Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Monday 9 January 1899, page 6


FATAL CASE OF SNAKE-BITE

BRUTHEN, SATURDAY

The case of snake bite reported yesterday has ended fatally, the little girl Dudley dying this morning at 10 o'clock. She passed a fairly good night, and hopes were

entertained of her ultimate recovery, but this morning at 7 o'clock she took a turn for the worse, and gradually sank and died at the time stated. The immediate cause of death was paralysis of the spine, brought on through snake-bite. She was not natu rally a strong girl. It appears that when she was bitten she had a parcel in her arms, and must have trod on the snake.

She stated that it turned on her a second time but she ran away.

BAIRNSDALE.—The Commissioner of Railways arrived in Bairnsdale on Thurs-day afternoon. He received in the even-ing a deputation of shire councillors and others, who advocated an increased speed of trains from Melbourne, better carriages and lighting, and a double service of trains between here and Melbourne. Mr. Mathie-

son promised to make inquiry into the

various matters.

CHARLTON - Two pioneers of this dis-trict have passed away in the persons of Mr. P. Lawless and Mr. Wm. Ellis. Mr Lawless came to the colonies in 1840. During the first gold boom he shared in the £50 a ton carrying from Geelong to Bendigo. With his savings he went farming. Twenty-six years ago he joined in the movement to the north-west, settling

at Wooroonooke, in this district. He died at St. Arnaud on Friday, aged 78. Mr. Ellis settled at Ninyuenook 23 years ago, and has prospered, bringing up a large family in comfort. He died of kidney disease at his residence, on Friday, aged 67.—The township of Korongvale has no justice of the peace, the nearest being at Mysia, 10 miles away. The constable at Korongvale has to ride out to him every time he requires a signature, and if he be absent from home is compelled to ride a dozen miles in the other direction to Wed

derburn, often 30 or 40 miles simply to attest to the delivery of a summons. Last week Mr. Coutts, J.P., had to make a 20 mile journey in the blazing sun to hold a magisterial inquiry into the death of a child. Mr. Thos. Langdon, the member for the district, is moving with a view to the appointment of one or more honorary magistrates at once.

NHILL.—Owing to the abundance of grass, an unusually large number of prime fat lambs have been forwarded during the past year to the Geelong and Western dis trict freezing works for export, and 800

were forwarded this morning to the Ade laide Government Freezing Works.—At the meeting of the Nhill Water Trust on Wed nesday, Commissioner Macdonald was re

elected chairman for the ensuing 12 months.

PORTARLINGTON.—Mr. James Hen-derson, a prominent farmer, who has lived for over 50 years in the East Bellarine dis trict, died on Tuesday morning, after a long and painful illness. His funeral took place on Thursday, and was largely at tended by leading residents of the dis trict.—The Shire Council of Bellarine has decided that an additional rate of 1/ in the £ 1 be struck upon all ratable property within the shire. The statement of re

ceipts and expenditure showed a deficit of

£827/16/8 for the year ending 30th Sep tember last.

TATURA.—At the meeting of the Ta-tura Agricultural Society, held on Satur day, a circular was read from the corn trade sectional committee of the Chamber

of Commerce, pointing out that complaints had arisen as to the serious loss of grain resulting from shipping in bags in bad con dition; and impressing on the farming com munity the necessity of only using new standard cornsacks and avoiding the use of secondhand or inferior bags. The com

munication was received; but it was re

solved to further in every way the proposed system of handling grain in bulk; and to that end the society intends convening a meeting of kindred bodies in Melbourne, on the 16th of March next, with a view to devis

ing means by assistance from Government,

and otherwise, to bring about the general adoption of such system. It was also re solved to initiate a movement for the erec tion of a co-operative grain store in Tatura,

and a meeting to enlist the assistance of the farmers in the matter is to be held

during the month. The Railway depart

ment is also to be approached with a view to the granting of a site on which to erect the proposed building.

BERRIWILLOCK.—A fire occurred at

the store of Mr. W. J Camp, Berriwillock, early on Saturday morning. The owner, who sleeps on the premises, was awakened about half-past 1 by the roaring of the flames and barely succeeded in getting out with part of his clothes and business books. The building and stock were completely destroyed. They were partly covered by

insurance.

WARRACKNABEAL.—The water from Lake Lonsdale along the Yarriambiack Creek should find its way into the town ship some time on Friday night. Unless rain comes to strengthen the stream it can, however, never reach Hopetoun.—The

shire council has notified its intention to

strike a general rate throughout the shire of 1/9.— The experiment which is has been stated the Minister of Agriculture is about to carry out in the Mallee—with re-gard to the early maturing and drought re sisting wheats—is recognised by practical farmers of these parts as a move in the right direction.