LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2375, 7 September 1899, Page 25

LOCAL & GENERAL.

The nrJTmTini sittings of the Supreme Court "Were resumed on the 30th ult. 'before his Honor Mr Justioe Williams. William and Hugh Findlay were brought before the court on three charges of burglary.. William Findlay pleaded guilty in each case and was called to give "evidence for the def enpe in two of the charges against his brother. He stated that the Offences were committed by himself alone, and .that his brother had nothing to do with them. The jury, however, found Hugh Findlay "guilty in the two cases in which, evidenoe. ■was taken, and as the Crown prosecutor elected not to call evidence in the third case in jwhich- William Findlay pleaded guilty, the. jury, by the direction of his Honor, returned a verdict of not guilty against the "brother," who was jointly charged with him. His* Honor deferred passing sentence until to-d>y. The only other case before the court was- a • charge of indecent assault preferred against Harry Weidner. In this case the evidence' for the prosecution was not com-pleted-when the court rose. The trustees engaged in winding up the Nelson Savings Bank' expect to pay the first dividend oft en shillings in the pound within two months, and the balance due will be met* as. speedily as possible. On the, basis of latest valuations, there may be a deficiency of something like eighteenpence in th« pound, -but- the probabilities are that depositors mil be paid the full amounts that are due to them. At the final meeting of the Ohau Relief Fund Committee, his' Worship the Mayor presiding, the treasurers of the fund (Me3srs Bhelmerdine and' Cohen) reported that the total sum received was a trifle over £114. It was decided to allocate £66 to xtfrs Denny, at Sydney; £35 to Mrs Charnock; and £13 to the mother of the -x.B. Angus, who resides at Liverpool. The Union Steam Ship Company have kindly undertaken to forward the~'money s to Mrs Denny, and the Union Bank gave^ a draft without charge on the United Kingdom. The Taieri Advocate reports, at a meeting of the congregation of the East Taieri Presbyterian Church, the voting gave a clear majority to' Mr Hall, and it was resolved to ask the. presbytery to moderate in a -call to that gentleman. The Waitahuna Farmers' Club commences the! year with a credit balance of over £92, having improved its position by £32 during the. year. Mr J. H. Bateman has been elected president, Mr T. Currey vice-president, Mr Garden treasurer, and Messrs A. J. Sutherland, John Cowen, John Rose, Robert Craig, W. J. Livingston, W. Livingston, John Scott, W.- Crozier, : M. Ryan, Robert M'Ara, R. M'Corkindale, Alexander Livingston as Mapaging Committee. News was received in town on Saturday (says the Hawke's Bay Herald) of a shooting affray at Ruatoki, near Whakatane, in Inepeptor M'Govern's district. It seems that two. Maoris had a quarrel, when one named Whetu drew a revolver and Bhot at the other, Whatetuna. Constable Wainhouse arrested the assailant, who was brought before the v Whakatane bench on Friday, and was committed for trial on a charge of shooting with intent to kill. The Prussian House of Lords has (says the lioftdon Daily Ohronicle) been askea to declare that Prince Gebhard Lebreoht Blucher, of' JVahlstatt, the great-grandson of old "Marshal Vorwarts," is no longer entitled to in that high assembly, ana that his name shall be struck off its rolls. The plea for this drastio step is that the Prince having become naturalised in the. United States — not England, as stated in a Berlin telegramno .longer Prussian citizenship. The truth is that Prince Bluoher, who once held a commission in a crack cavalry regiment of the Prussian Guards, got into such dreadful money difficulties through gambling that he fled to New York, where, according to one account, he supported himself for some time as a waiter. Practical joking has led to the expulsion of two first, year students •at Lincoln Agricultural College, Canterbury. The Press states that on the evening of the 24th inst. a number of. the first year students made a tour round the buildings, creating some noise by shouting, accompanied by the throwing of abingle' against the windows and on the roofs, the--r«Bulfc being that one pane of glass was broken and two others cracked. The students.' were afterwards called before Mr Bayne, and they regretted that the affair had taken place, but pleaded that it had been only in the way of a joke. Mr Bayhe, however, took a more serious view of it, and next day, after fin inquiry, deemed it necessary to expel two of :the students who