Page 2 Advertisements Column 2

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 242, 3 October 1876, Page 2

The volunteer strength of the eolony is GOBO. The corps number 127. The cavalry consists of 626 men ; artillery, 587; engineers, 149; rifles, 2916; naval, 350; cadets, 1452. The report of tlie Commissioners of Audit, who were appointed to enquire into the cause of the fall of the Greymouth and Brunnerton railway bridge, was laid on the table of the House of Representatives yesterday, and ordered to be printed. The report is a somewhat lengthy one, but is not very explicit in its conclusions. The Commissioners state that tbe causes of the accident were twofold — first, a misunderstanding a8 to filling in concrete around the anchor plates, and, second, defects in the anchor plates themselves. But tbey do not blame the contractors, nor do they say tbat tbe anchor plates were inferior castings. Though it is not specifically stated, the only inference that can be drawn from the Commissioners' report is that there has been carelessness in carrying out the designs or the Chief Engineer's instructions. Wiltshire, the pedestrian, bas been summoned for assault in Wellington. The Times thus refers to the case : — "An assault case which came before the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday created some fun. Wiltshsre, the pedestrian, was defendant, but did not appear, his wife appearing for him. Tbe particulars of the case did not coma before the Court, but it was ascertained from a statement of counsel that complainant was alleged to have used a revolver to defendant. Mrs Wiltshire had this pistol. It caused some uneasiness round the Court. It was loaded in six barrels, and Mrs Wiltshire was carrying it about in a kind of way which suggested the painful thought tbat it might go off and kill somebody. It is stated that this revolver was at one time seen pointing in tho d.rection of the Magistrate's head, and that he winked. Within five minutes the revolver had pointed rouud the compass about fifty times, and the effect of its presence there was shown. The passage between the witness box ann the wall was cleared quicker than it ever was before by tbe bailiff. Then Mrs Wiltshire went to advise her counsel, Mr Buckley, about the case, and be took a deep interest in her words until he fouud himself looking down the muzzle of the revolver. Then he turned away and addressed the Court. Eventually the weapon was got rid of, being placed in the care of the clerk, who put it away carefully, the case being adjourned until Wiltshire has completed his thousand miles stroll." A singular scene (says tbo Wellington Argus of J 1 riday) was witnessed in the House of Eepresentatives yesterday afternoon. Sir George Grey aud Mr Eees absolutely went into different lobbies in the division on Mr Murray's motion for certain information about the Bale of Wellington reserves. Mr Dignan also voted with Mr Eees against Sir George Grey. In the evening, again, Mr Eees and Sir George Grey actually agreed with the Government in opposing the. repeal of the New Zealand Forests Act. What is going to hapi ea?