Telegraphic.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3273, 3 August 1889, Page 2

Telegraphic.

Mining Excitement.

Keefton, August 2, There is greatexcitement here over the prospecting of the Scotia and Inkerman mines. Shares in the former have advanced to 12s Gd, and the latter to 15s and 15a Gd. Three months ago shares in each company were übout 3s. Largo bums have been mads by inventors, in somo cases thousands of pounds. Speculation is very rife, and the brokors are doiuga big business.

The Kaiiway Commissioners'

InVESCAUUIW., AugUSt .2. At a pieeting of the Chamber of Commerce, strongly unfavourable criticism was passed on the action of the Government in the appointment of the Eailway Commisioners, and an opinion was expressed that the Commissioners had done nothing to justify their existence; in fact, action had in some instances been retrograde and irritating. A motion was carried aslting tho Commissioners to restore the suburban fares. It was also resolved that the Government be asked to protest against the duty on cereals proposed by the "Victorian Government, as unfriendly to the sister colony,

Eighty Million Feet'of Kau: Burnt.

Auckland, August 2

It in estimated that seventy to eighty million feet of kauri timber trees have boon destroyed by firo in tho Puhipubi Forest last year.

Alleged Embezzlement.

Greyjioutu, August 2, George McWilliam, the wellknown coach driver for Mitchell and Campbell on the Grey-Reefton road for many years, was charged _ on information with embezzling various sums of money before the dissolution of tho firm. There were six charges in all. Tho first was dismissed from insufficient evidence. On two charges the accused pleaded not guilty, two charges were withdrawn, and it is doubtful whether the other ono will be proceeded with further. MoWilliams stands remanded until tomorrow morning, being admitted to bail, himself in £SO and two sureties of £25 each. There is great local interest in tho case. Greymouth, Saturday.

George McWilliam this morning was commitjod for trial at Hokitika. Bail was allowed and forthcoming. On another charge he was remanded to Saturday next.

lasterton Town Lands Trui

The ordinary monthly meeting oi ihe Trustees was held last night, Present: Messrs W. Lowes (Chair.

man), Galloway, McEwen and Beiiall Tho minutes of the last ordinary meeting, and a special meeting to consider the new Bill, were read. The new iiiLL. Mr Galloway said before the minutes of the special meeting were confirmed lie would like to point out there were certain amendments in the Trust Bill that were made with-

out being formally put to the meal ing and adopted. The Chairman said at the meetinj referred to each clause was read am discussed, and it was agreed at M

Carter's suggestion, that to avoid a division on eacli clause, where no amendment was made they should become part of the Bill without being put to tho vote. There was a majority of five to two on the portion. Mr Galloway objected to in their favor. The disqualification clause only affected llr Galloway and Mr Perry as lessees.

Mr Galloway said he was not referring to that portion of the Bill, Being a lessee he abstained from exercising his yote. In fact he agreed with it. What lie had in his mind was the funds arising from the

three acres, This fund had been diverted from the picnics and prizes and awarded to scholarships, The Chairman said Messrs Graham McEwen, Kenall and himself were in favor of it.

Mr Benall pointed out to 31 Galloway that the Trustees hai nothing to do with the Bill as regardei the foundation of the Trust, The] could not alter that. Mr Carter Mr Jackson and himself were till donors of the land being the persons in whom the lands were originallj vested. For his own part ho was sorry to see .the funds set aside foi scholarships. Only a limited number jould participate in them, and all the inhabitants had the right to them. He had dpolien to Mr Carter himsell md endeavoured to iuduco him to 'orego scholarships, but he was firm, irid as he had done a great deal for hem lie (Mr Senall) gave way to ijiji pyjjj.' it. He considered the n putting the Bill about, If the ?rußt had been properly "managed rqm the first a good income would low be pdming in from the lands. The Chairman Bug Mi Galloway's

