LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1952, 23 July 1891, Page 30

LOCAL & GENERAL.

A sitting of the Supreme Court in banco was held before Mr Justice Williams on the 15th, and two cases were disposed of. The first of these was a special case stated by the warden at Naseby under a section of the Mining Act which gives power to a warden in any proceedings before the Warden's Court to reserve any question in the form of a special case for the decision of the Supreme Court. .The point involved was whether a person who had been a lessee under a Crown grant and bad obtained a certain amount of gold from the soil, but had not entirely washed it out, retained a title to the washdirt after the expiration of his lease, the washdirt being deposited in a tail race, a portion of which was without the area embraced in the lease. His Honor decided the point in favour of the defendants, who, being the holders of miners' rights, had pegged out claims within the area of which ( the washdirt had been •deposited, and who had proceeded to apply their mining operations to the washdirt. The other case that came up for argument was a motion fora writ of mandamus to direct Mr Carew, R.M., to determine an action brought in the Resident Magistrate's Court by the collector of the Taieri County Council for the recovery of certain tolls, payment of which had been refused. The resident magistrate had decided that he had no jurisdiction, but this view was overruled by his Honor, and a writ of mandamus was ordered accordingly. The Government Bureau of Industries reports that at Tologa Bay 150 bushmen and several road-making hands are required. Masterton wants 40 bushmen, Wanganui 50, and Raglan 20. On the Dargaville and Hokianga gumfields men make from £2 to £4 per week working long hours. Mr James Allen delivered a lecture in the Choral Hall on the 15th, in the presence of a fairly large audience, upon "The Life of a Crystal," the lecture being one of the course that has been promoted in aid of the building fund of the Technical Classes Association. In the course of an instructive 0 lecture, which was listened to with marked attention and was illustrated by limelight effects, Mr Allen explained the ways in which crystals are formed, and dealt with the subject of refraction, the theory of polarised light, and the construction of the polariscope. He exhibited a very large number of prepared slides, including sections of different rocks. Mr Allen expressed his thanks to Dr Shand for the use of a polariscope, to Mr Q. H. Marsden for the loan of a lantern, to Mr G. M. Thomson for a lantern microscope, to Mr W. R. Frost for photographs which he had taken— and which proved to be admirable— of microscopic slides, an 4to Mr F. Graham for his assistance in other ways. On the motion of Mr H. F. Hardy, a vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer. Mr A. Bnrt (president of the association) mentioned that the next lecture of the course would be by Professor Parker, the subject being f u Colonr in Animals : a Study in Evolution." \> Mr Smith, alias Lord Wortley, who has been having a good time of it up till lately in the Clutha and Tapanui districts, recently made his way to Dunedin,but failing to inspire the desired confidence in the breasts of city tradesmen, turned his attention to the Taieri district \ According to the Advocate, he entered into negotiations with a farmer for the purchase of some stock and land, but the farmer, instead of being impressed by his customer's title, rudely smote him hip and thigh, administering such punishment as Lord Wortley is likely to remember for many a day to come. The Wallace County Council, relying on the verbal assurance of the Minister for Lands that their application for a subsidy towards the construction of the* Riverton-Colac road wonld receive favourable consideration, invited tenders and proceeded with the work. In reply to an application for the money, the Minister says that it is not a case to which aid should be

