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Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 111, 12 May 1902, Page 4

The last case on the criminal list was concluded at the Supreme Court on Saturday afternoon, -when a young man named Alfred Duck was charged with assaulting Ada Cox, so as to do her actual bodily harm. Accused, who was defended by Mr J. R. Reed, pleaded not guilty. Tbe Hon. J. A. Tole prosecuted, and called evidence as in the Lower Court. The defence was to the effect that the injuries alleged to have been caused by prisoner were caused by the woman falling against some barbed wire. The jury found the prisoner not guilty, and be was accordingly discharged. The usual sittings of the Court will be held during the present week, and next Monday the civil sittings will commence.

The 1902 football season was opened on Saturday last at Alexandra Park, and at Devonport, there being satisfactory attendances at both places. The matches were evenly contested, and tbe play was fair for a first Saturday. Last year's champions, Grafton, were defeated by Newton by 3 to nil, Ponsonby defeated Parnell by 7 to nil. and City defeated North.Shore by 10 to 3.

At > the meeting of the Harbour Board on Tuesday tenders will be considered for dredging, also for making the inner breastwork of . Hobsonstreet Wharf, repairing breastwork ■Quay-street, and cleaning and chipping inside of caisson at Calliope Dock. The question of erecting a wdiarf and cattle-landing at Okaliu Point will also be. considered on the motion of Mr Harris, also several motions by Mr Witheford as to business procedure.

Mr H. W. Brabant, S.M., gave judgment this morning in the civil case Arthur P. Wilson v. Austin Walsh, claim £60 2/6, for architect's fees. Evidence in tfca case was taken last week. The sum of £27 9/ was paid into Court, and His Worship gave judgment for an additional £6 10/, With additional costs.

A case connected with the Huffy ease came up at the Police Court this morning, when a man named Nicholas Crawford, whom Sergt. Hendry described as a wharf labourer, was charged with assaulting Arthur McLean by striking him with his hand in Queen-street. Accused pleaded that he remembered nothing about the affair. It appeared from the evidence that accused, who was drunk at the time, came up to McLean, who is a cripple, and told him he (McLean) had been instrumental in getting Duffy ten years. Accused then struck McLean on the head with his open hand. Sergt. Hendry said that McLean, through giving evidence for the prosecution in tbe Duffy aiid other cases, bad come tp be looked down upon as ah informer by the class ot men to which accused belonged, and McLean had been assaulted before under similar circumstances, His Worship in imposing a fine of £3 or one month in defatdt for the assault, said McLean had only done his duty in giving evidence for the prosecution in the Duffy case,

Mr Hugh Fitzgerald, late treasurer of the Newton Corps of the Salvation Army, died on Saturday from the effects of a strain causing the rupture of a bloodvessel. He vyas for many years actively engaged as a local oflicer in several corps, wherein be Jvvas loved and respected by all bis comrades. A memorial service was held in the Ponsonby-road Barracks last evening. An old man, who appeared at the Police Court tbis.morning on a charge of vagrancy was suffering from tbe delusion that he had £4,000,000 to bis credit in one of the local banks, SubInspector Mitchell told the Court that the man had been bothering the officials of the bank in question with a view to getting his money. The old man, who has no means or friends, expressed a wish to go to London, where bis wife was, but His Worship thought that the Costlev Home would be a-better place for him, and on the old man's promise to go there he was discharged. Tbe steamer Zealandia arrived from Sydney last night, having on board 95 passengers in both classes for New Zealand ports. Tbe cargo was also large, and included transhipments from tbe Continent, China and Australian ports. A concert was held in the dining' saloon on Saturday evening. Captain Hipgrane presiding. A collection in aid of shipwrecked seamen was taken up by the ladies and realised £4 7/4.

The submarine mining steamer Lady Roberts arrived from Wellington yesterday morning-, after a rough trip of three and a-half days. The steamer will be employed in connection with local harbour defences, and will be stationed at the North Shore, feme is a handsome vessel, and her hull is of steel. The Lady Roberts is replete with the most up-to-date appliances necessary for the work in which she will be engaged.

Mr F. E. Severne reports on the state of Her Majesty's prison at Auckland, from the week ending Saturday last, as follows:—On remand, 4; penal servitude for life, 2; hard labour, 154 males, 17 females; imprisonment, 1; default of bail, 4; received during the week, lo males, 2 females; discharged, 13 males, 2 females. Total in prison, 164 males, 18 females.

Our Waihi correspondent writes: "A brutal act was committed under cover of darkness the other evening in F. H. .Lee's paddock.. A horse owned by Mr Walter H. Phillips was

.-tabbed in the shoulder with the blade of a knife or some other sharpedged instrument. It pierced the cover, making a clean two-inch slit, and sank deep down into the flesh at the top of the shoulder to the bone. Judging by the clotted and stained appearance of the cover, and the weakened condition of the horse next morning, blood in great quantities must have poured from the wound. There is no clue to the perpetrator."

