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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2675, 13 September 1871, Page 2

Gold Mining.— Mr Warden Borton announces that holders of miners’ rights may take up claims of one acre each, the whole not to exceed six acres of auriferous ground, on the west bank of the Clutha, at its ordinary water leve'. Our Education System.—The Hon. Mr Holmes, in a recent speech in the Legislative Council, mentioned a fact which the petty politicians ” of this province may well be proud. He said “he did not wish to exalt the position of Otago in respect to the question of education abovo any other province, but he wished to make the remark to show the wisdom of those who had charge of the education of the youth in that province during the last twelve or fifteen years, by comparing the principle underlying the system with that which had been adopted by the committee recently elected in London, at the head of which is Lord Lawrence. There were twenty-three members on the committee, selected by a constituency representing three millions of people, and after careful deli bertion, the system they agreed upon adopting was almost identical with that now in force in Otago. He thought that a higher compliment could not be paid to those who had initiated the educational movement in Otago than the fact just stated.” A New Weapon.— Among the colonial affairs of importance which have occupied Mr Vogel’s mind during his visit to England, that of colonial defence was not overlooked. Wc have long been in want of a suitable weapon for this country, as anyone who has trailed the long Enfield through the bush knows to his cost, and a very perfect little weapon has been brought out to New Zealand It is a Snider carbine, manufactured by Mr Blakemore, a light handy tool, fitted with a sword-bayonet calculated to answer the purpose of a tomahawk. It is accompanied by a neat appai atus of a syphon pattern for cleaning the barrel and allowing not a drop of the water used to touch the mechanism of the breech. With it Mr Vogel also brought out a new pattern of breech-loading revolver, carrying a large bad, but very light, the stock being at an angle which fits well to the hand—an advantage not possessed by the Dean and Adams, with which our force is now supplied. Supreme Court. —After a ten days trial, the case of Regina v. Reichelt will have to be gone over again. As was stated yesterday the jury retired at 12 15 p in., and at 8 3:) p.m. were brought into Court, when one of the number complained of being unwell. Dr Yates was sent for by the Judge, .and he pr- nounccd that there was no reason why the juror could not continue to serve. So the twelve were sent to their room again, and at half-past ten o’clock were locked up. At twenty-five minutes past midnight His Honor came down to the Court, and learning that there was no chance of the jury agreeing, he discharged them. The foreman asked for the jury fee, but was politely told that they were not entitled to it. Rumor has it that at the preliminary deliberations there were seven for an acquittal and five for a verdict of guilty ; but that, after considerable talk, four of the minority agreed to sacrifice any scruples they might have had. But the remaining minority of one, doubtless approving of the Premier’s sentiment, that “ the strongest stomach went with the [clearest understanding,” expressed his intention of sticking by his convictions unless he was starved out. But the clemency of the Judge saved him from patting his powers of endurance to the t st. A fresh trial has been fixed for the 25th inst. ; Reichelt, in the meatime, has been admitted to bail. To-morrow the prisoners Wong Meng, who pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted suicide, and Thomas (States, found guilty yesterday of bcastiality, will be brought up for sentence ; and the trial of Bridget Gee, for infanticide, will bo afterwards proceeded with.