had taken a prominent part in the occurrence, and cautioned another. Mr Bayne did not know of any cause for the action of the students beyond that there had been some trifling complaints regarding food and some of the manual work that they did not iuie, and in the case of one .of the boys who had been expelled he had had to take him to task for absenting himself from a lecture without asking for leave in an official manner. Dr Logan, a son of Mr J. K. Logan, inspector of telegraphs (telegraphs our Wellington correspondent), -gained his M.R.C.S. and L.R.C.P. shortly after his arrival in London in June last. Dr Logan was a promising student at the Otago Medical School. A meeting of the Temperance Committee of-- the council of Christian Churches was held-o'n Thursday in the vestry of the Moray place Congregational Church. Among other ■things, it was resolved to issue, as early in October next as possible, an appeal to the electors on the lines of that issued in Canterbury, for a vote for no license and reductidn at the local option poll; to hold three publics "demonstration* before the poll-^th*

first to be held on Tuesday, October 3, the second on some day during the sittings of the Presbyterian and Anglican Synods, in November next, and the third on the evening before the local option poll. Arrangements were also made .for holding meetings all over the district in connection with the churches. A sub-committee was appointed to secure the signatures of ministers of religion in Otago. His Worship the Mayor on Thursday sent the following telegram to the Premier: — " Deputation from the Jewish community here waited on me this morning, stating that they would be debarred from exercising the municipal franchise at the forthcoming election of councillors as their Day of Atonement \ falls on that day, and does not expire till , 7 o'clock p.m. They are anxious to know if something cannot be done, by extending the hours of polling or in some other way, to assist them." During the hearing of the charge of in- I decent assault preferred against Harry Weidner at the criminal sittings of the Supreme Court on Thursday, Mr Hanlon, who appeared for the defence, made some reference to the police asking the accused a certain j question before his arrest, and submitted that they had no right to endeavour to get a man suspected of an offence to make admissions which might incriminate him. His Honor Mr Justice Williams, in svunming up in the case, also alluded to the duties of the police, and said if a policeman arrested a man on a certain charge he had no business to ask him any questions with respect to that charge. If, however, he merely suspected a man, and had not made up his mind whether he would arrest him, and the question of whether he would arrest him depended partly upon the answer he might get, and partly upon other circumstances, it was not only his right, but his duty, to use all his astuteness and cunning to see if the man should be arrested. • , The following are the vital statistics for the past month:— Births, 91; deaths, 75; marriages, 45. The statistics, for the corresponding month of the preceding year are: — Births, 93; deaths, 74; marriages, 29. Town clerks and others who have been called upon to make a study of the Municipal Franchise Reform Act are finding that under the new law there are many anomalies. One town clerk last evening pointed out that the act gave every facility for the manufacture of faggot votes, and the names of a dozen persons might be placed on the roll for one property. Another town clerk-pointed out that while the owner of a property who had not paid his rates was .not eligible to vote, his tenants would be able to exercise that privilege even though their rent had not been paid to the landlord. In connection with the visit here of Mr Malms, a meeting of the Grand Lodge,, 1.0. G.T., and district officers of the order was held last night to make the necessary arrangements. Much enthusiasm was displayed in arranging a welcome to Mr Malms, the Right Worthy Chief Templar of the order, and has hold the position of G.C.T. of England for 30 years. Mr Malms is expected here about the 14th inst. > The New Zealand Guardian says:— "The See House Committee have taken the necessary preliminary steps to purchase the old mill site at Woodhaugh for the See House property." Some interesting experiments were tried at Newbury on the 26th July with a set of instruments for wireless telegraphy by the Rev. J. M. Bacon, Mr'J. N. Maskelyne, and Mr Nevil Maskelyne. The first experiment made was that of firing a powder magazine electrically from a distant point