John H. W. Pettit letters to his family in England, illustrated with sketches by the writer, 1852-1868 - Page 285

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A man of the name of David Cartwright, who professed to be a snake charmer, was bitten by one of these reptiles whilst carelessly handling it on the 3rd inst.  He was conveyed to the hospital, but not until after some delay was caused by the application of Underwood antidotes, in which some persons appear to have great faith. On arriving at the hospital the poor fellow expired immediately.
Mr. Ebenezer Syme, on the proprietors of the Age newspaper, died on the 11th instant from an affection of the lungs.  The deceased gentleman had long been suffering, and looked forward to this end with calmness and resignation. Mr. Syme obtained some celebrity in the this colony as a journalist, and his decease, at the early age of 34, is deplored by a large circle of acquaintances.
A woman of the name of Ann Hayes has been convicted of murdering her husband at Bendigo by stabbing him and was sentenced to death.  It appeared that the fearful deed as committed while the man and his wife were intoxicated, a quarrel having occurred between them.  In consequence of a petition having been presented to the legislature seeking the leniency of the law on behalf of the unfortunate woman, the sentence of death has been commuted by His Excellency to one of imprisonment for 14 years with hard labour. Ann Hayes is about 50 or 60 years of age, and is said to have been very much addicted to intemperate habits.
An aboriginal native of the name of Jemmy has been committed for trial on the charge of murdering his lubra.  He committed the deed whilst in a state of intoxication.
It is too frequently the case that these unfortunate people are often tempted into the commission of crime by being supplied with intoxicating liquors by the white people.
St. David's Day was celebrated in this city, on the 1st inst., by a public dinner, at which about 100 persons were present.
Mr. Michie delivered another of his popular lectures in the St. Kilda Mechanics Institute on the 5th inst., the subject being "The Curiosities of (indecipherable) Experience".  The attendance was large and respectable, and from the frequent bursts of applause which greeted Mr. Michie, his lecture appeared to be greatly appreciated.
The foundation stone of the new City Abattoir, on the Saltwater River, was laid on the 3rd inst., in the presence of the Mayor and the members of City Council.  The building is to cost £9000; and, as a convenience to the citizens and as a sanitary measure, it will be much appreciated.
The exhibition of fruit and flowers, by the Victorian Society, took place on the 3rd inst.  The show of fruit and flowers was extremely good, and showed unmistakeably the advance which is being made in horticultural culture in this colony.
The number of letters received by the steamer (indecipherable) (Kent?) on her last trip was 31,667, including 1000 registered, and the total number of newspapers was 77,722.
An extraordinary sudden death occurred at Sandhurst, Bendigo district, on the 3rd inst.  A young woman of the name of Eliza McDonald who was sadly addicted to intemperate habits, ws stopping at a restaurant where she had been drinking excessively; on being told to leave, she went out into the street and shortly afterwards dropped down dead.
The proposed expedition to the interior has not yet been organised; and some complaints are being made of the delay which has occurred, seeing that the public have come forward so liberally with their
contributions.  There are a large number of applications from persons wishing to join the expedition, and some interest is manifest as to who will be the leader.  There seems to be a desire on the part of the exploration committee to import some one from the other colonies to head the expedition, but it is thought by some that there is sufficient talent in this colony to render such a course unnecessary.
Several new discoveries of coal have recently been made in this colony. some good coal has recently been found about 20 miles from Portland, and a similar discovery has been made at a few miles from Geelong.
The game of cricket is becoming one of our most
popular recreations in Victoria, and it is pleasing to see that it is festered by gentlemen whose influence is acknowledged.  Since the great intercolonial match a series of matches between the town and suburban clubs have taken place, which has heightened the interest in this manly game. One interesting feature in our cricket proceedings is the circumstance of a challenge cup having been offered by Mr. Coppin, M.L.C., which has been competed for and won by the Richmond Club.
The total number of Chinese who have been fined for the non-payment of the residence tax is 4,074,  and the total number imprisoned for the non-payment of the fine 1,949.
An investigation took place at the Yarra Bend asylum on the 5th inst., which resulted in the committal for trial of two persons on the charge of
wilful murder.  It appears that in 1858 a farmer of the name of Reynolds and his wife were residing at Broadmeadows.  they had a family of several children, and on the occasion of the last confinement of Mrs. Reynolds, a person of the name of Julia Toogood was introduced into the house to superintend the domestic arrangements.
Shortly after Mrs. Reynolds confinement, she was subject to fits of a very serious nature, and shortly afterwards her medical attendant put himself in communication with the invalid's father and mother, who were living in the neighbourhood, and who were not on good terms with the husband.  In August 1858, Mrs. Wicks, the mother of the deceased, called at her house and found her at death's door, with her eyes sunken, the tongue protruding, and saliva flowing from her mouth. She was then conveyed to her mother's house, when she disclosed that she had been frequently held down by her husband, while Miss Toogood drenched her with a liquid, and forced her to take medicine of the nature of which she was not aware.  In consequence of the threats made us of Reynolds, the mother gave over visiting her daughter, and at this time, Dr Barker paid a visit to the deceased and found her labouring under the effects of a mercurial salivation.  In September Mrs. Reynolds was removed to the Lunatic Asylum, where she exhibited the same symptoms, and never spoke until the day of her death, which was on the 25th February last.  A post mortem examination was made of the body, and although no trace of poison could be found, the appearances were such as would be caused by strychnine. A Mr. Harris deposed on the enquiry that in August, 1858, Reynolds bought strychnine at his shop which by the advice of a medical man, hd been previously mixed with tartar emetic; and the evidence of all the medical men examined, with the exception of Dr. Gill, went to prove that the symptoms were those which would be produced from poisoning by tartar emetic and strychnine.  A servant in the employ of Reynolds deposed to his being on very familiar terms with Miss Toogood, and that she believed Toogood was now (?). The jury returned a verdict  "That the deceased died of softening of the brain, and they were of the opinion that sufficient evidence had been adduced to implicate Enoch Reynolds and Julia Toogood in compassing her death"  They also censured Dr. Gill for not paying more attention to the case.  Reynolds was arrested, and a warrant was issued for the apprehension of the girl Toogood.

