SHIPPING.

[by telegraph.] Lyttelton, To-day. Arrived— Kenilworth, brigantine, from Timaru.

(By Cable.)

Sydney, Oct. 26. Arrived—Wakatipu, from Wellington, Melbourne, Oct. 26. Sailed —Albion, yesterday, and Roto mahana, to-day, for New Zealand. Melbourne, To-day. The Arawata has arrived from the Bluff.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows: —

For Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m. 10 a. m., and sp. m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. For Timaru and South, at 6 a.m., 10 a.m., and 4.20 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, en Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Watertcn and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, Elgin, and Seafield, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 6 a.m.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office —

From Christchurch .and Rakaia at 10.25 a.m., 4.35 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.25 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.35 p.m. daily. Fr»m Temuka and Timaru at 10.15 a. m. 5.35 p.m., and 6.15 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge •n Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Wakanui, Elgin, and Seafield on Tuesdays and Fridays at 2.30 p.m.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

' ' AUCTION SALES. ‘ Saturday, October 30. Alfred Harrison, Sciopticon Lantern and Set of Slides. Monday, November 1. Alfred Harrison, at Mount Somers —Sale of Bankrupt Stock. Eleven o’clock. Tuesday, November 2. T. Bullock, on tlie homestead of Mr. George Lea Farm, House, Farm Stock, Furniture, &c. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. To-Night, Wednesday, October 27. Lecture, in the Templar Hall, by Mr. C. Williamson, at 8 o’clock. Saturday, October 30. Meeting at Railway Hotel, Winslow, re erection of saleyards, at 7 p. m. Monday, November, 1. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 5 p.m.]

The Ashburton Guardian. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1880. Yesterday’s Inquest.

There are those, doubtless, who, after reading the evidence given at the inquest held yesterday at Tinwald, will ask what on earth all the fuss was about, and what an inquest was held for at all. To this question there is a very sufficient answer. Rumors were afloat in the township of a kind that, had they any foundation in fact, would have been exceedingly injurious to the profes sional reputation of one of our local medical men, and would have placed him in the still worse position of a man guilty of manslaughter. With a view to elicit the facts this inquest has been held, and the result is one that, after all, was only to be expected by those who know the medical men practising in this district. The evidence showed that Dr. Stewart had not been in any way careless of his patient, but had been particularly attentive to him ; that he knew thoroughly what was the na ture of the wound, and how to treat it; thatthe treatment he gave the wound was thoroughly in accord with recognised surgical practice ; and the man having died was not due to any want of care, skill, or knowledge on his part. How suspicions of the doctor’s treatment of the patient arose, or with whom they originated, or even by whom they were entertained, are questions that were not gone into at the inquest, and there was perhaps no necessity that they should have. But the result is a perfectly satisfactory one, as it dis abuses the public mind of any suspicion whatever that a fellow-colonist was made a martyr to any incapacity on the part of a medical man in the district,

and clears the latter of any possible blame that might otherwise, in the absence of a public enquiry, have lain upon him in the minds of some. The inquest has certainly failed to show that Dr. Stewart departed in the least from the surgical treatment recognised in such cases as the one for which he was called in, and over which this inquest has been held. He has therefore come out of the inquest with a perfectly clean and uninjured reputation; and to do this when a doubt, however raised, lay in the public mind, the inquest was certainly called for, as it is of the first importance that a gentleman like a medical man, holding frequently the lives of human beings in his hands, should possess the utmost confidence of those who may call him to a sick bed.

The Agent-Generalship.

Either the financial state of the Colony is not nearly so bad as the Colonial Treasurer has represented, and the Government are not in earnest in their retrenchment, or they have not yet got rid of all the extravagant habits contracted by the rulers of the colony during the floating up and down of the money introduced by the great public works and immigration policy of Sir Julius Vogel. Now that the originator of that policy has elected to retain the position of profit which the Chairman ship of an important financial company gives, and to accept the alternative given him by our Government —namely, to resign the Agent-Generalship—we had thought that an opportunity would have been taken to dispense with the position of Agent-General altogether. But this has not been done ; instead, we find that Sir F. Dillon Beil has been appointed, at a salary less to be sure than that paid to Sir Julius Vogel, but still large enough to be too costly. Borrowing has ceased, and is not likely, or at least ought not, to be renewed for a long time; immigration, at the colony’s cost, is at an end, and there fore all reason for maintaining in Eng land a costly branch of the New Zea land Civil Service appears to have been removed. The colony is not in a posi tion to afford luxuries of this kind, and we are rather sorry that Government have not seen their way to do without the English establishment altogether. Sir F. Dillon Bell is to do all the work that Sir Julius Vogel has done hitherto, and is only to be paid for it ,£1,200, but this sum does not represent all the cost of the Agency in England, and as we said before, the English establishment is more costly to New Zealand than in its present circumstances New Zealand can afford.

The Irish Land League.

Our cablegrams of last night, taken in conjunction with those fuller ones that reach us via Australia, point to trouble of a severe kind looming in the near distance for Ireland. Argarian outrages have been more frequent, bolder, and more atrocious than ever, while the feeling of discontent more or less chronic in many parts of Ireland, has become more widespread than ever. The Land League is perhaps the strongest organisation of a political character that has ever been formed m the country, and one that, as it in creases, will possess a larger and more powerful influence than even Fenianism possessed in its most flourishing time. In the ranks of the Leaguers are found men of high standing, members of the House of Commons, and possessed of great influence in the cotunry. So great is the power the League is exercising, and the agitation it is raising, that Go vernment have deemed it necessary to step in and prosecute the leaders of the movement for conspiracy. These leaders include the famous Mr. Parnell, and others in the House of Commons, and from a cablegram giving the substance of a letter written by Mr. Foster, Chief Secretary of State, in which he refers to the state of the country, we gather that the con dition of Ireland is more alarming than is generally supposed. It is pain fully evident that a crisis is approach ing, and that though the very severest repressive measures may not, let us hope, be necessary, there is every evidence that England is on the brink of trouble with her sisterland of a kind that has not visited her for many many years.