granted. The Western Star says that the "council very naturally expressed great dissatisfaction at this treatment, and it was decided to refer the letter back to the Minister through the member for the district. At Chris tchurch on the 15fch, the case of Birrell v, Birrell was heard. It was an application for an injunction restraining the defendant, who is husband of the plaintiff, from coming to her house. Defendant was convicted at Timaru of forgery, and sentenced to two years, which term is nearly completed. Plaintiff is a boardinghouse keeper, and the house is her own property. She stated that her boarders would leave if her husband returned. His Honor said that defendant, an elderly man, had had a good character, except as regarded the frauds he committed on his employers. There was nothing at all to Bhow that defendant would molest his wife. In reality the injunction meant that the court was called upon to pronounce a judicial separation. If the defendant had no right on the premises he would be treated as a trespasser ; but if he went there for the assertion of his rights as a husband the law could not interfere, and the extraordinary remedy of an injunction could not be invoked for such a purpose. The injunction was therefore refused. In the Supreme Court at Hobarfc on the 6th n»t. an action far libel was heard, brought by a Roman Catholic priest officiating at Dunmanway, Ireland, against the proprietor of the Daily Telegraph, Launceston, claiming £5000 damages for an alleged libel contained in letters? by an anonymous correspondent published in the paper in April 1890. These were quoted from the Bulwark, a Glasgow paper, the purport of the extract being that Father Conveny bad prayed that "Almighty God might strengthen the hand that committed the deed," referring to the murder of District-inßpector Martin, who was killed while discharging his duty in arresting a Roman Catholic priest at Kerrby Chapel. . The writ was issued on August 28, 1890, when the defendant publioly apologised in the Telegraph, and offered to insert any letters, refutations, or explanation. Evidence was tendered for the plaintiff's c»se by Father O'Mahoney, a Roman Catholic priest at Launceston, who forwarded the libel to Father Conveny, Archdeacon Mason, and the Rev. George Clarke, who considered that the apology was not adequate. A verdict was given for £150. Mr William Johnston, of Wrey's Busb, died on the 15tb at Riverton from kidney trouble, aggravated by having to hang about the Supreme Court recently waiting as a witness. The want of accommodation in the building for jurors and witnesses is scandalous, there being nothing but the street or a draughty corridor for their convenience. Mr Johnston is the second old resident whose death is traceable to defects in the court accommodation. Mr Johnston was a candidate for Wallace at the last and previous elections. He was councillor and chairman of Wallace county for years, and formerly represented the district in the Provincial Council. He retired from the contest before the poll at the general election. He had been 36 years in Otago. It is a satisfactory feature in our financial position that there is a considerable falling off in bankruptcy business in the immediate distriot under the direct control of tho oScial assignee.

In the year ending 30th Jane 1890 we find from a return prepared by the assignee there were 73 bankruptcies in the Danodin district, with unsecured liabilities to the amount of £61,381. In the year ending 30th June 1891 there were 67 bankruptcies in the same district (including six transferred from the Oamaru court), with unsecured liabilities to the amount of £29,501 — a reduction of more than half in amount and 8 per cent, in number. The returns, for the whole province of Ofcago and Southland for the seven years (1884-90) dnring which the present act has been in force show a total of 1478 bankruptcies, the proofs of debt amounting to the immense total of £963,179, and the amount distributed to creditors was £198,781 3s 6d, or an average of 4s l^d in the whole of the proofs. But it must be borne in mind that this average would be much larger but for the immense number of estates which pay no dividend at all. The largest number of bankruptcies was 292 in the year 1887, af which 117 were in Invercargill. For the years 1889 and 1890 the numbers went down , to 130 and 137 respectively, so that it cannot be maintained, as is sometimes supposed, that the present act, with all it admitted defects, has encouraged bankruptcy.

There have been over 20 persons out searching the hills in the North Taieri and Wharo Flat district for the man Walter Grieve, who disappeared from his home in the North Taieri on Sunday last, but without discovering any trace of him. It is now feared that unless the missing man has wandered away from the district altogether he will not be found alive, as he was in very delicate health when he left his home. His father offers a reward of £20 for his recovery.

A case of importance to the mercantile community occupied the attention of Mr Justice Williams, in banco, on Friday, when on the motion of Mr Hosking, an injunction was granted to restrain Messrs Arthur Briscoe and Co. from infringing the patent, registered in this colony, of the Washbnrn and Moen Manufacturing Company in the respect of barb wire. The Washburn and Moen Manufacturing Company bad obtained letters patent in the United States for machinery for the construction of barbed wire and had registered the patent in this colony, notwithstanding which large shipments of barbed wire made by their process are understood to have been received into New Zealand. The decree made by the court included an order for the delivery up by Messrs Briscoe and Co. of all the barbed wire in their possession manufactured by the patented machinery, and for an inquiry as to the damage sustained by the manufacturers by reason of the importation and sale of such barbed wire. As a number of other merchants have imported and have in stock barb wire manufactured by the Washburn and Moen Company's process, the effect of the injunction is likely to be very far- 1 reaching.

At the inquest that was held on the body of Thomas Treloar, whose death at the Catlins railway works was recorded by us some days ago, the evidence showed that the deceased was working at a cutting about 90ft distant from the spot where some blasting of logs was being carried on, and a portion of a log, 4ft long and 6in thick, flew towards him and struck him, inflicting the injuries from which he expired. There were five men working in the cutting with Treloar, and the contractor, Mr David Kirkwood, asked them to move away when the blast was about to be fired, but while fiVe of them went down the cutting, neither Kirkwood nor Treloar moved away. At the inquest Kirkwood stated that he considered that men standing 90ft apart from the log blasted would be quite safe, but of course it would be safer for the men to move further away, and hence he asked them to do so. This witness claimed to have had 35 years' experience as a manager or contractor on public works. Another witness, Christopher Le Strange, who said he had had two years' experience in blasting logs, expressed the opinion that a man would not be safe within 150 ft of tte blast of such a log as was blasted on the -occasion which produced this fatality.- The jury returned a verdict of accidental death, adding a rider to the effect that blastißg operations should only be carried on by experienced men, and with extreme cantion.

