NEWS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 92, 30 January 1875, Page 6

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

Our readers will, no doubt, be pleased to learn that there is every probability of tho Hibernian Society having a thoroughly efficient brass band, to assist in the celebration of its second anniversaay. Ifc may be remembered that when the original St. Patrick's Band became the property of the citizens, under the name of the Provincial Band, it was provided that in the event of its being disbanded., the instalments, clothes, &c., had to bo handed over to the Mayor, who ia turn was bound to deliver them up to the first duly organised band making application therefor. D urine the past wesli aa advertisement appeared in the ' Gazette,' notifying the disbanding of the Provincial Band ; and the trustees of the Hibernian Society, having previously bought some twenty instruments, the private propsrbyof the members, made application to his Worship, and, having complied with all the necessary conditions, on Tuesday formally received into their possession all 1 theproperty lately held by the Provincial Band. The Hibernian Society, consequently, have now between thirty and forty excellent instruments, and, as we hear a number of the late band have expr issed a wish to join under tho new auspices, it is to be hoped that its services will be available on the anniversary cf Ireland's Patron Saint. We are pleased to observe that Mr. Sub-Inspector Mallard has boea promoted to the rank of Inspector. This well-deserved recognition of the services of Mr. Mallard will be heartily endorsed by all those to whom he is known, not only for the zeal and energy he has displayed in the exorcise of his duties, but for his uniform courtesy in their discharge. A recent arrival in the Colony, named Claffey, died last week at his residence at Kensington of typhus fever. The unfortunate man had been ailing for some time, but his friends refused to allow his removal to the Hospital, notwithstanding that there were four or five persons living in the same house, liable to the contagion. The relatives of the deceased had determined to hold a " wake," but, yielding to the advice of the Very J&ev. Father Coleinan, the burial took place the day after death. We have been requested to acknowledge the 'receipt — per Mr, John Mclnerney, of Inyercargill— of the following additional sudscriptions to the testimonial to the Vicar-General: — Mr. John McLoughnan, JCI Is ; Mr. John Maher,dßl. The usual quiet of the Water of Leith was somewhat disturbed on Saturday morning when it became known that a serious fracas had taken place, resulting in the stabbing of a man. It appears that a farmer named Holmes, assisted by a man in his employ named Walter, had been engag-ed killing pigs, when some words ensued which ended in a tussle. The struggle was carried on for some time, when Holmes fell to the ground declaring he had been stabbed. He was immediately assisted to the house, and Drs. Garland and Cole quickly summoned to his" assistance^ but from the first no hope of recovery was entertained". Walters was brought before the wounded man, whose depositions were taken before Mr. Pish, in which he declared Walters the man by whom he had received what he knew to be his death blow. Holmes lingered on till Sunday night, Avhen he" expired at eleven o'clock. He was a young man, scarcely twenty-five, and leaves a wife and one child. The accused is a German, between forty and fifty years of age. An inquest was held on the body on Tuesday before Dr. Hocken, the coroner, the jury, after a deliberation of almost two hours and a half returned a verdict of " Manslaughter." It is, however, rumored that the authorities are not satisfied with the verdict, and that the prisoner will be indicted for murder. The team selected to represent Otago in fchc forthcoming contest with the cricketers of Canterbury sailed on Monday in the s.s. Taranakij a large number of their friends mustering at the Railway station to see them off. At a special meeting of the team, which was held shortly before then* departure, Mr. Downes was unanimously chosen captain, Mr. W. Morrison elected umpire, and Mr. M. Cohou scor?r. In returning thanks for tho honor conferred upon him, the captain said he trusted the team would bring no discredit upon Otago, as he looked upon the victory as a certainty for them if they worked well together. t Asothee fire has to be added to the already lai'ge lisfc of those which have taken place but recently. ■ Afc an early hour ou Tuesday morning the premises occupied as a workshop by Messrs Hughes and Harvey, tinsmiths, Princes street, was discovered to be on fire, but fortunately the alarm was given at an early stage. Constable Doran, who wa3 tb.9 first to discover the flamos, took prompt measures, with the assistance of some bystandei-3, and, although the Brigade were ou the spot with their usual commendable promptitude, there was but little occasion for their services. As all the buildings contiguous are of wood, it is fortunate that the night was a calm one, or tho consequences might otherwise have been serious. THBlollowing special telegram from the Palmer, received from Mr. J. C. Browne, M.H.K., will, no doubt, be read with interest : — ■ There arc no fresh discoveries at the Palmer. The first workings are mostly worked out, and the ground at the new rush is all occupied. It is only just payable. The country is being woll prospected. Very little gold is coming down, and what there is is principally tho product of a few claims. The workings are confined to narrow runs in the beds of rock-bound creeks. Two men can work out a claim in three weeks. Provisions arc plentiful, and prices moderate. The quartz workings are suspended, and all claims protected for six months, waiting for machinery. Tho hot rainy season is now on, and fever is very prevnlent at Cooklown and on the mines. It is mpstly New Zealand arrivals who are attacked. Many are dying. There are no legally qualified medical practitionc *s at Cooktown or on the mines ; only Chinese and quacks arc practising. The hospital surgeon resident here has left for Sydney, 110 was receiving a fee of two guineas per