Bowiing has practically closed for the season, although no doubt whenever the weather is fine enough play will take place on the various greens. On Saturday afternoon a number of friendly games were, played. At the Auckland Green play was restricted to 15 heads on the upper, lawn, as the ground was not in good condition. Thelower lawn will be closed from the 24th instant, and the upper green a fortnight later. At Newmarket Green a friendly match was played with three rinks from the Mt. Albert Club. The visitors scored 46, and Newmarket 64. the latter thus winning by 18 points.

Mr Malcolm Xiccol, President of the Devonport Bowling Club, was farewelled at the Green on Saturday, and was presented with a pair of silvermounted bowls and a handsome marble clock, both suitably inscribed. Mr J. Macky, (Vice-President) made the presentation, referring to Mr Niccbl's long connection with the club, having been a member since its foundation. Mr Macky referred to the loss the district would sustain by Mr Niccol's removal, he having been prominently identified with its progress for close upon 37 years. Mr J. MeNeill (VicePresident) and Mr A. Harvey, one of the .founders of the club, referred in eulogistic terms to Mr Niccol's services t<> the cluib and to Devonport. Responding, Mr Niceol mentioned that during the seven years he had been a member of the club there had not been an unkind word between himself and any of the members. Mrs Niccol was presented with an enlarged portrait of Miss Gladys Mays, whose life she recentty saved from drowning. Mr Eyre, member of the local Humane Society, stated that Mrs Niccol had been awarded a bronze medal and certii-cates for saving two other lives, and these would be sent to Wellington to be presented there. Hearty cheers were given for Mr Niccol and family, and refreshments were handed round by Mrs Mitchell.

The second social of the Casino Fortnightly Assembly takes place in tly? Foresters' Fall, Newton, to-night at eight o'clock.

The flagship Royal Arthur, which arrived at Sydney on Tuesday last, reported that after leaving Russell she spent some time searching for H.M.s. Lizard, which was overdue at that place, with the mail on board. Owing to a heavy gale the Lizard was delayed two, days, and the arrangement made that she should join the flagship at • Russell was abandoned. Tbe Lizard sailed for Sydney on May 1, and arrived at the New South Wales port yesterday.

Our Christchurch correspondent telegraphs that an opossum w ras killed by a dog at Uoyleston yesterday. The animal excited a deal of curiosity, not one person in twenty being able to classify it. It was variously described as a fox, weasel, stoat, mongoose, squirrel and dingo. How it came to be at DoylestoiTis a complete mystery.

The opening meeting of the present session of St. Alban's Literary and Musical Society was held in St. Alban's Hall on Saturday evening. There was a large attendance. The programme included piano solos by Mrs. McKinsti-y, and Misses Hanna, Edwards and Roach; violin solos by Mr. Hood and Mr. H. McKinstry; mandolin solo. Miss Fountain; vocal duet, Mesdames Devenish and McKinstry; songa oy Miss Hinton (encored), and Messrs. 11. Skelton, F. McKinstry, and X.. S. Reid (encored). A fine new piano acquired for the hall was opened on this occasion, and was much appreciated by both performers and the audience,

A anan named Charles Brunskill was taken from Paeroa to the Thames by train on Saturday evening and admitted to the Hospital, suffering from a fracture of the right leg, near the ankle. The accident Was caused by a waggon capsizing upon Brunskiil's leg near the Te Puke Wharf on Fridaj".

The monthly meeting'of the Auckland Provincial Christian Endeavour Union was held last evening in the Tabernacle. The president, Rev.. J. Clark, presided, and there was a large number of delegates present. Th Rev. J. T. Pinfold moved tne following resolution re Bible reading in schools:—"That this meeting approves of the efforts now being made to introduce the Bible into the State schools of this colony, on tbe basis accepted by the united churches."

The Y-M.C.A. Night School will be re-opened for the 1902 session on Wednesday next at 7.30 p.m., when the tea-ebers will be in attendance to enroll scholars.

The Auckland Grocers' Assistants' Industrial Union of Workers has unanimously voted Mr Frank Crespin to the presidential chair in place of Mr Chas. W- Walker, who lately resigned.

The Wesleyan bazaar in Pitt-street Wesleyan Schoolroom, owing to sickness, ha-s been postponed, so thaj>the Countess of Ranfurly wall not be able to be present at the opening. Mr George Fowlds, M.H.R., has, however, promised to fulfil the opening func-r tions on Wednesday, May 28.

Last night in. the Theosophical Society's Hall, Miss Agnes Davidson lectured to a good audience on "Theosophy and the Church." Mr Hamilton Hodges gave a very impressive rendering of "It is Enough" (Mendelssohn), and "Grass and Roses."