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Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1631, 24 November 1874, Page 438

There is now every hope of ultimate complete recovery of the girl Mary Hall, who was so murderously assaulted at Invercargill some months ago by the man Brennan. She is now, and has been for the last few days, able to walk about her room, and up and down the stairs, without any support, and also to enjoy an occasional promenade in the verandah ; and notwithstanding (say the Times) the murderous maltreatment which she received, there is now no reason to suppose that she will, as ’formerly co'njectured ) remain a burden to herself, her friends, or the community. The Tribune says:—The want of consideration with which gentlemen of an indolent habit of mind and muscle are too often treated is sad to contemplate, and we are always pleased to see it rebuked. The other day an able-bodied person, all too bright and good for human nature’s daily work, called at a house in Rangitikei, and begged for some clothes for himself. The heartless master of the dwelling produced a coat which was but little worn, and the petitioner having carefully examined it, returned it with the justly reproachful remark that he wouldn’t take it, as it was too thick for the season.

The Wanganui Chronicle states that the old chief Pehi Turoa, the principle man of the Wanganui tribe, is said to be on his deathbed, at Te Ao Marama, about seventy miles above Wanganui. On receipt of the intelligence yesterday Major Kemp and Mete Kingi at once started up the rrver. Pehi is now a very old man, and the death of Tahana Turoa is said to have affected him very much. During his earlier years, when Te Mamaku fled and left the Upper Wanganui at the mercy of the Ngatimaniapoto Tribe, Pehi stayed their aggressions, and ultimately succeeded in driving them back to their own territory. He was afterwards the principal representative of the King party in this portion of the Island, and took an active part in the attempted recapture of Pipiriki, then gallantly defended by Major Brassey. During latter years increasing infirmities have prevented his talking any prominent position. His name still carries with it considerable influence and feelings of respect amongst the natives. The Order of Good Templars (writes the "Arrow Observer") has existed in Otago very little more than two years > and has already a membership of over 5,000, and every week adds to that number. Scarcely a township exists in which a branch has not been opened and even in outlying hamlets with but little population, Lodges are established and seem to prosper. This Order already holds, a very strong positiou throughout the Wakatipu district, and is likely to bo further extended during the incoming summer. Numbering close on 300 members in a comparatively thinly peopled district like the Wakatipu, it must be evident that the society is exerting a powerful in--fluenco in the community, and one which, in the majority of instances, will prove of a lasting and permanent character. Not the least important feature is the effect it will have on the rising generation, in whom is being inculcated sobriety and provident habits. Recent Dunedin telegrams mentioned that a patient named Hendrickson committed suicide at the hospital. Deceased was a married woman, and was admitted into the hospital on Saturday, 31st Oct. She had not been there more than half an hour when it was discovered that she was suffering from mental derangement. One of her delusions was that she, as well as all the others present, were going to be hanged in the evening. She used also frequently to go down on her knees as if praying, and also beg the pardon of those about her, declaring she had done no wrong. She continued apparently in this condition until tea-time, when she took her tea and ate the bread. At 6 o'clock, Hendrickson, without giving the least indicatien of her intention, ran to the open window and jumped through it, falling heavily on the ground outside. On assistance reaching her, she was found in an almost dying state. She lingered until about 7 o'clock, when she expired.