INVERCARGILL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 250, 14 November 1872, Page 8

INVERCARGILL.

(From our own Correspondent.)

As October advanced the weather improved, and although more heat and ]e*s wind would have been desirable, vegetation made fair progress. November has come in fine, and it is to be hoped we may have a better season for the crops than last one, which was unusually severe.

Sitting's of the District CouH; were held on Oct. I lth, when Michael Clear charged with attempted suicide, was discharged on finding two sureties in £100, for his appearance when called on. The only other criminal case was that of of John Christie, charged with being illegally at large, who got nine months added to his previous sentences. An appeal from the Warden's decision at Orepuki, tried before His Honor Judge Ward, will likely possess interest for many of your readers. Richard O'Brien turned the whole of a small creek into his race, which discharged into another creek. John Forbes lodged a complaint that O'Brien did not allow two sluice heads of water to flow in its natural channel, in accordance with the Goldfields Act, and the Warden decided in complainant's favor. O'Brien being thus deprived of the fruits of his labor — the creek not usually containing two slu'ee heads, appealed against the Warden's decision. The case hinged on the construction to be put upon the "words for genen.l purposes," as the evidence showed that plenty of water was available for domestic purposes, and that Forbes merely wanted the water to sluice with. His Honor upset the Warden's decision, and reinstated O'Brien, a judgment evidently in accordance with equity. Instead of offering a premium for the best entire, as last year, the directors of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, decided merely to have a walking show, which was held in the yards of the Association ou the 12th Oct. In addition to the local horses, .there were shown Lord Raglan, winner of the premium and first prize last year, Dan O'Connell from the Lakes district, and Sir Colin Campbell, a recent importation from Tasmania, so that the farmers have a choice of draught sires. It is seldom events of a sensational nature occur here, but a shocking tragedy was enacted on the 16th Oct., when Mrs Whittinjj the wife of a Ger-

man setder, residing about three miles from Invercargill, without showing previous symptoms of derangement, threw three of her youngest children into the Waikivi river. Augustus aged 9, got out, and ran home, but Frederic 8 years, Carl 4, and John 10 months, were drowned. At the inquest on the bodies, a verdict of wilful murder was returned agaimt Caroline Whittiug. Doubtless she -wai insane, although no medical evidence has- yet been, taken on this point.

At a meeting of the Municipal Council, the offers to supply the town with gas were considered, and after a discussion, the resolution "That this Council having taken into consideration the question'of gas supply, is of opinion that the Corporation should undertake the formation of a gas factory, upon its own -responsibility," was passed. The leases of a number of Municipal Council Recti6ns previously unlet, have been put up by anction, and the amount obtained will assist the revenue, which for the current year 18 estimated at £2200, exclusive of Garden Reserves fund.

The railway committee,after a year's existence, called a public meeting, and laid a report before it. After the report r was adopted, and members of committee thanked for past exertions, they were re-elected with an addition totheirnumber, to continue their efforts forl the. construction of Kingston railway, 1 &c:

All t;l)G avaimMr labor \f heing emXJJpjred- on the Mataura- iiftg, and if the

plant arrives in time, apparently the Woodlands section will be completed before next winter. Tho Rangitoto brought from Wellington a party of Messrs Brogden's men, with their families, in all 64 indivduals, who were temporarily accommodated in the immigrants barracks.