“The Chimney Corner.” —In order to give a full report of the inquest on the body of the late Mr. MacLaughlin, we are compelled to hold over our usual portion of “The Disruption.” In this connection it may be mentioned that we have succeeded in obtaining a copy of the two chapters omitted some weeks back, and shall publish them, in order to com plete the story, at its conclusion. Tenders Accepted. —At the meeting of the Upper Ashburton Road Board, a report of which is held over, the following tenders were accepted :—For contract No. 88—Charles Smithell, 3s. per chain. Con tracts Nos. 89 and 90, George Soilings, 4d. per chain. The Dramatic Club. The Dramatic Club had as good an audience last night as has attended any of their representa tions for a long time. The lower part of the hall was well filled, and there was a moderate sprinkling of people in the dress circle. “ Josephine” was the first piece played, and it ran with greater smoothness than it did on the previous occasion on which it was put on the boards. The other piece was the farce of the “ Railway Bello,” in which those taking part kept up the fun very effectively. The orchestra was more than usually strong, and it is pleasing to note that the local string band is making good progress. Ashburton Racing Club. —The Com mittee of the Ashburton Racing Club met at Quill’s Commercial Hotel yesterday afternoon at four o’clock. Present— Messrs. Hugo Friedlander (in the chair), Stitt, Crisp, Digby, Scott, and Saunders. The Chairman directed attention to the description of a district horse appearing in the programme, and it was decided that a horse owned by a resident in the County on September Ist last, would be qualified to compete in the district races, notwith standing his absence from the County on that date. It was proposed by Mr. Stitt, and seconded by Mr. Scott, that the Farmers Plate race be confined to district horses. After a long discussion on the propriety of making any alteration in the advertised programme, Mr. Saunders moved as an amendment, that the Farmers Plate re main as advertised—an open race. On being put to the meeting, Mr Stitts proposition was carried, Messrs. Crisp and Saunders alone voting for the amendment. On the motion of Mr. Crisp, a cordial vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. H. P. Lance for his services as handicapper. The Secretary was instructed to make inquiries in reference to collection of sub scriptions and erection of a platform at the proposed railway siding.

Severe Frost. —-A severe frost in Christchurch last night did a lot of damage to the gardens in the city. Perjury. —A man named Michael Mur phy was committed for trial to-day by the Christchurch R.M. for perjury. District Court. —The clerk of the District Court announces the adjournment of the next sitting of the District Court from the Ist to the 2nd November. “ Alcohol —Is it a Necessity 1 ”—To night, in the Templar Hall, Mr. Henry Cape-Williamson delivers a lecture on the subject, “ Alcohol —Is it a necessity 1 ”

Amusements for the Race Week.— We understand that during the race and show week there will be entertainments given by the Fire Brigade and by the Amateur Dramatic Club.

“ High” Art. —The Dean of Melbourne has written a strong letter to the Exhibi tion Commissioners, complaining of certain indecent pictures sent in for exhibition. Inquest. —The inquest at Tinwald, on the body of John MacLauchlin, was held yesterday in the Tinwald Hotel. The sitting lasted till almost dark, and resulted in a verdict exonerating all parties from blame. A full report appears elsewhere. Caledonian Society. —A of the Directors of the Ashburton Caledonian Society was held in Quill’s Hotel last night, to draft a programme for the meeting on Boxing Day. A draft programme was drawn up for submission to a fuller meet ing, ■which was fixed to be held on Satur day next, in the same place.

The Cables. —The cable between Rio Grande and Monte Video is interrupted, and telegrams are sent by the best means possible. There is no change in tariff in consequence. Communication per cable between Porto Rico and St. Thomas, and with Antigua has been restored, as also on the Amoor route. From the 13th Oct. private telegrams in secret language are not allowed in the Ottoman territory. Sacrilege for Greenstone. Some ruffian has been digging up the graves in the Maori cemetery at Te Ore Ore, in the Wairarapa, to rob the coffins of the greenstone buried in them. This outrage has caused intense indignation amongst the natives.

The Eric tub Red, —ln the account of the wreck of the ship Eric the Red, near Cape Otway, it is stated that the vessel and cargo were valued at L 40,000. The amount realised at the sale of the wreck was L4lO.

An Ugly Visitor. — A Black snake, about 18 inches long, was found a short time ago in the lobby of the residence of Mr. Edward Smith, manager of the Com mercial Bank, Williamstown, Victoria. The cat was making a plaything of it.

Thf Telephone. —A remarkable in stance of telephony is exciting consider interest throughout South Australia, and and among the scientific world in particu lar. By means of an improved telephone, the Adelaide Post-office chimes have been clearly heard at Port Augusta, a distance of 240 miles.

