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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 180, 21 July 1876, Page 4

A slight shock of earthquake was experienced at Cromwell about 8 o'clock a.m. on July 7th. Shortly afterwards it was found that a considerable portion i of the main road, nearly opposite Mr Stuart's hotel, had subsided. On visiting the spot we found tbat a circular hole, in the centre some four or five feet deep, had been formed, the surface having cracks in it of considerable size. It is said the workings of an old coalpit come under the roadway at this point, and it is probable the " quake " caused the sinking of the surface. — Argus. The Evening Post comments in the following strong terms on a verdict recently returned by a Wellington jury: — There is a serious miscarriage of justice involved in the acquittal of Nicholas Johnston on a charge of unlawfully wounding Andrew Crodis. There was nothing in the evidence, save the unsupported statement of the accused, to show that Crodis had struck the first blow, and in that way provoked the assault. Doubtless, the two men and the woman Turner were all drunk on the occasion in question, and probably Crodis iudulged in some serseless vagaries— but that would not justify his being treated with fiendish brutality by his assailant Johnston. Admitting that Johnston paid the rent of the house, it seems that Crodis, after drinking with him, had entered with his permission. In any case, it is a matter for serious regret that an assault of the kind should, through the stupidity or the misplaced lenity of a jury, be allowed to go unpunished. Indeed, it is scarcely credible that a jury could be found to acquit a prisoner against whom it was proved " that he had knocked down a man fifty-six years ot age, kicked him repeatedly when down, and finally, with almost canniballike ferocity, nearly bitten off a piece off his nose If inches long by a i inch

thick." Tbe medical evidence showed that the victim of the assault " would be disfigured for life, that his health was endangered, and that possibly erysipelas might ensue." With such a case and such clear evidence before them, we cry shame upon the members of tbat jury for their senseless verdict. Disbelievers in centenarians will fiod the case of a hawker in Sheffield who claims to have nearly reached the ripe age of 107 years, an ioteresting subject of investigation. A few days ago this venerable hawker paid a visit to the offices of the West Riding Constabulary for the purpose of having his j license endorsed. The date of bis birth, j which took place at Whitby, ia stated to be April 30, 1769, and of hie baptism, May 22, following. In spite of his age, this old man is stated to have recently walked from Chesterfield to Sheffield. Among other facts corroborative of the age of this remarkable hawker, it is stated tbat he recently lost a son aged 82 years.