WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2520, 2 July 1902, Page 68

WELLINGTON.

The Representative Commissioners have practically concluded their labours. It is understood the commissioners will recommend that the system of single electorates ehould be reverted to in the four cities. The Government have acquired, under the Land for Settlements Act, the Mead estate, of 6000 acres, belonging to R. N. Bealey, three miles and a-half from Rakaia. At the inquest concerning tho death of Ibhn Allender, who died at Wellington from burns caused by falling into a tank of caustic soda, the jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and recommended that something be done to prevent a similar occurrence in future. At an inquest held at Otaki on the death of Dorothy Drake, aged seven and a-Ualf years, a verdict -«as returned that death resulted from shock caused by a severe whipping administered by deceased's mother. The mother, Harriet Drake, has been arrested and charged with manslaughter, and remanded. Jxidge Kettle gave judgment at Wanganui In a case brought by the local inspector of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals against a horse dealer at Feilding for carrying 12 ymmg and unbroken horses in a railway truck from Hawera to Feiklmg, the journey occupying 15 houvs, without giving them food or water. In view of the expert evidence called for the defence that no unuocesFary cruelty was inflicted the case .was dismissed. The Government have received a rough draft of the proposed contract with the Blue Star line for a service to South Afnen. They, expect to hear any day from the Agent-general that there has been a settlement of the present difficulty. At the inquest on James F. Hicks, the young man who died somewhat suddenly on Saturday morning, the medical evidence was to the effect that death resulted from blood poisoning, owing to pus from an absce=s through bad teeth getting into the windpipe. A rider was added that no blame was attachable to the dentist.