Sugar from Corn. —A , company has been organised at Chicago, 111., with a capital of 600,000 dollars, to build a factory for making sugar from corn. Fifteen thousand bushels of corn will be used per day, and it is estimated that that amount of grain will enable them to pro duce 45,000 gallons of syrup, or 450,000 lbs. of sugar. Pleuro-Pneumonia. —Mr. Lewis, chief inspector for the Auckland cattle district, accompanied by Mr. Sharp, veterinary sur geon, has gone to examine the Waikato Land Asssciation’s estate, with a view to clearing it from the restrictions placed up on it some months ago for pleuro-pneu monia. The company claim that the estate is free from infection, and demand that cause shall be shown why it is still kept in quarantine. Manners. —lt appears that the intima tion of his dismissal from office that Judge Harvey received was by a curt telegram from the Minister of Justice. Talk of a “Black Wednesday” after that! Mr. Berry and his colleagues, though they had to dismiss civil servants, knew how to give intimation of their intentions. Would the colony have lost anything by the head of the department of justice being a little more polite? Manners are useful to others beside children. — Echo. The Biggest Horse in the World.— Colossus is the name that has been given to what is, so far as has been discovered, the largest horse in the world. The ani mal has just been brought to New York for Barnum’s new museum, from Buffalo. Colossus is 22 hands high, and a man to be able to stand on the ground and look over the highest part of his back would have to be 7|ft. tall, or like Chang, the Chinese giant. When he is in harness and “ checked up,” his ear tips are 10ft. above the level of his shoes. An Unfortunate Squirt.— ln the Nelson District Court a lad thirteen T years of age named Robert Hamilton, has re covered L 75 damages against J. P. Low, second pilot for that port, for injuries sustained last January, when the boy, whilst on the Government wharf, was scalded with steam and water from the waste-pipe of a small engine on the fore castle of the steamer Taiaroa, which defendant put in motion. A second action brought by the father of the lad, in which medical and other expenses and damages for loss of service were claimed, has just been settled by defendant paying L 25.

The Kyeburn Murderer. Official news has been received at Dunedin from Wellington that there will be no inter ference with the law in the case of All Lee. The prisoner is exceedingly quiet in his demeanor, but still asserts his innocence of the murder, saying whenever the sub ject is mentioned, “Mo no kill Misse Foung.” Prisoner will be informed through an interpreter that the sentence of death is to be carried out, and it will take effect within seven days after receipt of the statutory notice from his Excel lency, the administrator of the Govern ment. This notice may be expected to roach the sheriff about Thursday. The Waimate Plains Land. — A “Prac tical Farmer ” says—“ When land near Wanganui in a high state of cultivation (first class land) don’t pay, and would not fetch more than from LlO to Ll2 per acre at present, including homestead and all, it would be the height of madness to give L 5 or L 6 an acre for land at Waimate. I want 200 acres of good wild laud at from 20s. to 40s. per acre (and plenty too), and would not give more for the best land in Waimate. I think you will p.crree with me in saying that land bought at from 2s. 6d. to ss. per acre (as only members of the “ landshark fraternity can buy) is a far better spec, than going in for “fancy Waimates.” A Pacific Paradise. —The communists in New Caledonia seem to have been badly treated. The Paris correspondent of a contemporary writes : —“ In 1878, three prisoners arranged to escape ; the author ities were cognisant of the plot, and instead of nipping it in the bud, allowed it to take place. The agent, charged with the prevention, invited eight friends to witness how the game was shot, and to bring the bodies to the hospital. Thumb screws were employed to extort con fessions. One man—he is at present in Paris amnestied —was chained, hands be hind his back, to a wall, and remained m that position, day and night, for 22 days. Had to lap up his food like a dog. Mar riages between the condemned were only so many facilities for the wives becoming the mistresses of the officials, the hus band receiving the proceeds of the prosti tution. One patient was given carbolic acid for bark, and died ; another had a broken leg unset for three months.

CABLE NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN.

{Per Reuter's Agency.) A Drop/

Sydney, Oct. 26.

The suspension of Mr. Stephen, Under secretary for Lands, has terminated, and he has been removed to a slightly inferior position. The Gunga. Advices have been received from Levuka, dated October 9th, in which it is stated that the Gunga has not arrived, being four days overdue. It is, however, conjectured that her machinery has broken down. The Cup. Melbourne, Oct. 26. The betting on Mata, Progress, and Burleigh is now 8 to 1.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Asoociation.) Close up. Auckland, To-day.' The Board of Education, in conference with the City School Committee to-day resolved to diminish the floor space in schools to eight feet for each child, in view of enforcing the compulsory attend ance clause. A New Trial. At the Supreme Court a new trial was applied for in the case of the Bank of New South Wales v. the Royal Insurance Company. Tha application was-granted. Before his Constituents. Mr. Moss, M.H.R., made a strong speech in favor of local Government at Parnell last night, and received an unani mous vote of thanks and confidence. The Rumored Gold Discovery. Grahamstown, To-day. Warden Kenrick returned last evening from the Te Aroha, and says he is of opinion that gold bearing stone will be discovered, but there is nothing yet ,to justify a rush. Some stone was brought down to be tested to-day. At a meeting of miners, the following resolution was carried—“ That the Warden requested to protect the men’s ground for fourteen days to allow the native prospectors to find the lode ; 2. That nothing in the shape of a payable reef has yet been found to warrant the Warden granting a pro specting claim; 3. That the Warden be requested to proclaim the district a gold field, as loose specimens have been found in sufficient quantity to lead to the belief that reefs exist in the neighborhood.” A correspondent advises that lynching is de served for the statement that a reef had been found showing stone which yielded 200ozs. to the ton. Coming Strife. Wellington, To-day. The forthcoming Mayoral election is causing great interest. Three candidates are already announced. Smuggling. At the Magistrate’s Court an informa tion was heard against Dr. Hoadley, late of Waimate, for attempting to smuggle a roll of cloth ashore from the ship St. Leonards. The roll was being brought up the wharf late last night when the night watchman stopped him. A fine of L 25 was inflicted. A Stack Fire. Nelson, To-day. Mr. Jessop, of Hope, has had a stack of barley, valued at L2OO, destroyed by fire. An inquest will bo held, as it is supposed to be the work of an incendiary. The stack was partially insured in the Royal Insurance Company. A Parted Cable. A telegram from Gisborne states that the iron barque Lochnagar, which was loading there for London, parted her cable this morning, and now lies high and dry on the beach. The vessel and cargo have sustained no damage. Fire at Geraldine. Timaru, To-day. Mundell & Co. ’s auction mart and horse repository at Geraldine was burnt down at half past ten last evening. A large quantity of harness, feed, and a valuable horse belonging to Kennedy and Carter, who leased the premises, wore burned. The building was insured for L3OO, and the extra loss is estimated ot L7OO. The' lessees suffered heavily, being uninsured. The Timaru Show. The Agriculutural Show to-day is a big success. Fully three thousand people are on the grounds. The best prizes for sheep were awarded to P. H. Russell, and in wheat to James Guscott and Norman Lane. Jangler was adjudged the best thoroughbred stallion. Let Off. Dunedin, To-day. A man named. Cook, charged with criminally assaulting his child,, was dis charged. Going Away. The Rotomahana takes away, this after noon, 120 saloon and 55 steerage passen gers.

