LAST NIGHT’S TELEGRAMS.

Ashburton Herald, Volume II, Issue 593, 6 March 1880, Page 2

LAST NIGHT’S TELEGRAMS.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, March 5. The.captain of an American whale ship at Russell, Bay of Islands, is in a fine fix. Two parties claim the American Consular agency, and both parties produce credentials. A Ministerial communication has been received by the Education Board warning them not to anticipate in future Government grants. The Education Board refused to sanction the establishment of a cadet corps in connection with the Thames public schools.

At the election of three members of the District Board of Education, Dr. Campbell, and Messrs. Lake and Prince were elected. Mr. David Goldie was defeated. 120 School Committees voted.

There are to be great festivities on Thursday at (Stanley, Waitemata, on Mr. J. C. Firth’s estate, to celebrate the opening of the Upper Thames river navigation. Two members of the Ministry are expected to be present, also the members for the Thames, Waikato, and Auckland, and the Thames Mayor, as well as a number of Maori chiefs.

Gisborne, March 5.

The case of forgery against E. H. Ward, junr., solicitor for Read’s estate, was resumed this morning. Mr. Brassey, solicitor, emphatically refused to produce the deed of Matawhera, relative to which the forgery is alleged, notwithstanding that legal notice to do so had been served. Mr. Rees produced a certified copy of the deed. Rota Waipawa and Roperata Kaputai gave evidence showing that during Mr. Nesbitt’s life time, as Frauds Commissioner he had refused to certify to the alienation of interest referred to in the accusation upon various grounds, one being that the consideration was contrary to law. The evidence of Captain Tucker, the next witness, showed that for a long time and up to Mr. Nesbitt’s death he had acted as his confidential secretary and interpreter. The memo, books of 1876, the year in which the deed in question purported to bear the signature of the Frauds Commissioner, have no record of the fact that it had been signed by Mr. Nesbitt. Early in 1879, and after Ward had bought the property from Read’s trustees, Captain Tucker saw the deed in Ward’s possession. This was two years after Mr. Nesbitt’s death, and the deed was then without Nesbitt’s signature. It was only some time after the property had been purchased by Ward that the witness learned the deed had been certified to by Mi\ Nesbitt. The charges against Ward and Cooper for conspiracy in relation to the oil spring block, and the charge of perjury against the latter were adjourned till March 22. Waitara, March 5.

The Native Commission commenced sitting this morning. Between sixty and seventy natives were present, amongst tiiem were several of influence, including the brother of the celebrated William King, Mrs. Simeon, and an intelligent looking half-caste has also attended to give evidence. Many natives in this district are staunch believers in Te Whiti, and contribute very liberally, towards his support, and are providing food &c., for his monthly meeting at Parihaka. Some natives present are anxious to have their titles to land investigated individually, but others also interested in the same land, and who reside at Parihaka object to it. The Commission will probably take all evidence to be given here by to-morrow afternoon, and hold one or two sittings at Werini, some few miles from Waitara, The Maoris were loud and cordial in their greeting to Sir W. Fox when he arrived. Wellington, March 5.

The man who was killed by a fall of gravel at Featherston was John Woodfield, aged 37. Mr. Dick, M.H.R., the recently appointed Colonial Secretary, arrived to-day, and was sworn in. Timaru, March 5. Mr. Mosley, the anti-Chiniquy lecturer, was remanded to Christchurch on a charge of obtaining 3s. from a tailor by false pretences. At the District Court, Frederick Arthur Sims, formerly a wholesale merchant, was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment for larceny. The prisoner had sold goods out of bond which lie previously conveyed to the National Bank, and, acting on the advice of his friends, refused to hand the proceeds over to the Bank manager. He received an excellent character from a number of merchants, including the Mayor of Timaru, some of whom had known him thirteen years. William Tait, for indecent assault, received a sentence of twelve months and one flogging in gaol. William Halford, for assaulting his wife, was sentenced to two months, and Duncan Cruiekshank, for fraudulent insolvency, to nine months. Frank Poff, charged with fraudulent insolvency, was acquitted.