WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2426, 12 September 1900, Page 13

WELLINGTON.

The Cape Railway department has declined the offer of the Blackball Coal Company for a supply of 3000 tons of New Zealand coal.'

The Mokihinui (We&tport) Coal Company have been asked to supply the 7500 tons required by the Indian Government. It is statecl that the only difficulty in the way is that of obtaining a suitable vessel to carry the coal. The directors of the company are hopeful that they will be able to surmount this obstacle, and they are now negotiating for a steamer, with prospects of success. The Minca department has cabled to the Agent-general stating that the Blackball Coal Company has made an offer to supply the whole ol "the 7500 tons of coal asked for by the Indian Government.

The inquest on the girl Luke, alleged to have died after an illegal operation, was continued on Friday. The evidence of Detective Nixon was of a startling nature, as, according to him, when the police -went to Mrs Henderson's • shop accused was caught with a blood-smeared instrument of her trade in her hands, two girls being in the house at the time. Deceased's mother was among the witnesses. She said she became nearly demented when she discovered her daughter's condition, and went to Mrs Henderson to see if she could do anything for her. She paid her £5, and was assured there was no danger, accused saying &he had never lost a case. The coroner reprobated Mrs Luke's action in severe terms. From the line taken by the cross-questioning it would appear the defence will be that all the mischief had actually been done when the girl came to accused. The jury brought in the following vei'dict : — "We find the death of MaryAlice Winifred Luke was clue to peritonitis, caused by a puncture arising from an illegal operation performed by Mary Henderson," to which was added a rider severely censuring the mother for the part played by her.