The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1884.

Kumara Times, Issue 2529, 11 October 1884, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1884.

An inquest on the body of John Dellacosta was held yesterday at the Court House, Goldsborough, before J. Giles, Esq., Coroner. Antonio Masciorini, mate of deceased, was the only witness examined, He stated that whilst he -was standing with his feet one on each side of the tail-race, he suddenly saw deceased pass between his legs ; he was going down the tail-race with his head first and his face downwards. He did not clearly recognise that it was deceased until he saw his feet pass him, they being more out of the water than the rest of his body. He then had to run round by the head of the tailrace and down the tramway to get to the tail; when he got there he found the tailrace was blocked and deceased was lying across the heap of tailings that blocked the tail-race. He tided to draw him out but he was fast by one arm ; he managed to free him by bursting out the side of the tail-race, and letting the water run out that way ; deceased was insensible, and blood was flowing in all directions from his head ; he held him till help came; they then found he was not dead and he was carried home ; after a little time he

recovered consciousness ; he knew every one and was asking how it had happened ; he was able to speak for about an hour and a-half; then he lost the power of speech, and began to sink gradually ; he died about ten minutes to two o’clock. Dr. Rossetti said deceased’s skull was broken; the tail-race is over 500 feet long. Masciorini thought deceased when he saw him busy with the stone, tried to jump over the tail-race, and fell in; nothing came down from the face. After a short retirement, the jury found a verdict, “Death from injuries received in his claim by being washed down a tail-race.” A goodly number of persons proceeded from Kumara this morning to attend the funeral, which took place this afternoon, the remains being interred in the Stafford Cemetery.

The Christchurch coach arrived this afternoon, bringing East Coast, and Australian and Suez mails.

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before D. Hannan, Esq., J.P., Margaret Sheedy was again brought up on remand for the assault on James Miles, and further remanded till Monday next. James Miles still lies in a very precarious condition. Dr. Morice was sent for to assist in performing the operation of replacing the fractured skull, but, that gentleman not being able to attend, the operation was performed by Dr. Monckton unaided. We learn that since the operation the paralytic symptoms have almost disappeared, but a few days must elapse before it will be manifest whether the improvement is permanent or only temporary.

We were pleased to observe yesterday that Edward Bohan, the miner who was so seriously crushed in the late accident at Cape Terrace (whereby his mate M'Namara lost his life) is now sufficiently convalescent to have been discharged from the Hospital. But it will be some time yet before he can expect to resume any laborious employment. The newly-appointed Church of England minister, the Rev. Mr Heffernan, has arrived in Kumara, and will conduct divine service at Holy Trinity Church to-morrow, morning and evening; and at Stafford Town in the afternoon.

In the House on Thursday the Gold Duty Abolition Bill was read a third time and passed. Our Wellington correspondent says that Government has promised to support the bill in the Upper House, and that it is certain to become law.

A meeting of the members of the Miners Association will be held at Dillman’s Town on Monday evening next, for the purpose of electing a new Committee. The chair will be taken at eight o’clock. Letters of Naturalisation, under “The Aliens Act, 1880,” have been issued in favour of the undermentioned persons ; Johan Rudolph Emil Schuilstad, bootmaker, and Wilhelm Heintz, baker, Kumara; Carl Joachim Christian Weiblitz, SvenneSvennsen, and Peter Hansen, miners, .Woodstock; Claus Christian Hansen, miner, Humphrey’s Gully, Hokitika; Fillipo Bassi, Guiseppi Dallessi, Lorenzo Ricetti, and Bernardo Lanini, miners, Goldsborough. The Otago Daily Times learns from Wellington that in connection with the Committee sitting on the Sheep and Rabbit Department, the disclosures revealed in evidence are of such a nature that the only remedy which seems possible is to wipe the Department out altogether. A member is to move that every officer, including the chief, shall be dismissed, and the whole Department reorganised. At the Arahura sale yards on Monday next, Messrs Girdwood, Lahman, and Co. will sell by public auction, 40 head very choice bullocks, and a lot of cross-bred heavy-weight wethers ; at 12.30 p.m.