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Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 230, 27 April 1868, Page 2

As we stated on Saturday, the unfortunate man Nelson, died on the previous day, before it was possible to extricate him from the earth and slabs in the shaft, in which he was entombed. His body was brought down yesterday by a number of miners, nearly sixty in number, from Addison's Flat, where the accident occurred. Dr. Giles, the district coroner, held an inquest at once on the remains, and a verdict of accidental death was returned. It appeared from the evidence that deceased was a wellknown and respected miner, of considerable experience, and a foreigner. The shaft in which deceased met his death, was securely timbered. One of his mates had been down and had removed about four feet of the slabs from the bottom, when he went up to allow a staging to be put down After this was done and lashed, deceased went down and commenced work. He drew one set of slabs and the shaft looked dangerous and earth began to fall. Deceased seeing this, put his foot in the windlassrope, and got another rope down to haul the slabs up with, so that he might be prepared in case of a slip. He cut the battens of a second set, and just as he had dono this, the shaft gave way about ten feet over his head, and in a moment he was covered. The men on top instantly

hauled on the windlass, but could not get more than i turn or so, and immediately every assistance was rendered that *vas possible. It was, however, found impossible to rescue him by the old shaft, and a new one was instantly begun, and day and night fresh gangs of men labored without ceasing, but unfortunately without being able** to save the unfortunate man's life. The greatest credit is due to the miners in the neighborhood for the humane zeal they displayed, and the coroner a well-deserved compliment in his remarks. Deceased was buried immediately after the inquest, the whole of the miners following his remains to the grave.

The following explanation of the financial portion of the Province, and the better regulations that have been made for the conduct of business, is from the Nelson JExaminer :—" As far as the indebtedness of the province goes, it stands in about the same position as it did last year ; but the province is really in a far better financial position. At the former period, an expenditure was going forward on the West Coast which it was impossible to check, contracts being out for large works rendered necessary by the rapid development of the South-west Goldfields. Now the case is different. The revenue of the year is not forestalled, except by the overdraft spoken of, and from all the accounts having been made up to the close of the financial year at the end of last month, no outstanding account can hereafter turn up to derange the balance-sheet. As the public expenditure was formerly conducted, the Government could never say what its financial condition really was ; moneyorders given by heads of road parties were not reported, and nothing was known of them till presented for payment. In some cases this did not take place for several months after they were issued, so that claims on the Government were constantly being made of which nothing previously was known. This loose way of conducting business has been rectified, and a return is now made monthly of the orders issued, so that whether presented for payment or not, the Government can ascertain its liabilities."

It turns out, as was very generally surmised by those who were acquainted with the strict discipline which prevails on board a British man of war, that the report with reference to a second attempt in Sydney to assassinate H. K.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, t of foundation in truth. The Southern Gross gives the following version of the story: laborer, wishing to inspect the Galatea, borrowed the clothes of a bandsman of the regiment at present stationed at Sydney, and went on board, but was immediately challenged, and taken into custody, by the officer doing duty on deck. No weapons of any description were found upon him, and on being brought before the Water Police Magistrate next day, he was dismissed with a caution. The bandsman who had lent the clothes, however, was sentenced i to twenty-eight days' imprisonment. The trials of the political prisoners at Hokitika will take, place at the sittings of the Supreme Court which will commence on Monday, the 11th of May next. The following is the return complete : —William Joseph Larkin, William Melody, Jas. Clarke, John Manning, John Barrett, Thomas Harron, Dennis Hannon, are charged with riot; AVilliam Joseph Larkin and John Manning, seditious libel. As will be seen by advertisement, a meeting will be held this evening at the Apollo Music Hall, to consider Mr Kynnersley's report in reference to the late Addison's Flat disturbances. We have already expressed our opinion which the public here, with but few exceptions, coincide in. It is a matter of deep regret that such a report was ever written, for it has again stirred up ill-feeling that was rapidly subsiding. We hope that a memorial to the General Government will be adopted, praying for an inquiry, so that the people of New Zealand and elsewhere may be able, with some certainty, to judge between tho different versions that have been published. There was a rumor afloat on Saturday evening that another rush was likely to set in to Mokihinui, and that on the preceding day some large number of miner's rights had been taken out in consequence, at that place. That a little gold has been struck appears probable, but nothing at all to create a rush has transpired. At the same time we cordially hope some fresh ground may be opened there to revive its almost extinct vitality. We understand that Dr. Rockstrow, whose projected departure we referred to a short time ago, is about to be entertained by the Westport Lodge of Oddfellows at a farewell dinner, when

a gold medal, which has been prepared expressly for tho occasion, will be presented to him in testimony of their appreciation of his zealous services as medical officer to their body. Wo believe tbe dinner will be a public one—if so, many not connected with the.order will, we are sure, be present, as the doctor, during his residence here, has earned the hearty respect of his fellow-citizens.

