AUCKLAND ITEMS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4811, 11 January 1887, Page 2

AUCKLAND ITEMS.

[special to daily telegraph.]

Town correspondent.—by telegraph.]

Auckland, Last night. In the course of his address to the Grand Jury Mr Justice Ward said:—" The next oase is one of arson, namely, Regina v. Gibbons, and lam sorry to say the committal has taken place too recently to enable me to give you any material assistance. The phief evidence against the accused is thitt of the witness Kerebs and his wife. Korobs states that Gibbons repeatedly atr tempted to bribe him to set fire to the promises that are now burnt, aiid if you he-. lieve his testimony, you will find Httlo djfßciilty in coming to a conclusion. But his statements require strict sifting at your hands."

A somewhat peculiar dispute arose yesterday morning at the Star Dining-rooms, Albert-street. A colored man named Lactu called in and ordered breakfast, for which he tendered half-a-crbwn. Samuel Quoy, who was in charge -of the rooms, reminded Lactu he already owed 2s, and. therefore kept the coin. Lactu demanded change, aup that being refused, he took the restaui rant clock from its peg. Detective Doolan was sent for, and when he arrived Lactii was still outside witli'the clock under his arm. He arrested liiin, and <Jie case was investigated at ' the Police Court to-day. Lactu did not deny taking the clock, and appeared to be under the impression ho was entitled to keep it until his 2s, -change was returned. Under the circumstances the Bench dismissed the charge, but warned the prisoner he had no right to take the clook. ■ very'"determined "stowaway" waa discovered on the' snail,steamer Zealandia Before she left port' on Sunday mornin'"-." He was a brightrlooking youngster of about nine years qf ago. Sis name, he said, waa Sutcliffe, sis mother and fathe? were ' dead., and he was going to Sydney to sco hisimple. Twice he was found in hiding on the Zealandia whilst she was alongside' of Queen-street wharf, and on each occasion was put ashore. He succeeded, however, in boarding the steamer again, for before she got as far as Tiri Tin the youngster was , picked out of the bunkers covered with .coal-dust from, ' head to foot. He was sent ashore again'iv-, charge of the pilot, Mr steamer Awhina, and on. arrivalwphanfled v> oyer tP the poUce. , '■ The claimed by'his i were after , ail . Smith, and wot be. abcv>o :the." ifiosfvj jep^P^toTrewJcy^^ I'-:->"record.1'-:->"record. ■■','.'■ ; .■...■.•, '■■■"-'H'"-"■ ■•""'"< '■' ■ ■■*'•■'?*