Australian Summary.

Hastings Standard, Issue 32, 3 June 1896, Page 4

Australian Summary.

BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.

In the District Court, Sydney, before Judge C'ofiVrv, the case Jeffervs v. Cocksedge was heard. Mr E. 11. Gardiner appeared for the plaintiff, Annie Jeffreys, and Mr Kit ly (for Mr Crick) represented defendant, Albert Cocksedge. It was a suit for alleged breach |of promi.se of marriage, under which £*2oo was claimed as damages. Plaintiff said she was a housemaid at the Sydney Coiiee Palace, and defendant a Government employee at Cockatoo Island. She first met defendant in 1892, and about a year after their introduction defendant made, according to plaintiff, a distinct offer of marriage, which was forthwith accepted. Shortly afterwards defendant cooled down, and discontinued his "'•ntion, while plaintiff alleged that juently saw him with other

« ■ Then defendant openly stated b. '• .re to have nothing more to do - '■ '.er, and the match was "off." 1 . . _lant denied that he had ever ii. ■ a promise of marriage. Plaintiff " - examination, said that no correpondence had passed on the subject, and they had not exchanged presents. She had once thrown a stone at him, and on another occasion a Lottie. The case stands part heard.

KILLED IN" SIGHT OF HIS BROTHER.

A frightiul accident occurred at the Buninyong Estate Company's claim, Ballarat, resulting in the instantaneous death ol a younir man named Augustus Kent, only 21 years of age. The unfortunate young fellow who was the eldest son of the manager, was employed as engine-driverat the mine. At about half-past 11 he was standing between ihe ily-wheel and the crownwheel of the pumping machinery, in the act of oiling the bearings. * His brother Percy was present, and they were keeping up a conversation. This apparently distracted the driver's attention, for he suddenly uttered a scream, and his clothing was seen to be caught by the fly-wheel. Before a hand could be raised to stop the engine he was whirled round and crushed into a shapeless mass. The inspector of mines has visited the scene of the catastrophe, and he does not attach any blame to the company.

THE INFLUX OF HINDOOS. The attention of the Melbourne Customs officials has been called to the large intiux of Hindoos into the colony. It is stated that large numbers are brought by the P. and O. Company's steamers, the serangs who act as quarter masters of the crews getting them on board as supernumeraries. The agents of the company have been communicated with by the Secretary for Customs, and whilst the accuracy of the statement is doubted, enquiries will be made.

SENSATIONAL GOLD ROBBERY A sensational robbery of gold has taken place at Coolg&rdie. A specimen was fonnd at Nolan's mine, Feysville, which contained 720z of gold. It was on exhibition in the window of Mr Caris's jewelleiy shop, and as that gentleman was taken the jewellery from the window at night a brick was . . r. at the window from the street -i:. r-.-r ing the glass. Immediately a L : i ias inserted, and the specimen ' llr Caris jumped over the

• in pursuit of the thief, but his

- "•-ing dazzled on coming out of r- !; at he lost sight o! the man, "w&o iias not since been heard of. In addition to the specimen, which was valued at £2BO, two bangles valued at £9 are missing.

\CTION BY MONEY LENDERS. Another illustration of the heavy rates of interest levied by some mn^ C y i" nders on their clients wag -.riven at Melbourne in the case r»* u-fvlm.r ' Goold. The plaint Elfin Hay' mS h!° ? " as Ha y liu " and t o -' and she demanded /- „ from the defendant, H. F. uould, sharebroker. This sum represented two loans, amounting to £'7o, and interest for only eight weeks on this amounting to £OO. By consent, judgment was entered against the defendant for £ ISO and costs, the costs to be paid within ten days, and the judgment debt by monthly instalments of £2O up to £OS, when the defendant will obtain a release from further liability.

PATHETIC DROWNING ACCIDENT.

Alfred Wilson, carpenter, agad 26 years, in company wiUi a man named Snowball and two boy-, went fishing off the West Beach, Esperance, Western Australia. Wilson took off his boots and tried to get on a big rock, off which Mr Raeside, the Government surveyor, was drowned last year. The others stayed on the hillside and saw him slip off the rock into the sea. He made several attempts to gain the shore, but a heavy swell prevented him from securing' a footing. He tried another rock and failed to get on, and then swam about for over a quarter of an hour, after which he was heard of call out, '• My God, I can't struggle any longer." The man was last seen with his head downward floating towards the sea.* The body has not yet been recovered.

ABDUCTING A GIRL. Afc the Hobart criminal sittings Frederick Hudson (2b) was sentenced to two years' gaol for abducting Emily Jane C'ragg. ;>. girl under the age of 1-5.