THE PROVINCES.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 205, 4 February 1875, Page 3

THE PROVINCES.

OTAGO. Colin M'lntyre, one of the ship Auckland's hands, met with a severe accident yesterday (says the Timet of the Ist), and last night was still lying in a precarious condition, from the effect of partial concussion of the brain. ; The accident was brought about by a false step as he was descending from the deckhouse to the deck. The drop was only about seven feet, but, unfortunately, he struck a cask, and fell full length upon the deck, his head striking one of the spare spars with great force. He was quite insensible when picked up, and continued so until Dr Allen, of the Auckland, applied a score of leeches to the back of the head, and the pressure upon the brain being thus relieved, consciousness partially returned, and the sufferer was enabled to articulate a few connected sentences. His case, however, is sti'l in doubt, although the symptoms are, on the whole, favorable. The Clutha Leader states that pheasants are becoming very numerous on the banks of the Clutha and at Mount Stewart.

A fisherman named John Mills, of Pleasant Point, Portobello, was admitted to the hospital yesterday, says the Times of the 30th, suffering from severe bruises. It appears that on Saturday night last he left his hut to go to Coney's Hotel, and missing his way fell over a high cliff on to the sea beach. He lay insensible for some time, and only recovered consciousness when the flowing tide had nearly surrounded him. He then crawled to a deserted hut close by, and remained there until Sanday morning, when one of his mates, named P. Azzeriti, found him after a long search. As he was unable to walk, assistance was procured, and he was carried to his house, and as no medical advice was procurable at Portobello, his mates took him across to the Port, and thence sent him to the hospital by the eleven train. He is severely bruised about the body, and one of his arms is much hurt. The recent fatal stabbing case at the North East Valley formed the subject of some observations from Mr Bathgate in the Resident Magistrate's Court, sajs a contemporary. John Walter was charged, upon remand, with murder, and then he stood committed for trial for manslaughter on coroner's warrant, and accordingly Inspector Mallard asked to withdraw the charge of murder and leave it to the decision of the Crown Prosecutor on what to indict the prisoner: His Worship took occasion to comment upon the circumstances of the case not being heard before him; through accused being committed for trial on the coroner's warrant there was an awkward conflict of jurisdiction; and further, prisoner wag not allowed lull justice, for had ho beta tried under the

Justice of the Peace Act in the Resident Magistrate's Court, great latitude would have been extended to him in cross-examination and counsel. Moreover he (Mr Bathgate) intended to draw the attention of the Government and Minister of Justice to this anomalous state of things, since it was not the first time such a thing had happened. On the application of the police the charge of murder was withdrawn, and accused now stands committed for trial on the coroner's warrant. The two purebred Clydesdale draught horses—a mare and entire—brought out by the ship Sophia Joachim, were landed on Saturday morning, says the Times, and conveyed to Mr George Dodson's stables, where not a few people viewed the animals in the course of the day.* So perfect was the condition of these two latest additions to the provincial stock, that their appearance indicate a long course of careful treatment on shore, rather than a sojourn of three months on board ship. Stock were never landed in better order at this port or at any other; and the fact reflects no slight credit, firstly, upon the Sophia Joachim as a perfect sea-boat, and secondly, upon the care and attention bestowed upon the horses whilst they were at sea. That they were not landed Immediately on the ship's arrival is to be attributed to the omission on the part of the shippers to procure a certificate of health before the ship left London. Only recently we had occasion to call attention to the delay and inconvenience certain to result here through a non-compliance with that clause of the Provincial Regulations appertaining to imported stock. Unless a certificate is produced, the sheep and cattle Inspector cannot permit the landing of stock of any kind, and hence the horses by the Sophia Joachim were detained on board until special action had been taken to release them. That action at the suggestion of Mr Thomson, the Inspector, consisted in examination by a qualified veterinary surgeon appointed by the Government, and, his report being favorable, the horses were landed as above related.

At the Shamrock Hotel, yesterday afternoon, shortly after one o'clock (says the Times of the 2nd), a well-dressed man, apparently a little over thirty years of age, named Adams, arrived in a cab, having but just come round from Invercargill by the steamer Wanganui. As the cab drew up at the hotel entrance, the man asked to be assisted, as he was weak. Mr T. Hetherington, the proprietor, and two of the gentlemen boarders, immediately lent their aid in assisting the suffering man out of the cab, and, alarmed at bis condition, proceeded at once to convey him to a bedroom. While being lifted out of the cab he told on e of the persons assisting him to hold him by the wrists, as his hands were cold, when about half-way up the hall he suddenly lifted up his head and never moved or uttered a word afterwards. The body was placed on a bed, and Dr Sorley immediately sent for, who, upon arrival declared life to be perfectly extinct. The police searched the body, and found thereupon a number of letters directed to mercantile people in Dunedin, some photographs of himself, £ls odd in money, together with an lOU for £l3O. The body was removed to the hospital during the evening. It is reported that the deceased had been brought up as a clergyman of the Church of England, and came out to the province not very long ago possessed of considerable means. He had but recently received £ISOO from England. It is also stated that he has a brother living in Invercargill. Deceased had been very much indisposed during the passage of the Wanganui. WESTLAND. The West Coast Times says—Mr William Wheeler has presented to the Westland Institute a fine sample of asbestos, found at the, head of the Hokitika River, also some stalactites discovered by him in the perforations of a quartz cave in the same vicinity. The West Coast Times reports that the notes of the English lark are now to be heard in several situations in the neighborhood of Hokitika, and it is to be hoped that they will be more frequently heard than they have hitherto been. The old familiar sound was heard the other day in the vicinity of the Arahura, and on search being made a nest was found. There have also been a few turned out at the Kokotahi, along with some Californian quail, and they are both likely to thrive and breed. The Greymouth Jockey Club, says the Star, will miss the services of Mr D. Maclean in connection with the forthcoming annual races. Bur. its an ill wind that blows no one good, and our loss in this instance seems to be a gain to the good folks of Timaru; for we notice in a South Canterbury Times of a recent date that "our Donald " has been chosen secretary of the Racing Club at his present place of residence. By the number and impoitance of the salt's advertised in that paper with Messrs D. and L. Maclean's signature attached we should imagine the change of locality has been beneficial to the business interests of our old friend—a fact that will be received with pleasure by the people of Greymouth.