NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2248, 16 June 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Aynblby v Pops.—ln this case, which was heard before Mr Nugent Wood yestei day, and was a claim for damages, £SB 18s 6d, sustained from the loss of a horse which died from the effects of injuries received in a collision with a cart on .Lincoln road, his Worship this morning gave judgment. He said, “In all oases of this kind, from that of ironclads off Kingston Harbor to lighters in the liver, or of collisions on the railways and vehicles on the roads, there is always a marked difference in the evidence at the inquiries ; ond men are found to swear diametrically opposite to one another. This must not be put down to false swearing, ns I believe in ninety-nine of these oases out of a hundred witnesses state wb»t they conscientiously believe to be true. The fact is that people often lose their presence of mind in moments of danger, and being unable to judge correctly, false impressions are left on their minds. I might mention an instance of extreme difference of evidence, similar to the one under consideration, which came before the District Court here some months ago. I allude to the case Dudley v Briggs, which was that of a gentleman in o trap running down a bicycle. Talking over tho evidence, as published, which was remarkably contradictory, and as in this case given by persons of undoubted credibility, some one said that there had been hard swearing; that some of tho witnesses had perjured themselves. My reply was, I thought thi t there bad been nothing of the kind; the witnesses had probably all stated what they believed to be the truth, which undoubtedly was tho case. I have been led to make these remarks lest the young men involved in this action should think that by my judgment I oast a slur on their veracity, and with the intention to warn others who, not having considered the matter, might be led into making unfeeling remarks. The weight of evidence, I think, is in favor of the defendant, in that he got a disinterested party immediately after the accident to examine tbe wheel tracks, which that witness found to be on the right side of the road. His statement, otherwise, illustrates my remarks as to discrepancy of evidence. He said that tbe horse that was killed was going at a sharp trot, while seven other witnesses are found to swear that the pace was a walk. It is a pity that plaintiff or his friends did not examine and measure tbe distances at the time. Plaintiff seems to have done this some time after the accident, but it is open to question whether the tracks he found were the tracks made by the cart of tho defendant. The evidence given as to the travelling capabilities of defendant’s horse lead mo think that tho excitement of the moment misled the plaintiff and his friends on all the material points involved. Judgmont will be for defendant, with costs of Court, expenses of four witnesses, £2; and professional foe, £3 35.” [A full report of the above case will bo found in our Magisterial column.]

Lyttelton Elbe Brigade.—At the lost meeting of this brigade it was resolved—- “ That, as the last New Year's Eve display of fireworks and the torchlight procession was not supported by the public to tho extent tho brigade was justified in expecting, no demonstration of tho kind will be made this year."

Addebss ik Eeplt.—The debate on the address in reply was brought to a conclusion in tho House yesterday afternoon, the motion for its adoption being carried on tho voices. Magisteate’s Oouet, Eangioba.—At this Court yesterday, before His Worship the Mayor, a man named Browe was fined 5s for causing a disturbance whilst drunk on Tuesday evening. Eangioba Litbeaey Institute. The meeting called for Tuesday evening to nominate officers for the year was postponed, a quoram not being formed. Lectgbb at Eangioba,— -Mr Oswold Hugo gave the second of his entertaining lectures on * ‘ Phrenology ’’ on Tuesday evening at the Institute Hall. The audience, though small, was a thoroughly appreciative one. Buggy Accident. —Bast evening, as a trap was passing along the South belt, it came into collision with the drainage works and was upsot. One of the occupants, a lady, was rendered insensible by tho shock, but soon recovered. It was said that there was no light on tho hoarding. Templeton School Committee.—The monthly mooting of the school committee was held in tbe Library, on Monday evening. Present —Messrs S. Bailey (chairman), O. Benjamin, T. Dawson, J. Hodgson, G-. P. Kissel, and G. Lucock. A letter was read from the Board of Education, sanctioning the committee to sink a now well ; also, n questing to know the probable cost of fixing a pump at the same. The chairman stated that no would find out tho coat and send the Board the required information. Eight tenders wore received for sinking the well, ranging from 7s 6d to 28s per foot. Tho tender of Mr Henry Cooper, Bolleston, being the lowest was accepted. Messrs O, Benjamin ind J. Hodgson wore appointed to see the work carried out satisfactorily. The meeting then adjourned.

Tbmplbton. —A public meeting of farmer* and others interested in the sparrow nuisance was called for on Tuesday evening, but as the attendance was very small, only five persons be'ng present, it was deemed advisable to adjourn the meeting till some future date. Ode Drinking Habits.— ln moving the second reading of the Licensing Hill yesterday, the Hon. T. Dick quoted statistics to show that the drinking habits of tho people of New Zealand were more moderate than those of many other countries. From that fact the hon, gentleman argued that the efforts of the

total abstainers and other advocates of temperance were beginning to bear practical results.

A Suggestion. —A country correspondent writes to an Auckland paper:—“ It is said that at Home the Government are about to allow postage and receipt stamps of the same value to bo used for either purpose. If the same thing were done in New Zealand it would bo a very great convenience to country settlers, and a large gain to the Government, for it is quite a common practice to give receipts without a stamp —not to save tho duty, but because receipt stamps are not available at tho time. Most people have a supply of postage stamps in their house, or about their person, and would often gladly use a twopenny postage stamp, if legal, than give or take receipts unstamped. No man is foolish enough to refuse money when offered him, even though ho have no stamp o 1 10 receipt,”

Aquatic.— On Tuesday evening a meeting was held at tfco now Oxford terrace boating sheds. Present—Mr E. Henry, Mr A. Beardsly, Mr T. Boot, and twont/ others. Mr Henry, the chairman, said that tho meeting had been calied to consider the question of forming a new rowing club. Alter discussion those present agreed to form them- ■ solves into a club, to be called the Oxford Rowing Club, with colors dark blue and white. The officers were then ejected for the coming season, and tho meeting separated.

