CONTEMPORARY NEWS.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 174, 2 December 1892, Page 2

CONTEMPORARY NEWS.

A .special meeting of the New Zealand Vugby Union is to be held next week in Wellington to decide upon the course to be adopted in connection with the proposed tour of a representative team. Thursday was partially observed as a halfholiday at Christchurch. The ironmongers have announced that as other shops remain open on Saturday they must do so also, and that the exigencies of their business will not allow them to close on Thursday. It is reported that of the seventeen natives who own the Little Barrier, which it is proposed to set aside as a reserve for native birds; nine have signed the agreement to sell to the Government, and the remainder are expected to do so shortly. The recent proclamation forbidding the further cutting of forest on the island may expedite the process of signature. It is stated that Mr Freeman R. Jackson, a well-known and popular auctioneer, of WanJ ganui, is being pressed to consent to stand against the Premier at the next general election. Mr Jackson has'juat been elected Mayor. A young man, Allan Snow, was fatally injured at Colling wood on Thursday, death resulting in a short time. He was bush-falling when a falling branch struck him, knocking him down on an axe, which cut into the groin, and he bled to death. Attempts to staunch the blood were unavailing, and he was carried towards the township, but died on the way. Henry Martin, farmer, of Cheltenham, was killed last Friday while bush-falling. He leaves a widow and ten children. What was apparently a deliberate attempt at murder occurred about 4.30 on Saturday morning the victim being Mr J. L. Kirkbrdie, proprietor of the ‘ Evening Press,’ who was savagely attacked by a strange man while lying in bed. The instrument used was an ordinary carpenter’s hammer, and with this the assailant struck Mr Kirkbride a heavy blow on the forehead above the eye, smashing the frontal bone. Curiously, the blow did not stun him, and he jumped from bed and rushed at his assailant, following him outside the house as far as the gate, but wheu he had nearly caught him, he swooned, and the man got clean away. Medical assistance was then obtained, and the wound was dressed. Mr Kirkbride, who is conscious, but very much excited, says lie does not think he would be able to recognise the man. as he had his face blackened. He appeared, however, to be a young man It is believed the house was not entered for the sake of plunder, as a thorough examination shows that, nothing has been touched. The keys of one of the doors was placed under the mat for the servant to gain entrance in the morning, and the man must have been aware of this, as he got in by that door. The hammer was found on the verandah. Mr Kirkbride declares the man aimed for his temple but missed the mark. Detectives are investigating the affair. Mr Kirkbride’s wound is severe but not dangerous. The hammer is a small one. The servant did not sleep on the premises hut came early in the morning the key being left outside for her. The housekeeper gave the alarm to the police. Mr Kirkbride did not actually lose consciousness, bat when about to collar the man became dazed and says lie felt himself compelled to stand there inert, blood pouring down his face, while 'the fellow made his escape. The latter did not attempt to get away immediately but stopped crouching under the fence till he saw Kirkbride was powerless when he walked off. The Union Steamship Company has deelared a dividend of 6 per cent. At Gisborne a cyclone of considerable violence cut a track three chains wide along a portion of the Poverty Bay Flat at noon on Saturday, uprooting and breaking down trees, levelling several buildings, and doing considerable damage. Fragments of several sheds were carried over half a ruile. No one was hurt. The charge against William Powell for attempt to procure miscarriage on Fairley Jane Lucy Clarke came before the Supreme Court on Wednesday morning. During the hearing of the charge a number of onlookers occupied the portion of the Court allotted to the public, while there were several ladies seated in the gallery. The prosecutrix appeared in a weak state, and was allowed to sit down while giving her evidence. The jury were absent from Court over an hour, when they brought in a verdict of guilty against the prisoner. On being challenged, the prisoner swore before his Maker that ho had never used those instruments as sworn. His Honor, aldressing the prisoner, said he had no doubt about the justice of the verdict. He had not the least doubt he had been carrying on the practice for a number of years, and that it was a well-known place where women could go. The charge was second only in gravity to murder, and in fact it was a species of murder to prevent life from coming. His Honor then sentenced prisoner to ten years’ penal servitude. For a few seconds the prisoner did not appear to realise the sentence, but soon afterwards he broke down, and he almost fainted as the warders led him to the cells downstairs.