without contact The object of this experiment was to give practical demonstration of the possibility of utilising the principle of setheric communication in the time of war to explode mines and similar destructive contrivances, the only connection necessary being through the medium of the all-pervading aether. The advantages of this system are claimed to be that there would be no connecting wire 3to be cut by an enemy, nothing which could fall into their hands, while no earthly power could prevent communication from being established at the right moment. The initial experiment proved a perfect success. *Mr» Mackarness, wife of Mr F. Coleridge Mackarness, Recorder of Newbury, touched a button attached to the powerful instrument in the electric station, with the result that at a distance of four hundred yards from the magazine the structure was instantly blown into atoms. Mr Maskelyne explained that the same result could have been obtained with the same instruments at a distance of ten miles. Messages were afterwards transmitted from the electric station to the receiving station with entire success. The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court concluded on Friday afternoon. The greater part of the day was taken up tfith the trial of Frank Reid Uurtis, who was charged with inducing Miss Kate O'Dee to enter into a partnership by means of false pretences. The jury brought in a verdict of guilty on this charge, and the accused admitted a second charge of false pretences, his Honor sentencing him to two years' imprisonment. Harry Weidner, a German, who was convicted on Thursday of indecent' assault, was sent to gaol for three years ; and William Findlay and Hugh Findlay, who were found guilty on Wednesday of house-breaking, were each sentenced to three years' imprisonment. Mr Peter M'lntyre, of the Caxton Company, has succeeded in winning the first prize in the special competition in black-and-white landscape for the British colonies promoted by " The Studio," Henrietta street, London. The subject was a sketch at Purakanui, and the fact that the first prize comes to Dunedin in a competition open to all British colonies is* highly gratifying. Letters jeceived in Wellington (says the Oamaru Mail) report that the Hon. John M'Kenzie had gone through a trying ordeal

| a fortnight prior to that date, and that an anxious time for his family and friends followed. The third day after the operation the doctors — the best in London — gave very little hope of his recovery, but he pulled through. The patient was in good spirits and confident of recovery. His malady was serious and the operation critical, but he could not have survived for six months had the operation not been performed. His sufferings were beyond description, but the best of treatment and good nursing won the day, and he was soon able to receive the kindly attentions of his friends, of whom he had many. This, combined with his trip to the Highlands.it was believed, would hasten his recovery. Mrs M'Kenzie had kept wonderfully well, notwithstanding the strain which she suffered from, and her prolonged an 3 keen anxiety. The Nelson papers contain a report by Mr Leslie H. Reynolds, (J.E., on the improvement of Nelson Harbour, which of late years has shown signs of shoaling to such an extent as to threaten shortly to be closed against the Union Company's steamers of medium draught. Mr Reynolds proposes two alternatives, improving the present entrance by dredging, and the erection of two tide-train-ing walls, at a cost of £38,000; and malting a new entrance by a cut through the Boulder Bank at a cost of £63,800. The Colonist says the latter is the only alternative that merits seriou3 consideration. Mr Reynolds says that in his opinion the Boulder Bank, which forms the natural breakwater of the harbour, is formed of material driven along from the rocky coast at the shore end by the rip of heavy seas, " which in the past have been probably more frequent and of longer dxiration than at present." The United States Church Army, in its crusade against intemperance, is establishing in New York saloons where a person can procure tea and other non-intoxicating beverages at small cost. Several prominent citizens of New York, including Cornelius VanderbJt, Dr George F. Shrady, Edwin Knox. and Rev. E. Walpole Warren, have interested themselves in the matter and have given the new movement practical and moral assistance. A large glass of tea, hot or cold, 's sold f or om cent — one-fifth of the price of a glass of beer. The money expended in the purchase of tea — that is to say, v the sum reaches twenty-four cents per