The following tenders for bush felling and logging up on the Waikawa-Catlins road have been accepted : — Contract No. 2, F. R. Bowdeo, £72 ; contract No. 3, W. H. Carey, £75 10s 6d; contract No. 4, Andrew Aitken, £96 ; contract No. 5, G. C. M'Knightly, £73 12s 6d ; contract No 6, T. A. Trumble, £80 8s ; contract No. 15, James Cox, £71 19s 6d ; contract No. 17, John Selman, £71 18s.

Edward Henry Browne, a contractor at Wyndham, who has just filed a declaration of insolvency, was committed for trial at Invercargill on a charge of obtaining by false pretences a cheque from Mr W. J. Winter for £50. It is alleged that Browne represented that his stock, worth £450, was clear, whereas there was a 1 bill of sale over it."

On the 14th inst., while the R.M.S. Alameda was on her voyage from Sydney to Auckland, Lieutenant Philip J. Hodges, R.N., ,a steerage passenger for San Francisco, committed suicide by jumping overboard. The ship was at the time going 14 knots, with all sail set to a strong breeze from the S.W., and a high sea wsb running. A boat was lowered, but without success. After staying about for 20 minutes tha steamer was again put on her course. Lieutenant Hodges formerly belonged to H.M.S. Hyacinth, and was recently court-martialled and cashiered. He was very melancholy prior to the suicide.

News has been received from Samoa of the defection of Mataafa, who was recognised by the Malietoa natives as king during the absence of their sovereign. Malietoa commanded him to come to Apia, but he refused, saying that he would be either sent away in a German warship or hanged. Consular meetings have been held at Apia and preparations made for any emergency. The representatives of the three Great Powers have issued a proclamation saying that no king will be recognised but Malietoa, and anyone rebelling will be punished. These alarmist reports are discounted to some extent by the news that Mataafa himself paid his taxes.

A Dalziel telegram from New York says : — " A letter has been received stating that the British ship Neptune, Captain Saunders, from London, was wrecked on the coast of Natal, five persons being saved and 53 drowned. Allen, who was the purser, was shipped at Calcutta, and Kennan at Rangoon. The crew took to the boats, which capsized, and only five persons reached the land. They remained for nine days near the scene of the wreck, and buried the bodies of the drowned, after which they started to walk to Natal, a distance of 170 miles. On their way they were captured by a band of Zulus, stripped, tied to trees, and beaten with clubs made of rhinoceros hide. While they were undergoing torture a party of Boers hunters appeared and routed the Zulus. Three of the sailors had, however, been beaten to death, and only Allen and Kennan survived. The two men were taken to Natal by the Boers, and thence to Cape Town by a steamer of the Castle line. Their condition is such that they have been unable to proceed to London. Ken-

nan is insane from the torture inflicted upon him, and is unable to say anything. He is an American of about 26 years of age. A despatch from St. Joseph says that Kennan lived in that city until about a year ago, where he was a clerk in a drapers' shop."

Our Auckland correspondent telegraphs that as the result of tha Uev. Mark Guy Pearse's lectures he got £80 for the West London Mission, and far the Wesleyan city circuits £100. His total receipts for the London Mission by his colonial trip is expected to reach £1600. He has been pressed to urge the Rev. Price Hughes to visit the colonies on a lecturing tour and to stir up the churches.

Moss, who assaulted his wife at Ashburton, and then cut his throat, is now pronounced to be almost out of danger. Mrs Mois is recovering rapidly, and steps are being taken to give her some assistance when she leaves the hospital. She arrived from Home but a few weeks ago to be married, and now finds herßelf maimed in body, her hopes crushed, and absolutely without means and among strangers.

The Napier Telegraph does not favour the proposal to tax absentees. At any rate, here is a leaderette taken from its columns :—" Sir Isaac Holden, M.P. for Keighley, Yorkshire, is an ' absentee,' who, as such, would be taxed out of his New Zealand possessions, or made to live in the colony, if scallywag politicians had the ruling of this country. Mr Holden had the audacity to buy a thousand acres in New Zealand upon which he has spent £10,000 on improvements. A Glasgow paper tells us that he has lately given £1000 to the Irish Ho-aie Rule fund* He is believed to be the richest M.P. in the House of Commons, his income being £200,000 a year. It takes 30,000,000 sheep, or about double the number in all New Zealand, to keep his woolcombing mills going, yet at one time his income was not 5s a week, and he managed to live within his means. Even now his tastes are as simple as those of a clerk on 30a. He has made most of his money by inventions."

