PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 3123, 5 November 1886, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

[united press association.! Christchurch, November 4. Jolrnl Fleming was to-day fined £lOl an three charges of breaches of the Gjining and Lotteries Act in connection with his " Robin Hood" Consul-

•anon, November 8, on the Melbourne and New Zealand Cup«. In the Divorce Court to-day, Justice Johnston granted a dacree absolute in Winthrop v. Winthrop, and a decree nisi on the petition of the husband in Walker v. Walker and Shilton. The co-respondent in the latter case ha'd lived with the respondent in Auckland till recently. Port Chalmers, November 4. The R.M.S. Torigaiiro re.«ch-d the Heads early this morning. 153 bags of mails and over 100 passengers were landed here. The passage from Plymouth to Taiaroa Heads was accomplished in 39 days 17 hours 30 minutw, while the actual steaming time was 38 days 10 hours 30 minutes. She brings 286 passengers, 60 of whom are saloon, 71 second saloon, and 166 third-class. | Auckland, November 4. The lona left for Barrier Island to bring the witnesses required at the Caffrey and Penn trial to-morrow. The Crown Solicitor, Hudson Williamson, went down also. The officers of the Surrey Department are to make a survey of the house and lands at Tryphena, where the murder was committed, also a survey of the cliff over which Penn is said to huve renched the house. It is.stated that Hudson Williamson, Crown Prosecutor, obtained an interview with the girl Sarah Cleary alias Grace Graham, now in Mount Eden gaol, charged with bein« accessory after the fact in the Great Barrier murder. Mr Napier, counsel for Penn and the girl, sent a highly indignant telegram to tbe Minister* of Justice, drawing his attention to the matter. John Grout Forsyth, charged with uttering a forged cheque for £8 ss, knowing the same to be forged, hasbeen committed for trial at the next criminal sessious. Advice* received from Fiji state that an appeal on behalf of Messrs M'Artbur and Co. has been lodged in the great Samoan laud dispute. INQUEST ON CAPT. CAIN'S BODY. Timaru, November 4. The body of Captain Cain waa exhumed at eight o'clock this morning, and an inquest started at 11 before 3 Coroner Beswick and a jury of aix.* After the body had been viewed at the cemetery, the proceedings commenced. Hail was present and whs represented, by counsel, P*rry and White. The Crown Prosecutor appeared for the police. Dr. M'lntyre was the first witness to give evidence as to Captain Cain's illness. He was suffering from kidney disease and dropsy, and witness never prescribed antimony in any form. Captain Cain was in the habit of taking stimulants during the fifteen years witness knew him. The amount of spirits and wine prescribed during illness would not produce vomiting. Margaret Graham Houston : I am at present residing in Christchurch. I went to reside at Woodlands on the Ist December of last Captain Cain was not ill when I went there, but when he was taken ill, a little before Christmas, I whs asked to nurse him, and I did so for a few days; but he soon got too ill, and had to have somebody with him always. I never saw him vomit, but he once went out from dinner saying he felt very sick. I think he was upset from being out for a long drive. Hall used to come nearly eveiy day with Mrs Hall to see him while the Caplain was ill. I do not remember any occasion of Hall's coming to. the house without Mis Hall, nor do I remember seeing him at the. house without his wife. I recollect Hall sitting up with Captaiu Cain two or three nights consecutively before Georj»e Kay came. I think Mrs Hall stayed one of those nights all night. I remember seeing Hall calling frequency in bin dog cart on his way to bis office in the morning. This was nearly eveiy day, but I never saw him at luncheon time. He would generally bring Mrs Hall in the morning and call for ber again in the evening. I believe he used to go into the Captain's sick room, but I never saw him go in myself. Richard Bowen Hogg: I am a dulv qualified medical practitioner residing at Timaru. I was present at the post mortem examination in conjunction with Dr. Ogston, on September 27th. It was the body mentioned by witnesses Webb and Drake. I recognised the body as that of the late Captain Cain. I examined the feet and found the right little toe was completely missing, and the left little toe was banging by a piece of skin. The contents of the abdomen, the stomach, and portions of the large and small iutestines, the bladder, portion of the liver, the kid- '. neys, and spleen were removed at the time of.the post mortem examination/ and Dr. Ogaton put these things iu new bottles, which wete corked and . sealed and token next da? to Dunedin. ;

They were scaled with Dr. Ogstou's private seal, and the bottles remained in his possession for the time. I accompanied Dr. Qgston to Dunedin for the purpose of assisting in a analysis of th« content of the bottler The seals were broken in my presence, and in the laboratory of the University, on the night of my arrival, an analysis was commenced that night by Professor Black and Dr. Ogston, and I assisted. The tests showed complete proof of the presence of antimouy. I may also mention that I identified the body of Captain Cain by the condition of the aortic valve. Three times between May and July he paid me visits in reference to a loss of vision. I examined his chest and found he had extensive disease of the aortic valves. I acquainted Dr. Ferguson, of Dunedin, with my opinion, as an operation for cataract was contemplated. I diagnosed the case, as 1 thought he was a bad subject for ancesthesia. This was verified after death, and I give it as an '• additional reason for identifying the body. The introduction of antimony into the system of Captain Cain in his then state of health would most undoubtedly accelerate his death. Miles J. Kmibley: I acted as solicitor to Captain Cain some time previous to his death. I have heard Captain Cain complain of Hall's treatment of him in connection with the Cain' trust account. Iti reference to Mrs Hall's account, I have reason to believe that before Captain Cain's death the differences between him and Hall were healed. Hall's wife would have benefitted to some extent by the death of Captain Cain by money left to her by the latter by his will. The value would be about £250. As regards the furniture aud the pieces of land, the furniture was sold and realised £370, and the proceeds divided between Mrs Hall and Mis Newton. I value the land at £l4O. In December, 1885, a deed was executed between Mrs Hall, Mrs Newton, and their trustees, providing amougst, the other things for au annuity to Henry Cain of £3OO, for his life, dating from January Ist, 1886. He was also to have free use of the house and grounds at Woodlands during his life. They were worth about £75 a year then. On the death of Captain Cain Mrs Hall and Mrs Newton ■would benefit to the extent of £375 per annum, viz—the annuity and the rent of Woodlands. Arthur Ormsley, solicitor : I know Mrs Kate Emily Hall, wife, of Thomas Hall. I drew her will, which was executed on the 29th July, 1885, leaving everything to Thomas Hall. The inquest then adjourned till Thursday, November 18. The exhumation of the body of the late Captain Cain was commenced in the cemetery this morning, at 8 o'clock, the police and the Press representatives being the only persons present. The ghastly work of lifting the coffin was carried out by Mr Drake and several assistants, the procceedings being superintended by Detective Kirby. The time occupied in the exhumation was about an hour. THE STEAMER TUI ABANDONED. Wellington, November 4. The idea of raisiug the sunken steamer Tui has been abandoned, and the wreck will be sold. The following is the list of insurances on the cargo of the 5.9. Tui:—Equitable, £140; Colonial, £305 ; South British, £BS ; National, £65; Standard, £SO; New Zealand, £6O; total, £705.