proper time for raising objections was at. tlic special meeting, not after tlie Bill was before Parliament and had been advertised in the 'local papers. Mr Galloway sail the Chairman, Mr Renall and Mr Carter controlled the mteting. The Chairman said he controlled the meeting as Chairman, The only alteration made was catting out prizes and picnics, The Bill then remained as passed by the public meeting, Mr Benall said he came to that meeting with Mr Carter, understanding the Trustees were not going to alter the foundation of the Trust in the proposed Bill, Mr McEwen said when he attended the meeting it was with the same impression as Mr Galloway, that the Trustees were going to deal with the Bill, His mind was, lowever, disabused of that idea after

bearing Mr Carter. Mr Galloway said the onus of submitting the Bill in ita present form rested with Messrs Renall and Carter for good or bad. After some further disoussion 'it was resolved that the minutes be confirmed, FINANCE. The Treasurer reported a credit balance of £4l Gs 7d. ANNUAL GRiNTS. ' A letter of thanks was read from Bev J. McKenna for grant to Roman Catholic sohool and an application made for the first instalmentOrdered to be paid. Tho secretary of the Mastertoo School Committee applied for payment of the first half of the annual giant.—Agreed to. _ ] ' The Masterton and Ferflridge ' School Committees applied for ' balance of funds available after the picnic fund was paid, for the purpose of paying for prizes. Mr Galloway proposed that the balanco be divided pro rata between the two schools.

Mr McEwen seconded the motion. The Chairman said there was one

little difficulty which suggested itself on reading the letter of tJie Mastei'ton Sdiool Committee. He would ljlie

to know whether the money asked for was for prizes to be given for next examination—that was, for the ourrent year or for last year. His opinion was that they could not vote a retrospective sum. The letter said " to pay for prizes," not to purchase them.

Mr Renall suggested that flic question be left over, Ho asked what the money was wanted for. Mr Galloway said Mr Renall, being chairman of the School Committee, should know. Mr McEwen said he believed the

money was to pay for last year's

prizes. The Chairman: Then we have no authority to pay it.

The Fernridge application was next considered. They applied foi £25 out of tho general fund foi requirements; also for a fair propor-

tion of the special fund for prizes, Mr Renall: They are not in the same mess as we (Masterton Com-, mittoe) are, then ? The Chairman: No; the prizes are lor next examination.

Mr McEwen moved that tho sum of j£2o be granted to the Fernridge school) the same as the last annual grant.

Tho Chairman said there was the question of a grant for special prizes to deal with, in answer to the application of the Fernridge School Committee, The balance in tho hands of tho Trustees .to credit of the special fund for picnics and prizes was £34' odd. Mr Galloway said this fund was for the children of the schools and he should press his motion that the balance be paid to tho two schools

prorata. The picnic had been held in accordance with the act. The Committee now applied for the prize money, and they should get it. The Chairman again pointed out that the prize money could not be voted retrospectively. Mr Renall moved That tho question stand over till next meeting. —Carried. WRONGLY SAJIEB. The Clerk drew attention to an error in tho title of the certificate of transfer of ten acres of reserve from the School Commissioner to the : Trustees. The certificate was made out to tho '• Trustees" under the Greytown and Masterton Town , Lands Management Act, 1871, instead of the" Masterton Trustees" under that Act. , The Secretary was instructed to write to Messrs Chapman and Fitz- [ cjerald and have it put right. GENERAL, . An account sales from Messrs [ Lowes & lorns of leases sold by ; auction was read,

i A telegram was read from Sir G. Grey stating he would undertake tho now Bill, and that there was time to • get it through this session, ) THE SPUING WATER SUPPLY. t The Secretary of the Masterton \ School submitted the terms upon - which Mr Walter Perry would give . a water right to the school, and asked the Trustees to consider it » with a view to a special meeting of I the School Committee being held for r the purpose of submitting the quesa tion to the School Board. 3 Tho agreement proposed to be J submitted for signature between g Mr Perry and the Education Board ■- was read, the lease to be for a term r of 999 years at an annual payment •. of one shilling per annum when y demanded. y The Chairman said the proposal appeared to bo very satisfactory, and it if the Education Board agreed to it [, the Trustees lie thoughtmightpay the n sura voted. Ie Mr Galloway moved that the terms is submitted by Mr Perry aro satisfacio tory to the Trustees. He thought n the School Committeo were to be ;s congratulated upon gelling such very favorable terms from Mr' Perry, ii MrMcEwan seconded the motion in which was carried. Mr Kenall said he understood the r„ nollmoto for f.lin wnrl; wns £4/5. t.lmf,