THE VICTORIAN BUDGET.

Fresh Taxation Proposed to meet

Deficiencies

(By cable, from Reuter's Agency.) Melbourne, Wednesday.

Mr. Berry haa introduced hia Budget in the Assembly last night. He showed that the revenue for the past financial year amounted to L 4,673,000, being L 654,000 below the estimate. The ex penditure for the year was L 5,063,000. The actual deficiencies at the close of the year were L 390,000, exclu sive of L 200,000 due on railway liquida tion account. The revenue shows the greatest decrease in customs, in land, and in the public and postal services. Mr. Berry estimates the revenue for the current financial year at L 4,910,000, and expenditure at L 5,130,000, and proposes new taxes on grain and maize of sixpence to oneshillingpercental,yielding L 18,000; on oils, sixpence per gallon, yielding L 10.500; on beer twopence per gallon, yielding L 60,000 ; on imported tobacco, two shillings to three per pound, yielding LIB,OOO ; and on colonial tobacco, a tax of one shilling per pound, yielding L 15,000. These new taxes, including revenue from land sales, are expected to realise L 156,000.

INQUEST AT TINWALD.

Complete Exoneration of Dr. Stewart.

Nearly three weeks ago, John Mac- Lauchlin, a man residing at Tinwald, met with an accident while chopping rails for a fence. The , adze he was using slipped in its descent on a black birch rail, glanced off the wood, and struck the inner side of his right leg, wounding him severely, and cutting one or two arteries. The man was attended to within an hour afterwards by Dr. Stewart, and for a week or more the wound appeared to be doing well, and healing up wonderfully. _ It then began to burst out bleeding again,’ doing so several times, and finally the limb mortified, and the patient died. Dr. Stewart brought in the other two medical men in the town ship to see the patient and to consult with himself on the case. The decision arrived at waft to amputate the leg in the hope of saving the man’s life. It was decided, however, by the patient and his friends not to have the operation performed at the time the doctors meant to do it if Mac- Lauchlin were strong enough, and the patient died on the 22nd inst. Rumors, from some cause or other, went abroad that the patient had been unskillfully treated, and in the interests of the public an inquest was held yesterday, which re sulted in the full exoneration of Dr. Stewart from aIP suspicion of either neglect, nnskillfulness, or professional ignorance. It is a matter of great importance, : especially in a district like this, that the medical men practising within it should have the fullest confidence of those who employ them, and, having this in view, we devote more space to the inquest than in ordi nary circumstances such a proceeding would obtain.

, The inquest was held yesterday, in the Tinwald Hotel, Mr. Guinness, R.M., being coroner, and Mr. J. C. Bell fore man of a jury of fourteen men. After the jury had - been sworn and viewed the body, • • • Sergeant .Felton said, that, in justice to Dr. Stewart,, it should be stated that rumors as to unskilful treatment by him in this Case had been abroad.’ The Coroner said the doctor would have full iiberty to’ put any questions to the witnesses he chose through the coroner. The "following evidence was then taken -

AgheS Travers—l am a daughter of the the deceased John MacLauchlin. I re member Thursday, the 7th of October. My father was chopping a rail on that day, and got cut with an adze (produced). The cut was on the right leg on the out side, just above the ancle. I think it was on the outside. I got cloths, and tried to stop'thc bipod, and also sent for Mr. Lewis. Dr. Stewart came to deceased about, an hour after the accident. He dressed the wound, and he-was in attendance on my father till he died. Dr. Stewart was several times sent for after the 7th October —on occasions when the wound burst out bleeding. My father was perfectly satis fied with Dr. : Stewart’s treatment of him. My father died on Friday, the 22nd, at 25 minutes to 12 in the forenoon. My father said the accident happened by the slipping of the adze while he was cutting the rail.