The Taranaki Herald says:— "Mr Archie M'Given, the diver who is engaged in the work of removing the wreck of the Hawea at the breakwater, was tackled by an octopus the other day. The uncanny creature caught the diver round the legs and body with its feelers, or tentacles, and gave him a nasty squeeze. M'Given at once gave the signal to his mates above to haul up, which order was carried out promptly ; but when the diver got his head and shoulders out of the water, the octopus caught the ladder by which the diver ascended, and thus pinned his victim. The men in the punt, among whom were Messrs S. Loveridge, E. Lowe, and J. Reid, then went to work and released their mate by killing the octopus, which measured about 6ft from the tip of one tentacle to another. This is the second encounter M'Given has had with an octopus, the other occasion being in Wellington about three years ago, when he wss engaged in the reclamation works."

At the Police Court on the 16th, Alexander Douglas, of Brighton, was charged with being the owner of 30 crossbred lambs, above the age of four dj mths, which were not branded with the registered brand of the owner.— Mr Bathgate appeared for defendantWilliam Scaife, sheep inspector, stated that the sheep were only branded with a split in the ear. — Mr Batbgate submitted that the ear-mark was a sufficient brand when the sheep were not being kept for stock purposes, and' that as the owner had no registered brand, there could be no charge against him. — His Worship intimated that he would give defendant the benefit of /the doubt, and dismissed the case — Wm. Lowry, of Enfield, Awaweka, was charged, on the information of William A. Scaife, sheep inspector, with being the owner of sheep infected with lice, such sheep being offered for sale in the Burnside saleyards on May 27. — Defendant was fined 20s and costs. Alex. Thompson (Kaikorai) was charged with a like offence, and fined 20s and costs. Donald Borrie was charged under the same circumstances, and was fined 40s and costs.

The Inspector of Police has received advice that about 100 bags of oats were destroyed by fire at Heddon Bush on the 13th inst. The grain was the property of William Andrews, and was not insured.

According to the Auckland Star, the residents of Newton to the number of 500 or 600 were victimised by Professor Hoffman, described as the greatest prestidigi-comedian and ventriloquist of the world. His portfolio, according to the playbill, embraces the mesmeric aerial suspension illusion, the Hindoo sack mystery, and many of the wonderful tricks usually performed by artists in his profession. It was not his fame as a performer, however, which attracted his audience so much as his liberal gift distribution. Each and every one of the audience was to receive a prize ranging from a suite of furniture downwards. The tricks shown were by no means new, but all waited patiently for the prize distribution. At 9.30 sealed envelopes were handed round, and were presently eagerly opened. A small Christmas card was in each envelope, and these comprised the bulk of the prizes— cards worth not more than 2a per gross. Instantly the audience suspected they had been " had," and at once an indescribable row commenced. Forms were knocked over, tables thrown into the road, and a rush made for the platform. Professor Hoffman was a real illusionist, for he had disappeared, and the people had to spend their fury on the things around them. So far as could be ascertained only four presents were given away, the most valuable being a clock of trivial value.

The man Walter Grieve, who disappeared from his home in the North Taieri on the 12th inst., was discovered at the top of the Silverstream Spur on Friday night last. He had one ef his legs broken.

The many friends of Mr George R. West, will regret to learn of his death which took place very suddenly at about half-past 1 o'clock on Saturday afternoon. A few minutes previously the deceased gentleman, who was in excellent spirits, and apparently in good health, entered Bayley's Hotel, High street, in company with a friend. After remaining a few minutes in one of the sitting rooms he drew out his watch, and remarked that he must go. He then turned round and had hardly reached the door when he fell down and immediately expired. Dr Jeffcoat who was sent for arrived with all haste, but of course could do nothing. The cause of death is supposed to be disease of the heart. Mr West was born in Cambridge, England, and early in life, in the capacity of a chorister attached to one of the ehnrchea in his native city, commenced his musioal career. When a comparatively young man he came to the colonies, landing in Dunedin nearly 30 years ago, and at once established the music depot, in which he for many years carried on business, on a site in Princes street opposite the Dresden Pianoforte Depot of the present day. In their palmy days he was the conductor of the Philharmonic and Choral Booieties of this city, and as a conductor he has had no superior here, and within the last few years he gave an example of his ability in wielding the baton while conducting the orchestra for the amateur performance of " Les

Cloches de Corneville." He has not latterly, though, been so closely connected with the musical profession as he formerly was, and upon his returning from a second visit to Great Britain last year he became licensee of the Apollo Hotel, which, however, he conducted for only a few months. He leaves a widow and family of three —a son and two daughters to mourn his death.