day — will be taken charge of by the Church Army, and at the end of the year it is computed that there will be 88.60d01, or rather more than £17, to each customer's credit. The Church Army will then make up the amount to lOOdol (£2O), and will hand to the purchaser a bank book with that amount to his credit to draw and use at pleasure. Thus thrift as well as temperance will be encouraged. It is stated on what the Manawatu Daily Times deolares to be "very good, authority " that in the event of war between Britain and the Transvaal taking place, a mounted contingent will be sent from New Zealand. A rumour is current, adds our contemporary, that certain arrangements in this respect have already been completed by the Government. "As wine was in Judea, so beer is in England — God's gift to make glad the heart of man." So said the Bishop of Ely at Peterborough on July 24, when he was addressing a temperance mission to brickyard labourers. A simple rule, he said, was practical enough as a safeguard — they must stop when they had taken enough. One man could not stand more than one glass, another might take five or six glasses, but it was always wiser to take too little rather than too much. If the Bishop of Ely were in New Zealand his utterances would bring a storm about his head. Hitherto the Trinity College examinations in musical knowledge and practical subjects have been students' examinations, but this year higher examinations will be held for teachers' certificates and diplomas. These will take place in December, and the particulars respecting them will be found in our advertising columns. Mr A. J. Barth, the local secretary, has received a circular conveying the information that the candidates who presented themselves for the musical knowledge examinations on the 17th June last will be required to present themselves for re-exami-nation on the £J.Bt or 28th October next. This course ha« been rendered necessary by the fact that through a mistake the examination last June was held at Christchuroh a week earlier than at the other centres. New examination papers are being prepared for the candidates who were examined on the 17th June, but no additional fee will be required. A striking instance of the irregularity of the mail communication with London was afforded last week. Our London correspondent's budget of news, dated 21st July, was posted on the afternoon of that date, and specially addressed via Italy. This duly reached us by way of Sydney, on Saturday. • But we had received on Friday, by way of San Franciosco, our correspondent's budget dated July 29, which thus came to hand a full day earlier than that by the Federal mail service, although the latter had a start of seven clear days. Cr Carroll has given notice that at Wednesday's meeting of the City Council he will propose: — "That with a view to proceed at once with the construction of a storage reservoir at Whare Flat, the Water Committee be empowered to obtain such professional assistance as may be required to make the necessary detailed examination" of the ground, to prepare the necessary plans and specifications, and to call for tenders for the work." Armit, who was injured in the football match against Taranaki, was not «o well on Saturday morning,' but rallied during the day. On Sunday he again showed signs of not being bo well. The cash takings at the Caledonian ground on Saturday at the football match between Auckland and Otago — the proceeds of which are to be formed into the Armit benefit fund —amounted to £117 10a. This includes a sum of £1 13s 6d, which was spontaneously deducted by the gatemen from their wastes,

and a cheque for £5 ss, whioh was handed j to the treasuier of the O.R.F.U.- on the ground. To this amount have to be added a sum of £20 2s 3d, representing the proportion applicable to this match of the proceeds of the sale of tickets for the last four interprovincial matches, and also the proceeds of the sale of tickets in the town and suburbs. The output of coal from the mines of the Westport Coal Company (Limited) for the month of August was 33,532 tons lOcwt. Thirty persons were admitted to the hospital during last week, and 20 were discharged. Mary Emslie and George Shingelton died dur- ' ing the week, and there remain 108 patients in the institution. The number at the end of the previous week was 94. Our London correspondent wrote as follows under date July 21 : — " The Hon. J M'Kenzie underwent on Tuesday last the operation which has been so long impending. I am glad to be able to state that it proved entirely successful, and has resulted in apparently securing to Mr M'Kenzie a ' long lease of life.' The internal trouble from which he' has suffered for a considerable time past appeared to be of a nephritic character, andsome misgivings were entertained as to its probable outcome. Fortunately there seems every reason to believe that this, unfavourable prognosis will prove unwarranted. Dr H. Fenwiek, a renowned specialist in such cases, performed the operation, " which lasted 45 minutes. The patient was kept under chloroform the whol^time, and took the anaesthetic very satisfactorily, so no pain was experienced. The growth which had caused all the trouble was skilfully removed, and the patient speedily rallied, the affected organs working all right. Mr M'Kenzie will be confined to bed for about three weeks, but Dr Fenwick is confident that he will make a complete recovery. At Mr M'Kenzie's request, the Hon. J. G. Ward was present during the operation, and the Hon. "W. P. Reeves returned to town, in order tiiat he might be at hand if required." There was an exciting incident at Plymouth on July 14 — no less than a collision between two torpedo boats whilst practising steam tactics in the Channel, At noon, with Captain F. T. Hamilton, of the torpedo Bhip Defiance, in command, the boats left their moorings and proceeded to the vicinity of the Eddystone. Several evolutions were executed satisfactorily, but just as the flotilla was getting into formation for the return to Plymouth, No. 49, in command of Actipg Sublieutenant P. H. Trimmer, ran into No." 42, and sustained very serious damage, her bow being telescoped. The Telegraph's special correspondent says that fortunately the damage did not extend beyond the fore watertight bulkhead, so the vessal was able to return to harbour under her own steam, although her bows were well down in consequence of the fore compartment being flooded. Miss Mary Livingstone, Scotland's champion lady swimmer, attempted to swim one day in .July from Greenock to Rothesay, a distance of 15 miles. She took the water at 20 minutes to 12, the temperature being about 48deg. After leaving Gourock some refreshment was administered, and her hands were rubbed. She passed Clock Lighthouse at 10 minutes to 1, the distance up to this point being six miles, and the time occupied 2hr lOmin, the tide and river aiding her greatly. Miss Livingstone began to show signs of exhaustion shortly after passing the lighthouse, and as the sea had turned a trifle rough Hit was evident she would not succeed in her object. When opposite Weiayas Castle, about eight miles from Greenock, the doctors decided to take. her on board, the swim to this point taking 3hr 40min. She pleaded to be allowed to float and finish the feat. News has been received of a daring, case of piracy on the West River, China. It appears that on the 20th ult. the steamer Taiping, registered under the Portuguese flag, was bound from Macao to Samshui, via Kongmoon, and was about frve miles below' the latter place, when she- .was attacked by pirates. The pirates ran alongside in a steam launch, and at once commenced firing their rifles and a heavy charge or two from a cannon. They sprang up the sides of the Portuguese steamer and, boarding the vessel, drove 'oie crew below from the upper deck. They then made the purser, Mr Ozorio, who" had resisted by firing on the pirates, come .up on deck, and there promptly shot him in the side. The crew being powerless, the, ruffians robbed the passengers, of whom there .were 40 on board, and, having generally, plundered the steamer, they left with their booty. Just before taking their departure they went below, and, as they thought, disabled the vessel's engines. By patching up the machinery the vessel got back to Macao, but the life of the plucky purser was despaired of when she reached port. We understand that there is a probability of the annual election of councillors being held on the 15th of this month, instead of the day appointed by statute — viz., the 14th, — his Worship the Mayor having requested the Colonial Secretary to adjourn the day of election in order to enable the Hebrew portion of the community to exercise their franchise, which they would otherwise be unable to do on account of their Day of Atonement falling on the same date as the election. At the meeting of the executive of the Christian Endeavour Union, held at the Y.W.C.A. Rooms last evening, the president (Rev. F. W. Boreham) in the chair, it was resolved, on the motion of the chairman, to disburse the surplus funds to the credit of the recent monster temperance demonstration by voting £2 10s to the fighting fund of the Otago Prohibition Council and £2 10s to the Temperance Committee of the Council of the Churches. The whole of the proceeds from the sale of tickets locally for the interprovincial football match Auckland v. Otago on Saturday laßt have not yet been received by the Otago Rugby Union, but it is now hoped that the takings will slightly exceed £400.. This is exclusive of .special donation*. Before the

