VICTORIA.

Southland Times, Issue 1243, 26 April 1870, Page 3

VICTORIA.

! A successful balloon ascent' was made 'by Mr Gale from the Eastern Oval, Ballarat, on the 11th inst. The aeronaut, i after being in the air about half an hour, | descended safely at Mount Pleasant. The writs for the election of Ministers are issued. No opposition to their return is seriously contemplated. Mr Charles Mathews wag received with great applause on his first appearance at the Theatre Soyal, Melbourne, on the 9th inst. The house was full to overflowing, and the newspapers are unanimous in describing the performances in the most flattering terms. The English pedestrians sailed for Sydney from Sandridge pier, on the 13th, by the s.s. Bangatira. The old carriers of Melbourne have held a meeting and resolved to subscribe for the erection of a monument over the grave of Mr "W. Jewell, the carrier who was killed by the late explosion of gunpowder on the Mansfield and Jamieson road. It is said that Tom Thumb will carry off £1000 by his six days' visit to Bendigo. His receipts in Sandhurst were £200a-day. "We take from the Benalla Ensign the following additional particulars of the late unfortunate gunpowder explosion at Martin's Grap : — " The noise of the explosion was distinctly heard not only at Mansfield, a distance of ten miles, but also at Preston station and several miles on the Melbourne side of Mansfield. The effects were almost incredible. The woodwork of the waggon entirely vanished, the only remains being the bed of one axle. The hind axle was found in pieces of from 6in. to a foot long, at distances varying from 100 to 200 yards from the scene of the explosion. The fragments of the wheel tires were found likewise twisted and smashed, and an iron bar belonging to the body of the waggon was found completely twisted round a tree (just as a man would tie a rope) 150 yards off. The shattered remains of the carrier were found at various distances from 100 to 250 yards from where the waggon stood, and in all directions. The head, which was found by itself, had the lower part completely, shattered, but was recognisable ; one leg frightfully mangled was discovered in a tree 40ft. from the ground, and 200 ft. from the starting point. A few other pieces, chiefly small scraps, including a portion of one arm, made up all that could be discovered of the unfortunate victim. The scene of the catastrophe presented a striking appearance the following day, and one likely to produce an indelible impression on the mind of the beholder. Indications of the calamity were to be met with at two miles and a half on the Mansfield side of the place ; fragments of large printed posters, 'part of the loading of the ill-fated waggon, were lying and flying in all directions ; a nearer approach showed the bush on fire all round ; and when within some 300 yards of the spot where the powder exploded, we observed the trees regularly festooned with stripes of smouldering calico, flannel, paper, etc., while the ground was profusely sprinkled with tea, starch, lollies, boots, socks, etc. Itis strange that although Jewell's loading included many cases of brandy, not a fragment of glass is discoverable around. The actual spot where the accident occurred 'is between two enormous trees. These have not only been totally denuded of their foliage, but completely stripped of - branches and limbs. They now stand, two bare and blackened stumps, dismal monuments of the mournful tragedy at Martin's Gap, with the remains of four dead horses

festering and rotting between them» The trees also bear the marks of beta* scored and bruised by the fragments of iron and other hard substances showered round. Altogether the scene presents * most sad and depressing appearance; the ground blackened with burnt grass, and trees scorched, mntilated, and leadeM* fluttering with tattered and # discolored rags> produce ft horrible impression. Several shoes belonging to the horses that were killed have been found at a distance of 200 yards from where the animals lay, having been blown from thoif feeV