At a meeting of the council of the Otago Law Society, held on Friday afternoon, the resolution passed by the Canterbury Law Society with reference to Mr Justice Edwards' cases was considered, and the following resolution unanimously carried :—-" That having read the resolution passed by the Canterbury Law Society, this council concur in tha opinion that the present deadlock js injurious to the prestige and authority of the Supreme Court, but express no opinion as to the steps that should be taken to remove such deadlock." The Supremo Court Bill was referred to a committee consisting of Messrs J. Macgregor (president), Chapman, and Hosking, who will probably report next week.

At the adjourned meeting of the Outram Licensing Committee it was decided to refuse a license for the Railway Hotel, Middlemarch. An application of R. Andrews, Outram, for a bottle license was also refused.

At a conference of delegates from the various agricultural societies of Victoria, held in Melbourne, the question of intercolonial freetrade was introduced by a motion expressing approval of federation for defence, postal communication, court of appeal, and the collection of debts, but objecting to intercolonial freetrade as being ruinous to the bestj interests of the farmers. An amendment that the meeting thoroughly approves of intercolonial freetrade, as being a factor in assisting the colonies to pass the Federation Bill, was carried by 10/ votes to four. / Negotiations have been going on between the Salvation Army and the Government with respect to labour affairs. Colonel Bailey (says the Press) has just returned from Wellington after interviewing the Government. The depression in the south and the large number of men needing employment were dwelt upon, and attention was directed to the number of calls for bnshfelleis and roadmen in the Wellington province. The efforts of the -Army Bureau were set forth, and the officer now directing the work in /Wellington and district expressed assurance that a demand would shortly be made upon the surplus labour of the south. The Government agreed to assist companies of men formed by the bureau who wished to proceed to localities where work had been secured for them by the officers of the Salvation Army. Local agents or correspondents are to be appointed for all the Army stations to work with the Central Bureau in Christchurch, From the Victorian lauds report for 1890 it appears that the total area of Crown land alienated to the end of the year was 26,537,222 acres, of which 6,628,159 acres were sold at auction. The remainder was alienated by selection. One thousand six hundred and twelve leases were granted during the year for agriculture and grazing, the area being 606,185 acres. The annual rental in respect thereof was £6314. During the year 12,200 acres were sold by auction, realising £84,532. A sum of £23,429 was received for grazing license?, the area of runs under pastoral license being 360,234 acres. The revenue contributed by the department to the Treasury during the year was £599,053. A sad ending to a runaway marriage is told in a Vienna telegram dated May 23, which states that Frau Alexandra Cserna, the daughter of an aristocratic family in Pestb, who ran away with a poor lover to Racz Keve, on the Danube, has just committed suicide in a sensational manner, taking with her to another world her four children. Her husband, who turned out to be a drunkard, had left her and her four children unprovided for a month ago, even robbing her of the little money which- she had earned by hard labour. The delicate constitution of the wife was unable to withstand the strain' put upon her, especially as the husband had been in the habit of beating her and her children, when money was not forthcoming. Yesterday Madame Cserna was seen on the bank of the Danube with her children. She was seen to fold her eldest child, five years old, to her breast, while she placed the baby in a hood hanging from her shoulders. Then taking the two others by the band she rushed into the water, before the eyee of a number of people, who were helpless witnesses. The bodies must have gone right to the bottom of the river, and got entangled in the weeds and moss, for none of them rose to the surface.

A daring robbery was committed in Melbourne on the Bth inst., John William Birch, employed by the Tram Company, was carrying £350 in a bag to pay the weekly wages of the tram employes at Brunswick. He had gone part of the distance when a stranger got on the tram, sat by the side of him, and told him that he had to return to the head office immediately, and hand the money to him. Birch demurred, until the stranger produced an open letter, purporting to be signed by Mr Wileox, secretary, and addressed to the inspector at Brunswick, stating that Birch would not be out that day. Birch handed the money over at once, and returned to the office. The other man, of course, disappeared with the money.

General Booth, head of the Salvation Army, is expected to leave London this month on his tour of inspection round the world. He will touch at Cape Oolony, and then proceed to Australia, via Hobart. He is due at Auckland about October 20, and, as at present arranged, will conduct meetings at Auckland, Wellington, Ohristchurch, and Dunedin. The duration of his stay in New Zealand will be about three weeks. On his way back to England he will nspect the Indian Salvation Army. Colonel M'Fie, one of the most successful evangelists in the Army, who is said to have seen some 25,000 people converted in his meetings throughout the world, will shortly be making a tour through New Zealand. He will arrive from Australia, via the Bluff, at the end of the month, and will visit most of the pujincipal towns in the colony.

