ACCIDENTS, FATALITIES, OFIENCES, ETC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1908, 25 June 1889, Page 4

ACCIDENTS, FATALITIES, OFIENCES, ETC.

Hongkong-, June 21. A fire, which raged for four days, destroyed the town of Lanchoo, China. Ten thousand people were rendered homeless, arid it is stated that the loss of life amounted, to the incredible number of 1200. Chicago, June 21. Burke has: not confessed to the murder of Cronin, as reported, and object* to his extradition. The Chicago police allege that Burke and Michael Corney, members of the Clan-Na-G-ael Society, were the actual murderers. Brisbane, June 21. A boat containing the captain and wife, stewardess, and nine of the crew of the barque Brazos arrived at "Woody Island, near Maryborough, yesterday. The party had been nine days at sea. The Brazos, which was bound from Newcastle to Hong Kong with a cargo of coal, was wrecked on a coral reef 500 miles north-east of Sandy Cape. Another boat, with the mate and five of the crew, is still missing, Melbourne, June 21. The man Stephens, who was arrested for the murder of the Chinaman m Boorke street, out of which several trials have already arisen, has been discharged. Auckland, June 20. Herman Obec, cabinetmaker, Hobson itreet, attempted suicide this morning. He cut a Revere, gash in his wrist with a razor. He left a letter disposing of his stock and a cheque to pay his debts. He had been drinking. The settlers of Great Barrier last Sunday found the body of John Tuckle, mate of the ketch Zillah, wrecked' on that island on June 2nd. Next day the body of John Zena, the master, was discovered. Henry Stevens died in the Hospital from injuries received by falling down an unprotected foundation in Hobson street. He was employed at the Britomart Hotel. He leaves a family. St. Petersburg, June 21. The town of Osbrog, in Southern Bussia, has been completely destroyed by fire, and thousands of people have been rendered homeless. London, June 22. Three British tourists, on a visit to Macedonia, were arrested and detained in prison for three days. At the inquest on the bodies of those killed in the railway accident at Armagh the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against six of the railway officials. "Wellington, June 23. An apprentice named "William Moreton, belonging to the ship East Lothian, lying in the stream, was drowned yesterday afternoon. He was sent on to the poop for the purpose of pulling a boat hanging astern up to the gangway, and being absent some time search was made. The body was observed sinking. An attempt was made at rescue, but without avail. Deceased was a son of a retired clergyman in Surrey, Christchfrch, June 21. Another cowardly assault has been committed in Lyttelton gaol. Prisoner Shine, alias Dennis Murphy, kicked another prisoaer, Charles Fowler, over the jaw with his heavy hobnailed boots, breaking it and inflicting deep flesh . wounds. The two men had quarrelled during the day, and Shine took this opportunity' of revenging himself. He is now in solitary confinement, and will be brought to trial. Shine.is a very old offender. "Wellington, June 21. Louis Chemis was again before the | Court to-day, on the charge of having murdered Thomas Hawkins on the 31st May. Edwin Henry Bradford, Government armourer, deposed that i he had examined the gun produced, and found a trace of soot iu one barrel, but not in the other. Both barrels were dirty. He thought the weapon had been recently discharged, but whether a week or a day before he \

could not say. He believed both barrels had not been fired on the same day. In.cross-examination the witness said if two shots were fired he thought they must have been from the same barrel. It would take about a minute to reload. William Skey, Government analyst, deposed that he examined the stiletto and sheath, and clothes taken from the accused's house, but found no trace of blood. John Tasker, a clerk in the Civil Service, produced several packets of newspapers, and scraps of papers which had been handed to him by the police, He also produced the papers which he had i received from Dr Cahill. The papers «nd fragments were of the Evening Post of November 17th, 1888, May 23rd and 31st, 1889. One of those papers was part of columns 1 and 2 of' the Post, and the other piece was a portion of columns 1 and 2, page 4. The first of these pieces fitted with the pieces of the exhibit handed to him by Constable Carroll. He found also that they fitted the pieces of paper handed to him by Dr Cahill. Among the pieces of handed to witness by Constable Carroll he found one which i fitted column 1 of page 4. Among the pieces handed to him by Inspector Thompson he found a portion of page 4, column 2. Witness had kept each packet separate, and would swear that the contents of each had not got mixed. In cross-examination the witness said a Post of May 31st was found in prisoner's house, but it was quite whole. Inspector Thompson, and j aeyeral other witness were examined, I

and accused was committed for trial The defence was reserved.