Auckland representatives left for tke norfc!? yesterday morning Mr Gillett, one of theit managers, handed over to the O.R.I''. U. a sum of £5 subscribed by the team towards the Armit fund, and a cheque for £5 w;u received from Mr J. Liston. Besides- t',io»o amounts, the secretary of the Rugby Union yesterday received a subscription of 5s from Riverton, and an anonymously sent subscription of 4s from Pukerau. _ Dr Don, rector of the Waitaki High School, delivered an interesting lecture on " Earthquakes and Volcanoes " to the members of the New Zealand Natives' Association in tha Oddfellows' Hall, Stuart st., on Monday evening. The first part of the lecture was devoted to earthquakes, the doctor explaining their causes and effects. His remarks were illustrated by a large series of vie\v3 and diagrams. . the latter showing, amongst other things, the construction of instruments to register the disturbances. The part of the lecture devoted to volcanoes was also largely illustrated by limelight views, Dr Don referring to all the cases of serious - volcanic disturbances of ancient and modern times. " In this connection he gave some very interesting information with respect to the formation of our own city and vicinity, and explained that in bygone days the coastline of this part of thecolony was five or six miles inland. ; Tlie lecture svas listened to with marked' attention, and at the close a hearty vote-of thanks -was accorded to Dr Don. In addition to •the' lecture, musical items were rendered by Messrs T. Dickinson and Reid (cornet duet), Boyd j (trombone solo), and D. Cooke and Walsh (piano duet), and vocal items by Messrs J. [ Jago and T. Dickinson. Mr Cooke was chairman for the evening, and also played the accompaniments for the various items. Th« limelight views were shown in his usual skilful manner by Mr Shepard, of the Bible Depot. It was announced ttiat the meeting, on the 14th inst. would consist of a lectura by Mr T. W. Whitson on "A Trip to the South Seas." Referring to Mr J. A. Millar's attitude on the Loan Bill, the, parliamentary correspondent of the Oamaru Mail saya: — "Some remarks let fall by Mr Millar at the time regarding ' reconsidering his attitude towards the present Administration,' have been takea seriously in certain quarters, but I have rea. son to believe' that the little incident wa3 mainly intended for Hansard and the approaohing general election." . „ I With reference to the purchase by Mr ! Smellie of the machinery ,of the Onehunga | Ironworks, recently mentioned by us, the Auckland Herald understands that the plant will be removed from Onehunga Ao Burnside. The Taupo correspondent of the Auckland ! Herald telegraphed on the 29th ult :—": — " Soon ' after daylight this morning Ruapehu was noticed in active eruption, sending up' an im» mense volume of eruptive matter, which sub' sequently spread out umbrella-shape, aftes rising some thousands of feet. The scene of operations is apparently at the crater lake, situated about the centre of the mountain. This volume continued during the day, but oontained principally steam and smoke. Ngauruhoe commenced streaming actively soon after, increasing in volume and whiteness, and going a great distance skywards, forming a peculiar contrast to the massiveness of the output of its neighbour. The impressiveness of the display was enhanced about half-past 8, when Te Mare also started up with a quantity *of dark matter, which formed clouds in front of, and gradually obscured, the other mountains,- but the white column from Ngauruhoe was discernible until nearly midday./ Ruapehu is very erratio in its eruptiveness. It made a grand display on March 11, 1895, which was photographed by Mr Josiah Martin, and smaller displays about six years previous, and another about three years ago." The Dunedin and Kaikorai Tram Company having, it, is understood, disposed of its deI bentures at a satisfactory price, intend to push on its line of tramway with all possible, despatch. ■> A New Plymouth telegram states that Mr W. W. Collins, of Christchurch, addressed a packed meeting at the Theatre Royal against prohibition. He received an enthusiastic reception. ' • The Education department announces that it is proposed to introduce cane, weaving and basket work as