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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1070, 17 July 1871, Page 2

The Auckland Evening Star writes as follows on the subject of instances of scrip swindling. —We cannot say that we were very sanguine that our advice so frequently urged respecting caution in the share market would have much effect, without illustrations. We knew that illustrations would soon be forthcoming, for such opportunities for making money by swindling as have been for some time afforded were not likely to be neglected by everybody. Such illustrations are now being afforded, and we may hope they will not be without their effects. One sharebroker who held out in Vulcan Lane has disappeared from the realms of scrip. His speciality was selling shares, of which he was the registered proprietor. He was accustomed to sign transfers, with the proviso that they were to be delivered to the purchaser a week thence. In this and various other ways he bagged about .£I,OOO of irregular gains. He has to-day disappeared from the gaze of his sorrowing friends, though we are told that he was seen this morning on the Great North Road, near the Lunatic Asylum, wending his way northward, with his whiskers shaved. His pilgrimage will, we hope, be curtailed, as this is such unpleasant weather for travelling. The second illustration has been brought to light in the paying of dividends on Caledonians. Mr Logie applied in the usual manner, at the office of the company for his dividend, when he was informed that there was nothing for him ; and as confirmation he was shown his signature to a transfer of his interests, witnessed by another sharebroker. It is needless to add that the signature was a forgery, and that the sharebroker has also disappeared. We are not surprised at these occurrences, but we shall probably be able to add a few more illustrations in a day or two.

The following account of a " Ferocious attack by a dog upon its master " appears in the New Zealand Herald of June 28 ; —Warnings have been given time after time of the danger that people incur by keeping savage dogs about their premises. Some pride themselves in possessing dogs of as savage a disposition as possible, especially ol the bull and mastiff breeds. In doing so great risk is incurred, for it is well known that dogs of the former breed, or crosses between the two, have often been known to turn upon their own masters and frightfully mutilate them, Au instance of this nature occurred last night, whereby a citizen had a very narrow escape of losing his life. About half* past ten o'clock last night there were two men in the bar of the Mechanics' Horse of Call Hotel, talking moderately loud. The landlord, Mr McArthur, has a very large savage bull-dog, usually kept oa chain, and just at this time it had broken its chain and come into the bar. Mr McArthur, knowing the dog's ferocious disposition, as it had lately severely torn one of his children, feared that it would make a rush upon his two customers, and he therefore caught the dog by the collar, when the brute turned upon him in a most savage manner. The dog is a large and powerful animal, and, before assist* ance could be rendered, Mr McArthui" was cut and torn from the middle of the left thigh to the ankle. His right ankle, both his hands, and his right wrist and arm were fearfully mangled. Mrs McArthur brought an axe, and one of the men struck the dog with it, and thereby got its hold released. The bio xl flowetf copiously from Mr McArthur's wounds, a large portion of the floor of the bar being well watered with human blood. Dr Uartmanu was sent for, and c|ressed the,

wounds, and is of opinion that, with care, no permanent injury will result, although Mr McArthur will of necessity be for some time confined to bed.