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THE CASE OF JOHANNA
SULLIVAN.
The sentence pasaed upon the youn^
woman Johanna Sullivan for the murder
of her infant son may well excite cam ?
itfmon. But the suggestions thrown nut
hat the verdict in the case was Tin jus'',
are tl e outcome of a generous but nnrea
EciiaHe sympathy with the weak and un

fortunate. The evidence presented to the
Jury was such as to warrant no other con
clusion than that at which they arrived.
The medical testimony conclusively
pointed to the cause of death, and
it was admitted that the child had
teen placed on the beach by its mother.
The defence attempted to be set up
was ingenious; but it was untenable.
The only finding that the facts admit
of is that the death cf the child was'
deliberately caused by the mother.
Whether, as has been suggested, she
was suffering from a temporary aberration
of mind i3 for medical men to decide,
and they will doubtless be called upon to
pronounce an opinion. The complaints
made againat the sentence are 'equally in
considerate. In such a case the verdict
carries with it the sentence, and it ia
merely the duty of the presiding Judge,
as the mouthpiece of the law, to act in
accordance with it. The prerogative o:
mercy cannot be exercised by him,
and his sole duty is to convey any recom
mendations of the Jury to the powera who
have it.in their hands to stay the opera
tion of the machinery of the law. An
appeal to the Executive on behalf of
Johanna Sullivan should be founded on
higher grounds than these. Judge and
Jury have done their strict and unpleasant
duty, and the latter have testified to their
appreciation of the hardship of the case
by making a very strong recommendation
to mercy.
In considering the matter sentimentality
should not be allowed to outweigh sound
reasoning. It is impossible to stifle the
feeling that the case ia a very bad one,
and that, if the nature of the crime alone
is regarded without reference to the cir
cumstances which have led to it, the
extreme penalty of the law is not, as the
ratio of punishment to crime ia regulated
in the criminal codes, too severe a retri
bution. But while we protest against a
sentimental outcry being raised that the
law is .iniquitous and unjust, so long as
capital punishment is maintained on ths
Statute-books, we mostsincerelyagree with
those who champion the cause of Johanna
Sullivan that it would be a cruelly
harsh thing to put it into effect in her
case. It must be borne in mind that
cases of child-murder occur which are not
surrounded by extenuating circumstances,
and to lay down a hard-and-fast rule that
mothers guilty of so unnatural an offence
should be exempted from the full conse
quences of their crime would, we fear, lead
to deplorable results. The tendency to
leniency in cases such as that of Johanna
Sullivan, which has been unmistakably
evidenced by many commutations of sen
tences of death, is a guarantee that the
highest penalty of the law will not be
heedlessly exacted. In England th
current ot public sentiment has
long favoured the view that capita
punishment ought not to be inflicted in
such cases ; and we beliere that, as a
fact, it has seldom been carried out,
except where the nature of the crime
was such a3 to render clemency
out cf the question. Reverting to the
case of Johanna Sullivan, we cannot but
feel that it is one in which the pre
rogative of mercy can appropriately be
exercised. The unfortunate woman was
of an excitable temperament ; she had
apparently been seduced and abandoned
by some unprincipled and heartless
scoundrel; she was penniless and
friendless ; her good name was lost,
and her peace of mind wa3 de
stroyed ; she had seemingly nothing
before her but the cruel alternative of a
life of misery or a career of infamy so
long as her unfortunate infant lived.
Moreover, she lacked the means of minis
tering to its wants, and she experienced a
difficulty in providing for her own re
quirements. What wonder, then, that,
spurred on to recklessness, the distracted
and miserable mother in a moment of
madness sacrificed her child's life. We
do not attempt to palliate the enor
mity of the crime, but the sinning
woman has a claim upon the sympathy
of all who, having the feelings of
humanity, can appreciate the extent of
her suffering and of her temptation. Har
guilt is not that of the hardened mur
deress ;— here wa3 a deed born of utter
misery and despair.
There are, unhappily, no means by
which Johanna Sullivan's seducer, who
has not had the manliness to stand besid -.
her in her extreme distress, can be
reached and dealt with as he deserves.
If it were possible to devise any equitable
law which would mete out to such
offenders the punishment they merit, cases
of child-murder woidd be much more
rare than they are. But, unfortunately, it
is not possible in the present state of society
to punish merely moral offences, and even
were it possible it would be difficult to frame
legislation which would operate fairly.
A far more practical suggestion ia that
made yesterday in the House of Assembly
by Mr. Darling. Few distracted mothers
would be driven to destroy their children
did they know that an asylum such as a
Foundling Hospital was open to them.
The undertaking is one which should
scarcely be left to private benevolence.
Such an institution might be made an
adjunct of a suitable Lying-in Hospital,
and thus a doable want would be met. At
present there ia no place to which, women
in destitute circumstances can betake
themselves except the asylum for the poor,
and attention has more than once been
drawn to the extremely objectionable
proximity of the lying-in-room to
other departments of the institution, par
ticularly to those where young girls are
located. Bearing in mind the character
of the women who are admitted to the
lying-in-room, the present arrangement
is eminently unsatisfactory. Another
good result which would accrue
from the institution of a Found
ling Hospital is that many men
would be traced and compelled to con
tribute to the support of their children
who at present go free because their
unfortunate victims are too ignorant, too
poor, or too considerate to their betrayers
to bring them to book. There is great
truth aud force in Mr. Darling's remark
that the social ovil ought to exist under
very different circumstaacas and under
different supervision than at present.
