to the interest of t he proceedings, and then the Lodge was

I he usual weekly mating of the Km.l^vo:..Lodg" No. Ml), 1.0. U.T., .Mruimr-ihiii, w;..« l«-lj on .July Kith. l.'pou (he closing of t'.,,Iodg" a vi.M-y pleasant tea meeting was held the good things of which were kindly furnished by Uvool In,, sister. Brother Lothian, ~f Weleonic All Lodgo, occupied the chair. Brother Lothian on !,e),alf of the Kmieavom- Lo..I K e, presented .rot.h.T !-. Jo-epn with a handsome Third >ogm ; ( ~'l.v-, asa slight token of esteem from the brothers and si-t.-rs of the lodge on his leaving the district for Waiareka, to be master of tlie .school there.

mlsoi:llaxkous,

Tho citltivatinii of the .sugar beet is bein" yf 1. 0; 1,"" I tti Kiiini! extout ;it liiue^kiii. mTl>avid Aull.-r, of Tovt Chalmers, who has a \\ — I !-';V L "* I:u", l, un' ler cultivation at the \Y Jiitati, has several beets weighing from 2XII> to "At lliesllluV' KontlenKin has also some ..f the largest awede turnips ever produced in

Messrs Clark and Creen, who liave been mBlTi'"ft i"'"^! '• tt!l'l» e»t on the northern go.UieU.s, handed in their reports or, Wednesday aUhem.'etmgof tho Waste Lands Board They recommended as advisable to be opened for set t on;etit acres at Jvirnsdeugh, ask.,l for by the pe.,pl.j or Clyde ; f>ooo acres on the Mout.-re >un a^ked for by the people of Alexandra; .MO.J acru.s at Bluckstone, asked for b\- the people of Su.Lathar.s; and rtf-H) acres at Ida V ailey, asksd for by the people of Blacks

Mr Thomas Reid, of Kskbank Farm Tokomainro (.says the Bruce Herald), last, week de livcL-od to Messrs Gregg ami Co., , : ,,iroo merchants, I)uiiedin,-1 tons (j cwt. of chicory »rown upon hulf an acre of land on the river bank, for which hs received L 5 per ton. M-^rs (Jrc»" and Co. are well pleased with the sample grown lrom sued provided by them. Mr .Rei'l purposes sowing ten acres in chicory this season • but for 10.,s by il w d the produce would have been .still greater.

A test is to be made of Mr T. C. Burl's method of sewage purification, and the City Council has placet LIOO at the disposal of the bamtary Committee for the purpose.

■\\ c learn from the Oamaru Mail that at a meeting of the Waitaki County Acclimatisation Society on Friday, the sth, a letter was read from Air Begg, Secretary to the Ot;ig.» Society, accepting the olier of the Waitaki Society to join in the importation of black game from Jloine, and acknowledging receipt of portion of the cost; alao forwarding a copy of the

agreement entered into with Mr Bills. It was resolved—" That this Society considers the arrangement entered into with Mr Bills a satisfactory one, and agrees that the question of the distribution of the shipment will be best settled wnen it is seen what proportion is safely landed, but should a sufficiently large number arrive to enable their being divided, the Society understands that it will receive its fair snare of all birds landed, whether grouse, black game, lapwing, or any other birds which may Societf 8 " °Ut at the j'°infc exi>ense of the fcwo ,T*\ e fij;3t annual report of the Committee of the Patients' and Prisoners' Aid Society shows that the Society has accomplished some useful work during the comparatively brief term of its existence. This happy result is undoubtedly attributable in no small measure to the assiduous efforts that have been PU j a hbyMr J- A- Torrance, the Secretary and Agent of the Institution ; and it must bo gratifying to that gentleman to find that hia +t bo. ur, 3 *? ave keen so successful. It appears tnat during the past year assistance, pecuniary and otherwise, has been rendered in more than 170 instances, the object being to supply urgent necessities, and to enable those so aided to earn an honest livelihood. The amount of contributions received was L 304 4s, whilst the total expenditure, including the sums spent in relief, ttie Agent s salary, travelling expenses, advertising, &c, has been L 305 13s. As the sum of L.A was returned to the Society by ex prisoners who had experienced its aid, the lreasmrer is able to show a credit balance of Us, which, though small, affords ample encouragement for the Committee to prosecute their good work. In the case Charles Edward Haughton v Reed and Fenwick, for libel, a Commission has been issued by the Supreme Court, at the suit of the defendants, for the examination of the following persons— t' Z;,: ~Admsral Sir Augustus Leopold Kuper, -X.C.L. now residing iv England, formerly Itear-Admiral on board H.M. ship EuryaiusHis Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh formerly naval cadet onboard the EuryaiusCommander Horace W. Roc'iefort, of the Coast Guard Service, now stationed at Carrickrergus, in the North of Ireland, formerly Lieutenant on board the Earyalus ; Captain Henry v b^, c PQenso».- formerly lieutenant on board the Euryaius ; Richard R. A. Ricbar.ls, paymaster on the St. Vincent, training ship, at i ortsmouth, formerly clerk to the secretary on board the Euryaius ; Richard Williams, paymaster on the Thunderer, turret ship, of the Channel Squadron, stationed at Portsmouth formerly assistant-paymaster on board the JMiryalas; Commander M. R. M. Griffith, formerly lieutenant on board the Euryaius; and Helm.,ley H. Shanks, secretary on the Duncan nag ship, stationed at Sheerness, formerly secretary on board the Euryalua. The Commission is returnable on the Ist of January,

The proprietor of our evening contemporary, 1 he Age, was on the sth served with a writ by Mr Henry Benjamin, money-lender, who claims LIOOO damages for alleged libel.

