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Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2067, 20 December 1869, Page 2

Alleged Poisoned Sugar. — W e are glad to learn that there is no reason to believe that Mr Gregory’s child, reported to have been poisoned by arsenic in the sugar used in its food, has died from other than natural causes. The coroner was so satisfied on that point, that he did not even think a post-mortem necessary. We arc authorised to say that he has not been able to detect the slightest trace of arsenic in the sugar by the application of the most delicate t.-sts nor is there any reason whatever to suppose there is any better foundation whatever for the reports in circulation than popular apprehension through the intelligence received by telegraph from Wellington. The Hundreds Regulation Act. —The Oamam Times expresses the following opinion with reference to the Hundreds cpxestion :—We have before pointed out that there are defects in the Act of last session, to wit, the limitation in the area of Hundreds, the fixing of a compensation claimable in all cases (no provision being made for those cases in which no compensation at all ought to be given), and the manner in which the proclamation of Hundreds is provided for. Hut despite of these, we think the general principle of the Act a just one, and the hullaballoo that has been made about it a great deal more vehement than the occasion required. Indeed, the Hup.dreds_ Eegulation Act has been made very much of $ .“bogey,” and its dangerous nature as a whole is exceedingly mythical. But, at any rate, there is no immediate evil to be apprehended, and there is certainly no reason why the land should be locked up by delaying the proclamation of Hundreds —aud here we think the Superintendent is in the right in the stand which he has taken.”

Auckland. The Press gives the following telegraphic news to tha l.'ltli iust. —Mr M f Lean has returned from Ohinemnri. He had an interview with Te Hira, who said he was not favorable at present to the opening of Ohinemnri. He wished to look around him to see the light break. Mr M'Lpan is sanguine of success. —A monster meeting was held to-day to consider the beach claims question. A petition to the Governor has been adopted, praying for protection by legislation. —The Thames Committee on the goldfields a.hairs has reported on the causes of the depression which are as follows : —The land is locked up under lease ; misgovernment and ■want of a proper tribunal; want of legislative aid to the goldfields. The committee propose to remedy these defects by appointing a Mining Board, a Court of Mines, the temporary suspension of the leasing regulations, the immediate granting of all applications for leases, and the completion of the survey, and the appointment of additional wardens to determine objections. —Messrs Mackay and Grove will be returned for the Thames. —The Golden Crown' Company have given L2OO to the widow of Batter. —An actor named Masters has been stabbed.—Another goldfi.elq has been found on the Coromandel Peninsula. jCrushings by the .Royal Standard of 7 tons, yielded 3'lozs; Golden Crown, 2900zs ; Shotover, luOlbs specimens.—Mr Montgomery goes to the Thames. Mr Talbot is unsuccessful in Auckland.

The Accident at Ti.maku. —Late on Saturday evening, news was received in town that a fatal boat accident had happened at Timaru, and Mr Balfour, M.E,, and Mr Smallwood, bad been drowned. We at once issued an Extra containing the particulars to hand. By the arrival of the Maori from the scene of the accident, we are in possession of full particulars. It would appear that the Maori arrived at Timaru on the morning of Saturday, ISfcli inst., and was appointed to sail for Dunedin on the evening of the same day. Several passengers were waiting to proceed on board, among whom were Mr Balfour, who purposed to come down to Dunedin to attend the funeral of his friend and school-fellow, the late Mr T. Paterson, news of whose untimely death had just reached him. The rest of the persons who went on board were—Mr Smallwood, of the Union Bank, Timaru; Captain. Malcolm, Messrs Joel, Perrier, Menzies, Parker, and Baker. A surf boat set off from the shore containing these gentlemen, and'a crew of three. The surf was running high, and within a short distance of the ship it had reached the line from the buoy to the steamer, when it was found the line had fouled, and Capt. Malcolm signalled to the ship for assistance. The signal was at once answered, and a boat from the Maori sent to the assistance of the surf-boat. It reached it in safety, took all the passengers on board, and pulled towards the vessel "safely till within a few yards of her, the ship rolling violently. Suddenly the boat was struck by a wave and capsized". A fearful scene ensued—the occupants of the boat struggling for life in the water, and the people on hoard the steamer vieing with one another in their efforts to save the drowning men. Ropes, lifedmoys, &c , were thrown out, and every effort which energy or humanity would suggest employed to save tjjem. With the exception of the two gentlemen— Messrs Balfour and Smallwood—all were saved, and these met with a watery grave. The conduct of the crew and all parties on hoard the Maori is said to be beyond all

praise. We regret to be compelled to state that the bodies of the two gentlftmbn mentioned have not. yet been recovered. We understand the General Government has ordered the St. Kilda, Government steamer, to proceed at ohcc to the sbehe the accident, to assist in the search for the. bodies, with, as we understand, a niOst complete set of dragging instruments, sd that we hope soon to hear that the bodies have been recovered. It was generally reported in town yesterday that Mrs Balfour was sister to the late Mr Paterson. This we find is incorrect. They are not related, but the two gentlemen were school-fellows at home, and lived together in Dunedin until Mr Balfour left this Province for Wellington. We are in receipt of the Illustrated Nev' Zealand Herald for December. It contains some excellent engravings, among which are a view of the Otira Gorge, Canterbury, the Keri Keri Falls and Ken Keri Mission Station, Bay of Islands ; also a very rich colored supplement, “ The Bushman’s Dream,” from an original drawing by T. S. Cousins, which is very neatly finished. Altogether it is a very creditable {production, and quite up to its usual standard.