The Gazette notifies] the appointment of the following gentlemen as members of the local board of examination for the Dunedin district of candidates for commissions in the New Zealand Militia and Volunteer Force: — Lieut.colonel William Holden Webb, Major John Bartholomew Callan, Major William Smaill, Captain William D. Milne.

At the Oamaru Police Court on Monday, Richard Butt, solicitor, was charged with the embezzlement of moneys of the Co-operative Store and Bakery Company. Mr Harvey, counsel for the company, applied to have the charge withdrawn, but the police objected. The application was, however, entertained, and the case dismissed.

As a result of the Rev. J. MacNeiPs recent address in this city on the subject of " Divine Healing," a conference of " Christians " interested in the matter was held in Milton Hall, Stuart street, on Monday night. Mr J. A. D. Adams presided, and there were about 50 persons present. After addresses had been given by the chairman and others, it was decided to meet again in the same place on Monday evenings for a similar purpose to that which they had met

for that night. Before the meeting cmoed two ladies, whe were supposed to be ailing in some way, underwent the process of anointing with oil and the laying on of hands, while two 11 elders " prayed that the afflicted ones might be healed. Whether the prayers proved effectual or not was not stated publicly.

The Christchurch Press states that rules have been drawn up for the proposed New Zealand Alpine Club, and a meeting is to be held at Warner'B Hotel on the 28th inst. to complete the formation of the club. It is pro* posed to divide the club into ■ two classes, namely, "members" and "subscribers." The former are to be admitted only upon attain* ing certain qualifications, which are to be decided in the case of first applicants by the first meeting, and afterwards by a Qualification Committee appointed for the purpose. It is not proposed to make the first qualification very high, but it will, of course, become harder as the list of members increases. Early explorations, whether alpine or not, will be specially considered, as the promoters wish to obtain records of all such early work, and to have such explorers on the list of members. Subscribers only pay half the subscription of members ; they will receive the club's publications and enjoy its privileges, but will have no voice in its management. The headquarters will be in Christchurch, but it is hoped sections will be formed in other centres. A half-yearly journal will be issued, and a yearly dinner is spoken of. As one of the chief objects of the club, besides encouraging and inculcating alpine climbing, is to develop an interest in mountain scenery, to bring its beauties before the public, and to open out the more inaccessible parts to tourists and mountaineers, its work is likely to be of benefit to the colony at large.

The Town Hall at Bulls was densely crowded on the evening of the 11th, when the ceremony was performed of presenting to Mr Walter Tricker her Majesty's free pardon for the crime of murder which he had not committed. The audience included most of the leading Rangitikei settlers and a number of ladies. Mr John M'Kelvin presided, and the presentation was made by Mr John Stevens, to whom tJae pardon was forwarded by the Minister for Justice, as the petition asking for it came through him. Mr Stevens gava an interesting summary of this extraordinary case, and fully established the facts which had proved Mr Tricker's innocence of the crime for which he was convicted. Mr Tricker, who was much affected, spoke a few feeling words in acknowledgment of the services of those who had striven to establish his innocence and to obtain his pardon. After some remarks from Mr Abraham, as representing Colonel Gorton, now in England, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted : — Moved by Mr Stevens, and seconded by Mr C. Cameron — " In the opinion of this meeting there can be no doubt as to Mr Walter Tricker's innocence, and that the best thanks of the, meeting be accorded to the Yen. Archdeacon Stock, the Hon. John BaUance, and Colonel Gorton for the great personal interest which they have taken in securing a pardon for Mr Walter Tricker." Moved by Mr Jordan, and seconded by Mr England — " That a petition be prepared and signed for presentation to the Government, requesting that some' reparation should be givento Mr Tricker for the great injustice dove to him." -

"Monte Cristo" may hide its diminished head (writes the Paris correspondent of the Weekly Despatch). What was the " find "of Edmond Dantes compared with that of the discovery made by the contractors who engaged to demolish the Castle of San Antonio at Rio Janeiro for the Brazilian Government? In the cellars of that edifice they successively dug up 12 iron-clamped chests and 16 sacks containing 70,000,000 old Spanish dollars in gold, plus a leaden box filled with papers. One of these documents was a receipt given by a Father Anton Desarte, Superior of the Jesuits' College at Rio, for 20,000,000 of gold dollars to be paid by him as a tribute to King John V of Portugal when he visited Brazil. It is supposed that when the Jesuits at Rio learned how, in the eighteenth century, the Marquis de Pombal was expelling their order from Portugal they hid the treasures which have been discovered. A list of the wealth so concealed has been found in the leaden box. It mentions the 70,000,000d01s just brought to light, and 28001b of gold dust, and 20,0001b weight of gold ingots. To whom, it is asked at Rio, does the treasure belong? Is it to the Republic, the King of Portugal, the Jesuits, or the people who contracted to cart away all the materials of the castle they were employed to^demolish ?

