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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 32, 6 February 1878, Page 2

A dcTil fish, 10 feet in length, with tentacles 30 feet in length, was washed ashore at Newfoundland, and is exhibited at New York Aquarium. The Wellington papers announce that the Citj Council has decided to flre the time-gun every Saturday at noon, the cost per round being estimated at 5s 2d. Time is getting precious with our cousins over the water. The Taranaki Herald of Friday last has the following :— " During the stormy weather on Wednesday morning, a flash of lightning struck the telrgraph office at Opunake, nearly setting the place on fire. The telegraphist (Mr Keely) says that at about 10 o'clock the lightning struck one of his double angle poles, completely splitting it in two, and then ran into his office, melting every wire there ; also the leading-in wire, and fused the lightningguard together. The office was set on fire, but the flames were quickly put out. The report, we learn, was liko that of a cannon. 'In fact,' writes Mr Keely, 'It was the heaviest flash of lightning I have ever seen. I have seen heavy lightning on the overland line, but I can aafely say this wa3 the the strongest that I have ever seen.' If Mr Keely had been in his office at the time there is now doubt he would not have come out alive." The writer of " Notes " in the Timaru Herald says:— "Mr Sheehan, tho Native Minister, is an Irishman, every inch of him, but yet was born in New Zealand. Mr Larnach was, if we mistake not, born in New South Wales, where his father was a squatter in the early days; and his family are of ancient Scottish origin. Colonel Whitmore and Mr Fisher are the only Englishmen in the present Ministry. Sir George Grey is, we believe, Irish, both by birth and descent; and Mr Macandrew presents every outward and visible appearance of belonging to the land of cakes and barley juice. Let us hope that, wherever they come from, they will one and all prove true patriots in faithfully and heartily watching over the interests of the nation of New Zealand. Duke est pro palria mart—' The more I see of the country the sweeter it is.' " The following account of the recent fracas between the judges and Mr Barton is from the Post of Thursday :— The Chief Justice seTeral times told him not to interrupt the Court while judgment was being delivered, and finally with warmth he exclaimed " Sit down, Mr Barton ; sit down, and hold your tongue." The Chief Justice concluded his judgement, and Mr Justice Richmond was proceeding to say that he entirely concurred in the remarks of his brother judge, as the conduct of the plaintiff in trying to take the matter out of the hands of the Court was highly reprehensible, when Mr Barton again interrupted, asking how the matter was in the hands of the Court ? The Chief Justice leaned forward and slowly said, " This is the fourth time you have interrupted the Court while delivering judgment. Sit down. Do you hear me, sir ? The order of the Court is that you sit down and hold your tongue." Mr Barton resumed his seat, but immediately afterwards he again interrupted Mr Justice Richmond, and declared he would leave the Court. The Chief Justice told him to remain, and then informed him that unless he saw fit to apologise he would be adjudged guilty of contempt of Court Mr Barton replied that he had not a shadow of doubt that the remarks to which he had taken exception were contrary to law. I see what the Court means, and I hope it knows what I mean." Upon this the Chief Justice adjudged Mr Barton guilty of contempt of Court, and committed him to prison for one month. A most dreadful accident took place on Wednesday, 9th ult., near Wedderburn, Victoria, says the Inglewood correspondent of the Bendigo Advertiser: — A man named M'Kechnie rode up to a dam on the roadside, when he saw a spring cart under the water, also a horse harnessed to it, and quite dead. On further examination he saw two women's bonnets floating on the water. This at once led him to think something was wrong whereupon he rode into Wedderburn and' informed the police. A constable went to the dam, recovered the bonnets, and took them to a neighboring township, where he ascertained they belonged to two women who had passed by in the morning with a horse and spring cart. The constable then returned to the dam with assistance, and after working till twelve o'clock last night, they found the bodies of two women clasped in each other's arms, who were ascertained to be— one a married woman named JLebay, and the other a single woman named Allen. It is believed that the tragic affair occurred in this way. The women being desirous of giving the horse a drink, they drove it into the water, when it go beyond its depth, and, together with the occupants of the cart, was drowned. The dam is only fifteen feet square, and has been made about twenty years. A magisterial inquiry was held on Thursday, and a verdict of accidental death was returned. Information wag received in town yesterday (says the Poverty Bay Herald) of the death of a Maori woman, Jiving at the Big River, named Meri Hoturangi, under the most extraordinary and painful circumstances. Meri is a married woman aud has always been considered by her tribe as of irreproachable character, although of some- I what irritable temper. Two or three daya ' back she had some angry words with her husband ; when under strong excitement he accused her of being unfaithful to him. She denied the imputation, exclaiming bitterly that such a charge should have been made against her. When the intensity of her grief had subsided Meri retired to a corner of her whare where she remained several hours without uttering word or returning answers to questions which were put to her. The next day Meri was found dead. After a short search the cause was discovered. The woman had determined to commit suicide as, according to the custom of her people it would establish her innocence. She procured a box of wax matches and having cut of heads containing phosopherous and other deadly chemicals, in combination, she swallowed the whole. Her agonies must from the nature of the poison have been intense. But that no one should be a witness to her sufferings she had gone beyond the sound of ear and there writhing in terrible torment she died. The countenance of the deceased woman when discovered was most horrible to look upon. The body was taken by her friends and notice forwarded to Mr H. Kenrick, the District Coroner.

A block of coal weighing three tons, and measuring Bft long, 3ft broad, and 2ft deep, was shipped at Newcastle, N.S.W, last week for the Paris Exhibition. Mr Clark and his irrepressible manager (says a conteraporary)are by this time travelling up the West Coast of the North Island. We hear that since his arrival in New Zealaud, Mr Clark has hired himself out to Mr Srnythe at the moderate figure of £100 per week and travelling expenses. But the Rev. gentleman pays hia own board, billiards, and lodging. This is certainly better than preaching, and puts in the shade the excessive liberality of Dr Wallis' congregation, who considered £250 a year, and a free house to live in, a tempting offer for the spiritual ministrations of the preacher and politician.