A Memento. —Mr Sohonrup has just completed what is a most artistic and at the same time very touching memento of the Tararua disaster. It consists of a large photograph in two parts. Tho lower portion of the picture comprises an excellently executed pourtrayal of tho wreck of the Tararua, whilst the upper portion shows a group consisting of Dr. and Mrs Campbell and family. As a memento of what is perhaps one ot the most melancholy events connected with tho wreck, this is without doubt one of the most appropriate and striking. Gbebn Pabk Wesleyan Chubch.—A lecture was given by the Rev. J. 8 Smalley last Tuesday evening, entitled “J. B. Gough and the Temperance Reformation, with diagrams illustrative of tho Worship of Bacchus.” The life of the greatest of temperance orators was briefly sketched, and then the diagrams were explained. The art ot brewing was described in detail, and the fearful waste of barley ooouring in the process was shown. Thera was a large attendance, and tho proceedings closed with the usual vote of thanks. Labobny. —Constable Hayes while on duty last evening came across three .men in a tolerably advanced stage of intoxication. With assistance, he lodged them in the look-' up, and then proceeded to make enquiries eg to whore they had obtained the liquor. It appeared that they bod stolen a jar containing five gallons of part wine from the Queen’s Hotel, kept by Mrs Mary Elizabeth Smith.

Eran at Deep Obbbk. —A rush ha* taken place to the right-hand fork e£ the Wakamarina River, about six mile* from Deep Creek. The “ Marlborough Time* " says this brunch baa not previously been prospected on account of its inaccessibility, but the prospector, Oorkill, popularly known aa Manx, has succeeded in getting into the upper part of the creek by scaling the range and descending into the tolerably broad valley above the Gorge. About twenty men have now gone up, and the prospects are said to be very encouraging. Some small parcels of round gold have been brought down to Havelock. Shocking Ohueltv. —Tbe Native dispute at Omahu last Saturday, says the “ Wanganui Chronicle," appears to have been carried on with great inhumanity so far as the poor sheep were concerned. Constable Livingstone visited the place on Monday and found a large number of sheep lying dead oa the road leading from Omahu to Ohiti and Matipero. The animals seemed to have been brutally treated. They were all knocked about the head, some having their legs broken and some not being quite dead. When the constable was there Renata’s people were busy with two drajs carting the dead sheep off the road and throwing them into the river. It is stated that Renata intends to gather a strong party of Natives and turn off by force all the sheep that are oa the land the ownership of which he claims.

What is a “Ton ?”—ls it not time (asks “Iron") that some uniform measurement were introduced in the metal trade ? At present the vagaries of a “ ton” are moat amusing. Thus, a smelter’s ton of copper ore is 210 wt., and weighs 23521 b., the manufactured copper being sold at 24401 b. to the ton. Coke for a run out fire is bought 20001 b. to the ton. A ton of pig iron for a forge is 22681 b., blooms being sold ot 24611 b. to the ton, and 27001 b. constituting a ton of refined metal. Coals on the American continent are bought at 22401 b. to the ton, and retailed at 20001 b. to the ton. In England they are always bought and sold at 22101 b., except at Newcastle, where they are shipped by the chaldron of 30owt. of 33801 b., and Newcastle coals are to-day so bought and sold in Quebec, Canada. Would it not be best to adopt the so-called metreton (of 1000 kilogrammes) of the European Continent ? But then this would inevitably lead to the final adoption of the decimal system, against the intro duotion of which, notwithstanding its great advantages, we are at present struggling with all our might. A Wateby Expbbienoe. —A kitten had a lively adventure at Ahaura recently, according to the “ Grey River Argus.” She got into the race, and was borne along the current until coming to one of the shoots, where the main race is tapped for the hydraulic claim. Here pussy was drawn into a run of piping 300£t in length, and with all the pressure given by a fall of 70ft. Puss was equal to the occasion, and shot her Niagara in a twinkling, with true cat-like endurance ; but there was worse before her. She no sooner reached the nozzle of the hose, with which a man was undermining the ground, than sho was hurled against the face like a shot from a gun —looking a little dazed after her novel experience in water travelling, but otherwise none the worse —not very spry, perhaps, but still alive and kicking. The same kitten is now a flno healthy grimalkin. It appears that eels which come down from the lake are often discharged from tho nozzle of tho hose with which tho face is undermined. Bbbaoh op Pbomisb Oabb. —An action for breach of promise of marriage was commenced in the Melbourne Supreme Court on 30th May, and was of a somewhat extraordinary character, owing to the peculiar position ot the plaintiff. Tho defendant is a man named John Conlan Smith, at one time a resident in Auckland, Now Zealand, and the plaintiff, a divorcee, brings the action in her moiden name, Mary Kirkham Brooks. Her first husband left her in Sydney, and whilst there, and after she had instituted proceedings for a divorce, she met and became engaged to a draper named Ooutts, with whom she went through a form of marriage after obtaining a decree nisi, which she thought at tho time was all * that was necessary. She went with Coutts to New Zealand, and six months afterwards she received the decree absolute, and ascertained for the first time that the document being dated subsequent to her marriage with Ooutts, tho ceremony was illegal. Ooutts declined to go through the form of marriage a second time, and tho consequence was that frequent quarrels were the result. Tho plaintiff, with Ooutts, next took a lodging houso in Auckland, and ono ot the lodgers who came there was the defendant. According to the plaintiff’s statement, he proposed marriage to her, knowing her position, and that in consequence she gave up her home and followed him to Melbourne. He, however, refused to carry out his promise, and consequently she brought tho present action. Plaintiff recovered £2OO damages.