DUNEDIN.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3129, 8 July 1881, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

July 8. 19,404 children attended the Otago schools during the June quarter. Towards the end the numbers decreased by 1373, owing to the prevalence of measles, 1 000 being absent from the city schools alone. Only 200 under school age attend the Otago schools. A very old man named Elliott, an old resident of the Mount Ida district, was killed by a fall of earth in his claim at the Keyburn diggings on Wednesday. Tbe sum of £438 was paid as Customs duty to-day, probably in anticipation of the tariff changes, as the amount is the heaviest of any day of the year. In the Supreme Court yesterday, M. O'Grady, for fraudulent bankruptcy, was sentenced to one month's imprisonment without hard labor, the point reserved for the Appeal Court being withdrawn. When Moritizon was brought up for sentence there was a wordy discussion between the Crown Solicitor and the Chief Justice. The latter pressed that the other indictments against the prisoner should be proceeded with, as if he committed a series of embezzlements a long term of penal servitude should be raised. Mr Haggett insisted on sentence being passed on the conviction obtained. The Judge replied that the usual rule was that all information as to the prisoner's antecedents particularly as to his having committed offences similar to that with which he was charged, should be fully brought out. Mr Haggett refused to state whether he would proceed with the indictments against the prisoner. He knew there were others, but the Court was not supposed to be so aware. As the certificate of the Appeal Court directed that sentence should be parsed during the present session he firmly but respectfully pressed for judgment. His Honor then said it left him in a position of dealing with a conviction as for aseparateoffence, for which he inflicted a sentence of twelve months. Mr Haggitt subsequently stated that he would intimate to the Government what sentence had been passed, aud enquire if they proposed to proceed with the other indictments. If they did he would apply for a change of venue, as his experience was that it was impossible to get a conviction in Dunedin for embezzlement, no matter how strong the evidence against the prisoner was. Besides this the whole community had been worked on to prevent Moritzon being punished as he deserved. He hoped the Court would acquit the strong language, but in the interest of justice it was absolutely necessary to use it. The Judge admitted the case was quite exceptional, and told the prisoner's counsel if he could find authorities he could apply to have the other indictments gone on with. Judge Gillies had ordered the sentence to date from the conviction, but the Chief Justice ordered it to date from Monday. (For continuation of news see fourth page.) Ladies Cloth Jackets 4s lid, worth 2os, all other Jackets and Dolmans cost price ; Black Fur Tippets, half-marked prices; all our Fancy Chenille aud Silk Ties reduced to Is 6d ; Women's Ribbed Merino Hose, 9d ; Women's Navy Merino Hose coloured Silk Clox, Is 6d —Combs & Co., Cash Palace.