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Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 2, Issue 60, 24 February 1868, Page 47

Fatal Accident at Hokitika.-r-D uring the recent g‘)i- si. Hokitika a man named Furness was killed by the falling of a tree, and hia wife was so severely injured that she has since did. It would appear that by this unfortunate accident a family of five young children are left orphans, and totally unprovided for. A subscription list has been opened on their behalf in Hokitika.

The Attempted Incendiarism at the Wanganui Chronicle Office. —The inquiry into this case was concluded on the 11th inst., when the jury returned the following verdict:—“The jury find that an act of incendiarism was attempted at the Chronicle office on the evening of the 30th January last past, but that there is no evidence to implicate any particular person ; at the same time they are of opinion that the act. was that of some person well acquainted with the interior of the premises* and no stranger to the business.’’

Accident at Nelson.-,- The Nelson Examiner of the 13th February has the following:— An accident occurred last evening, at about half-past ten o’clock, in L'rafal gar-street, which resulted in serious injury toMr Barnes, draper, of this town, and to Mr Legg. The above persons were driving home, when by some means—we could not venture to say what—they were both thrown from the trap. We understand that. Mr Barnes’ skull is rather severely i> jured, and that Mr Legg has a bad cut on the forehead.

Seals at Westfobt. —A Westport paper contains the following :—A very unusual and curious freight was brought into Westport by a boat which had been out as far as the Steeples, on Saturday, no other than four young specimens of the common brown seal or phoca, of which one was dead, but the other three were alive and vigorous, and are being exhibited in a tank of water in a house on the Their cries for “papa” and “mamma” were singularly plaintive and almost human, and their whole aspeet very intelligent. The finding of the animals on a place so near the haunts of man is a noteworthy fact in natural history. Melancholy Death from . Destitution. —W o take tlte^follo wing. from. the New Zealand Herald of the 18th ihst A most melancholy death from sheer destitution, or want of proper attendance, or probably both, came to our knowledge last evening. It appears that a man named John Blair, shout 30 years of age, had been living by' himself for some time past in a small wliare at a place chlled the Peak, at Riverhead. He had no regular employment nor means of subsistence beyond what miserable pittance he could eke out by an occasional day’s work at gum-dig-ging. He was known to subsist in the most, precarious way, often living for days together on a few biscuits, and when these were consumed he would creep out of his hut to scrape up a kit of gum, on the proceeds of which lie would continue, to drag on a miserable existence for a few days longer. However, he was seen alive on Thursday evening by an assistant storekeeper, named Edward Twilves, who fouud him dead in his wliare on Saturday morning. The polico authorities were communicated with, and on the same night constables Corrigan and M'Cafferty were despatched to Kiverhead. On peaching the whure they found the unfortunate man lying dead in a most appalling condition of destitution and neglect. He appeared to have died cither from absolute' starvation, or from want of medical attendance ; he was wretchedly clothed, his frame was much wasted and attenuated, and one of his eyes had been eaten out: The corpse is said to have presented a striking spectacle from filth and neglect. It was remove i to town and placed in the dead-house, to await an inquest, which will most probably take place this afternoon. The Dues of Edinburgh's Companions.— W e take the following from the Melbourne Leader, and it certainly does not speak well for the selection of companions made for the Priuce on liis visit to these colonies:—A noble lord in' the 6uite of H.R H. at a bad in Melbourne was dancing in a set-of quadrilles with a pretty and spirited girl. Her aristocractjc partner unceremoniously retained and pressed her hand, when such was * uncalled for in the performance of the dance in which they were engaged. Resenting the familiarity^ the young lady said, “ Lord , is. it fashionable in England to hold the hands, of young ladies . that way ? ” “ O no,’* replied her nohlo J partner, “ but then, you. know, young ladies out here are not particular!” A rumour has now ; found its. way from Hobart Town that the gentleman,, who relies upon the non-partipularity of colonial girls, attempted sornie impropriety at a ball there. • A brother of theypung lady who was the subject of Lord ’a. overmarked attention, did . not appreciate tlio-honor intended his family, (he was a dull fellow, no douht), and took a very emphatic .way of showing it. ‘ The worst of it is that the vulgarity of the colonies, will, now be more clearly established th&a. ever iu the beat circle* at home,,