estimate lar tue worn was tio, mat was £ls in excess of the first estimate. The Chairman said there was nothing before . them to that effect. All they had to deal with was the sum voted, viz., £ls. SCHOOL OF DESIGN. The Rev W. E. Paige, chairman of Committee, submitted a report of the School of Design and statement of expenditure of the £25 granted by the Trustees to tho Committee last year, The number of scholars on the roll was fifteen, six of whom attended the Evening Class, and one more would join next week. The school was showing signs of progress, and the Committee hoped tho Trustees would see their way to continuing jihe annual grant. The receipts were two quarters grant from Trustees" paid to Mr. Rowlatt, treasurer, £l2'los; one quarter paid to Mr Yop Stunner, £6 ss; and one

quarter paid to Mr Paige, £6 os; paid by Committee, £1 17a 9d. Disbursements. Stationery Bs,

carriage, &0,, £l2s lid; fittings, £2 12s; cartage from Wellington and packing, 128 Cd; circulars, 15a 9d', matting, £1 16s; advertising, £4 lis; rent, £5. Retained by Mr Rowlatt, ;0D 9s 7d, Total, £2fi 17s

yd. . The Chairman said he thought the Borough Council might well remit the item for rent, .£5, considering tho a nhinp.t,.

Mr Renall said he very much doubledwhether they could remit such a payment, but they might give the use of tho room free of cost in future.

The Secretary said tho rent included gas. . The Chairman said it was a most extraordinary thing more young people did not take advantago of such a useful institution. It was resolved that tlio grant bo continued to tho end of tho year. Sundries. It was resolved that Mr W. Darloy be allowed to retain bis grass- ( ing paddock for another year at tho same reut as he was now paying. The defaulters list was read, ami tho Secretary instructed to serve notices in several cases. This concluded the business. Masterton Philharmonic SocietyTho following report for the half year ending 81st July, 1889, was presented to the meeting of the Society last Wednesdayln pre-. senting the third half yearly report and .r balance-sheet of the Masterton Philharmonic Society, your Committee have again to congratulate the Society on its sound financial position. Tho Society now numbers fifty-three members (of whom 22 are ladies and 81 gentlemen), two subscribers, and an orchestra of nine. Your Committee have met for business eleven times during the halfyear. Two peformances of "The Pirates of Penzance" were given by the Society during the half year, which woro pronounced alike by tho . ( press and the pablio to be the best , performances of the kind given in

Masterton, The time apparently consumed m preparing this work for the stage, is accounted for by the fact that during the three months following the performance of "H.M.S. Pinafore," Romberg's Lay ot the Bell" was in rehearsal, but had to bo shelved owing to the lack of interest taken iji it by the members. In accordance with a requisition from the members, the " Pirates of {M. v Penzance" was repeated on the 25th

Juno, us a complimentary performance to the conductor, Mr Keisenberg. The Society is now preparing a miscellaneous concert to be given at an early date, but owing to the severe illness of the conductor, and the lukewarmness of the members,

much progress has not been made. The receipts during the half year amount to £% la Bd, and the expenditure to £7115s Od, leaving a credit balauco in the Bank of £2l lis lid. The assets of the Society are valued at £B4 10s Bd, and the liabilities are "nil." In conclusion your committee desires to ' W thank Mrs Paige most heartily for her services as pianiste to the Society, and Mr Keisenberg for his services as conductor.

