THE Inangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1881.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 13 June 1881, Page 2

THE Inangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1881.

Mr Westton left for Grey Yalloy this morning. His Kcefton committee will meet this evening. The sitting of the Licensing Court has been adjourned until Friday next, when the magistrate's Court will also sit.

Owing to the length of our report of Mr Weston's meeting, a mass of other matter is held over.

It is announced that Mr FitzGerald's committee will meet this evening

A terrible accident occurred at the Riverdon Steel Works of Messrs Vickers, sons and Co,, Sheffield. While thirty labourers were dragging a large oval ladle from a furnace to '■he moulds in the melting-house, a part of the iron grating gave way, and the near rails upon which the waggon was running fell about 12 inches, causing the ladle to tilt suddenly to one side. The sudden tip caused about 25cwt of molten steel to splash out of the ladle, and fall upon several of the castingmen. The liquid steel spread all round the tramway, and there was fucli a cloud of steam that it was at first difficult to ascertain the extent of the accident. A labourer was however, observed striving to get out of the flames, nis clothes were entirely burned away, and he was horribly injured by the, fire. His fellow-workmen ran to him, wrapped their coats about him^and^saved him from instant death, but the doctors gave no hope of hi 8 recovery. As the steam cleared away, another casting-man was observed standing in the midst of the molten steel. In consequence of the great heat it was impossible to reach him at once, and there the man stood for some seconds burning to death, ap parently beyond aid. His clothes were entirely destroyed by the fire, and his body was terribly charred. Several attempts were made to rescue him, At length two men laid thick planks across the burning mass of metal and succeeded in dragging him away. The man was still alive, but the suffering he had undergone had evidently derarged his brain, and he soon died. Another labourer was also frightfully burned on the legs, and was taken to the infirmary.

The W ellington correspondent of the Lyttelton Times says :— ' In political circles the idea is gaining ground that the outcome of the forthcoming session will be the reconstruction of the Liberal party under a new leader, and Mr Ormond's name is freely mentioned in connection therewith. Amongst those best informed as to Mr Ormond's intentions it is known that one particular reason why ho has not lately taken a more prominent part in politics no longer exists.'

France is naturally very proud of the latest proof of her ability to raise a milliard loan without an effort ; but (remarks the Pall Mall Gazette), after all has been, said concerning the evidence whioii it affords of the wealth and credit of the Republic, this system of mdrfffirglng the income of posterity cannot be regarded with complacency * The money is wanted for carrying on the great public works designed by M. do Freycinet, over which the French Government propose to spend twenty millions a year for the next ten ypars. France already owes £940 000,000 and issue of the new loan, to say nothing of those which are to follow, will raise the national indebtedness to close upon a thousand millions sterling — a colossal burden for even the strongest shoulders. The proceeds of the new loan will be applied solely for the construction of rail** ways, canals, &c, but every fresh demonstration of the ease and rapidity with which France can fill her treasury will increase the anxiety with which she is watched by her neighbors across the eastern frontier. Is it not wonderful these neigbors are asking, moreover, whether it is all really destined for pubn lie works. Squatters in Victoria have publicly thanked Captain Raymond, of Invercargill, for introducing to their notice phosphorous poisoning and will ask the Government to substantially recognise his service. A Blenheim setter claims to have first used it in New Zealand.

On Monday last (says the Christchurch Telegraph of the Ist instant) a little boy about nine years of age, son of Mr D. Evans, of Wrterton, did not attend school as his parents thought he had done. On his father discovering that he had played truant, in the evening he threatened him, and went out in the garden to seek a chastising rod. He was only absent for a few minutes, but on his return the little boy, who was in his nightdress, had disappeared, and although searah parties have been out endeavoring to find him, no trace has been discovered as to his whereabouts. The night was wild and wet, and the worst forebodings are entertained.

The following, from an Exchange, is a ppecimen of the blasphemy which passes current with some for Liberalism. In sentiment it is well in accord with the views of the Nihilist faction in Russia :— We have been favoured with a copy of a colonial publication with the attractive title The Message of Life containing an article on the wreck of the Tararua, The following delightful sentiment is contained in the leading article. ' The eternal destiny of every one of those who found a watery grave has been scaled — for the believer, it is for heaven, and the glory of God ; for the unconverted sinner it is for hell and its unending torments. This is a fact that may be unpalatable for the friends of tho?e who perished, but it is the truth, and told in love.' The whole pronouncement of this prophet is very lovable no doubt. It will be seen that the God of this person is different from the Rev. David Sidey's. whose deity was a God of 'justice.' The one under notice seems to bo a God of vanity, whose glory is enhanced by the castastropho. How many Gods aro there altogether who have had a hand in this wreck ? They seem as numerous and as discordant as tho Gods of ancient

Greece

On the 27th April the enormous number of 36,000 rabbit skins were brought to BlenheLu

from the Awatero district, and one run holder states that on his station alone 51,000 rabbits have been destroyed in nine months.

During the next three years 7,oos,ooo acres of land in Otago, now held under pastoral lease or licer.se, will bo at the disposal of the Land Board.

The Education vote of the New South Wales Assembly for this year is £525,865. The present population of tho Colony of Tasmania, as^shown by the census to be 116,000. ■