Francis Lewis, sworn, said —I am a veterinary surgeon, residing at Tinwald. 1 remember on Thursday, the 7th of October, .a daughter of John MacLauchlin came for mo, and I. wept to John MacLauchlin’s house. - I found him sitting'in a. chair, so weak and faint from loss of: Mood that he could not speak. There was much blood on the floor. I saw a wound inside MacLauchlin’s right leg. It. was a deep cut, and 1 put a ligature ‘ of tape round the leg, below the knee. I had to tear the trousers to do so. I also put a lump of tow over the wound, and a bandage. I advised them to send for a doctor, as the ■wound was a serious one, and Dr. Stewart came in about half an hour.. Dr. Stewart opened the wound again, and did something to it. Dr. Stewart told me to take the bandage off. I could not" say what the Dr. did to the wound while it was open, as I did not see, but after the wound had been opened Dr. Stewart sewed it up again. Dr. Stewart was sent for again on the 14th, and on the 17th I was sent for. The wound was bleeding, and had bled very much. The blood was oozing out of the bandages. I did not disturb the bandage, but put a ligature below the knee, with a pad in the hollow of the knee for the purpose of a compress. Dr. Stewart came while I wss there. He put two needles—one above and one below the wound. Dr. Stewart said the man was very weak, and if the bleeding broke out again the liklihood was that the man would not live. Previously to this day the Dr. said. he could not account for the wound breaking out bleed ing in this way after it had been healing up so well for a week. Francis Macbean Stewart, sworn, said —I am a duly qualified medical prac titioner, and reside in Ashburton. On the 7th of October last, I went to the house of deceased, John MacLauchlin. I found MacLauchlin sitting on a chair with his right leg bandaged up, and at his foot a large clot of blood, and a number of cloths thoroughly saturated with blood. I proceeded to remove the bandages with the help of Lewis, to see what state the wound was in, and if it was still bleeding. Blood was oozing out from one or two small arteries. I took them up with the forceps and twisted them—called torsion in medical language—which stopped the bleeding. I then sowed up the wound and put on water dressings, and a small bandage. By the time this was done, after putting MacLauchlin on the sofa, he fainted, but was easily brought to by giv ing him a little brandy and water, and sprinkling water in his face. After he re covered a little bit and came to, I left him, giving those in the house instructions what to do. The wound apparently healed up beautifully, and for a whole week it ap peared as if- he were never to have a bad symptom. About a week after the ac cident occurred he had an attack of cramp, which jerked the leg, and when that was done the bleeding came on. They sent for me, but when I got there the bleeding had stopped. I took the bandage off, and the blood oozing began again. I applied the perchlorido of iron, which stopped the bleeding. There was very little bleed ing after this till the Sunday after the ac cident, the 17th. They then sent over to tell me the wound was bleeding again. I went and found the bleeding had stopped, blit to prevent a recurrence, I used what is called acupressure. There was no bleeding after that for two days but what could be stopped by using a little perchloride of; iron. On Tuesday, 19th, Dr. Trevor saw the patient with me. On the Thursday (21st) I saw the patient, when gangrene arid mortification had set in. The same day both Drs. Trevor and Ross saw the patient. It was then decided that if the patient continued strong, and the friends were willing, the leg should be amputated next morning. Daring the night, -however* his friends made up their minds not to have the leg amputated. He died next day, about 12 o’clock noon. After he was dead I opened the wound, and found that it had mortified up towards the knee for five or six inches. By Sergeant Felton—The process of torsion is the proper one to use in such cases, to stop the bleeding of such arteries as were cut in this case, and the wound afterward to be sewn .up. The patient attributed the bursting but of the bleeding to an attack of cramp, which caused the l o ,v to jerk violently. I attribute the death of the patient to the ; mortification and excessive bleeding that followed the wound. I also have reason to believe that the wound had been probably poisoned by black birch. I have reason to believe that cases of blood-poisoning have arisen from black birch, and a leading surgeoh

in Canterbury bears out this opinion. The posterior tibial and possibly the peroneal artery, had been cut, but of this I am not certain. I attribute the bleeding on the 17th possibly to the mortification of the arteries. If mortification had taken place in the wound, of course it could not heal. There was no outward indication of mortification till the day before he died. In reference to Lewis’ evidence, and the remark he attributes to me, it is per fectly correct. I did think it was a remarkable thing for the bleeding to break out after doing so well for a whole week. MacLauchlin was a spare man, and temperate ; but I am told that on a previous occasion when his toe was wounded great difficulty had been experienced in stopping the bleeding. Dr. Trevor saw the patient at my request, with the object of gaining further advice. My belief then was that the patient’s chances were not so bright as they had been. ~ Dr. Trevor re commended the use of tincture of iron internally, and suggested that amputation might be necessary if the bleeding con tinued. On the 21st. Dr. Trevor, Dr. Ross, and myself saw MacLauchlin to gether, and we determined that if he did not mend the leg would be amputated. MacLauchlin was informed of this decision. Amputation might have saved life, but it was doubtful. The information that amputation was necessary as a last re source seemed to have a very depressing effect upon the patient. His friends con sented, but ultimately withdrew their consent. When I used acupressure, I did so because it was simpler, and be cause opening the wound to examine the arteries would have been fatal to the patient. As it was, the simpler process was sufficiently trying to him to endanger his life. Nothing that Lewis did could have been hurtful to the wound, but was beneficial. But for the precautions taken by Lewis, the probability is that Mac- Lauchlin would have bled to death. I first saw deceased in broad daylight. By Mr. J. 0. Bell—Mortification does not always progress at the same degree of rapidity. The extent of mortification at the time of death was not sufficient to cause death without the previous hemorr hage, but the mortification that was seen after death may have produced blood poisoning sufficient to cause death. By a Juror —MacLauchlin was 54 or 56 years of age. Had he been much younger his chances would have been better.

