Accidents, Offences, &c.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 236, 16 September 1884, Page 2

Accidents, Offences, &c.

BREACH OF PROMISE. POPPENS AND McGRATH. [Per Press Association.] Dunedin, September 16. Hugh McFadden, who was Town Clerk of the North East Valley Borough, died on Sunday. He was seized with an appoplectic fi| on Thursday evening, after the excitement of an election for Councillors, and never recovered. He came to Dunedin in 1847. In the Supreme Court, in the breach of promise case, Jane Smith v. James Alexander Finlay, the jury awarded £lOO damages. At the Naseby Police Court an elderly man, named Dugald Sinclair was charged with assaulting his sister-in-law, Mrs. Welch. The latter refused to prosecute, and the case was dismissed. Subsequently the woman died very suddenly, and Sinclair was arrested for manslaughter. The inquest showed that deceased suffered from fatty degeneration of the heart. A verdict of death from natural causes was returned, and Sinclair was discharged. Don, Bros., farmers, near Outram, have lost a threshing mill, three stacks of straw, and a quantity of turnips. A barn full of sacks of grain was saved with difficulty. There was no insurance. The fire is believed to have been caused by a child kindling some hedge trimming. Wellington, September 16.

The two hotel absconders, Poppens and McGrath, returned last night by the Wakatipu from Sydney. Poppens was charged before the magistrate to-day, and remanded until Wednesday. Accused was unable to obtain bail. McGrath will be brought up tomorrow. Later—Peter McGrath, defaulting hotelkeeper, was brought before the Court this morning and j udgment reserved until to-mor-row. Marton, September 16. A Maori was drowned whilst attempting to wade across the Rangitikei river on Saturday. His horse escaped.

Christchurch, Setember 16. The accident by which George Bishop was killed occurred through the herses becoming frightened at a calf on the road, and upsetting the coach. He leaves a wife and ten children. Invercargill, September 16. The boy Frank Marisco has been committed for trial on a charge of manslaghter. Tne accused threw a poker at his brother Joseph in a dark loom, and missed him, striking his brother Louis on the head, and he died from the effects. Hokitiki, September 16. In rhe Supreme Court case, Hughes and Maloney, for arson, Mr. Crow entered a nolle prosequi.