Untitled

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2553, 24 April 1871, Page 2

Sudden Death. —A. man named John Hamilton died very suddenly, at Ida Valley, on Monday last. Deceased, who was a miner, residing at the Serpentine, wits an out-patient of the Dunstan District Hospital in January last, being treated for a pulmonary affection, and was advised by the resident surgeon, if he did not get better, to come into the Hospital. On Monday last, on his way to the Hospital, he stopped at Sinnamon’s Ida Valley Hotel. While there he helped a waggoner to draw some water, and, while doing so, burst a blood-vessel. Ho complained of having hurt himself, and went to lay down. A few minutes afterwards blood was seen gushing out of his mouth and nostril , and he almost immediately expired. Dr Niven was applied to to hold a magisterial inquiry, but declined to do so, on the ground that a post-mortem examination was required The District Coroner was then communicated with, and, after becoming acquainted with the facts, decided that an inquest was nob necessary.

Spiritualism. —By ike mail we have received copies of three spiritualistic publications—the “ Spiritual Magazine,” and “Human Nature for February,” .and the “ Medium and Daybreak” of January 29th. Through want of faitli in all that is told, wo are not in a position to express an opinion at to whether the science or belief, or whatever else it may be, is progressing or retrograding. There is sufficient of the marvellous related to gratify any wonder-seeker ; sufficient of the puerile to lead to surprise how such stories can be accepted as true; and sufficient of the philosophical to shew that the belief in these manifestations is held by persons of cultivated intellect. Many of the stories remind one of a series of papers published some bund cd years ago in the “Wonderful Magazine,” in which were descriptions of “Strange Pranks placed by the Devil ” in certain houses, upon certain poor terrified individuals. The devil of that day apparently delighted in mischief, and amused himself by attacking a poor fellow with wooden trenchers as he lay in bed, and after he had made his escape, filled his bed with trench-rs, as a reward no doubt for the fright given to him. No record is made of the name of the trencher-maker who was robbed. The more civilised spirits of our day act differently, According to the "Spiritual Magazine,” the gentle voice of a lady at a stance murmured the poetic wish that all present might be as doves—meaning, we suppose, that a little billi-g and cooing would not be unacceptable. The gentlemen —more stupid they—would not understand what a kiss in the dark meant, so they were compelled to shew their white feathers by the spirits, who in a spirit of mischief ripped open a feather bed, overcame all physical obstacles, and sent the feathers flying through the ceiling of the room, whence they descended in a gentle shower upon these present. The most discreditable acts attributed to the “ spirits ” arc, however, rifling a store-room of fruit to give to those who longed for it, and prigging lumps of ice from somebody’s ice-house ; while, as a setoff, we have the taking prisoner a bird that has wickedly fled away from its mistress. Other meaningless and objectless miracles—we suppose that word is now obsolete—are recorded ; but as the most of them happened in the dark, ill-natured critics will doubt.

Mining Notes. The Molyncux, which last week rose some little height, has now fallen to its usual level, and several of the dredges which were compelled to discontinue, have commenced operations. We cull the following items from the Mount Ida Chronicle :—ln mining matters we may state that the supply of water has been moderately abundant, the demand good, and the yield of gold above the average. We regret, however, to have to report that the once favorite and rich claims on Surface Hill have lately become almost abandoned. This lias arisen from a small tail race in the Main Gully of inconsiderable value, into which the tailings from the hill must necessary flow whenever mining operations are being carried on. By the exercise of the powers claimed by the owners of this tail race under their certificate a large number of miners have been driven from the hill, and very severe injury inflicted upon the district. The tailings in lioach’s Gully are again becoming a nuisance, but on this occasion not on the township side of the Gully. Writing of the Maerewhenua reef, on the 12th hist., a correspondent says : The reef is looking very well. They have lately sunk another shaft 50 feet deep into the solid reef, the last 20 feet of which is looking more promising than any stone previously obtained. The parallel reef hna not yet been driven through, though the drive has closely approached it from the 50 feet shaft The casing gives very good indications. The erection of the crushing apparatus of the company is nearly completed, and will be shortly fit to make a start. There are already about (UK) tons ready to be crushed. Wc trust that the anticipations of the company may be realized, and their pluck and energy amply rewarded. Eire.—We regret to have to record a sad accident from fire, which occured at the Ida Valley Station—the residence of Mr E. Scolau. From the particulars to hand we learn that Mr Scolau was from home on Kriday, on business at the Waitaki, and that Mrs Scolau was also from home, on a visit to a friend in the neighborhood the house being without an inmate. At about ten o’clock a.m. the building took fire, and the shepherd being away, and the hutkeeper’s house being at some distance from the station, the fire had made rapid progress before it was discovered, and nothing could be saved Ultimately the building, with its entire contents, was completely destroyed. There is,

so far as we can learn, no satisfactory cause to which the origin of the fire can be attributed. Mr Sedan, we understand, estimates his loss at about L4OO. —Mount Ida Chronicle..

Great Single Wicket Match at Cricket. —lt is stated upon good authority that a great single wicket match has been arranged between six players of New South Wales and Victoria. Something of the kind was mentioned during the late intercolonial contest, and arose, probably, in the high spirit of rivalry which finds vent in these annual meetings. So far has the arrangement progressed that wc believe the parties are named and the time appointed for the event. The players of Victoria are to be Wills, Costick, and Conway and the men who arc to meet them are the three Gregorys— Edward, David, and Charles—whose proficiency is still more within our knowledge. If any doubt could exist as to the honafidc, with which each side is to play, it has been anticipated by a condition that there shall be no betting by any of the players, and none of th l m are to have any money interest on the event. It is said that such a condi'.ion was imposed by the Albert Company, upon whoso ground the match is to be played. The date is fixed for the Bth and 10th of April, the latter day being Easter Monday.

