CHRISTCHURCH.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3563, 9 December 1882, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH.

December 9. At the inquest on the " swagger," found with his throat cut on a road near Leeston, a verdict of suicide during a fit of temporary insanity was returned. The action of the Christchurch and Napier shareholders in the Southern Cross Petroleum Company, in opposing the proposed sub-letting of a considerable portion of the company's land at Gisborne, appears likely to have the effect of raising up a widespread opposition to the proposal. Mr T. Wilson left for the North yesterday, pledged to oppose the letting, and armed with proxies representing 12,000 shares. It is stated that even in Gisborne itself there is a strong feeling against parting with any of the company's property. A meeting of the congregation of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church was held last night. About one hundred persons were present. The Rev. C. Fraser occupied the chair. It was resolved that a committee, consisting of the Kirk session and two members selected by the congregation and two by the Rev. Mr Fraser, should apply to the Presbytery for a copy ot the evidence taken for and against Mr Fraser, and then to inquire into the same and report; the committee to confine themselves to the charges made during the last three and a-half years. It was alio re.'olved that tbe trustees of the church and manse property have the ground laid out in sections for leasing purposes, reserving half-anacre round the manse. A protest wa9 made against the proceedings, but was not received by the chairman. A motion "That this congregation call upon the Rev. Mr Fraser to submit himself to the jurisdiction of the Presbytery of Christchurch, and defend the libel admitted to be served on him if he can do so," was not received by the chairman.