That _it is on the increase in Adelaide is
impossible to deny, and whatever means
can be adopted for checking or at
least of rendering it less flagrant
should be resorted to. The question is a
delicate one to deal with, but there is no

doubt that the Government can take some
steps in the direction of improvement
We trust that they will redeem the
promise given to Mr. Darling by initiating
legislation which will tend to prevent this
vice from flaunting itself in the thorough
fares, and, by reducing the incentives to
recklessness in the way of those who have
been once led astray, to diminish the
accessions to the ranks of the abandoned
women who disgrace the Htreets of Ade
laide at night.
ARRIVAL OF THE CITY OF LONDON.— The
Orient liner City of London was sighted off Cape
Borda on Wednesday evening, and reached the
anchorage at the Semaphore early on Thursday
morning. An outbreak of measles occurred
during the passage, and in consequence none of
the passengers were permitted to land. On the
Colonial Surgeon visiting the vessel he decided
to tranship them to the Fitzjames for a few
days, in order to prevent the possibility of the
disease being communicated to people on shore.
The lighters were taken alongside the City to
receive cargo, but no person was allowed to go
on board or to leave. The Fitzjames, hulk, re-
ceived the whole of the Adelaide passengers on
Thursday afternoon, and the debarkation was
accomplished without any serious trouble, one
of the station launches being drafted off to tow
the ship's boat to and fro.
Ljlhd Sales fob July. — The receipts at tha
Treasury for July show a large falling-off com
pared with the corresponding month of last
year, the totals being £23,753 and £43,335 re
spectively. The quantity of land is also much
less, being 36,332 acres against 61,309 acres.
It is evident from this that the depressed times
are having a restrictive effect npon the pur
chasing power of those who follow farming
operations. From the return published in
Thursday's GaztUe we find that last month 6I8J
acres of township and suburban lands were sold
for cash for the sum of £1,003 lls. 3d., or a little
nnder £3 per acre; and 3S.332 acres were
selected under the credit terms of the Act at
£36,599 3s. o*d., or a shade over £1 per acre. The
total payments reached £23,717 8s. 5(i, made up as
follows :— Deposits and balances from previous
sales, £1,744 12s. 9d. ; completion of purchase of
10,733 acres, £13.814 Si.; payment of half
purchase-money, £1,517 Gs.; payment of quarter
purchase-money, £120 10s.; second instalment
of interest, £2,724 5s. ; payment of portion of
purchase-money, £262 ; payment of three-fourths
of purchase-money, £38 3s. ; extensions of credit
and interest on overdue amounts, £498 3s. Sd.,
making a total of £23,717 Ss. 5d., and not
£23,753 8s. 5d., as stated in the Gazette. The
principal selections during the month were in
the Hundreds of Bundey, King, Eba, Uroonda,
Wonna, and Cudlamndla.
Exhibits fob Stbset. — Mr. J. B. Austin has
kindly allowed Mr. T. 0. Oloud, on behalf of
the Exhibition Commissioners, to select a
number of mineralogical specimens from his
extensive collection for exhibition at Sydney.
There are about 60 samples, which form an ex
cellent representative collection of copper,
silver, laad, and other ores from the mines of
the colony, ranging from Cape Jervis in the
South to Yudanamutana in the North. Many of
the specimens are exceedingly rich and hand
some.
Maeikb Boahd.— A general meeting of this
Board took place on Thursday, August 21. The
Engineer of Harbours and Jetties' report for the
month of July was read, as also a recommenda
tion that the boat harbour be filled up and a
training-wall built on the Port Creek, which,
it was stated, would materially increase the scour
of the river outwards thereby lessening the
silting-up. The proposal met with the Board's
favour. The description by the Times oi June 25
last of an ingenious tell-tale mariner's compass,
invented by Mr. Henry A. Severn, was referred
to. The instrument enables the captain or officer
in charge to hear by the ringing of a bell when
the vessel is oat of the ordered course.
Teb Crimikai. Srrroras.— These sittings wera
continued on Thursday before His Honor the
Chief Justice, when Thomas Gillernane, Bridget
Gillernane, and Margaret Davidson were con
victed of assaulting and stealing from the
person and sentenced, the former to three years
and the two female prisoners to two years.
Henry Thomas Foster was found guilty of em
bezzling money belonging to the District
Council of Melville, of which be was the Clerk,
and was sentenced to three years: Edward
Thomas Cheeseman, for forging and uttering
cheques, twoyearg ; James, alias Michael Conner,
for larceny, two years ; and Ellen Lyons, for
larceny, six months. The following cases will
be taken to-day :— William Frederick Savage,
insolvent, concealing his estate; Abraham
Waadd, assault ; William Haolin, insolvent, not
surrendering himself after cue notice; Antonio
Grazia, perjury. As to the last case it is just
possible it will be made a remanet for the next
session.