A TERRIBLE MURDER. A shocking crimo, which for soma ays Ims been regarded as a mystery i Melbourne, but which has now een successfully traced homo to erpotrator, has occurred in the", iburb of Carlton, On Wednesday ist a bad smell was noticed in the icinity of it small houso which had ir some time previously been occuied by a woman named Annie 'hornton, and as the place had been Dclied up for days, and nothing had een seen of the woman, the police ?ere communicated with, Constables !anfield and Frawley, who were ommissioned to inquire into the latter, lifted a small hoy over the jnce of the backyard to open the ;ate, anil his services were afterwards ailed into requisition to enter the louse. He was lifted through the ledroom window, but no sooner was le in the room than he scroamed pith fright, as he found a dead ™ roman lying on tho floor. Constable f rawley then clambered through tho rimloiv and opened the door, At ho foot of the bed, lying on the . loor, they found the murdered pornaa She hail evidently been dead omo time, In tho deep gashes in , ior throat a blue mouldy growth had ollcctcd, and her features were lmost unrecognisable. She was. ressed in a black walking dress, ,'liich had apparently been only rosely thrown on, as but fow of the aittona had been fastened. Over his sho woro a small check walking icket, which was also unbuttoned. 'ho vest of her garments wore found 1 a heap at the bottom of the bed. ler head lay close to the dressingable, on which was spread out in a onspicuous manner a corlificato of a larriage celebrated before tho legistrar of Marriages at North Iclbourno on July 17th, 1882, otwecii Henry Thornton, a blackmith, aged twenty-six, and Annie lorrie, aged twenty-two. At the ide of the body was lound tho * redding ring, which she had vidently worn. It had been removed from her finger and placed pon the floor. Under tho head here was a large pool of dried blood, iid in the corner a large sized, Dwel, which had been aturated with blood. I'lio basin on lie washstand was half full of bloodtained water, showing that tho inrderer had washed his hands efore leaving the place. On the andle of the front door, however, mall blood stains were found, hioh would seem to indicate aat the murderer had gone ut in this way, and had failed in his itention to remove all traces of his rime. There were no signs of a iruggle in the none of the eighbors had heard 'any screams jming from the houso at any time, 'he body was undisturbed, and the Btectives were communicated with, ub inspector Thomas and Detective U'geants Whitney and O'Donnell [towards visited the place in comany with Dr O'Brien, who was illed in. From a cursory examina- ® on which the doctor made of the - 3dy, he gaye it as his opinion that Lurder had unquestionably been mimitted. There wero five or siju ounds on either side of the ne<i3l ;iy one of which would have been ifficient to cause death, Thoy had een done with a sharp instrument, nd could possibly have been inflicted ith a keen penknife. From the irection in which the blood seemed ) have spurted, he was led to the alief that the murderer must have uelt upon tho woman's chest while o cut her throat, Two empty eer bottles were found in tho room, idsome glasses which still contained ier. • Until Saturday the police <;qis|