(The birch rail deceased had been cut ting was brought in, and examined by the Jury.) ... By the Coroner —A full nourishing diet was ordered for the patient, with brandy and port wine, to enable him to recover from the loss of blood he had sustained. James Ebeneze.r Trevor, sworn, said — I am a legally qualified medical man, and reside in Ashburton. Recognise the body of deceased as that of John MacLauch lin. Saw deceased on Tuesday, the 19th, with Dr. Stewart. There was a wound on the inside of deceased’s right leg, but I could only see a very little of it, as it was covered over with coagulated blood. From one corner, however, hemorrhage was stated to have taken place. The'patient was suffering from the loss of blood, and was generally depressed. Nothing was done while I was there because there was. no bleeding at the time. In certain cases torsion is a recognised surgical proceeding for injured arteries, but I really cannot say whether it w r as the proper course to follow in this case as I do not know’ what arteries were cut. Torsion is sufficient for small arteries, and where torsion is suffi cient to stop hemorrhage, the wound may be sewn up. I could not tell the extent of the wound, nor how far across the leg, nor how deep. By a present examination of the wound, I would be uncertain in any evidence required of me as to whether the proper practice had been used. Secondary hemorrhage is liable to break out in any case when a vessel is cut, and is one of the great dangers in all cases of amputation, &c. Acupressure is a method used for stopping hemorhage from arteries, also tying. On the 21st I saw the wound ; it was then shown to its entire extent. It would be such a wound as an adze would produce. I should think the wound w r as a clean cut, but cannot say .possibly. I advised amputation, in consultation with Drs. Stewart and Ross. It w’as the only possible chance of saving the man’s life, as mortification of the limb had taken place, probably caused by the supply of blood being stopped. Mortification is a common result when the vessels of the leg are injured, and more likely to result in the leg than in the arm. In torsion a clot of blood is supposed to form within the vessel but would not mortify if the blood were in a healthy state. A deep wound in the part of the leg where MacLauchlin was wounded would be a serious wound. By the Foreman —Small vessels will sometimes cause a very large amount of blood to be lost. By Mr. Corrigan—lf I were called in to see a person with a similar wound to that received by MacLauchlin, I should ascer tain how many arteries had besn severed. If it were two inches deep two large arteries would probably be severed. The second hemorrhage, seven days after the accident, referred to by Dr. Stewart was not an indication that mortification had taken place. When I first saw the wound, there was no mortification, but the wound looked so unhealthy, I was of opinion if hemorrhage occurred again amputation would be necessary. By the Foreman—Had there been then a tendency to mortification, nothing could have been done to arrest it. By a Juror—Secondary hemorrhage is always serious. By Dr. Stewart—Torsion has been suc cessfully applied to one of the largest arteries in the arm. If I were assured that the arteries to which torsion had been applied were small, and that there had been no hemorrhage for a week, 1 should conclude that the operation had been successful. There would be less irri tation from torsion than from tying—the silk itself would produce some irritation. Ligatures from small arteries often come away within seven days. Torsion is a per fectly right surgical practice applied to cutaneous arteries near the surface. I should consider it my duty to stop all the arteries I found bleed ing : and having satisfied myself that all the injured arteries were attended to, I would be justified in proceeding to sew up the wound. It would be no good to look in a mortified wound for a bleeding artery. I would consider Ericson as high a authority on surgery, and would respect his opinion when he says that when bleed ing has ceased, a wound is not to be irri tated by searching for wounded arteries. I have had no practice in the use of acu pressure. By Sergeant Felton—Splinters of black birch cause wounds that are very diffi cult to heal. William Graham Ross, sworn, said—l ani a legally qualified medical practitioner, ■residing in Ashburton. On the 27th inst. I visited John MacLauchlin, in company with Drs. Stewart and Trevor. On the inner side of the right leg there was a wound, at the junction of the middle and lower third. The superficial extent of the wound was taken notice of by me. A largo artery was secured by two needles, and that was how I knew that a large artery had been severed. It was the posterior tibial. It is the prinicpal artery of the leg in that part of the leg. 1 have no knowledge as to the depth of the wound, which was necessarily below the skin. The lower end of the cut was not closed, but two-thirds of the cut had the skin united mortification had taken place where the wound was not closed. A. consultation between us resulted in an opinion that amputation was the only thing that would give the man any chance at all for his life, because the pro bability was that the hemorrhage would