Cable bitwbeji San Francisco akd Yoko
hama.— According to the German Postarehiv,
the concession for a cable between San Fran
cisco and Yokohama has been obtained, and the
eoncessiannaire is now taking steps for the
securing the permission of the Chinese Govern
ment for continuing this cable to Tien-tain, and
constructing thence a telegraph line to Pekin.
China would thus at last be placed in direct
telegraphic communication with the rest of the
werld. The junction of the Chinese lines with
the great Siberian telegraph line, perhaps at
Kiaehta, would then be only a question of time.
All this progress, and the prospect, in conse
quence of the events in Zululand, that the
electric wire will shortly encompass the Cape of
Good Hope from St. Vincent, thence seeking for
a cOBnection with India, justify the hope that
several of the larger gaps still existing in the
submarine network of telegraphs covering our
globe will soon be filled up.
The Ukemw-otbd. — An advertisement in
Thmsday's Advertiser informed unemployed
labourers and artisans ot South Australia that
a public meeting would be held at Victoria
square at half-past 12 o'clock on that day.
Accordingly at that hour about 130 of the un
employed assembled at the place indicated.
They soon found, however, that no oue present
was in a position to explain what form the
meeting should take, and as the person who
wrote the advertisement did not appear the
men began to think they had been hoaxed. Some
of those present considered the announcement
in the paper had emanated from a man who,
during the recent seamen's strike in Sydney,
had been engaged to employ labour, on the dis
covery of which he had been chased along
the streets of Sydney. After that this same
man removed to Melbourne, where he called
a meeting of the unemployed, and, having
add teased those who assembled, got them to
sign a petition to the Governor, which he was
deputed to present, the meeting being adjourned
till next morning. By that time, however, his
Sydney reputation had leaked out, and had it
not been for tbe interference of some of the
men he would have had an involuntary bath in
the Yarra. A few weeks ago he went to Mr.
Palmer, Secretary of the Labour League here,
and persuaded him to hare placards printed
calling a meeting of the unemployed, but on
Mr. Palmer discovering his reputation as an
agitator the meeting was not called. For
these reasons the men fixed upon this indi
vidual as the convener of the meeting
on Thursday, but others asserted that he
was in work, and that the advertisement
was simply a hoax to see how many of the un
employed would turn out. After waiting about
for nearly an hoar the men dispersed none of
them seeming, inclined to take the initiative
ana hold a meeting.
The Victor Haebocb Kbbakwatrb.— The
works at Victor Harbour Breakwater are pro
gressing well (the Southern Argus states). The
recent big blast was a monster affair, throwing
thousands of tons of granite at liberty— a
greater propertion unfortunately across *nd
therefore obstructing tbe tramway to the works
at the further end of the island. It is scarcely
expected to get the line clear again under
three months. In the meantime immense
quantities of granite are beiDg transferred by
- powerful cranes and hopper barge tn the line of
breakwater, and this is now beginning to show
a substantial commencement, being about seventy
or eighty feet out. The sea-end tunnel has been
driven-in about 180 feet, and it is expected this
will be fired in about a month. The boring is
being done by hand again, the machine-drill
Lacing proved both more expensive and time
taking. Another extensive tunnel b being
bored in front of the harbour, which ia to be
-fired in about three months, ia tbe presence, it
i» hoped, of the re ember* of Parliament, who
are to be. especially invited. This ' Parliamen
taiy blast,' as it is called, will be a grand one.
Tbe screw-pile jetly dock- work is nearly com
pleted, and tbe timber is being landed for ths
piles ex the Francis Guy, from Sydney.
Theatsicai. Itsm.«. — The enterprising lessee
of the Theatre Royal, Mr. Allison, has returned
to Adelaide with the gratifying intelligence
that he has engaged Lystefs English and Italian
Opera Ccmpauy to pUy iu Adelaide for thirty
six ni$hti-, otening on September 16. The
prims donnas « re Kcee Her»e«j and Antoinette
link. The opera company are to be succeeded
by Garner's English Comedy Company, now
playing so successfully iu Melbourne.
Chaz-Mebs Church Musical Association. —
The members of tlri-i Association will give a
concert thi- evening i i the Flinders-street
Presbyterian Church Lecture Hall.

Thb Budget Debate. — The motion that the
House of Assembly resolve itself into & Com
mittee of Supply on Thursday afternoon was a
signal for explanations from several members as
to the reason for the collapse of the noconfi
dence debate on the preceding day. It was
expected, it seems, that Mr. Glyde would follow
Mr. Cooke, bat the hou. gentleman was so busily
engaged in looking-np authorities to quote in
his speech that he missed the opportunity of
speaking at all, and the debate was brought to
a premature close. Mr. Glyde resumed the dis
cussion on the financial statement on Thursday
in what, contrary to his promise in beginning,
was a tolerably long speech. His address wa
principally devoted to a consideration of. tha
loan correspondence and the agreement between
the Government and the Associated Banks. The
conduct of the Ministry with regard to the loan
was in bis opinion absolutely inexcusable from
every point of view, while Sir Arthur Blyth
came out of the affair with perfectly clean hands
and with flying colours. The agreement nude
with the Associated Banks was, he held, a
most foolish one as fur as the GoTernment were
concerned. The Banks would make about
£27,200 out of the transactions, which was about
double the profit that should have been allowed
them. The financial mismanagement of the
Government had culminated in the absurd
figures placed before the House in tne Budget.
