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Evening Star, Issue 3152, 27 March 1873, Page 2

Since the earth-closet system was commenced in Auckland, no less than GOO closets have been constructed upon that principle. The new form of closets gives satisfaction to all who try it. The cost of construction is very moderate, about 9s, and for clearing, once a fortnight, 13s a year. No one who has ever tried the earth-closet system would revert to the old form of closets.

In reference to our Balclutha telegram, we may state that the doctor who administered chloroform to the deceased, Humphreys, was Dr Smith, who was engaged in amputating some of the man’s fingers. Humphreys, it will be recollected, attempted to commit suicide while residing at the Australasian Hotel, Maclaggan street, a few mouths ago. He leaves a widow, who is said to reside in Wellington. As a proof of the indefatigable literary ability of Lord Lytton, it may be mentioned that, independently of “ Kcnelm Chillingly,” the novel which he had just completed before his death, he was writing “The Parisians” anonymously in “ Blackwood.” To him also, as we are now informed, we owe that clever and brilliant book, “The Coming Race,” which has been attributed to so many pens.

The performances of the Magnet Troupe at the Queen’s Theatre continue popular. There was no diminution in the .attendance last evening, the house being filled in every part. One or two songs by Mr Small, and dances by Messrs Buckley and Holly, were the only novelties presented. For this evening a change of programe is announced, Lottie will make a living leap on the trapeze from the dress circle to the stage. A deputation from the City Council, consisting of the Mayor, Councillors Mercer, Barnes, Thoneman, and Woodland, waited on the Superintendent, this morning, for the purpose of ascertaining to what extent the Provincial Government would co-operate with the City Council in maintaining a revenue officer, and contributing funds for the payment of informers. His Honor promised to bring the matter under the notice of the Executive.

An accident happened this forenoon to Sergeant Forgnsson, who is in charge of the prisoners forming the road at Port Chalmers, from the Graving Dock to Carey’s Bay. A blast had been set in some rock, and Sergeant Fergussou was under the impression it had hung fire, and went to look at the fuze, but when within a few feet of it, the blast went off, some of the stone striking him. He was immediately brought round in a waterman’s boat to the jetty, and conveyed on a stretcher to Dench’s Hotel, where Dr Drysdale examined his hurts, and considers that no internal injuries are sustained. ' Dr Blackwell, of the Charlotte Gladstone, kindly volunteered to look after Sergeant Fergussen on his way to Dunedin. The Paris correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette says ‘.—“Among other curious trials which will soon be called on is a demand for damages on the part of three widows. It appears that during the late war a German soldier was shot near the village of Vaux, and immediately a Prussian column swept down upon the place and seized 28 peasants, who were shut up in the church, with orders

to select three victims, who were to be shot in revenge for the death of the invader. The unfortunate men remained in the church for 75 hours, and then announced that the three victims had ben selected by a majority. Upon what principle this vote was conducted is not mentioned. The BiusMans wished ■he peasants to draw lots, and even offered a pickelhaube for the purpose of an urn, but this was natura'ly refused by the majority, and in the end the three unfortunate men who found themselves in a minority were led out anil executed. To-day the widows of the victims demand damages from the twentylive survivors of this tragedy, on the ground that the three should have been selected by lot. We shall probably have to wait for the trial to learn the det uls of this gloomy affair, which ended in the death of three married men.”

An inquiry was held at Palmerston on the IBth inst as to the origin of the fire which took place on Ihe farm of Mr. R. Steele. Shag Valley. The following verdict was returned : —That the stacks had been set on fire by some person or persons, but that there was not sufficient evidence to show by whom.”- On the 21st, one Robert Hunter was charged before Mr. Murdock, 8.M., wi'h having set fire to the stacks. —Steele, the prosecutor, in the course of his evidence, raid : I recollect the’loth inst., Three stacks of wheat and one of oats, valued at Lls'>, and uninsured, my property, were burnt that night. The prisoner was not there at that time. He came afterwards. He made no remark as to the fire, but avoided looking me in the face. I tried to catch bis eye, but he avoided me and looked towards the fire. I suspected him of setting fire to the stacks. We had not been on the best of terms. There bad been ill-will between ns. I recollect having to find fault with him about building one of the stacks. This was about three weeks before the lire. I said, “ Hand up your stack well, Harry,” and nothing more, lie gave me a volley of abuse. He called me a b dy son of a sunk idiot, and that he would, or 1 ought to have the b dy face knocked off me. He would build the stacks as be liked, and did not care ad for me or my stacks. I replied, “ Well, you are not a man at all, that cannot stand to be told about your work ” At the same time I might say he was a “crawler.” He said if he had me in a gully he would knock the fa e off me, and that all I wanted was for him to strike me. It was oats wo were stacking. It was my intention to thresh the oat stack and all the wheat as soon as I could get a mill. The prisoner was bound to know. Mr Murdoch said there was a want of direcl evidence to bring the charge home to the prisoner, although there were suspicious circumstmces in connection -with it, arising from the conduct of the prisoner in using the language towards his master. In the absence of more direct evidence he felt that a doubt existed, and he felt bound to give the prisoner the benefit of that doubt. Hunter was accordingly discharged.

The closing match of the season will bo played on the D.C.C. ground on Saturday next, between eighteen! members of the C.C.C. and eleven of the D.G C. The following are the names of the players C.C.G.— Aris, Clark, F. M. Ooxhead, Cole, Ferguson, Fullei*, Gmm field. Glen, Keys, i ambert, Morrison, Mills, Murray, Peake, Pledger, Shepherd, Secular, Thompson, E. Towsey, Watson. D.C.C. —Bead, C. Kettle, Allen,‘Brown, Macfarlanc, Andrew, Bhodos, Johnston, Tait, Cairns, Morrison, Lambert,