recur. Only the superficial mortification had taken place, but I could not, as a matter of fact, state how far it had ex tended. Torsion is a recognised surgical practice for small arteries —only for small arteries in my experience. The posterior tibial artery is not one to which I would apply torsion. Beyond looking at the wound and touching one of the needles I made no other examination of it. I ex amined the man himself as to his general condition. Dr. Stewart did not explain to me the nature of the wound. When arteries have been secured by torsion, and are of a size to which that process can be applied, they do not usually break out, unless the shock applied to them is un usually severe, when they will break out no matter how they are secured. Why amputation did not take place I was not told. The man seemed very much agitated when he heard he would have to lose his leg in order to save his life. From the appearance of the deceased I concluded he had suffered extreme hemorrhage. The depth of the posterior artery from the skin would be from an inch to an inch and a half. The two needles I saw secured the ends of the artery. By Dr. Stewart —I was informed of the nature of the case by Dr. Trevor. I have no personal experience of acupressure, but have seen it applied by good surgeons. Tension is a safe practice in small super ficial arteries. The absorption of the clot that plugs up the end of a severed artery would possibly cause secondary hemorr hage. There is such a thing as hemorr hagic diathesis, and a person will often bleed quite profusely from a small wound. I have no experience of poisoning from black birch. I am a licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons, Loudon. There is a difference between the teaching of that college on the subject of securing large arteries and that of the Edinburgh College. I have seen the Scotch practice. Dr. Stewart said that, in regard to this practice of torsion, he had seen Syme practice torsion on very large arteries, and this great surgeon practised both torsion and acupressure in connection with all his amputations ; and in ail the important amputations that he (Dr. Stewart) had seen performed within a wide radius of Edinburgh, both torsion and acupressure had been regularly used. The jury having expressed their desire to hear no more evidence, alleging that sufficient had been given to enable them to form a verdict, The Coroner addressed them, explain ing the law in relation to manslaughter, pointing out that if the facts, as brought out in the evidence were sufficient to show that the medical man had been guilty of any culpable neglect, unskillfulness, ig norance, or any other malpractice whatso ever in the treatment of the patient, a verdict of manslaughter ought to be brought in. If on the contrary the evi showed no such thing, then the verdict should be a complete exoneration of the medical attendant from any suspicion of blame, and they should pronounce very distinctly on the subject. After a short deliberation, the jury re turned a verdict to the effect “ That deceased died from the effects of a cut in the leg, accidentally inflicted by himself, and there is no evidence to show that he received improper treatment, surgical or otherwise. ”

Previous to the closing of the evidence, Dx\ Stewart testified to the care and atten tion bestowed on the patient by those in the house with him, and Mr. Low, a relative of deceased, stated that the Dr. had been unremitting in his attention to the wound.

Affairs in Ireland.

(By Cable lo Australian Papers. J London, Oct. 13.

There are signs of a reaction in Ireland against the Laud League. The indictment framed against some of the prominent members of the League for violent and seditious language has been approved. Four parsons suspected of the murder of Lord Mountmorres have been discharged. Agrarian outrages in the West of Ire land still continue. Strong reinforce ments of military and police have been sent to that part of the country, which is now under a state of martial law. The English journals impress strongly upon the Government the imperative duty of enforcing the law, and suppressing all attempts at disturbance. The Government are exhibiting a deter mination to act with rigor in the repres sion of disturbances in Ireland, and it is stated as probable that proceedings will be taken against some of the more prominent leaders of the laud leagues which have been formed throughout the country to resist the payment of rent, .and who have rendered themselves notorious by the violence of their. language. Mr. Forster, the Chief Secretary for Ireland, in response to an invitation to attend a banquet in Dublin, has written a letter, in which, while declining the honor, he sets forth the views of the Government upon the condition of the country. He states that they fully recognise that the situation is alarming. The agitation and consequent outrages throughout the South and West of Ireland having assumed pro portions which call for prompt and severe repression, the Government were fully determined to maintain order in the country, but he repudiated the suggestion that special coercive measures were neces sary, as he believed the power which the Government possessed woidd be sufficient to enable them to cope with the difficulty. At any rate, until the operation of the existing law was exhausted, he did not purpose having recourse to special legis lation. t‘ The agitation in the South and West of Ireland continues, and numerous outrages are reported to have occurred in Galway and Killarney. An attack was made upon Lohort Castle, but was beaten off. Oct. 18. A large meeting of the Irish inhabitants of Bradford was held there last evening, at which a number of speeches were de livered upon Irish grievances, and the con duct of the press in recommending repres sive measures was violently denounced. It is known that there are five Peers marked for shooting in Ireland. Mr. Parnell intends to revisit America, with a view to raising funds to continue the agitation in Ireland. The Land League are advancing funds for the de fence of the alleged murderers of Lord Mountmorres.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1880.



Special Advertisements. THE BEST VALUE FOR READY MONEY IS THE LIEN’S) CLOTHING (AND BOYS’) MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY, which can be purchased at their Retail Branches, now established all over New Zealand. The Garments are thoroughly shrunk. The Fit and Style are perfect. The Workmanship is equal to bespoke. The Trimmings are of superior quality and strength. The Tweeds are of the very best descrip tion. The Stock is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The tall, short, lean, and stout can be equally well fitted. The Goods are all marked in plain figures. The system of business is to exchange every article that does not give satis faction. And, in addition to all these advantages, you can purchase A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Mercery, Hats, Shirts, Ties, Scarfs, Bags, Portmanteaus, Rugs, and Blankets at Wholesale Prices. THOUSANDS OF DISCERNING CUSTOMERS Testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the Very Best Value for Ready Money. Ashburton Bkanch : EAST STREET. 910 c WM. SPARROW, Manager.



No Oath. —In France, since the aboli tion of the Empire, no oath has been ad ministered to the legislators, nor is there any formality as an equivalent. Umphm.—A lecturer on optics, in ex plaining the mechanism of the organ of vision, remarked, “Let any man gaze closely into his wife’s eyes, and he will see himself looking so exceedingly small that”—. Here the lecturer’s voice was drowned by shouts of laughter. A Torpedo fob Crows. —A Californian has invented a torpedo in the shape of a kernel of corn, which is designed for the beguilement of festive crows. As soon as the offensive crow takes hold of it it explodes and blows the top of his head off. Plain Language. —" When a Kentucky legislator appeals from the decision of. the Speaker, he never uses, such ambiguous language as “ I most respectfully appeal from the ruling of the chair,” No ; he remarks in the simple language of the south-west, “ Look hyar, yer pig-headed snipe! Wat I'argers ken back up. Draw yer weepins if yer ker to ; but if yer don’t back water on that ee’r decision down yer. go in yer tracks ! D’ye hear me ?”



