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Kumara Times, Issue 2589, 9 October 1884, Page 2

We regret to learn that John De la Costa died at his residence, Goldsborough, at one o'clock to-day, from injuries sustained from an accident at his claim this morning, the particulars of which are not yet to hand. The first of the poles for erection to connect Dillman's Town with Kumara by telephone was deposited opposite this office this afternoon. The Government Life Insurance Bill is now before the House. The Bill proposes to incorporate the policyholders as an Association under the name of the " Government Insurance Association," with a Central Board of Directors for the management of its affairs. The Board consists of eleven persons, one being a Minister of the Crown, four permanent officers under the Crown, three nominated by the Governor, and three to be elected by the policyholders. Of the nominated and elected directors one goes out of office every year, but is eligible for re-election. The Board will have very much the same powers as the X'resent Commissioner, save that in appointing and removing officers it will be free from Ministerial interference, and it will not be subject to preaudit of its accounts, though a stringent post audit by the audit officer is provided for. In the House on Tuesday Sir Julius Vogel moved the second reading of the bill. Major Atkinson supported the motion, stating that the late Government felt the assistance of a board such as that proposed was very necessary in regard to many questions of management and control. The motion was carried on the understanding that a term would be allowed for considering the measure before going into committee. The cases Macarthy v. Neilson and Neilson v. Macarthy were decided at Hokitika botli in favor of Dr. Macarthy. As the matters in dispxite excited some public interest and have not yet been published, we briefly give the facts brought before the Court. Mr Neilson employed Dr. Macarthy, who, after treating him for a short time, advised him to go to the Melbourne Hospital to be operon for stone. Neilson went first into the Hokitika Hospital for some time and then decided to act on the original advice. Before leaving, however, he was requested to pay some £3 odd shillings as due to Dr. Macarthy, and on being legally detained on that account, he entered a counter action against the doctor for mistreatment, Laying his damages at £SO. Neilson's case was chiefly supported by Dr. King, of the Hokitika Hospital, who testified to having examined him once, to not finding a stone, and to believing that he had some disease of the kidney, as there was a slight trace of albumen. He also said he did not know the specific gravity of the fluid, and that he thought the symptoms were a little alleviated before the patient left the Hospital. As outside expert evidence Dr. Monckton was called for the defence, who said that failing to discover a stone with one examination was no new expei'ience of some of the greatest surgeons of the day, and that such was no proof that a calculus did, not

exist; and that albumen frequently accompanied any local irritation, • and in small quantities did not necessarily indicate disease of the kidney. On being asked for an opinion regarding Dr. Macarthy's prescriptions, the Court upheld his objection, and agreed that it would be invidious for a medical man who had not seen the patient to criticise the prescriptions of the medical attendant who had. In giving judgment the Magistrate said that the case should never have appeared in Court, as there was no ground for supposing Neilson to have been mistreated. At the Resident Magistrate's Court this afternoon, before D. Hannan, Esq., J.P., Margaret Sheedy was charged with violently assaulting James Miles on the 28th September last, by striking him on the head with some instrument. Miles is at the Hospital, and was not in a fit state to appear. Sergeant Russell prosecuted, and asked for a remand till tomorrow, which was granted. In reply to a question in the House on Tuesday it was stated that a condition in the lease of the Wallsend Coal Mine Company, Grey River, would not be enforced, as the company had gone to great trouble and expense in carrying out operations. It was stated in the House yesterday afternoon that Government intended to put an end to the tenancy of Government House, Hokitika, and when they do so the propriety of selling the furniture will be considered. Our cock-fighting friends (writes the Argus) were determined not to be baulked of their enjoyment, and had their main out, notwithstanding that a "man in blue" was on the ground or thereabout. It would not be so easy to explain how they managed it under the nose of the constable, who seemed to be thoroughly intent upon the performance of his duty, but the main ivas fought and heaps of money changed hands. As there were not fewer than 300 people present, it was altogether a great day for Marsden. About 100 persons sat down to dinner at Russell's Hotel, and the host must have done as much business as he usually does the whole of Christmas week. There were over 40 birds on the ground. Sixteen battles altogether were fought, 13 on Tuesday, and three yesterday morning, Greymouth winning 13 out of the 16. The police had of course to encounter a considerable amount of good-natured chaff at the way in which the officer had been outwitted. It is pretty evident from the clever way the thing was managed that the promoters of the main have had a good deal of experience in this line in other parts if not on this coast. A sixth share is for sale in Gilbert Roberts and party's extended claim, Mignonette Plat. Tenders will be received till Tuesday next, addressed to Mr J. Denfield, from whom particulars can be obtained. A serious accident is reported by the Inangahua Herald of Saturday last to have occurred at the Inkerman mine on the previous Thursday night whereby two miners narrowly escaped being crushed to death. One fortunately escaped with trifling injury ; but his mate, James Hunt, was badly hurt, the leg bone being broken and smashed close to the ankle, and the foot completely dislocated. The latter was at once brought into Reefton, and admitted to the Hospital shortly after midnight. The patient was put under chloroform and a portion of the bone sawn off, but there is some doubt as to whether the foot will be saved. The injured man was working for the contractors who are raising stone for the company, and rumour asserts that the fall of stone, the workings being in very good holding ground, was due to insufficient timbering. The men might easily have escaped from danger, but that, on hearing the fall coming, they sprang in the wrong direction. In any case, however, raising stone in such a wide lode as the Inkerman must be more or less hazardous when timber is sparingly used. Good Words —From Good Authority. * * * We confess that we are perfectly amazed at the run of Hop Bitters. We never had anything like it, and never heard of the like. The writer (Benton) has been selling drugs here nearly thirty years, and has seen the rise of Hostetter's Vinegar and all other bitters and patent medicines, but never did any of them, in their best days, begin to have the run that Hop Bitters have. * * We can't get enough of them. We are out of them half the time. * * Extract from letter to Hop Bitters Co., August 22, '7B from Benton, Myers and Co., Wholesale Druggists, Cleveland, O. Be sure and see. Good for Babies.—"We are pleased to say that our baby was permanently cured of a serious pi-otracted irregularity of the bowels .by the use of Hop Bitters by its mother, which at the same time restored her to perfect health and strength,"—The Parents, See