manual occupations , into some of the Native schools. The teachers are recommended to plant osiers for basket work in suitable localities. A course of instruction in fruit-growing is also suggested. Information has been received that Mr Charles M. Begg, son of Mr A. C. Begg, has passed his examinations at the University of Edinburgh in the following subjects: — Anatomy, first-class honours and the medal ; surgery, first-class honours, -third on the list; physiology and chemistry, with second-class ! honours. The Exchange Telegrap^h Company has received from Dr Carl Peters, Estateß and Exploration Company (Limited), some further details of the rediscovery of Mount Fura and of certain ruins near the River Muira, by Dr Carl Peters, which is a southern tributary of the Zambesi. "It was, apparently," says the doctor, " within the walls that the Jews of the navy of Solomon stayed. Since that time the Moors have been masters of this commerce for several centuries. It is in this mountain that the river of Dambarari goes to the north. These two markets were destroyed by the General Camira, a Kaffir who rose in 1693. Afur, or Afer, was the Sabaoan or Phoenician form of the Hebrew word Ophir, and I believe I have proved that this Ophir - or Afur was nothing but the ancients' semitio name of the Continent which we now call in its adjective form 'Africa.' If there was a time when this general name was ap : plied to one special mine,. this mine, I take.it, must be considered' the oldest .of the semitid

mines in South Africa. The ruins show all th» traces of a much older age than all the buildings further west. It was the first spot th» conquerors occupied — from here they went, perhaps centuries later, over the Lupata Range into the Mazoe Valley, and from., there upon the Highlands of Mashonaland, while a second chain of enterprises lead from Sofala up the Pungweand Sabi" River to Southern Matabeleland, and as far as Tati." When one of two men charged with a hotel robbery was searched at the Waipawa Police Station (says the Mail), he was observed to put something in bis mouth, and begin chewing it up. He was quickly compelled to show it, and it proved to be & one pound note,, which had been torn_ in two, and joined together by having a piece of paper gummed on the back of it. The men had on them 103 threepenny pieces (they were fond, of playing, threepenny nap, the said), 48 sixpences,, four one pound notes, and seven or eight pounds in silver. One of them had a quantity of dynamite in his possession. A peculiar accident occurred at Kerang, Victoria, the other day. A man named Collins took his wife and two children (one an infant seven weeks old) for a drive, duringjwhicb. a wheel of the vehicle- struck 3 stump and Collins was thrown out, and run over. Mrs Collins attempted to pull the horse up, t>ut fainted, and let the baby fall on to the roadway. The horse bolted^and Mrs Collins and the child were thrown out. The baby 'died almost immediately, and the other occupants were badly bruised and shaken. The infant son of Mr James Kennedy, of Strathalbyn, South Australia, was tilled in a peculiar manner. The mother had left the child in. a perambulator on the footpath, and some children near by, giving the perambulator a push, it ran to the kerb, where it collided with a pony. The animal kicked the perambulator to matchwood* and reduced the child's head to pulp. A very old resident of the Hillend district died at Stony Creek on Saturday in the person of Mr Donald Campbell, aged 69 years. His death was not unexpected, as he had^ been ailing since his wife died: — at the beginning of <June. The deceased gentleman was a native of Argyleshire, and a member of the clan Campbell. He came to New Zealand, along with his wife and three children, m the ship Robert Henderson. Mr Campbell is survived by nine of a family. Mr Jofin Sharpe, an old identity, passed peacefully away on Saturday at Balclutha at the age o£-68 years. The Free Press states that he had resided in the Clutha district (with the exception of some years spent in quartz mining at Waipori) for 41 years. His mining speculations involved him in serious loss. Mr Sharpe's health failed rapidly after his wife'sdeath, which occurred six years ago. It came out during the hearing of a case in the Hawera Court that if a constable's [•uniform is torn while he is making an arrest or doing other rough work in the execution of - his duty, and the person who did the damage is unable to pay, the constable himself has to bear the cost of repairs or reinstatement. Surely (observes the Hawera Star) this is decidedly unjust to the constable.