He did not consider it his duty to contest the
items of the Estimates, but he protested against
the extravagant spirit in which they had been
framed. Tbe cost of establishments was in
creasing eo rapidly that the Civil Service
Act would have to be amended. He
would like to see fewer men, but they
should be better paid, and there should not
be so many drones. With regard to immi
gration, that had always received his support —
sometimes when he stood almost alone — but he
considered it an insult to the working classes to
put down £50,000 for this purpose under exist
ing circumstances. Mr. Cooke followed, elabo
rating his well-known argument that the colony
bad not been overrunning the constable, and
contending that the present position' of the
finances was quite exceptional. Mr. Rounsevell,
although he had supported the Government on
the previous day, expressed his belief that
£50,000 might be saved on the Estimates
without weakening the administration of tbe
government or of justice in the slightest
degree, and protested against what he considered
the growing extravagance in public expendi
ture. Tbe last speech for the day was made
by the Commissioner of Crown Lauds, who
dealt mainly with the subjects of immigration
and the anticipated reveaue from land. A ship
with Scotch immigrants is now on the way to
the colony, and he read correspondence between
the Agent-General and himself showing that it
was not his desire that they should be sent Qut
at this time, but that Dr. Robertson, the agent
in Scotland, had committed the Government
irrevocably. Mr. Playford repeated the state
ment made by, the Treasurer the previous day :
that the proposed vote would only be
used to redeem nomination-orders already
issued, and if the state of the colony
justified a resumption of immigration. With
regard to land revenue, he answered Mr.
KnchaufPs speech, made last week, by pointing
out that there would be no such townships as
Beachport, Quorn, and Morgan to sell this year ;
that the land cow being put in the market was
farther from the coast than that already settled,
and would therefore fetch less ; and that, even
with a good harvest, more time would in all
probability have to be given to many farmers to
pay money du« upon their selections. The dis
cussion will probably be resumed on Tuesday.
Tbb Child-Mcedeh Case. — On Thursday
Mr. Darling, in what was well characterized
as a humane and manly speech, brought before
the House of Assembly the sad case of Johanna
Snllivan, now under sentence of death for the
murder of her infant child, with the view of
urging the necessity of establishing a Foundling
Hospital. Tbe lion, member expressed the
opinion that the woman should not be the
only one to stand in the prisoner's dock in
such cases as this, and gave warning that he
might possibly move for a return of all the
single women who had been confined at the
Destitute. Asylum within the last five or ten
years, with the names of the reputed fathers.
According to the report of the Chairman of the
Destitute Board for the past three months there
had been fifty-seven confinements in the Asylum
— forty-seven of the women being unmarried,
and two of them under IS years of age. Mr.
Ross, in reference to the girl Sullivan, then
stated that she was in hi3 employ two or three
years ago. She was usually good-tempered and
kind, bat was subject to paroxysms of rage,
which induced the belief in the other servants
that she was not always in her right mind.
The Treasurer expressed his personal sympathy
with the remarks made by Mr. Darling, and
promised to bring the very important subject
he had dealt with under, the attention of the
Government. The matter |then dropped.
Bo ad Inspection. — At a meeting of the
Local Board of Main Roads, Central District, on
Thursday, it was decided that the Board should
start on its annual inspection of roads under its
supervision, commencing with the Southern
District, on September 8, the Superintending
Surveyor to fix the route.
QcABAirrrKixo Cattle. — The following letter,
written by Mr. William Robertson, veterinary
surgeon audF.E.C.V.S.,ic, to Mr. J. H. Angas,
and bearing on the length of time necessary to
quarantine in case of cattle diseases, has been
handed to us for publication : — ' Keiso, May S.
—Sir— Having been desired by Mr. Ohristison,
of Floors Home Farm, to state in writing my
opinion relative to the period of quarantine
necessary in cases of foot-and-mouth disease, I
have no hesitation in saying, considering tbe
present state of our knowledge of this disease,
that the period indicated in the Act in force in
Great Britain, viz., fourteen days from the ces
sation of the disease, ia sufficient to cover all
risk from contagion.'
Adelaide and Scdcriun Tbamwat Compajtt.
— The balance-sheet of this Company for the
half-year closing July 31 shows that tbe traffic
is greatly increasing, the receipts on the Ken
sington lice being £6,757 12s. 9d., aud on the
North Adelaide line £5,263 6s. 3d. This repre
sents a yearly revenue of over £12,000. The
transfer-fees amounted to £15 9s. Sd., and the
receipts from advertising in the cars to £164 5a^
so that the total receipts for the six months
reached £12,200 13s. 6d. Against this the work
ing expenses were £9,292 4s. 5d , and interest
£375 5s. 6d. Deducting thtse two items from
the gross receipts, tbe sum of £2,533 3s. 7d. is
left as tbe net profit of tbe half-year. Daring
the period under review £1,797 Is. !)j. has been
expended in plant, buildings, purchase of land,
and horses ; and as there is a Bank overdraft of
over £5,000, there would teem to be no proba
bility of a dividend just yet. It is satisfactory,
however, to note that the traffic returns are
beginning to show a considerable margin of
receipts over expenditure.
