SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Evening Star, Issue 7154, 7 March 1887, Page 2

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

AUCKLAND, March 5.

There is an unseemly division at present amoDg the Presbyterians of the suburban township of Avondale, formerly known by the less euphonious but more suggestive name of Whau. The Rev. A. MvKenzie, the minister, does not agree with a number of his office-bearers, and the latter have started an opposition service in the public school, which has been granted for the purpose by the School Committee. Sometimes only half-a-dozen people are in the church, while the school services conducted by laymen are largely attended. Matters have reached such a pitch that the church is advertising that it has " no connection with the rival establishment over the way." The dispute has been engagingjthe attention of the Presbytery for months, and was before the General Assembly without any solution being arrived at. It seems to be merely a case of incompatibility of temper, but it is developing into a grave scandal. The Devonport pump for the Borough water supply is still causing discussion. The seven days' test closes to-night, and the Council will act upon the report of the results. Pumping was carried on all day yesterday, it being required to pump at the rate of 7,000 gallons per hour in order to pump the spring dry. From 6 p.m. on Thursday night to midnight the meter's gauge showed from 3,000 up to 8,000 gallons, which was the maximum amount at midnight, it being high water "from midnight till six o'clock yesterday morning. As the tide receded the supply fell down to 3,502 gallons at low water, snowing that there is a connection of some kind between the sea and the well. The Bay of Islands Company have, through their manager, notified their employes of a general reduction of wages. It is the intention of the Company to close the mine unless operations can be carried on with profit to the shareholders. The men accepted the announcement without comment ; but meetings will be held by them to discuss the proposals, as well as the new tariff of wages. WANGANUI, March 5.

An important case to sheep farmers was heard at the Police Court to-day. John Piercy was charged, on the information of Mr Munro, sheep inspector, with'offering for sale in a public place sheep infected with lice. Mr Fitzherbert prosecuted, and Mr Hutchison defended. Both sides admitted the statement of facts. The defendant recently held an auction saleonprivate property at Kaiwhakakai, and the charge arose out of the fact that amongst the lots offered were some sheep infected with lice. Mr Fitzherbert referred the Court to the statement that other settler's stock had been offered with Piercy's at the same sale. A case was quoted from the law journals to show that it had been laid down in the English law courts that a private house where an auction sale was being held was a public place for the time beihgf. Mr \Fitzherbert further contended that if the points of the defence were upheld the law would become a dead letter, for sales as public as those held in auctioneers' yards could take place all oyer the country so long as they were held on private property. For the defence Mr Hutchison said that under the circumstances Mr Piercy's private yard could not by ainy perversion of terms-be said to be said to,be public yards. Counsel quoted from authqrities defining the meaning of "public." |lf the Legislature meant to include as an offence such cases,as the defendant's, all they had to do was to have left out the word " public," and the section would have read "yard or yards." Although Mr Piercy's place was Open to the public on the occasion of the sale, it was, nevertheless, private property. He read the statute to define yards as places where stock were habitually sold. The prosecution asked for a minimum fine, as it was a test case. Judgment was reserved until Friday. A sub-committee of the Meat Company paid a visit to-day to the Heads to asoertaiu if the site there was suitable for the works. They unanimously agreed that no better site could be obtained, and will report to tpis effect. It is proposed to erect refrigerating plant there. There are ready means >of shipment, and it is expected that the steamers will provide cooling chambers. It has been deoided to hold an Industrial, Science, ,and Art Exhibition here about June 21, the title of the West Coast | [ Jubilee Exhibition. Assistance has been; solicited from all towns between Otaki ajnd ; New Plymouth. 'The Governor is to-be • invite|,tg Be^pefl'ujg^remony.'

A horrible case of suspended animation is reported from the Continent The slip-' Sosed corpse of a man, who had died sndenly, warbeing conveyed!ttf; theicei&Jsejry, when the bearers heard a movement WcL the coffin. ; THey had the temerity to proceed to their destination, when the noise recommenced','/, The Isayo>rbad ,«to be found before they dare open tqe coffin, and therp a most awful" sight' pvesehted itself,'for the inmate had' just died ol a»phyriai;v A' few minutes sooner and -the poor: felloes Jife would have been saved, »:..•; |