Mr W. H. Revell (coroner) held an inquest on Monday, at Lawrence, on the body of Johii M'Cormack, who was injured in the Otago Com pany's claim, Blue Spur east. After hearing evi dence, the jury returned a verdict—" That the de ceased, John M'Cormack, died through injuries received while at work in the Otago Company's claim, and no blame can be attached to the management." On Tuesday the body was in terred in the Lawrence cemetery. The funeral was very large, nearly every miner in the dis trict being present. The service was conducted by the Rev. Father O'Leavy and by the Foresters, of which deceased was a member. He leaves a wife and five children.
The residents at Balclutha are anxious that the unemployed'should- be sent to work on the Catliu's river railway works, and a public meeting will be held to-night to petition the Government to that effect. The borough coun cil will ask the co-operation of the county council at the meeting of the latter body to-day with a view to having the works gone on with.
A largely attended meeting was held in the Freemasons' Hall last evening, when Bro-

Eldvidge, P.M. of the Otago Lodge, presided- Bro. Wathen's motion in favour of holding a bazaar in aid of the Dunedin Masonic Hall building fund, as passed at a preliminary meet ing, evoked a lively debate; and it was even tually resolved, on the amendment of Bro. Baskett, that the question should be referred to the various lodges for further discussion.
The population of Wataki county is 7672, being an increase of 717 as compared with 1881- The census returns give Wellington a population of 26.205. Hutt county, including suburbs and country districts, 10,090.