Fatal Accident.— On Monday morning last
William Hugo, a lad fourteen years of age, left
Clate with two horses and dray for Mr. S. B.
Gleeson's farm, Barunga. About sundown the
two horses attached to the dray walked up to
Mr. Maslin's station, Earunga. Surprise was
expressed ac seeing tbe team without a driver :
but finding no one came to claim the horses it
was feared that something had happened, and
Mr Maslin, with some others, took a lamp and
went along the road in search. They proct-eded
about 110 yards when they found tne deceased
lying on tbe road, dead. He was on his face,
and the wheel had paused over his body. One
lrg of his trousers was torr. and it is supposed
he had been in tbe act of leaping off the dray
when his trousers had caught on a portion of it,
causing him to falL The road was perfectly
level and free from ruts at the place. An
inquest was held on Tuesday afternoon at Mr.
MaslinV, and Mr. Gavin Freebairn, J.P., acted
as Coroner. The Jury returned a verdict to the
tffect that deceased met his death by accident.
The body was brought to Clare on Wednesday,
when, Dr. Smith made an examination. He
found a piece of cheese in the deceased's mouth,
which showed that he had been taking same
food when the accident happened. The
deceased w»* a great favourite with his em
ployer, Mr. B. B. Gleeson ; and deservedly so,
for he wms trustworthy ami active.
Railwat PtATFOBii.— Oa Thursday morning,
August 21, Mr. H. B. Bright, M.P., and Mr. R.
Wood, of the District Council of Dalkey, pre
sented to tbe Commissioner of Public Work3
(Hon. G. O. Hawker) a memorial, signed by the
members of tbe District Council of Dalkey aud
43 other residents of the district, praying for the
erection of a platform and Hecessarv accommo
dation on the Hamley Bridge and Balaklava
Railway lane, at a place about two miles 30
chains north-west of Owen, where the road
between Sections Nos. 237 and Sid joins tha
road running along the railway line, or as neir
to the said place as possible. ' The petitioners
said they felt sure that a platform at tbe place
mentioned would become die most important
point on the railway line. The Commissioner
promised to give the matter his consideration.
Races at Rrduiix.— We notice that a piblic
meeting is to be held on the 28th inst., at Ked
hill, toarracge for tfce nest annual races.
Nkwmaeket Sfrixo Meeting.— The entries
for the event* ia take place at this meeting, on
September 6, closed at Mr. B.trnard s office on
Thursday, August 21. There are five horses In
the Maiden Plate, fourteen in the Hurdles, seven
in the Guineas, ten in the Steeplechase, and
nine in the Fljing Handicap.
Thb Accident at the Norfolk Abms. — On
enquiry on Thursday evening at the Adelaide
Hospital we found that there was no improve
ment in the condition of the man Patrick W.
Sue, who fell out of a window at the Norfolk
Arms early on Thursday morning.

PECUUAH ClECntSTASCB COSSECTEB WITH
an Ix«cest.— At the ioqaest held on John
Jones, who was run over in Hanson-atreet on
Friday evening, August 15, some facts were dis
closed which the Coroner designated as
'peculiar circumstances,' and which he said
he would like 'to have made public,' It
appears that, shortly after the death of the
deceased man, the Coroner, thinking it necessary,
requested Dr. Mclntyre, who had attended
deceased daring his illness, to make a post
mortem examination of the body ; but the
doctor, on account of pressure of bntiness,
asked that be might be excused and a
substitute obtained. The Coroner obtained
the services of Dr. Clindening, who when he
went to the house to mike the examination
met with the stern resistance of the friends of
the deceased, although he produced an order.
He then returned and asked the Coroner what
he should do under tbe circumstances. He
replied that the order must be carried out. As
the case then stood he could not send it in to a
higher Court should it result in a verdict of
manslaughter. Dr. Clindeniog intimated that
it would be impossible for him to go down
unless he was protected, as on account of the
number of persons in the house be might
sustain bodily injury. The Coroner then wrote
to Superintendent Peterswald, with a request
that he would allow two able-bodied
men to accompany the doctor, which waa
done. Just before this, however, Matthews,
the son-in-law, came to him, and pant
tently told him that if any one would go
to the house no resistance would be offered.
He told him that the examination positively
could not be made until the morning, and the
man left. On these representations the doctor
went on the following morning, but those in the
house most vehemently affirmed that the post
mortem should not be made. He had now con
sulted Dr. Mclntyre, who agreed to accompany
Dr. Clindening. There were two policemen in
charge, who, he believed, would quell a dis
turbance should any arise. He sincerely re
gretted that this bundling should have taken
place, as it put several persons to great trouble
and inconvenience. An examination, however,
bad to be made, and the difficulty that
had been experienced was the reason why
the inquest had been so long deferred. Dr.
Clindening objected to make a post-mortem
examination unless he was properly protected,
and suggested that a number of policemen should
remove the body to the deadhouse. To this the
Coroner replied that he bad given the order for
the jtod-inotiem examination to be made, and in
the interests of the public it would have to be
carried out, but be did not think it would be
wise to remove the body to the deadhouse. Dr.