_ The late heavy snowfalls have caused consideiable losses among sheep in this district (says the Ciutha Leader). We learn that large numbers were snowed in on the Kuiiwao Ranges, the snow having drifted into some of the gullies to the depth of 17 and 18 feet, and the sheep seeking shelter there were of course buried. Lots of them were rescued by digging them out from under the snow, but a great number perished. The country through the Gorge towards Otaraia, otherwise very rough and hilly, presented a comparatively level appearance after the 3nowfall, showing what immense quantities of snow must have fallen.

We understand (says the Jurist) that their Honours are now engaged in the preparation of new Rules of Practice and Procedure in the Supreme Court, on the model of the Judicature Acts and Rules, and having special reference to the many, decisions of the English court 3on their interpretaiion. The rules will probably be settled at the next November sitting of the Court of Appeal, and will come into force in January. We also understand that a Bill to regulate tne Inferior Courts will be introduced by the Attorney-General during the approaching session.

At the meeting of the New Zealand Reform Association, held at Invercargill recently Mr Ivinros3 gave notice that he would move at next meeting that the days of election for the House of Representatives be declared public holidays, and that the President be requested to make proper representations to the hon. the Iremier on the subject, and abo that no member of the Association shall pledge himself to support any candidate for a seat in the House of Kepresentatives till the consent of the Association has been obtained.

As extensive dealer in confectionery from Dnnedin lately visited the North (says the New Zealander), and at Maketu was presented with a petition from Maori children, of which the following is a translation :—" Mr : Greetings to you. We, the Native children attending Maketu School, desire that when you geup South that you should send us a box of lollies. I hat is ail we have to .say. Signed by the children attending the Maketu School." The well known philanthropy of this gentleman will no doubt prove equal to the occasion.

A meeting of the Committee of the Chinese Famine Fund was held at Murray's Rooms on July 9th. Present: Messrs Wong Tape, Sew Hoy, Kwong Siug, Kum. Goon Lee, LeuD" Chung, Charles Aying, It. A. Lour, T. Austin" and H. 8. Jones. Mr H. S. Jones was voted to the chair. Mr Austin proposed, and Mr tVony Tape seconded—"That Mr Sydney •James be appointed collector to canvass the city for subscriptions, accompanied by one of Chinese merchants." Tho motion was carried unanimous^-. Nearly £300 has been collected.

lhe Premier, m reply to a resolution passed at a recent meeting at Inverc-rgill, has sent the following letter to the Mayor:—"Sir—l am glad to hear from you that the prospects of the district are so good as to render the introduction of so large a, number of immigrru's and especially of agricultural labourers, desirab?e._ I shall at once communicate with the Minister for Lands a^d Immigration on the subject.—G. Gkey."

MrGenever, Gas Engineer for the City Corporation, has written to England for full information relative to the lighting of street lamps by electricity.

■ The Wellington called at D'Urville Island on her last trip from Nelson (says the New Zealander), and the report of the mining opera tions is most satisfactory. A drive is bein" put in to cut tho reef, at a considerable depth below the surface, and a shafc is being sunk alongside tne reef to meet the drive. As the shaft deepens the reef shows increased width and in afew places, where the c.ising has been broken into, specimens of almost pure virgin copper have been found. Some of the samples brought over contain upwards of 75 per cent. of pure metal. The manager expects to cut the reef in the drive in about another 40 feet, and the work of getting out ore for shipment to Is owcastle will then be commenced. It is expected that 250 tons will be at grass by the end of next month. The position of the mine oilers great facilities for the construction of a wire tramway for conveying the ore to the vessels, and Mr Charles O'Neill, C.E., who has .had considerable experience in the construction of such tramways at the Thames has been consulted by the Directors, and has, we b«heve, prepared a report recommending a line of this description. It could be erected very cheaply and quickly on the island, and it is probable that Mr O'Neill's suggestion will at once be adopted.

lhe Press says:—"A large number of salmon (rout aiv still or. hand at the Opawa hsh-breedmg establishment. They aie now between four :u:d t.ix inches in kn-fh and th<ir_ rapid growth and K'althy appearance promise very satisfactory results, whilst the eagerness with which the fish, even durin" the winter, rise to the Hy, removes all <Vuht on thatj.omt. The food of the .salmon and trout consists now chiefly of meat cut very sm:~ll by one of the new American mincing machines, by which means a goat a week is converted into fish food. The present time of year in the best for liberating, and at their now large size 100 might be considered equivalent to 1000 let out at the usual early age.

Communication between Port Chalmers and the Quarantine Islands is about to be established by means of the telephone. During the last day or two the necessary posts have been fixed, and the wires will bs extended across the harbour at an early date.

As an instance of the neighbourly feeling existing among our fanners, it is worthy of record that on the_ 2:">th Juiy the farmers of Noith Branch, Tokomairiro, gave a new nettle;-, Mr Joseph Thomson, late contractor at Henley, a clay's ploughing. Five single and six double furrow ploughs turned over about twenty acres. K,ieh of the following farmeis Kent a team ; James Watt, David Thomson, .Fairies Bruce, Alux. Brown, George M'Leod, Wm. L. RiddL', Wm. Ferguson, Alexander M'C.ilhim, James Armstrong, Hugh Murray, Archibald M'Calluni, jun.