NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 84, 3 August 1896, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

GENERAL ITEMS. Auckland, August 1. At the Whangarei S.M. Court, before Mr li. Bush, S.M., and Messrs Cheesemnn and Vaile (of S. Vni'e and Sons, Auckland), assessors, th:> Bank of New South Wales sued the Minister for Public Works for £350 for injuries done to 86 acres said to be cut off from any available public road by the Kamo-Whangarei railway extension to Hikurangi. The Court only awarded the bank £IOO as full compensation for the land taken and injuries done and as the amount awarded was less than half the amount claimed the bank had to pay all the costs. Palmebston North, August 1. Yesterday Herbert Scott and Hildus Bergerson were committed for trial at the Supreme Court, Wellington, on charges of stealing sheep. The evidence showed that 67 sheep had been skinned and buried. There were two charges. Scott was committed on both charges and Bergerson on one. The second charge against Bergerson is proceeding. Wellington, August 2. Heavy rain has fallen in the Wairarapa, 5 J inches being registered in 21 hours. All the rivers were flooded. Slips were numerous, and traffic was blocked on the Tenui and Eketahuna roads. James Edward Fitzgerald, C.M.G., Controller and Auditor-General, died at 4.30 this morning from bronchitis and congestion of the lungs. Born at Bath in 1818, he arrived in Lyttelton in 1850, when he started the Lyttelton Times and edited it for two years. In 1853 he was chosen first Superintendent of Canterbury, a position he held until 1857, when he returned to England as agent for the province. In 1862 Mr Fitzgerald re-entered Parliament, sitting for Akaroa, and in 1865 became Native Minister in the Weld Administration. On his retiring from public life a year later, he was appointed Controller-General, in 1872 Commissioner of Audit, and in 1878 Controller and Auditor - General, a position he held until his death. In 1850 he married Miss Draper, daughter of the late George Draper, of London, who survives him. He leaves three sons (two of whom have taken holy orders) and three daughters (Mrs W. 11. Levin, and Mrs Brandon, of Palmerston North, being two of thein). O amaru, August 1. John Todd, of Ngapara, had the top of his head blown off by a gun accident this morning. Death was instantaneous.