TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. [N.Z. PRESS ASSOCIATION.] INTERPROVINCIAL.

West Coast Times, Issue 6575, 19 August 1887, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. [N.Z. PRESS ASSOCIATION.] INTERPROVINCIAL.

Wellington! August 18. Captain Payne, of the Auckland Artil lery, is gazetted Major in the New Zealam Regiment of Artillery, and to commanc Ist (North Island) Brigade. James Far< nell, late Captain in the Wanganui Citj Rifles is gazetted honorary Major intb c New Zealand Forcei. A demonstration and art union arranged by tbe friendly societies during tbe Jubilee week resulted in a profit of £218. In the Divorce Court this afternoon the case of Ericson v. Ericson was heard. It wta a wife's petition for divorce on the grounds of her husband'a adultery and cruelty. The respondent did not appear, and a decree nisi was granted, also an interim order for the wife to have tbe custody of the children. The Justices of the Peace have farther remanded Waters, as they prefer the Magistrate io dtal with the case, wbich is likely to deveiope several nice points. Margaret Martin, the domestic servant who had taken a dose of belladonna in a fit ot passion, was to-day obarged with attempted suicide, but was released upon entering into sureie3 for her future good behaviour. The date on which writs will be i-sued is definitely fixed as tbe 26th inst. The polling day is not yet fixed. Manaia, August 18. The mail coach from Opunake met with an accident to-day, whereby a lady passenger had her arm and ankle broken, and the driver sustained rather a serious injury. The horses, which were standing at the Oeo hotel, started off and capsized tbe coach. Cheistchuech, August 18. About half-past five this morning an epileptic patient of Sunnyside A*ylum was found lying dead on the floor of the ward. At the inquest held this afternoon tne evidence proved that he bad received all due attention. It appeared that Doctor Sevinge, the prevent medical superintendent, does not give medicine, except in special circumstances, to prevent epileptic fits, considering that such treatment only aggravates fits. Doctor Hacon, the former superintendent, habitually treated epileptics with bromide of potassium. Two attendants stated that the result of the new treatment was that epileptics in the asylum had fits more frequently now than formerly ; one of these attendants, bowever, is under notice to leave, and bas been several times reported for not being sufficiently careful. It also appeared that since June Ist three epileptics have died> while in the previous six months no death of epileptic patient was reported. Ati tendants had noticed the slight increase in Matthew's fits but had not verbally re^ ported it to the doctor, all fits being entered in a book which he saw every morning. Matthew's death was reported to tbe doctor shortly after six o'clock, but he did not see the body till 9.30, considering he could do nothing by going at once. The jury returned a verdict that deceased died from suffocation caased by an epileptic fit. Mr Henry Thompson, the Opposition candidate for Christchurch Sontb, spoke to-night, receiving a vote of tbanks He said he could not support tbe Stout- Yogel Government because they were not agreed among themselves, but he would not suppoTt Atkinson. Dokedin, August 18. At a meeting of the Educction Board it was resolved to represent to Government that the Board's funds weie exhausted, and as more were urgently needed they requested to be granted autbo ity to incur a moderate expenditure on buildings. The Secretary of tbe Education Department only acknowled receipt of the report on syllabus, and a resolution was carried expressing regret that the head of the

dtptrtnent ibould attach bo little «tten« tloa to the opinion of the Board, that had sent them the digested opinion of the most valuable educational experts in the colony. One of the prisoners in the gaol Uid a charge against a warder of striking him on the mouth, but aB it was entirely unsupported it was dismissed, and the prisoner sentenced to seven days.