$ get no clue as to who tlio murderer was. In tlio first instance the murdovod woman's husband, was Buspected, aud a warrant was issued for his arrest, but lie was ablo to show that ho had left her some time ago, and had been residing at Ballarat. For somo time she had been recognised as 0110 of tlio degraded women of the town, but as she had at different times consorted with paramours, investigations were jTinwle next in regard to them. No "®ftjvidence was forthcoming against thorn, and the supposition was beginning to prevail that oho murder was tlio work of a fiend like" Jack the Kipper," Oil Saturday, however the flolico wero communicated with by M'isb Polo, tlio daughter of a tobacconist in Flinders-street, who lmd received as a present a silver bracelet inscribed "Maggie O'Neale," from Phillip Costello, a cook employed at ft neighboring restaurant, The detectives know that the diceased had been in the liabitof wearing such a bracelet, and thoy at once *4 prcoaeded to the restaurant, and examined Costello'ni'oom. Soveralarticles of jewollory wero found, and on a shelf a medium-sized double-blad«d pen-knife, the main blade of which was as keen as a razor, and boro traces of having been recently sharpened, A wliito waistcoat stained with blood and a coat, the sleevolining of which was also besmeared with blood were found in the room. All tlioso Costello chimed, and J ted that tho blood stains had in caused by his carrying raw meat. This explanation was considered unsatisfactory, and bo was then arrested. On the way to tho city watch house, whero ho was subsequently locked up, ho made a voluntary statement to the detectives, in which he admitted his guilt. He said that he had met the deceased in the street, and in response to her solicitations consented to go home with her to her cottago in Carlton. When they arrived there they had some beer, and afterwards they quarrelled, Deceased struck him in • tho face, and this enraged him. Ho / drew his penknife and stabbed her in the neck, and then cut her throat At this time ho had his coat off, but he put it on beforo washing his hands, and this accounted for tho smeers on the insido of tho sleeves. His shirt was badly stained; but when his coat was buttoned up this was not noticeablo, so he removed his collar, which was badly marked, took all her jewellery, and left the houso, locking jpfio door behind him, .Ho made no statement as to how the marriage certificate came to be spread out on the table, but it is now supposed that in his search for plunder lie took it out of her purse, and being a foreigner, was unable to understand if it had any. commercial value or not, and that his curiosity, oven in such torriblo surroundings, was so great as to induce him to spread it out in order that he might examine it carefully. H e took the keys of tho doors with him, and throw them away whon he had gone some little distance from the house. He y admitted that a watch aud ring which had been found lmd belonged to tho deceased, and that bo had taken the rings from her fingers after Jie had killed her. Beforo he reached his room at tho restaurant ho had thrown away his bloodstained shirt, but he did not like to discard his othor clothes, for ho fhought that he might account lor the marks upon them by stating yjathohad got them whilst carrj%g raw meat, Ho declined to say anything further about the matter. He is a native of Manilla, and a misorablo looking individual, with a , distinctly Chinese cast of counten- I ance, He is very little over five feet, i in height, but wiry in frame. His complexion is sallow and pockmarked, his oyes small and cunning, his lips thick and sensuous, and his general repugnance of appearance is intensified by masses of long, black, lifeless looking hair, He is only twentyyears of age, and has been in the colony about three years. He understands English well, and speaks it with considerable fluency. He lenowj that he was born m Manilla, but is ablo to give little or no information as to bis parentage, and tho fixing of his nationality would be a very difficult matter. He is, however, tho most, unlikely looking character to be suspected of having committed such a brutal murder, but all things now point to him as the i tailprit, independent of his own confession of guilt.

lii tlio country districts ot England forty or fifty years ago, it was uniyorflally believed that tobacco smoko was a protection against fever. Nurses smoked at tho bedsido of fever patients, and friends were called in to tako a hygienic pipe in tho sick room. Tho suporstition has beon dissipated by tho known results of careful scientific investigations, It lias, however, boon revived in Florida by wio roportod fact that not a singlo cigar maker has beon attackod by yollow lever throughout the course ot tho epidemic which has ravaged Jacksonyillo bo terribly. The physician there, wo aro told, recommended tobacco smoking as n provontive, even women being .advised to tako an occasional cigarotto as a precautionary measuro. Fear kills more than infection, and in a boliver's >ynouth a pipe may bo an antidoto of fear. Another line of pets latoly in high vogue aeoms to be injuring Florida even moro than tho depletion ol tho mocking birds—that is, in a practical way. Tho alligators have beon caught at a rapid rato of late, not only in tho interests of Ttasty, but ns pots, and now it is discovered that they (ill a very important work in tho economy of nature. They aro natural scavengers for tho water they inhabit, working up tho surplus mud on tho river banks, and kcoping tho river bed cloar, and thus repairing tho damage dono by tho cattlo that come down to drink. Thus his threatened extinction lias discovered tho utility of tho living ulligator. Hithorto ho has been thought of uso only for his dead .kin,