NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1009, 19 September 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Sudden Death.— A man named Alexander Leith Gordon was brought to the Hospital this morning in an unconscious condition. Although he rallied for a short time, a relapse soon took place, followed by death. During the interval of consciousness he stated that lie had drank a large quantity of Hunter’s solution of chloral to induce sleep. An inquest will, be held. Volunteer Cadet Concert. —A concert in connection with the Yolunteer Cadet Company will be given this evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall. A varied programme has been provided. Early Closing. —The leading chemists and druggists of Christchurch intimate their intention of closing their places of business at 8 p.m., Saturdays excepted, on and after Ist October.

Earthquake. —A shock of earthquake was felt at Sheffield and other parts of the Malvern district at about two minutes past seven o’clock on Monday evening. The shock proceeded from the west. The Late Municipal Election. —A petition has been lodged by Mr H. Toomer and others against the election of Mr E. H. Banks, one of the successful candidates at the recent municipal elections. The petitioners will be heard at the Resident Magistrate’s Court on Monday, Ist October, at 2 p.m.

Arrest. — A man named Carl Ofklint is in custody on the charge of stealing a horse from Norsedown, Napier. The man had first been arrested for drunkenness, when it was found that he answered to the description of a person wanted on above charge. He will be brought up this morning. Festival Choir Service. —lt is intended to hold, in the course of the present month, a festival choir service in the Wesleyan Church, Durham street. The Revs. J. Crump and W. Morlcy will conduct the service, and Messrs J. T. M. Smith and R. T. Searell will act respectively as choirmaster and organist. The following choirs will take part in the service : —East belt, St. Albans, Papanui, Tai Tapu, Harper street, and Durham street.

Pisciculture. —The Auckland “Herald” mentions that 138 catfish arrived safely out of a consignment of 200, chiefly owing to the careful attention of Mr 0. H. Hansen, the chief officer of the City of New York. They were obtained by Mr Hugh Craig, of the New Zealand Insurance Company, San Francisco, acting as agept for Mr Thomas Russell, who bears the entire cost of their introduction. Working Men’s Club, Naiuer. —The Napier Working Men’s Club was inaugurated on the 16th instant under highly favorable auspices. There are now ninety ordinary, twenty-two honorary, and four life members on the list. The club lias four times the strength of the Wellington Working Men’s Club when it started The only question that caused any discussion was the question as to the desirableness or otherwise of making the sale of liquor a feature of the club’s operations. That question has been left open in the meantime. The Normal School. —The training department of the Normal School is being enriched by noteworthy additions to its educa tine materials. Most of the art icles referred to have been obtained at the instance of Mr C. C. Howard, the Principal of the School. They comprise a printing press, typos, chemical apparatus, physiological models, and a number of maps, idobes, and plans showing in relief the various pai’ts and characteristics of the world. Themost curious amongst this instalment of materials are the “ Kindergarten ” (literally child’s irarden) models, which have been procured for the purpose of acquainting the students with the German system of developing 8-lid U'uiupp; tiio (icsiguivij facsUftep of

Sudden Death. —On Saturday morning a Q-erman named Frederick Pfinfar was found dead in bed at the Douglas Hotel, Dunedin, i'hc deceased, who was an elderly man, arrived in Dunedin from Oamaru on Wednesday last. He retired to rest at half-past nine o’clock, and on the following morning was found dead in his bed. Death is supposed to have arisen from natural causes. A sum of £3O 8s 9d was found among the effects of, the deceased, together with letters, showing that he has a brother in Germany. Deceased was about 60 years of age, and, so far as is known, was unmarried.

Inquest. —An inquest was held on Friday by Mr Aylmer, R.M., Coroner, at the house of Mr George Bennett, Little Akaloa, as to the cause of death of his late wife, Rose Reason Bennett. Several witnessess were called, and gave evidence as to the treatment of the deceased during her confinement by Mrs Green. Dr. Guthrie gave evidence to the effect that he had been sent for on the morning of the 12th instant. When he arrived at Little Akaloa he found the deceased in a very weak state, after the birth of a child. He remained until evening, when he saw he could not do any more. He had made a post mortem examination, and he said that the death of the deceased was caused by the loss of blood, the result, beyond any doubt, of internal laceration. The jury found—“ That the deceased died from loss of blood after her confinement, and not otherwise.” They added the following rider—“ That the jury exonerate Mrs Green from all blame, but recommend that in confinements it is necessary to have a medical man, if possible.” Stanmore Bridge. —This bridge, the erection of which has been delayed for some time through the non-arrival of the heavy girders required, is now being rapidly proceeded with. All the piles and beams are in position, and the laying of the capsules and girders nearly completed. The stone pier on the south side of the river is all but finished, and that on the north side will be in hand during the week. The foundations of the former are formed of concrete 12ft Gin from the water line, and the latter lift Gin. Each pile had a 301 b iron shoe, and was driven to the depth of 30ft with a 25 cwt. monkey, having a 25ft blow ; and some idea of their solidity may be gathered from the fact that, even with that force, not more than a quarter of an inch was gained at the final blows. The capsules, girders, braces, and walings are of iron bark timber. Each joint will be laid in with tar, and the strength of the structure increased by the braces laid “herring-boned.” The bridge will be 88ft long and 30ft wide, with a 6ft footpath on the west side. The handrail will be of wood with iron trellising, and when finished, not only will it supply a want long felt in the neighborhood, but will also be one of the strongest bridges in Canterbury. It will be ready for traffic in about ten days, and is expected to be out of hand three weeks hence.