LATEST AUSTRALIAN.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume V, Issue 537, 30 August 1897, Page 3

LATEST AUSTRALIAN.

By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Per Press Association. Received this day, 10 a.m. Sydney, This Day. Rawson, the second victim of the Bathurst boiler explosion, is dead. Sydney, This Day.

The Minister of Mines met tho representatives of the Newcastle Colliery, Proprietors’, and Miners’ Conference, and discussed the establishment of a permanent fund for the relief of widows and orphans of men killed in mines. He stated the movement had his sympathy and would receive the cordial support of tho Government. A resolution was adopted in favor of establishing a fund, and proprietors and miners arc both subscribing. Committees are appointed to elaborate the scheme. Melbourne, This Day.

Two cottages have been erected by the Freemasons as a memorial to the late Grandmaster, Sir William Clarke, and intended for accommodation of indigent brethren The Masons formally presented them to Lady Janet Clarke. Adelaide, This Day. Further heavy rains have fallen throughout the colony and a good harvest is practically assured.

The Farmers’ Association insert list of stock for their next Pahiatua sale. The New Zealand Clothing Factory, Main street, wants a smart boy. Mr Matthew Henry adds to his stock list for the next Pahiatua sale.

Miss Petrie announces in another column that she intends to close her dressmaking establishment for a month in order to enjoy a holiday. The French Senate has adopted n Bill authorising local authorities to abolish the existing octroi duties on wines, beer, cider, and other beverages specified as hygienic. A peculiar case came before the Stipendiary Magistrate at Wellington on Thursday morning. Cook and Gray claimed from C. Matthews, a farmer, residing 16 miles from Mnkuri, LI J3s 7d for goods supplied. Some mistake had (said the Post) been made by tho plaintiffs in rendering the account, as the defendant held receipts for the sum. Dr Findlay, who appeared for the plaintiffs, said that notices of the alleged debt were sent to the defendant, but ho had not replied, and “ lay low ” in order to get a cheap trip to Wellington. Counsel contended that the defendant should have informed the plaintiffs that he had a good defence. Ho had come to Wellington with a view to getting all his

exorbitant expenses paid by the plaintiffs. Counsel asked that the easo should be struck out, but that no costs should be allowed to the defendant. M r Robertson, who appeared for tho defendant, stated that on receipt of tho notice his client rode 16 miles to Makuri, and explained to the plaintifPs agent there that ho had receipts for tho goods. It took him three days’ travelling to roach Wellington. Dr Findlay said lhat the defendant could have saved all the trouble by sending a letter to tho plaintiffs, but Matthews, when in tho box, said tliut he was a poor man, and that it cost him less to ride 16 miles than to send a letter. Ilis Worship gxid that defendant could have prevented all his expenses by a little care, and nonsuited the plaintiffs, allowing the d fondant as costs LI 10s fid, the actual ftuiouut of tho expoubou ho had uiouirgd,