NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 6219, 25 August 1888, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

(united press association.) Auckland, Auguat 23. The annual presentation of the University diplomas in connection with the Auckland College took place to-day. The successful candidates for the B A degree were S. Gillies and R. M. Reyburn, whilst J. M. French waa a candidate for the M A degree. The latter two gentlemen were absent, and their diplomas were received by their friends on their behalf. A number of. undergraduate boys who were present caused considerable disturbance during the proceedings. The city council met to-night to consider the report of the finance committee recommending reductions in the municipal expenditure to the extent of L4BBO. Only part of the report had been considered when the meeting adjourned, a resolution to the following effect having been agreed to : — " The waterworks engineer's services be dispensed with ; salt and fresh water baths to be leased ; the Mayor's salary to be reduced from L3OO to L 20 0; fireman at Ponßonby reservoir to be dispensed with." The Chamber of Commerce adopted a resolution to-day in favor of Vaile's proposal for the leasing of the railways as submitted to Government. The resolution was telegraphed to Sir G. Grey and Messrs Mitchelson and Peacock. August 24. A further motion was before the Supreme Court to-day with regard to Fenwick, the alleged lunatic, now in the asylum, who has property. Mr Justice Gillies, In refusing the application, said that if the lunacy authorities had properly understood his previous decision they would have liberated Fenwick, whose detention waa now illegal. Letters just received from the M'Kenzie country state that the loss of sheep on the half-dozen runs most affected by the snowfall will be about 30 or 33 per cent. Christchuroh, August 23. M'Donald, who was found dead on the Port Hills on Sunday, turns out to be Donald M'Donald, well known in Canterbury and Otago as a Highland piper. He haa property in South Canterbury and relatives here and at Pleasant Point. Wellington, August 23. 4 Cury, the liberated French escapee, left for Auckland this afternoon. The case H. R. Stapleton v J. Smith, claiming £600 for alleged malicious prosecution, was heard. Plaintiff,] a draper's assistant, was formerly employed in Te Aro House, owned by defendant, and the latter missing an umbrella charged Stapleton with having it in hi 3 possession, and obtained a search warrant against him. The evidence showed that the umbrella had been purchased at a clothing establishment in Wellington. No evidence was called by the defendant, who paid £25 into court aa ample compensation. After 30 minutes' discussion the ju r y returned a verdict for £500, costs being fixed according to the scale. An application^ will be made to stay execution, as it Is intended to move for a ; new trial on the grounds that the damagea are excessive. In the Divorce Court the deoree was made absolute in the case of Henley v Henley. In the case of Fieberg v Fieberg, the husband petitionß for a divorce. A decree nisi waa granted. Wellington, Auguat 24. It ia stated that in consequence of the great demand coal will shortly be raised by 2s per ton. The youth Thomas Morris, who accidentally ahot himaelf last month, succumbed to-day. Westport, August 24. Timothy Gallagher, a very old recident of the Buller district and M H R in 1869, died this afternoon of congestion "of the lungs.