Clindening said that supposing any resistance
were offered after the examination had com
menced what should they do? The Coroner
then agreed to give the doctor an order on the
Superintendent of Police to allow a number of
constables to proceed to the house to take charge
of the body, aud if necessary to eject any person
who offered the least resistance Matthews, the
son-in-law of the deceased, and who was in
the room, here averred that the Coroner should
have had the examination made when he was
given the opportunity, but as he had taken no
advantage of this he would stoutly refuse to
allow any doctor to touch the body. The
speaker's wife, however, was of a different
mind, and informed the Coroner that he would
have nothing to fear. A slight altercation then
took place between the two parties, when the
Coroner interfered and the doctors left, went to
the Police Station, obtained four men, and
afterwards made the examination without diffi
culty.
South Acstbauan Gas Company.— The
eighteenth annual general meeting of the share
holders of the South Australian Gas Company
was held on Thursday morning, August 21, at
the Company's offices, Grenfell-street. Sir
Henry Ay ere, Chairman of the Board of Direc
tors, ocenpied the chair, and thirty shareholders
were present The annual report showed that,
after paying an interim dividend \\u February
last, there was a balance of £8,900 10s. 3d.
A dividend of 6s. per share was de-dared on
27,750 shares, and of lid. per share on
9,200 shares, payable on the 2 1st instant.
The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the
report and balance-sheet, said that, notwith
standing the fact that the Company had not
supplied the Corporation with gas for a third of
the past year, the increase of consumption in
the City of Adelaide alone for the past year had
been 11,500,060 cubic feet et gas, while the
increase of consumption in all the districts
which tbe Comoany supplied amounted to
o*er 14,000,000' of cubic feet for the
year. He referred at some length to
tbe recent discoveries of Professor Edison and
other scientists with respect to the electric
light, and said that, from careful enquiry, the
Directors had come to the conclusion that
though for special purposes the electric light
might prove very useful, its day, as applied to
ordinary and domestic purpose!;, had not yet
come. The disadvantages attendant upon the
electric light were that it threw deep shadows,
that it was extremely unsteady, that there were
great difficulties attending its diffusion, that
there was a want of simplicity in its manipu
lation, and that it was excessively costly. He
further stated that the Directors had turned
their attention to the best means of increasing
the illuminating power of gas and of utilizing
the recent improvements made in its manufac
ture in England. Everything iu the Company's
works was, he said, in admirable order, and he
invited the shareholders and their friends to
meet tbe Directors at the Bromptoa Works on
Saturday, August 30, when the construction of
a very large tank, which would have to be
made for the receipt of a gasholder which
was now on its way out from England, would
be commenced. The report and balance-sheet
were adopted. The remuneration to be paid to
the Directors for the ensuing year was fixed at
£250, and that to be paid to the Auditors for
their services daring the past year at 15
guineas. Messrs. W. S. Douglas and H. Y.
Sparks were reappointed Auditors, and Mr. J.
Arraman and the Hons. J. Fisher and A. Hay
were re-elected Directors for the ensuing year.
LicnT.— Mr. F. S. Chappie, B.A., B.Sc,,
delivered a lecture entitled ' A Few Facts about
Light,' in tbe Lecture Hall of the Kent Town
Wesleyan Church, on Thursday evening, August
21. Mr. J. B. Hughes presided, and the roo n
was filled with an appreciative audience. The
lecture was divided into two parts. In the first
portion the lecturer explained what light was
said to be, viz., vibration of certain particles of
matter. The lecturer stated that there were
two great Jaws relating to light— those of
reflection and refraction, and alluded to
spectrum analysis. He then gave a history
of the most important discoveries in
spectrum analysis made by Newton, Her
schell, Woliaston, and others since 1660 A.o.
In the second half of the lecture Mr. Chappie
illustrated by apparatus the decomposition of a
ray of light, showing the various colours of the
ray by nieaas of an electric lamp and prisms of
glass. This part of tbe lecture was especially
entertaining and instructive. The lecturer was
frequently applauded, and a hearty vote of
thanks was passed to him at the conclusion of
his discourse. During the evening several songs
were given by lady amateurs.
Yockq Men's Ohhistiar A?sociatiow.— The
usual fortnightly meeting of the B:»rd of
Management was held on Thursday afteruooaiu
tbe temporary looms, Salisbury Chamb -is. M ?.
P.. Searle presided, and there were also prevent
the Revs. O. Copland, W. R. Fletcher, aud .T.
Lyall, the Hon. J. Oolton, Messrs. J. F. Coni
grave, J.P.. A. B. Monerieff, T. Philipson. J.
Taskcr, and the Secretary. The principal busi
ness transacted had reference to the new pre
mises in Gawler-plaoe, and the arrangements for
the inaugural meetings to be held next week.
It wan reported that His LortUhip the Bishop,
Sir Thomas Elder. K.C.M.G., and the Hon.
Henry Scott, M.L.C.. would hive been willing
to take part in the meeting to be beld on Tues
day evening, but that they bad already mide
engagements which could not be postponed. It
w&s also stated that several gentlemen h*id
kindly promised to lend objects of interest for
the conversazione to be beld en Wednesday
evening, and that Mr. Arthur Boult wa* arrang
ing for tbe concert on Thursday.