There are at present on view in the window of the Bijou Art Depot, Princes street, a collection of sketches, taken by Mr L. W. Wilson upon a recent visit which, in company with Mr James RichardsoD, he made to Lakes Mauapouri and Te Anan on behalf of the Railway Commissioners. The sketches are 11 in number, and principally consist of views upon Manapouri, which Messrs Wilson and Richardson join ia describing as the finest of all the lakes in point of scenery. The collection comprises views of " Kepler Mountains from the Mararoa," " Jackson's Peak, Kepler Mountains," " Cathedral Peaks, Manapouri, from the Peninsula," " Head of Manapouri from Pomona," " Camp, Pomona Island," " Manapouri from Shallow Bay," •• Back, Monument Arm," " Isthmus Camp, Monument Arm," " Hunter Mountains," " Takatimo Mountains from the Waiau river," and " Lake Te Anau from the South End." They are merely sketches that are being exhibited, but it is to be hoped that Mr Wilson will see his' way to paint finished pictures from them. Made on the spot under circumstances of considerable difficulty, these sketches are admirable little works of art, executed by Mr Wilson quite more suo. They are drawn with the fidelity and coloured with the skill characteristic of the artist, and are well worthy of inspection and future reproduction.

It was reported to the inspector of police on Tuesday that a man earned John Holloway, who last week effected hia escape from the Seacliff Lunatic Asylum, had stopped on Monday ~ night at his father's house at Fortobello. A constable was thereupon despatched to rearrest the man.

The endeavour to devise a really efficient and at the same time reasonably priced package for the export of butter continues to exercise the inventive faculties of persons interested in all parts of the colony, and Dunedin is by no means behindhand in its endeavours to reach the desired goal. Among the most recent candidates for public favour is a box patented by Mr James Foster, of South Dunedin, which has the desideratum of being absolutely air-tight, exceedingly Btroog, and at the same time moderate in price. The main feature is a block tin box capable of holding 601b of butter, to which is fitted a flanged lid, intended to be soldered on after the butter is packed. A butter cloth is put in the box in order to keep the butter from immediate contact with the tin, though no harm results even if this precaution be neglected. The edges of the tin are folded over and soldered on the inside, which has the effect of very materially strengthening the box, which is then enclosed in an outer shell of wood, so arranged that there shall be an air space

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between the two boxes. In order that the inside box may be kept steady, this space is packed with clean straw, and thus concussion is avoided. The whole affair can be turned out at the reasonable prioe of 4s 6d. An experiment oa a Urge scale has been tried to test the efficacy of the box, and with the most satisfactory results. Two thousand pounds of butter were packed at the Taieri in these boxes in November and December last. Of this a few boxes were sent Home, and arrived in capital condition, while the remainder are now being opened out and the contents sold locally. A specimen of the latter has been shown us, and it is certainly a good sample of powdered butter. There is no waste on the outside edge, and the butter is as good as when it was packed. The bottom of the tin, which is cut off with an ordinary tin-opener and the contents turned out, does not show the slighesfc sign of rust or other deterioration. Altogether, this is the most promising form of package we have yet seen.

The modern alchemist, an American named Pinter, who is charged with attempting to defraud Mr Streeter, of London, of £40,000, was again'brougbt before the magistrate at Marlborough street on June 2. Evidence was given of his having bought a quantity of "brown gold" in a powder, such as is employed in painting upon porcelain, from the manager of the Sheffield Smelting Company in Clerkeawell. Dr Dupre said a sufficient quantity of this powder would have the effect of changing a melted sovereign into a lump of gold worth three sovereigns. The prisoner was committed for trial.

Some 120 shearers, engaged by Mr J. R. Scott, left Dunedin for New South Wales by the s.B. Waihora on Tuesday. This number will be augmented as the vessel proceeds on her way north. At .Timaru some 20 men will be taken on board, and afi Lyttelcon a further lot of 60 will be picked up, thus making the full complement of 200 shearers. On the arrival in Queensland of the last batch of men sent by Mr Scott in the Waihora a testimonial was presented by them to Captain Anderson thanking him for his kindness and attention during tbe voyage across. Captain Anderson states that he has never sailed with a more orderly set of men, and Mr J. R. Scott is also in receipt of letters from Australia speaking in the highest terms of the conduct of the men.