diem, and private practice, but refused to stay. All around Cooktown and along the Palmer roads graves are frequently met with, being scarcely out of sight the whole journey. No one Bhould think of coming before the end of March. The climate is good from April to November. A large extent of likely country is still unprospecLed. Large numbers of miners arrive by .every steamer. Fully one-half return sick, and many die. The passengers who arrived on Tuesday, per ship SopMa Joachim, do not appear to be satisfied with the treatment which they have received on the voyage. Several of them have complained to the representatives of the Press that immediately after Bailing the stores failed, and that during the last fortnight they ■were on board they had only received one ration of beef, weiging half a pound. As, however, we see the number of passengers reached but twenty, the vessel does not come under the provisions of the Passengers' Act, fifty being the required number to bring it under its provisions. It is, however, advisable that the matter should be sifted, as, if there be any truth in the charge, it is not at all creditable. Miss Aitken, the celebrated Scotch elocutionist, gave the inmates of the Lunatic Asylum a rich treat on Tuesday evening, in the shape of some of her choicest recitations, and for over two hours was she listened to with earnest attention by her auditory. As Miss Aitken takes her departure for the old country in a short time, one of the patients, in returning thanks for the pleasure afforded, on behalf of the patients wished her a hearty God speed on the voyage. Constable Hahtnett, while endeavoring to arrest a man for disorderlyjconductin Princes street, on Tuesday afternoon, was furiously assaulted, and received such injuries as necessitated medical attendance. It appears the prisoner, a man named Fogarty, succeeded in throwing the constable violently to the ground on his head, which, upon examination by Dr. Bakewell, was found to have resulted in concussion of the brain. One of a series of entertainments in aid of the Catholic schools was given in St. Patrick's Hall, Christchurch, on Thursday evening, January 21. Owing to the inclemency of the weather there was only a moderate attendance. The programme (says the 'Times') comprised overtures by Messrs Spensley, Bonnington, Wood, Tankard and Thompson ; songs by Mesdames Digby, Maskell, Oakes, Barry and Wood, Messrs Knox and Dunlop ; quartettes by Messrs Knox, Walcott, Bell and Dunlop ; pianoforte solo by Miss Kate Donelly ; pianoforte duet by the Misses Donnelly ; flute solo by Mr. W. Mardoii ; and harmonium solo by Mr. R. Parker. The items were all very well rendered, and elicited hearty applause. The unfortunate woman Kate Ryder, who was admitted to the Hospital suffering from injuries received by being thrown over a bank, died in that institution on Sunday. An inquest was held on the body on Monday, but no evidence could be elicited as to the perpetrator of the outrage, and the jury returned a verdict of " Manslaughter against some person unknown."