OTAGO.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 237, 10 March 1865, Page 3

OTAGO.

THE NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION, The Pai.lt/ Times of the 24th inst. says :

During tbe casual glimpses of the Exhibition which it was possible to get during the intervals in the concert on Saturday afernoon, we noticed additions at two points which deserve mention. The first have been made to the contents of tbe very valuable case of jewellery and plate shown by Mr N. Solomon, of Princes-street, to whom an apology is due for the unnecessary addition of a ‘ Co.’ to his name which occurred in a recent article. Tiie principal addition which Mr Solomon has made is an inkstand manufactured in Dunedin, of gold got in Otago, which weighs about 45ozs, and which has cost, we believe, over £4OO. The design is massive, but elegant. It is oblong, a plinth being supported on a base, which rests on feet formed of well-moulded mythical sea-horses, the base itself being gracefully coved, aud richly chased. The plinth is divided into panels bv coupled and engaged columns, the spaces being filled in with the golden,fleece, corn-sheaves, and grotesque masks, alternately. Below the line of the columns, there is a band of vine-leaves, bold in relief and very delicately finished. On tbe plinth there rests what may be called a rude temple, circular in design, and surrounded by columns, the top being modelled to represent kuolly ground. From the centre of this springs a graceful cab-bage-palm, with a flax plant in the rear ; a New Zealander, in war costume, and armed with a spear, standing on the right of the tree, and the gigantic moa on the left. Thus the design is most appropriate to the place of manufacture and the source of the gold of which t ; he inkstand is composed ; and the workmanship will be found, on inspection, to be in the highest degree creditable to Mr Solomon and all concerned in the production of this beautiful ornament. Another addition to this case is described as an ornamental jewel. It is certainly a very charming ornament; it has some fine stones m it, and it is also useful, seeing that it lias in the, centre a tiny which is a vinaigrette. The design is peculiar. A hand grasps a semi-circular band, into which is

fixed, movably, the centre piece, which is in shape something like a heart conventionally treated, and beneath are small tassels and other pendent ornaments. A fine rose-diamond and other stones are prominently set; and the moulding of the centre piece is very effective though simple in arrangement. The other point of the Exhibition at which a noticeable addition has been made, is the wall (or rather bannister) space on the staircase from the Otago Court. Here there have been placed two large photographs of Dunedin, taken from Bedford House, Bell Hill, by Mr Meluish. This gentleman has done more than any else to preserve, in the most striking form possible, a history of the growth of Dunedin ; for each year from 1860, he has taken photographs of the place, north and south. The views now referred to were taken last month. In size, they far exceed anything before done by Hr Meluish—they must be over 6ft long ; and for sharpness and general effect, they are simply admirable. They are far too good to remain where.we saw them on Saturday ; for it is not every one who may fancy sitting or kneeling on the stairs, and in no other way can these fine pictures be seen. The Committee of the ■Athenaum possess (and exhibit) the series of views up to the end of 1863 ; and these two additional ones ought to be purchased by subscription for that institution, or for the future Museum, in order that they’ may be preserved where they can bo publicly seen.

SHOCKING- MURDER, AT MATANAKA. In the 7 Vaikouiti Herald of the 22 instant, we find the following account of a murder which had taken place in the Otago Province— It is our most painful duty to record that one of the most horrible tragedies which ever darkened the annals of New Zealand, or any other country, took place at Matakaua early on the morning of Sunday last the 10th inst. About half past 8 o clock that morning two men, employees of J. E. Jones, Esq., on his estate of Marakana, were in the act of preparing or sitting down to breakfast, when a quarrel ensued between them about a very trivial matter—the fetching home of their provisions. They lived together in a hut a short distance from the overseers house, in the direction of the sea. The cause of the quarrel is only known from the statement of John Scott, who it will be seen from the evidence adduced at the inquest, has been committed for trial at the ensumg sittings of the Supreme Court for the Wilful Murder of his mate, Donald Weir. The manner of dealing the blows which caused his death can only be guessed at, but the character ot the wounds are such that leave no doubt whatever of the brutal and deadly nature of the passions which actuated at least one of the men. A gash which opened the right side of the face of tho deceased from the ear to near the nose, was followed or preceded (it is of course uncertain which) by blows from a heavy piece of wood which completely indented and fractured the cheek-bone. To the latter Scots owns, pleading that in selfdefence he had been compelled to resort to them. After he had over-powered Weir, it is evident ho never meditated escape, as the first thing he did was to proceed to the overseer and tell him to come and lift the man.’ He was likewise further left alone by the overseer, who on perceiving the matters in the hut hurried off to inform Mr Jones. Scott persists to the last that Weir was the aggressor and cause of the quarrel, and even after the Jury returned their verdict he said * ei l ' bas done this,’ on being asked if he wished to make any statement. The men had lived in the same hut tor over a period of IS months, and were generally reputed to be quiet, steady, and respectable men. Scott has been in Mr Jones’s employment about three years, and the deceased for about two years. Mr Jones bore testimony to the good character of both. Referring to Scott, he said he thought ho was a person incapable of such a deed as that wherewith he was charged. The deceased was a tall, powerful, well-made man over six feet in height, and was genearlly known by the souhrimiet of Big Dan. Scott on the other hand is below the average height, but is nevertheless somewhat strongly built. During the inquest, he wore a remarkably calm and self-possessed demeanour which surprised every one ; indeed it was only when his master Mr Jones, was eulogising his character that he was overcome and melted into tears. As the case will shortly come before another Jury we refrain from adding more at present. Meanwhile, full particulars of the sad story will be found in the proceedings at the inquest, appended hereto.

A Coroner’s Inquest -was held at Matanaka on Monday morning, at nine o’clock, before J. W. Murdock, Esq., the District Coroner. The Jury, after hearing the evidence, adduced, retired, and after an absence of ten minutes, returned a verdict, against the prisoner, John Scott, of ‘ Wilful Murder’ of the deceased man, Donald Weir.

Scott was then committed to take his trial at the ensuing Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court.