   THE LABOR AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Although business is dull, rents falling, and the yield of gold on the decline, there is no mutual alteration in wages.  Employment is abundant and
plentiful, and the working classes are still able to maintain the eight hours' movement.  It is clear, therefore, that they have suffered less from the present crisis than any other section of the community.  A strong feeling in favor [favour] of immigration is setting in, and some of our most able politicians and journalists are beginning to be of opinion that a grave mistake was committed when our land fund was diverted from its original distribution - half to public works and half to immigration.   It is by no means improbable that before many months have elapsed, an entire change will be made in our migration policy.
The following is the latest market report: The market has rather improved during the past week;  a fair demand for ploughmen and agricultural labourers, wages much the same; potato and water hole diggers in request - altogether there is a slight improvement.  Skilled labour plentiful; employment sources up - country employers will have nothing to do with the eight-hour system, but numbers of the mechanics take up country and station work without meeting the question.  The demand for married couples is very slack.  Females in good demand, especially for country service, and those who have colonial experience and what may be termed really useful girls; their wages keep up.
WITH RATIONS. - Married couples for home stations and farm service, per annum, £60 to £79; for hotels, £70 to £75, without incumbrance; do, with families £50 to £60; ploughmen, 20s. per week; farm labourers 15s. to 18s.; potato diggers 17s.6d. per week, or 18s. per ton, according to crop; bullock drivers from 20s.; gardeners, from £52 to £60 per annum; blacksmiths, for stations, 40s. per week; carpenters 25s. to 30s. do,; rough carpenters 20s. to 25s. do.; wheelwrights, 40s. do,; cooks from 20s. to 45s.; waiters, from 20s. to 25s. ; hay cutters and trussers, 5s.6d. per ton, or 25s. to 30s. per week; lads to drive bullocks, from 10s. to 14s. per eek; carters, from 20s. to 22s.6d. per week.
WITHOUT RATIONS - Carpenters, from 10s. to 12s. per day; (indecipherable) from 14s. to 16s.; plasterers and bricklayers from 12s. to 14s.; quarrymen 10s. per day; blacksmiths, 10s. to 12s.; able pick and shovel men, 8s.; fencers, three rails, 2s. to 2s.6d. per rod, according to the ground; wire fencers, with rails, 1s. 6d. to 2s. per rod; splitters of posts and rails 20s. to 25s. per 100, according to the timber;  stone breakers from 5s. to 7s. per cubic yard, and according to the gauge required.
FEMALE SERVANTS. - Cooks and laundresses, £40 per annum; housemaids £30 to £35; thorough competent women for general houseworks, £35; upper class nursemaids, £26 to £28 per annum; nurse girls, from £14 to £20; needlewomen £26 to £30; if they are dressmakers, £35 per annum.
The following rates are current at  in Melbourne, for provisions and garden produce :-

Bread, 4lb.loaf  ........................................ 11d.
Apples, per lb   .......................................... 4d.         
Meat ................................................ .4d.to.7d.
Onions, dry per cwt. .................................20s.
Do., green per doz bunches ......................1s.
Potatoes, cwt..............................................8s.
Sugar, per lb.....................................4d. to 6d.                   Tea .............................................2s. to 3s. 6d.            
Coffee................................................. ..1s.6d.
Butter, per  lb. fresh, 2s. 6d.;              salt 18d.
Ducks per pair ......................................    .7s.

Eggs, per dozen  .................................... ..3s.
Geese. per pair ......................................  10s.
Hens, per pair...........................................  7s.
Rabbits, per brace ....................... ...4s. to 5s.
Turkeys, per pair ......................... 18s. to 20s.
Beer,                6d. per glass, 1s. 6. per quart.
Do. bottled. ............................12s. per dozen.
Gas ....................       .20s. per thousand feet.
Wood .........................   15s. to 20s. per load.
Coals, English ......................      .£2 to £2.5s.
Do. Colonial. ......................£1.16s. to £1.18s.
Printed for the Proprietors, at the HERALD Office,
Bourke Street, Melbourne

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