In referring to the death of Mrs Williams, wife of Mr David Williams, of Karori, believed to be the mother of the first European child born in Poverty Bay, the Evening Post states that Mr Williams, who was a cabinetmaker, presented a Maori with a small piece of turned wood. The aboriginal prized this exceedingly, and passing a cord through it he wore it as a sort of charm. Not very long afterwards this Maori warned Mr Williams and his wife that an attack was about to 'be made upon the Europeans* and advised them to flee to the stockade. Husband and wife accordingly left their home and took refuge in the stockade, and during the night a number of their fellow settlers were murdered. After living in Poverty Bay for a short time, the couple returned to Wellington, and have been there evei since.

The New York Teibane publishes the following strange story : — " Two years ago a woman presented herself at the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital for treatment. She was found to be suffering from a bad case of nasal catarrh, and placed under the care of Dr Johnson. The patient received due attention, and went her way. Dr Johnson died suddenly two days later. Six months passed before this patient went to the hospital again to be treated for the same trouble. Dr Pond, the surgeon in charge, did everything possible for the patient, and she went home. Dr Pond died within two days. His death was ascribed by the attending physician to • heart failure,' though he had not been subject to trouble with that organ. The patient remained away until last Wednesday, when finding her old trouble again making her life miserable, she once more applied for relief. She said to % the clerk that she feared the doctors mighiThave some hesitation in attending to her case, as her previous visits had been followed by the deaths of Dre Johnson and' Pond. Her surmise was wrong, f of she was promptly attended to by Dr David Phillips. Dr Phillips was dead the next morning. The strange fatality has caused an extraordinary degree of excitement among members of the medical profession."

From an abstract of the Irish census returns laid upon the table of the House of Commons last month, it appears that during the last 50 years the population of Ireland has fallen from 8,196,527 to 4,706,162. The decrease sioce 1881 is 468,674. The totals of the last six enumerations are: — 1841, 8,196,527; 1851 6,574,278 ; 1861, 5,798.967 ; 1871, 5,412,377 ; 1881* 5,174,836; and 1891, 4,706,162.

A concert and dance under the auspices of the Otago Peninsula Rifle Club was held in their hall on Friday evening larst, the proceeds being in aid of the hall fund. Owing to the unfavourable nature of the weather, there was a smaller attendance of the public than would otherwise have been the case ; bnt those who did venture out were amply rewarded by an excellent entertainment, and all seemed to en joy themselves thoroughly. The concert comprised songs by Misses Young, M'Dermot, and A. Riddell, and Messrs Scott, Taylor, and Morley ; piano solos by Miss Young ; recitations by Miss Brown and Mr Raynbird; and step dancing by Mr Jack, which was highly appreciated by tbe audience. The concert came to a conclusion about halfpast 10 o'clock, after which dancing was corn* menced and kept up till about 4 o'clock.

Mr Malcolm Ross (writes the London correspondent of the Argus) has contributed to the " Art Journal " an interesting article on " The Alps of New Zealand.'*- 1 He, ib may be remembered, took an active part in the search made in 1888 for some trace ot the late Professor Brown, of the Otago University. His remarks ought to inspire English alpine climbers with a, spirit of emulation. He declares that some of the firstclass peaks in New Zealand have not yet been* topped, while many fine glaciers are even unnamed. He expresses surprise, with the present facilities for travel, that more English alpine clubbists do not seek in New Zealand a field worthy of their prowess. The article is beautifully illustrated.

Major Goring, officer commanding the Auckland district, is now, with the permission of the Government, drilling regularly companies at the Kohimarama Industrial School at the Armstrong guns in Bastion Fort.

On and after Monday next an extra train will ran to Middlemarch on Mondays, leaving Duaedin at 8.10 a.m.

' F&osmwsl— Job tbm Xaani juto Bmath.— A tew drop* of the liquid " Floriltne" sprinkled on a wet toath-bnuh prodnoes a pleMant lather, which thoroughly otauuM the teeth from all paraiUe* or impurities, harden* the gams, prevent* tartar, itopi decay, give* to the teeth a peonHmr pearly wbttenets, and a delightful fragraaoe to the breatfe. It removei aU onpTeaiant odour arlilng from dueayed teeth or tobaooo-tmoke. " The Fragrant Florlllno," Being epmpoMd fax part of honey and twee* herb*, i* daudous to the taite, and the greateot toilet di* ooverr of the act. Price 9a M, w all Ohemtcts wd FMtaawi. wUUKtk *wt, n Jfcnfeajfewi entt. fea»6«m<-iA»T»J