SYDNEY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IX, Issue 477, 20 May 1867, Page 2

SYDNEY.

Our dates are to the 2Stli April. The latest telegrams, &e., will be found elsewhere. From the Sydney Mail of the 27th ultimo we take the following

The inquest on the fire in Sydnej’ reveals a curious state of things in the conduct of commercial business. The examination of trie persons whose store was burnt failed to elicit the in formation that is usually sought after in such cases. The witnesses could not give any positive information as to the state of their affairs. They could not say how much absolute cash they had when they began business; they could not say what was due to them ; the hooks were burnt from being left out, although there was a safe in the office, and a lad about twelve years of age seems to have had powers of sale. Another point of great importance was elicited—namely, that there is no reason for shutting off the water from the city except to save the trouble and expense of pumping it up. Ever since the rain set in, the water has been running to waste at Botany And yet at night time the water has not been supplied to a large part of the city. Water rates have been kept up, hut the water supply lias been diminished. Two largo fires have occurred in the city, and tens of thousands of pounds worth of property lias been destroyed, much of which might have been saved, if water had been obtainable as soon as the fire was discovered.

The rain, having once begun, seems unable to leave off. Pretty frequent showers, and some heavy showers, have continued to fall. The rain is not wanted now either for agricultura l or pastoral purposes; and, indeed, some of the land is too sodden for the plough. Put there has been no damage done by tiio additional rain, which will soak well into the ground, and feed tl e subterranean reservoirs from which springs and wells are supplied. Put it lonks as if those who had predicted a wet winter were about to prove true prophets. All those who have removable property subject to floods will do well to take al: possible precautions.

At the Bathurst assizes Belly and Foran were both found guilty of robbery with arms on the Carcoar road. There were four men concerned in the robbery, but only two were arrested. The Judge expressed his full concurrence in the verdict, and added that in order to clear themselves, they had induced throe witnesses to com mb perjury, unless, indeed, they were really innocent. He did not inflict the maximum punishment,but awarded them ten years’ hard labour. Tl ev protested their innocence, and the Judge said that if, at any time they could prove their innocence, he would recommend their immediate liberation.

John Connors was found guilty of murdering cne Janies Taylor. It was a crime committed in drunkenness and passion. Sentence of death was passed.

William Peters was found guilty and sentenced to death, for a brutal and wounding, though not a fatal, as sank on a little girl. The unhappy prisoner swooned during the deliver) of the sentence. If men could only bias deeply affected at the thought oi sin as they are at the prospect of punishment, how many crimes might be prevented.

A shocking attempt at murder is recorded as having occurred at liedfern. A young man, not long married, finding that Lis wb'e, who was visiting at a friend’s house, would nos come home when he asked her, went and fetched a pistol and fin d it at her. Use shot wtts only prevented from :being mortal by the interposition of jher arm. We abstain from any mimute comment on q, transaction which | has yet to undergo the ordeal of calm I investigation he fore, the frilmuM r.i

sii-.csuigsiiioii ociuiH me innuuoi 01 justice, but the account shows how ungovernable some men s passions are. and to what crimes they may be suddenly hurried. The world is full oi temptations, and to pass safely through the, men’s hearts need to be equally lull of the power of self-restraint.