NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1573, 5 March 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

[jPKE PRESS AGENCY.] Auckland, March 4.

Miss Alice Turner, daughter of the late Benjamin Turner, was found dead in bed. On the previous night she had taken laudanun for toothache.

Gisborne, March 4.

A fire broke out this morning about five, wbicb destroyed tbe following holdings : Dugleaux’, baker; Smith’s, shoemaker; Schultz’, milliner; Stevenson’s, storekeeper. The fire was stopped by a space at the Standard office. The insurances are:—Norwich Union, ,£100; Hawke’s Bay, <£100; New Zealand, <£100; Standard, .£4OO : Union and National, £SOO each. Stevenson’s insurance was subject to a reduction of some hundreds, in consequence of tbe stock having been reduced.

[from our own correspondent.] Dunedin, March 4.

The Wetherstone’s Cement Company washed up, with a result of over 250 ounces for sixteen days’ work.

[Press Special Wire.] Auckland, March 4.

At tbe inquest on Miss Turner, who is supposed to have died from poisoning, J. P. King deposed that deceased came into his shop. She was in good spirits, and asktd him to supply her with another bottle of laudanum and another of chloroform. She bad been in the habit of purchasing these drugs from him for relief from neuralgia in the Lead and face, to which she was subject. Ho gave her loz. of laudanum and 2 drachms of chloroform. The bottles were duly labelled laudanum and chloroform and marked “ poison.” She was in the habit of rubbing the drugs on her gums >nd he id. He did not know whether she took any of them internally. Heremarked “You are taking too much of these.” She answered, “No fear. lam obliged to take chloroform every night by Dr. Haines’ prescription.” She had come to him for tcesc drugs for five weeks. She procured them on her own account. As she was leaving the shop he said, “ l ake care now, and not poison yourself,” She said, “No fear. lam too well used to it. lam not tired of my life yet.” Other evidence was given showing that deceased took chloroform and laudanum for toothache. It is supposed that death resulted from an over dose on a weak constitution. The jury returned a verdict as follows That deceased died at Parnell on March 2nd, of narcotic poison, hut what the poison was, or by whom administered, there ia no evidence to show ’ ’

Grahamstown, March 4. The tenders for the second contract for reclamation and railway construction are to be sent in by the 19th inst. The “ Advertiser ” says this contract will extend the works towards Shortland, and will include coi siderably more than double the area of the first contract. It is expected to cost .£20,000 The br.dge contract will follow, and when these are completed, the line may be fai ly started. The District Enginecr (Mr J. Stewart), returned on Friday last from hD flying survey of the remainder of the line to Ohinemuri, and pronounces it one of the most easily and cheaply constructed lines in the colonies. The land is a dead level, without any interruptions, from Shortland to the Upper Thames, and pick and shovel work only will be necessary in its construction. Alexandra, March 4.

Mr Grace, the Government agent here, has his hands full of business. All the principal chiefs have been entertaining him for the last two days. They are also seeking advances from storekeepers for flour for the approaching meeting. It is expected the meeting will bo further postponed on account of the river being so low. Rain, however, is now falling. Wellington, March 4. The “ Chronicle” says the Government, having found a suitable line for the West Coast railway between Kaiwarra and Porirua, they will commence the construction of the line Lorn the Kaiwarra end within a week from this date. The will of the late W B. Rhodes has been discovered to be defective in some particulars, and is likely to give rise to legal complications. The Orient Steam Company are building a steamer specially lor the Australian trade. She will be one of the largest ocean steamers afloat, being over 5000 tons, and will be ready for sea at the end of the present year. She will bo called the ” Orient,” and will car-y 140 saloon, 150 second, and 30 ) third-class passengers, and about 4000 tons of cargo. Gkeytown, March 4. At the special meeting of the school committee to consider queries from the Board re Mr Wakelin, it was resolved that his dismissal was not inten ed, though they recommended hi< trans'er to another school. The question of dismissal had not been brought before the committee, as required by the Act.

The Foresters intend holding sports, Ac., in •aid-of the Kaitangata fund. Blenheim, March 4. An inquest on the fire commenced to-day, and was adjourned to Friday, No material facts have as yet been established. It is believed tbo fire arose on Jensen’s premises.

Dunedin, March 4. An accident of a somewhat serious nature, and •one calling for searching enquiry, occurred on the Clutha railway this afternoon. As the goods train, which leaves Wingatui about noon, approached Green I sland, the engine driver noticed two cattle trucks projecting from the siding at Calverlfcy’a sand pit, and extending across the main line. Every endeavour was made to stop the train before reaching this point, but, owing to the incline and the wet state Of the rails, its progress could not bo arreted in time, and it ran with considerable force into the trucks. These were upset and smashed, and the engine .of the goods train was also considerably damaged, the buffer being forced in, and the back frame-work altogether knocked and bent about. The driver and stoker miraculously •escaped injury, but the guard was thrown off the brake, and was a good deal cut about the face. The railway authorities state that no blame ■can possibly be assigned to any of their officials, and they attribute the dangerous position of the trucks to Calverley or people in his employ. Four women in Dunedin have died during the past week from puerperal fever. A fifth is not ■exjpefcted to live. There is a prospect of a water famine in Dunedin unless the reservoir bo replenished within the next few days. The owners of water machines have been notified that their supply will be cut off to-morrow. _ Several applications for new licenses and night licenses were refused at the quarterly meeting of The Licensing Court to-day. Mr Creswick appeared at the Princess Theatre last night in the character of Virginiua. His performance was a great success, and has ■hi?/: favorably criticised.