Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, JULY 5, 1881.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 158, 5 July 1881, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, JULY 5, 1881.

An inquest was held at Foxhill last night before Dr. Boor, (he coroner, and a jury of which Mr A. J Palmar was foreoian, on the body of Michael Murphy who was killed on the railway Hue on Siturday evening. The principal evidence wus that of William Ward, who stated that he was at wo-k oa the line together with deceased and Philpots. They had filled a truck with about fifteen tons of gravel an-l the three of them started it by f.ushmg it there being a decline to the spot where it was required to go. When it had sufficient impetus, deceased got on to the buffer in front from which be said he could work the brake. The truck travelled slowly for about 20 chains when it gained speed and went too fast for witness and Philpots to keep up with it, but afterwards slackened makiog them tbiok the brake was applied. The next thine he saw was the body of Murphy about a drzen yards in front of him Ijiu..- across the line. He and Philpots tan up lo it and^found the body almost severed iv two obliquely across the abdomen, the left arm being under the back. From the way Murphy worked the trucks he knew he was accustomed to the work, but it would be much sufer if tbey wore worked from behind the trucks. The body was taken to Gaukroger'*.,— Dr Oldham deposed to having examined lhe body. The left shoulder bone wa3 crushed, there was au oblique wound acrpss the abdomeu lajing it quite'open, the upper portion of the thigh bone was smashed, and the spine and hip bones were also crushed.— A verdict was returued that deceased met his death by being accidentally run over by a truck ladeu with earth. Thb Financial Statement wbich was to have been delivered this evening has been postponed untd to-morrow or next day. An inquest on the late fire in Washington Valley was commenced at tbe Globe Hotel yesterday afternoon. Mr Acton Adams appeared for the Liverpool and London Insurance Compan}', and Mr Moore watched the proceedings on behalf of Mr Jago. No new liyht was thrown on the origin of the fire. Mr Jago stated that the house was insured ia the Liverpool and London for £200, and the furniture, clothing, and ornaments for a like sum The piano, which waa saved, was insured separately for £65. He lost a collection of shells and curiosities for which be wouid not have takeu £100. There was a separate insurance of £15 oa the pictures, one of which was worth all the money. The jewellery was insured for £100. No articles *ere specified in the policy, but a list of them was furnished to the agents, and all the tbiDgs mentioned were in the house at the time. In reply to Mr Adams, the witness stated that he helped to save tbe piano anl pictures. A small case, 7 or 8 iEchea long and 4 or 5 deep, contained the jewellery His wife had charge of this, and he had not seen it for ten days. He had £30 in tbe box, and Mrs Jago had told him since the fire 'hat she had £28 of her own savings in it. When they were outside, his wife aeked him about the case, and he went back to look for it, but could not find it. The chest of drawers on which it stood wns saved. The room in which the case was was not burnt much, and he did not think the heat was sufficient to melt the gold. At this stage of tte proceedings the icquest was adjourned until this afternoon. Tub election of members of the Highway Boards took place yesterday. At Richmond the fallowing wa3 the result :— Kidd, 65 • P Best, 60 ; G. Talbot, 54 ; "W. Rout, 46 \ Sheat, 37 ; A. Harley, 31. These were elected. The following were the unsuccessful candidates :— Messrs N. Fowler, Allport, Kearns, Hooper, and Smythe. For the Motueka Board, Messrs F. Bisley, W. Chamberlain, W. J. Herrick, JR. Hyland, H. Rumboldt, and J Satherly were elected without opposition. In Suburban Nortb, too, there wa3 no contest, Me.srs Wells, Slater, and Northam being re-elected without opposition. There was a large meeting of ratepayers at Lower Wakefield, when Messrs W. White, J. Win, Joseph Price, W. Bell, S. Clayden', aud G. Fairhall were returned unopposed. A vebt successful open meeting wa3 held at tbe Temperance Hall last night under the auspices of the Normanby Lodge, I. O. G. T. The chair was taken by Mr William Gibson,' and the vice-chair by Mr John Sherwood' senior, Mr Ogilvie presided at the piano,' and a capital programme wat gone through to the entertainment of all preeent. We wero glad to see that Mr Acton Adams was able to resume his professional duties yesterday after bis long and serious illness. Mr and Mra Hart, together with their daughter and agent, were through passengers from Wellington to the West Coast by the Kennedy to day. On their return they will give a short season here. A pianofobte recital it to be given at the Girls' School at Motueka on Thuraday evening next, and we can assure the residents "in the district that they have a treat in store that they will do well to avail themselves of. !5-? Mb*; John R. Mabin reports the Bale of Colonial insurance shares at 12s. Mr Gordon Forlong, the well-known preacher, has turned' earthquake prophet. He is at present carrying on a church in Dunedin, but has a house at Bulls. The chimneys of. the latter were knocked down by the recent shock, and Mr Forlong was duly advised fey telegraph of the fact. H* thereupon wired back that no repairs wero to be made until after the 6th July, as there would be another shock of an equally severe character ori that date. To-morrow Mr Oliver will move that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into, the management and working of the New Zealand railways, and to report th.ir opinion on any changes which may appear to them desirable to introduce ; the committee to consist of Mr R. Wood, Mr Ormond, Mr Kelly, Mr Shephard, Mr Saunders, Mr Bunny, Hon Mr Richardson, Mr Wright, Mr Macandrew, aud the mover. Mr Andrews, M.H.R., is of opiDion that every member of tho General Assembly Bhould, by virtue of his membership, ba ex officio a visiting justice to the gaols, lunatic asylums, and industrial schools of the colony, and will move a resolution to that effect in the Hoose to-day. **" "" "**"~"*'^™~" M "***" — **^™^^=^^gsss_a