Sale of Steamers. —A very large attendance was drawn yesterday afternoon to the late office of the N.Z.S.N. Co. (now Messrs Bethune and Hunter’s sale room) to see how the Wellington and Ahuriri would be knocked down. Mr George Hunter acted as auctioneer, and, in reading the conditions of sale, announced that the steamers would he sold without reserve. The first vessel was the s.s. Wellington, 865 tons register, 80 horse-power. The bidding commenced by Mr John Martin offering L4OOO. Mr Harrison bid 1.4200, and then the bids ran on until Mr Harrison bid LSIOO ; LIOO advance was then made by Mr Martin, when a long pause ensued, which was broken by a Mr Eord bidding L 5300. The competition was thenceforth between Mr Martin and Mr Ford, the vessel being ultimately knocked down to the latter gentleman for L7OOO. When Mr Harrison came forward to complete the terms of purchase the bystanders expressed their pleasure on discovering that the steamer was purchased in the place, it being generally understood that Mr Harrison was .acting on behalf of the Wreck Recovery Company, and that the Wellington and her sister ship, the Taranaki, would belong to the same owners. The ss. Ahuriri, 184 tons, 50 horse power, was next put up, and the bidding commenced by Mr Harrison offering LISOO. Mr Pearce made a few bids, but retired at L3OOO, and the steamer was ultimately knocked down to Mr Martin for L 3650. This was received by the crowd by loud acclamation. A complete diving apparatus, the prop rty of the N.Z.S.N. Company, was bought by Mr Pearce on behalf of the Patent Slip Company for L4l. Mr 11. J. Duncan afterwards offered the steamers Phoebe and Lord Ashley, but there were no bids in advance of the reserves of LIO.OOO and L 3500 respectively. Mr Martin offered L3OOO for the Lord Ashley, but it was not accepted.— lndependent, 20th. The Accident at the Universal Bond. —lt is with regret that we have to state that the accident which occurred about a month ago to Mr. Stewart, locker at the University Bond, has had a fatal termination. Up to within a week ago it was thought he was progressing favourably, and there was some reason to hope that amputation would not be necessary ; but mortification set in, and Mr. Stewart gradually sank ; his death occurring at half-past one o’clock this morning. The deceased, who has been in the Customs department for about eight years, leaves a wife and four children to deplore his loss.

Dangerous. A correspondent ■wishes us to direct the attention of the requisite .authorities to a dangerous lamppost, opposite the drill-shed, Dowling street. Owing to the lowering of the street level, the lamp has been left without support, and is partially undermined by the water passing along the channel. It is already out of the perpendicular, and if not attended to, a serious accident may result. Princess Theatre. — Mr and Mrs Gourlay being re-engaged, will perform at the theatre during the week. This evening will bo presented “ The Heart of Midlothian,” in which Mrs Gourlay will play Madge Wildfire and Mr Gourlay the Laird of Dumbiedykes. The cast will include Miss Carry George, Mr 11. W. Lawrence, and the whole strength of the company. Mr and Mrs Gourlay will also appear in the afterp'ece. The Green Island Herring.—His Honor the Superintendent has received specimens of the fish to which notice was called a short time back, and which, on the authority of persons alleged to be experienced fishermen, is called a herring. We do not pretend to judge as to what the fish really is. It looks very like a sprat. But no matter whether sprat or he'ring, it is to bo hoped that it will prove a periodical visitor to our shores. It is about five inches long, snout and tail included, and is likely to prove a valuable addition to our marine treasures.

Soiree. — A soiree in connection with the Mornington district sabbath school, was held in the schoolhouse, Mornington, en Friday evening. The meeting was held with the object of bringing together the to chers, parents, and friends, for the purpose of bidding farewell to Mrs Be Carle< and her son, both of whom have been teachers in the Sunday school, the former for upwards of five years. A presentation was made of a very handsome rosewood inkstand, silverplated, and bearing a suitable inscription, to Mrs Be Carle, and a handsomely bound book to Master Be Carle. The Bov. Alex, ileid presided. The Graving Dock.—The whole of the work of constructing the new Graving Bock at Port Chalmers is being rapidly brought to a close, only a few of the piles that have done such good service in forming the coffer-dam now remain, and these few are being gradually removed. With regard to the engines to be used for pumping, steam was got up to-day for the first time, aud the trial is said to have been highly satisfactory. The steam dredge is now at work dredging across the entrance ; when this part is removed the channel will have been tor the present completed. It has been rumored that the s.s. Phoebe, now in harbor, would be the first vessel docked, and though this may probabily be so, from enquiries made at noon to-day, we undeistand that no definite arrangement had been made up to that time.

The Land Transfer Act. —By mistake, the name of Mr. William Hepburn was omitted from the list of Licensed Land Brokers, under this Act published every Saturday.

The Second Meeting for practice of the Dunedin Choral Society will be held this oveiiiusr, in the Masonic Hall, at 7.45. Members are particularly requested to bring their copies of “Judas Maccabeus.”