TOWN NEWS OF THE WEEK.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 49, 9 December 1867, Page 3

TOWN NEWS OF THE WEEK.

Thursday, 6 a.m. The suicide of Mr S. Clark, on Friday last, who has for so many years held the position of Manager of the A. S. IN. Company, and who was held in high esteem hy all 'who knew him, threw a gloom: over all his friends an d the public generally here. An inquest-was held on the body on Saturday -►when from the evidence adduced it appeared that the deceased who had for some time previous been suffering from “ delirium tremens ” had on the ’Friday evening in the Colonial Hospital, standing before a looking-glass quite naked, with a penknife made an incision in his throat, and when-one of theinraates saw him, he was trying to enlarge the gash with his fingers. He died in ten minutes afterwards.

I notice'that your 'contemporary the “Independent is quietly attempting to throw “ cold water” on your railway project; doubtless, the Editor’s interests being more immediately interested in the progress of the West Coast as against Wairarapa is the real secret of this opposition, but whether the proprietor of the paper will find this course the best, especially considering the supporthe receives from your district - is a question best known to himself. Lawson Potts has been fined £SO for sly grog selling, and the Buckridge’s case has been adjourned until to-day. The boy Edwards has been discharged, there not being sufficient proof against him. At hlessrs. Bethune & Hunter’s sale at Government House, held yesterday afternoon, there was, nothstnnding the unpleasant weather, a large number of buvers who competed eagerly for the different lots brought to the, hammer. The prices realised ibr the stock, horses, and plate were highly/satisfactory; four milking cows selling at from £lO 10s to £l2 each,'young heifers at £4 a Head, and two -horses ;at ,£47 10s and £SO respectively. The plate also found ready purchasers at from 5s 3d. to 9s the ounce.

The man Wilson has been tried at Nelson before Justice Richmond for the murder of his mats Lennox and found guilty, although Mr Pitt in his defence made an able speech, yet the evidence was too strong as against him, not only in having' articles of the murdered man in his possession at the time of his arrest, but from all the circumstances ofthe case, the man being his mate and last seen in his company, together with the blood on the tent. His Honor in passing sentence made the following remarks;—

“ Prisoner, you have been found guilty of the crime of murder, a murder so foul and treacherous that one shudders as the circumstances present themselves—a murder committed upon no stranger, bu*’ on one who regarded you as a comrade and a friend, on one who was unarmed and unsuspecting. The act was a horrid one ; and we shudder to think of the ’ terrible blow by which you took your comrade’s life. The act was a horrid one, hut its horror is as nothing to the spectacle of a mind like yours, which could conceive and carry out such a deed. The law reserves for you the doom of death —for that prepare. But as some sign that you look for forgiveness and mercy from the inexhaustible fountain of mercy, I .hope you will revoke that false'declaration of innocence—for‘false I fully believe it to be—as a duty to the community, as well as to your own soul, and as a fit preparation, for death. As the mouth piece of the law of the land, which you have violated, it is my duty to pronounce -upon you its last sentence.”

•The people in Canterbury have aroused themselves, and the Clergy an'd Magistrates have determined’ to do their best to put a stop to the “Social Evil’” which has come to such a pitch in that province that it is not safe for a decent female to he out after sunset.

The following’ cases will he heard next Monday <at the Supreme Court, we have no cases as yet from your district, although you contributed your share last session :—Robert Shannon, robbery from the person (true bill'found. on the 2nd September); Robert arid Edmund Austin, indecent assault; W. H. Herring, forgery; Erir Mavvae and others, felony; Janies Phillips, larceny, two charges; John Sennox, rape; Wiremu Pakaka, obtaining money on false pretences. Mr Fox it is expected will be back by Christmas. He will meet probably at Panama his old collegue in politics here, Mr W. Fitzherbert. The meeting will be a novel one as no doubt Mr Fox will bring him to book for repeating in the House the conversation that took place in “chaff” at Auckland relative to the then financial position of the colony, and which has been looked upon by those who were present as paltry and contemptible especially as “ Fitz ” knew well at the time it was merely meant as one of Fox’s jokes. ■lt is feared here that the Government is taking a false step at present in selling the lands at Manawatu, money is hard to obtain, and those who would be really desirous of getlfng possessson of these lands—of settling on it arid populating that rich and fertile district are prohibited from so doing in consequence of having their money locked up in the Land on Deferred Payment Society, which Society it is expected will expire in March, arid themoney cireiilated. Would it not be best to wait “until"‘the Society is extinct and money more plentiful ? A dinner is to be given to-morrow evening to Mr Fitzherbert, previous to his departure for England on Sunday. The Dinner Committee consists of Mr J. Bridges. J. Martin, W. B. Rhodes, C. J. Pharazyn, R. Pharazyn arid E. Owen, The Duke of Edinburgh has arrived in Melbourne. He was received with great demonstration and the city was illuminated splendidly in honor of the occasion.

Messrs Brown and Campbell of Auckland have purchased 8000 acres of land between Wairoa and Taupo at 7|d per '•acre.

Mr W. Holmes who has for so many years filled the office of Chief Clerk in the. Land Office has been appointed Deputy Crown Lands Commissioner. His acquaintance with the necessary details and management of this department, together with l lis affability of manner qualify him admirably for the appointment, which gives general satisfaction..

Mr Foley, of-the'.Retreat Hotel has arrived iu Otago from Melbourne bringingwith him a number of wild beasts.

At the Hutt Market yesterday, horses varied from £6 to £22, and sheep averaged 8s per head.