Exhibits fob Stdj«t. — Messrs. Buttery
Brothers, cabinetmakers, Lave tarned oat from
their establishment a highly creditable article
of furniture for the Sydney Exhibition in the
form of a Davenport secretaire, made of Huoa
pine, polished to a degree of brilliancy th»t
brings oat tbe exquisite marbling of tint
beantifolly grained wood to perfection. The
desk part is supported upon carved trusses :
and tbe secretaire above, fitted with drawers,
pigeon-holes, and other conveniences, is closed j
with panelled doors, in which the wary cloud
ing of the pine-wood has a very pretty effect.
At the side an ingeniously constructed drawer,
containing ink bottlrs, places for pens, wafer
rectsses, and a candle-stick stand, palls out and
swirgs ronud upon a cleverly arranged iiiuge, so i
*s xo bring it close to the elbow of a writer at
tbe desk. The secretaire has been pat together
in a thoroughly workmanlike style, and it.-,
nuieh is first-rate.
SwntiiiK'- Chaixejcoe.— From the Jrg---f we
learn that a challenge made by Mr. W. Mclndoe,
the champion swimmer of Victoria, to swim
against ill. 1 . Moore, 'he champion swimmer in
South Australia, hes t»-en accepted, aud the
contest Sxed for th? first week in November.
The ccrcpttitcrs ar^ to swim OTer three dis
tances, and the itake* have been filed at £2-5 a
side. The match will take place in Adelaide.
Accident at Norwood. — A boy named
Tfcpmas Liston, while jumping off a horizontal
tar at the Norwood Model School, on Thursday
afternoon, Angnst 21, fell and broke his arm.
He was taken t j Dr. Bailey, who attended to
the ii'jnry.

Thb Wotosga. oa Fihb.— The following par
ticulars of tbe fire on board the A.S.N. Com
panj's steamer Wotonga on Monday last,
August 18, are given by the Argus:— -'The
steamer, which recently arrived from Sydnev»
was berthed at the S&ndridge Railway Pier, and
was loading for the return trip. About half
past 2 o'clock the night watchman who was on
duty was attracted by the glare of fire which
was issuing through the fretwork of the cabin
on the starboard side. He immediately called
up the First Oflicer (Mr. Wallace), when it was
found that tbe cabin was in tiames. The crew
were then aroused, when check-holes were
pierced in the cabin, and the fire-engine on
board was got to work and several steady
streams of water directed, into the cabin. In
the meantime orders were given to get up
steam, and in a short space of time the
donkey-engine was in full work. A large
number of persons from the different vessels
were promptly on the scene and used every
endeavour to extinguish the tHmen. Mr.
Fenton, of the Hampshire, and a number of his
crew were present, and by means of a farce
pump contributed valuable assistance in getting
the names under. By this time the Sandridge
Brigade had arrived, but the fire having been
snbdued their assistance was not required to
aoy extent, which was fortunate, as the water
pipes on the pier are in such % corroded state
that there was only a small stream of water,
which would have been of very little use had the
fire not been promptly attended to at the begin
ning. Captains Tine and Phillips, who were also
present, lent every assistance in their power.
The fire being thoroughly got out before it
had proceeded further forward than the com
panion, the damage was confined to the saloon,
which was damaged to the extent of £700 or
£800. The vessel was advertised to sail for
Sydney yesterday, and kept her engagement,
bat was unable to take any saloon passengers.
Had it cot been for the very energetic way ia
which the men from the different ships and the
crew worked the affair might have resulted in
a serious conflagration. It may also be men
tioned that the vessel was amply supplied with
every convenience for extinguishing fire. The
origin of the fire is at present unknown, but it
is thought that it was caused bj the rats having
got at some matches. Daring the fire Mr.
Wallace was almost overcome, by tbe exertions
he had made to keep the fire under, and Captain
Phillips had to insist on his going on deck.
Every praise is due to the exertions of those who
were present.'
Jetty at Balgowajc.— A deputation con
sisting of Messrs. Kelly and Jones (who had been
nominated by a public meetiog of farmers at
Kilkerran), accompanied by Messrs. Eosj, Hare,
Krichauff, and Farner, M.P.V, waited npon the
Treasurer on Thursday afternoon to urge upon
him the necessity of erecting a jetty at Bal
gowan. The deputation was introduced by Mr.
Furner, who explained the necessity that existed
for the structure, there being no place of ship
ment within fifteen miles. The proposed site is
about the same distance from Port Victoria, and
twenty miles south of Moonta. The whole of
the land in the Hundred of Kilkerran having
been selected with the exception of three sec
tions, the amount of produce to be shipped
would be very considerable, and the jetty would
be of great benefit to a large number of settlers.
The Treasurer promised to obtain a report from
the Surveyor-General and at once bring the
matter under the notice of his colleagues, with
a view of including the amount necessary for
the work in the next Loan Bill.
Narrow Escape.— The Border Watch of
August 20 says:— 'The other night, as Mr.