Some of our returned prodigals are to hand from Queensland, and the accounts they give of the existing state of affairs is melancholy enough. Dr. Bruen is one who has come back, and we believe it is his intention to settle down again in Westport. Mr T. B. Smith, who is well-known both to Victorians and Otagans, has also put in an appearance, and his idea is that although things may be bad here, they are twenty times worse in the much vaunted Queensland El Dorado. A great many others are coming back, nearly all in fact who have the means. Many too late regret their folly in rushing hastily away, and can neither get work there or raise the passagemoney to get back to the coast with. It is to be hoped that the lessees of the coal-mine at the Mokihinui will display a little extra activity in opening up their mine, now that a regular demand on the part of the steamers has sprung up. One boat went on Saturday and another yesterday for a supply, but we fear one or other will have to wait, or the two will get but a portion of what they require. Only a week ago we were given to understand that preparations were completed for obtaining a constant supply, not only for steamers but for household use in Westport at a low rate. We shall be glad when such is really the case, and hope that it will be very shortly. The Ararat Advertiser gives the following account of a tragical occurrence which took place in Barkly street on Saturday, March 21st, at 1 a. m.: —Mr M'Cann, of the firm of M'Cann, Snoad, and Co., was, in company with an assistant, sleeping on the premises of the firm at the time alluded to, when the latter (Mr O'Connor) was roused about the hour named by hearing an unusual noise at one corner of the shop, and after listening intently for some time he became convinced that a burglar was trying to effect an entrance. He immediately got out of bed, and proceeded to Mr M'Cann's room, and informed him of the circumstance. M'Cann, who usually sleeps with a loaded revolver under his pillow, roused himself at once, and taking the pistol with him, they both silently proceeded to the shop in the direction of the spot where the noise was first heard. On reaching the place, the scratching ceased, when M'Cann told O'Connor to keep still, while he went over to the corner. Looking in the direction, he saw that an opening had been effected by the taking away of some boards, and that the robber was attempting to further enlarge the breach. Pointing his pistol in the direction, M'Cann fired, and almost immediately after, a man was heard to say, " I'm shot." The front door of the shop was then opened, and M'Cann, in company with O'Connor, rushed into the street, wdiere they saw a man lying on the ground at the right-of-way which runs past their premises. The noise of the report attracted a constable and other per,ons to the place, who discovered that the burglar had been shot, and was bleeding profusely from the mouth and nostrils. Dr Galbraith was immediately sent for, and on arriving he pronounced life extinct. The body was then removed by the police. A further examination showed the brace and bit which the man had been using upon the boards of the house lying close where he fell and one hole freshly made to assist him in taking away another board situated next to the opening which he had succeeded in making. At the further end of the right-of-way were found the man's boots, in which were thrust three brace-bits and a long carving knife. The appearance of the blood marks led to the conclusion that when first struck the robber ran towards the boots, probably with a view of escaping, and not knowing that he was mortally hit. He then, it is thought, returned with a view of gaining the street, but this is mere surmise. It is certain, however, that blood spots were traced at a considerable distance down the right-of-way, and that the man was found,with his head in a pool of blood, lying underneath the opening he had made. The post-mortem examination showed that the bullet had entered at the right shoulder of the deceased, penetrated the second rib, traversed the right lung, and lodged in the eighth dorsal vertebra. The deceased was identified by the groom at the Bull and Mouth Hotel, as John Williams, who had been working as second cook

for Mr Carter, at Glenisla Station. His arms were marked with letters branded after the manner of sailors; the right fore-arm bore the brand WW and lIL underneath, and his left fore-arm was marked with lIL. An inquest was held on the deceased, and tho juryfound a verdict tantamount to justifiable homicide.