Holloway’s Pills.—lmportant for the Delicate. —It is difficult to determine which is the more trying to the human constitution —the damp, cold days of the autumn and winter,or the keen, dry, easterly winds of springs Throughout the seasons good health may be maintained by occasional doses of Holloway’s Pills, which purify the blood and act as whole some stimulants to the skin, stomach, liver, bowels, and kidneys. This celebrated medicine needs but a fair trial to convince the ailing and desponding that it will restore and cheer them without danger, pain, or inconvenience, as by a timely recourse to them the first erring func tion maybe reclaimed, suffering may be soared and life saved.—AdVT.



Lost. LOST, on Saturday last, between Quinn’s shop and the bridge, a WHIP. Anyone bringing the same to the office of this Paper will be rewarded, and anyone keeping it after this date will be prosecuted. 406 Found. Found.— a five-feet rule. Owner can recover it by applying at Ihe Guardian office, and paying cost of advertisement. 384



Wanted- W ANTED—A Country. paper. HOUSEMAID for the Apply, office of this 388 WANTED, LADIES to Join the Amateur Dramatic Club and assist at the Christmas Pantomime. 328 WANTED KNOWN. SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. JW. M'RAE bogs to inform the , public that he has taken the above Stables from Mr. Bossenberg, and is making extensive repairs. Buggies and saddle horses on hire. Lowest prices and best attention. 908c—2860 Educational- PROFESSIONAL. MR. M'LAOHLAN, of the Wakanui School, is prepared to receive a limited number of Pupils for instruction on the Piano and Harmonium. • ■, 289 g Terms on Application. Tenders UPPER ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD. TENDERS are invited for the RE PAIRS and MAINTENANCE of all the Roads in this district for a term of three years ; each ward to be tendered for separately. Written tenders, endorsed, are to be sent in, addressed to the Chairman, not later than noon of MONDAY, the 29th day of November. : - The Clerk will be at the office every Thursday of each week, from nine to twelve o’clock a.m., to give the general ’ conditions and specifications of the work. ROBT. D. PULLAR, Clerk and Surveyor to the Board. Road Board Office, Westerfield, Oct. 27, 1880, 408 TENDERS. TENDERS WANTED, at once, for PLOUGHING, HARROWING, and ROLLING 400 Acres of Tussock Land for Turnips, on Westerfield Estate. Tenders to be opened at Westerfield oh the 30th October. _ E The whole of the work to be finished ■'* by the 20th December (or as may be agreed on). Breadth of furrow, 10 inches ; depth, 4 inches. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. . For particulars, apply at the Station. ■ 385 D. OLIVER. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. fJIENDERS are invited for : 1. Cartage of Cement from Methven Railway Station to Pudding HilL 2. Cartage of Shingle and Sand. K Specifications can be seen at Counw Council Office, Ashburton, and Tenders to be sent in by 10 a m. on Saturday, October. - %. By order, WILLIAM BAXTER, 379 County Engineer. Public Notices V. NOTICE. THE Next Sitting of the DISTRICT COURT has been ADJOURNED from Monday Ist to TUESDAY, 2nd November. By order, C. CAVENDISH HURRELL, 407 Clerk, District Court. V. R. NOTICE. THE NEXT SITTING of the District •{ Court will be held on MONDAY, the first day of November next, and on the first day of every succeeding month. By order C. CAVENDISH HURRELL, 399 Clerk District Court. TO SHEARERS. SHEARING will commence at Anaraa on MONDAY, November Ist. 387 W. S. PETERS. ASHBURTON AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION. rpHE ANNUAL SHOW OF STOCK, PRODUCE, IMPLEMENTS, &c., WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, 16th NOVEMBER. Entries must be made with the Secretary.. _■ not later than Tuesday, 9th November. Members will- oblige by forwarding their Subscriptions at an early date. GEORGE JAMESON, 326 Secretary. : Public Companies. THE NATIONAL MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRAL ASIA (LIMITED). Established 1869. Actuary and Secretary J. M. Templeton, F.I.A. The MOST LIBERAL and EQUIT ABLE OFFICE for Life Assurance in the Australasian Colonies. The best office for young men. Profits divided every three years. Offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Wellington, and Hobart Town. The New Zealand Branch—A LOCAL ' INSTITUTION, investing all moneys in the colony. Resident Secretary —■ Thomas Swain,. Temple Chambers, Featherston streetj Wellington. Agent for the County of Ashburton— S. SAUNDERS (of the firm of Saunders Bros.), Ashburton. Note the name—The National Mutual. THE NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MERCANTILE AGENCY COMPANY (LIMITED). WOOL SEASON—IBBO-1881. SPECIAL NOTICE TO SHEEP FARMERS. THE Company makes LIBERAL CASH ADVANCES on WOOL entrusted to its care for sale in the London market. This being one of the leading depart ments of the Company’s business, and an expert and practical staff being employed by its London House especially to superin tend the classification, valuation, and dis posal of wool consignments, growers may .. rely upon their clips being carefully, handled and placed to the best advan- . tage. _ _ ;. ‘ i . : Further information may be obtained upon application at the Company’s office,.; Cathedral Square, Christchurch, 283<? :