George Hawthorne, conductor of the Casterton
and Penola mail, was drivirg in the dark on a
cold and tempestuous night, he observed some
thing like a bundle of rags lying on the middle
of the road in front of his horses, which were
then travelling very fast. On pulling up and
giving tbe reins to a passenger he descended,
and found that the object on the road was a
very respectable selector known as 'Billy the
Banter,' who had taken a ' drappie' too mush,
and was helpless and nearly covered with rain
water. Mr. Hawthorne conveyed him to the
nearest hut, and thereby to a certainty saved
his life.'
Crrr Mission Haix.— A very successful enter
taiBment was given'_by tbe Alhambra Minstrels
(an amateur company) in the City Mission
Hall on Thursday evening. There was a
crowded assembly,' and the programme was
well carried out. Mr. H. McCreeth acted as
interlocutor, Mr. G. Blakway as ' Sambo,' and
Mr. J. A. C. Hogg as 'benes.' Songs were
very well sung by Messrs. McCreeth, Wilson,
Hogg, Gay, Hermann, Blakway, and Bennett,
CaossisQ Stock over the Victorian Bgrdbr.
—Border Town has been proclaimed by the Go
vernor of Victoria an additional place at which
stock may be introduced into that colony pur
suant to the regulations under the Victorian
Diseases in Stock Act of 1S72.
White's Boosts.— There was again a large
attendance at White's Rooms on Thursday
evening to witntss the excellent views of the
American War exhibited by Mr. Thompson.
Emtbrtawmbmt at Norwood.— A musical
and dramatic entertainment in aid of the funds
of St. Ignatius Church was given in the Town
Hall, Norwood, on Thursday evening, August
21. The room was crowded. The programme
consisted of songs, duets, and two farces, and
was carried out with success and to tbe satis
faction of the audience. Mrs. Stone, Misses
McMnllen, Birmingham, and Morris, and Mr. V.
Stone contributed towards the vocal part of the
entertainment, and received frequent marks of
approbation for their efforts. The farces went
off very well, and thoroughly amused the
audience. Tbe entertainment waa brought to
a close by the singing of the Nation*] Anthem.
Bbitrfit to Mrs. Fitltoh. — A benefit, under
the patronage of His Excellency the Governor
and a number of influential gentlemen, will be
tendered to Mrs. J. Z. Fulton in the Town Hall
this evening. The programme is a varied one,
and several ladies and gentlemen who are well
known as accomplished vocalists aud musicians
will give their services on the occas'on. The
conceit will in all probability be a most suc
cessful one.
Meeting at Blixmam. — A public meeting was
beld on Friday, August 15, at the North Blin
man Hotel to consider the advisability of
reopening the Blinmau Hospitii, and other
local matters of importance. There was a large
attendance, and Mr. J. P. BnttGeld, S.M.,
occupied the cliair. A letter was read from
Mr. W. J. Paull, J.P., expressing sympathy with
the movement, and stating that he was
decidedly in favour of the Blinman Hospital
being reopened, such an institution being
abso'utely necessary in that large outlying
district. He was also of opinion that there was
a large practice in the North for any medical
man iu whom the public had confidence, and
whose chargrs were reasonable. A letter from
tbe Chief Secretary's office was also reul,
referring to the memorial lately presented to
the Chief Secretary petitioning for the removal
of tbe late doctor, and a general investigation of
the management of the Hospital, replying thit
the Government consider tbo iukabitanti of the
district should guarantee a sum of £300 per
annum, which, with the £150 paid by Govern
ment, would probably induce a medical man to
settle there. After some discussion it was
decided unanimously 'that Dr. White's services
as Medical Officer to the Blinman Hospital
having been tendered with no guarantee the
same be accepted, subject to the approval of the
Government, whosbould be advised accordingly.'
A subscription-list was opened, in order that
subscribers might have a right to ap[n-int a sub
committee to act far them in snpervi-ing the
working of the Hospital. Fourteen subscribers'
names were enrolled. The Secretury to the
meeting was instructed to write to Mr. B.
Cooke, M.F., requesting him to ask the Govern
ment to lay the memorial before tbe House at
tbeuext sittiDg. A resolution was also passed
thanfcicg Mr. Cooke for the attention aud con
sideratioD with which he has treated all matters
relative to the Hospital and the district iu general.
The next question raised was the deiirability of
ECcuriDg a rosd through from Blinman to
Fanrhilna. ac-] a proposition was carried to the
tffect that the Government be asked to graut a
sum of money for the construction of a passable
road through from Blintnaa to Parachilca by
the uearc -st practicable rente. A resolution was
pae«ed that a memorial be presented to the
Fcstmaster-General, petitioning for a weekly
mail and passenger conveyance from Blinman
to Beltana in connection with ths mail from
Adelaide.
Kulpara CR'Pp. — The crops at Kulpara and
neighbourhood (says the WiiV.arno T'm-') are
looking splendid, and farmers are saDguine ia
their anticipations of the result of the next
harvest.
The Chii-dheic's Hospitai..— This institution
was informally opened for the reseption of
patients on August 6. There are now thirteen
children under treatrueot.
Imqchst.— With reference to the man John
Joce*. who wu rtm over by a cart in Hanson
street on Friday, a verdict of accidental death
was returned.

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