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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 154, 3 July 1869, Page 2

The Particulars of a rather curious question of privilege have just reached the Majorca Independent. It appears that a short time ago one of her Majesty's coroners had occasion to hold an inquest, and in accordance with the usual custom, a coroner's jury was summoned for a certain hour, but when that hour arrived one of the jurymen was non est for about five minutes. The coroner, who is not remarkable for affability in such . cases, in rather an off-handed manner inflicted a fine of £5 on the juryman, when he made his appearance. "Very well," quietly said that individual, who is remarkable for a certain shrewdness which has stood him in good service on .many occasions; " I will bid you ; 'good day." " No, sir ; you must sit down and take your place on the jury." "I am much obliged, sir, but as I am fined, 1 consider myself absolved from attendance, as I will not pay a fine and do the duty as well." The coroner was naturally irate, and ordered the defiant juryman into custody, but after a slight deliberation he was allowed to take his departure unarrested; but over him hung tbe terrors of an execution for the amount of the fine, which execution was duly served by the police on the goods and chattels of the defendant. • But here another complication occurred. The shrewd and wide-awake defendant had opened communication with- the American consul at Melbourne, and proved his citivenship of that wide-awake country, so that the policeman was met by quite a settler in the shape of a declaration of Tankeeish on the part of the defendant, who was thus not only out of court as far as the fine and execution was concerned, but will also in future be absolved from attendance upon coroners' juries. The Central Pacific Railway. — The Economist of ApriJ 17, says: — :We may expect very soon to get news of the running of the first through train between San Francisco and New York. By the last mail from America the information has been received that there only remained a gap of 82 miles betweeu the two constructing parties — the one working Westward from the Atlantic side, the other Eastward from the Pacific. Trains are now running all the . way between tbe Atlantic and Pacific, except over this gap. Tbe reports are renewed as to the bad custruction of the line, and if it .is like, other Western lines in America it will not be well constructed;. but a few months ago a surveyor,, appointed) by the United States Government, reported .rather favourable on the line as at any rate not worse than the , generality of works , to . which it belongs. The. promoters : may have wished only to do enough* to make a title to the United States bonds and lands promised them, but at any rate a Hue has been built which. .will be much better than none. Even contractors' lines in England are many of. ;them not bad things for the public, through the raode of finding the money was ruinous and corrupt. Love's Reason.— "Bridget," said a lady to her servant, Bridget Copley, "who wa3 that man you were talking with at so long ;a t the gate last night-:?";";*? Sum uo pn'e ; but my 7^ replied' Bndget^ witfr^ ''.*, JVlusHedsvcheek. " v Y;our brother?, y l;dsa't^p6*v^^ [ a brother.. > - WhaMs his-naime:?'s)J' :;"Tsar--V ney; Octboian^^am;";; .; V"Tndeed, -'^;ho^-; ;comißsV;,i!fc':th^t'^ ;;y.oafs?iy^^ :' : V{hshaß-lb^^ y~ '