NEW ZEALAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5713, 18 June 1879, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND.

[Times’ Special Wise.] AUCKLAND, Junk 17. At the inquest on the fire at Cunningham’s hotel, Onehunga, the jury returned an open verdict. , At the adjourned Licensing Court, the Magistrates granted licenses to houses which had - effected the repairs required. The Magistrates stated that after two convictions in one year, they would not renew a license or grant a new one to the offender. A fierce gale is blowing. The Wanaka put to sea, but the Pretty Jane and Southern Cross were compelled to postpone their sailing till to-morrow. At the Government land sile to-day the bidding was not spirited. The Governor, Mr Sheehan, and Bewi go to Waikato on Thursday. His Excellency returns on Saturday, leaving for Tauranga on Monday. The charge against Isaac Hone, a publican, for permitting gambling on his premises, was dismissed. The police sent to Oamaru for a witness for the prosecution. . Captain Wildman, of the Thames Naval Brigade, left for Wellington to-day. The Brigade accompanied him to the boat to bid farewell.

A lad, named George Shrimpton, had the flesh nearly tom off his arm by a belt accident in a mining battery at Coromandel. The Government, after many years* delay have conveyed the Thames foreshore to the Harbour Board. ; At the wish of the residents of Pareora County, the Chairman of the County Council telegraphed to the Native Minister, asking the Governor to visit the Thames district and open the Pareora bridge, ’

WELLINGTON, June 17. - The Insurance Companies to-day voted £SO to each of the Fire Brigades, and £25 to the Naval Brigade for their exertions during the late fire. The Wesleyan'church will be rebuilt, but as a permanent structure will take a long time to erect, an. authority is being Sought for a temporary wooden building. The Committee of the Working Men’s Club are looking but for-fresh premises. ; A large number of leading Natives on the West Coast have telegraphed to the Government, stating-that they are going to Parihaka to endeavour at to-morrow’s meeting to dissuade Te Whiti from anything likely to cause a breach of the peace and bring misfortune on the tribes. The arming of the settlers and display of force made has had a most salutary effect on the Native mind. ■

The j Government ;have . rented the Athenaeum Hall as a temporary Police Court. 'Ah agitation is on feet to get the Corpora-, tion to procure a floating fire-engine. • At the Eesident Magistrate’s Court to-day, the case Begiua y. Kinross, for alleged perjury, waff continued, And a lohg-argument took place as to the proof of oath having been administered in 1871 before the Committee of Native Lands. . Mr Bees put in a copy of the journals of the Legislative Council, and Mr Travis contended that this document was no evidence uhlesffjm officer of the Council produced it and deposed to its being genuine. The Council’s permission had not been Obtained for any of its officers to give evidence. The Speaker had power to grant permission for an officer to' attend, hut only the Council had power to grant an officer permission to give evidence, Mr Hees asserted that the attendance of an officer with the journals of the House meant, in fact, giving evidence, and turning to the journals put in, Mr Travers pointed out that the evidence required was contained in the appendix, and the appendix was not part of the journals. He quoted from the Act, showing that no appendix could be taken as evidence of the proceedings in the" Council. Mr Travers went on to point out that Mr Kinross had now been waiting for six weeks, yet no prima facie case had been made .out, and he thought it would -be unfair to delay the case till after the meeting of Parliament on July 11. for the production of the evidence of the Clerk of the Legislative Council. Mr Travers was then put in the witness-box, and stated that he had 'been present as counsel at the Committee in 1871. He was. not present at the beginning, and had not heard Mr Kinross examined. There was a resolution of the Committee that all the evidence should he taken on oath. The case was further adjourned till Thursday next.

It is understood that the Governor will pay a visit to Kawau. It is also not improbable that be will return vik the East Coast, going round the North Cape from Onehunga in the Hinemoa.

TIMAEU, June 17. At the adjourned sitting of the Licensing Court to-day the Bench agreed to renew O’Brien’s license for the Albion Hotel on the distinct understanding that improvements should be immediately made. The principal exports by sea from Timaru for the four weeks ending to-day were 147,000 bushels wheat, 1276 bushels barley, 3364 bushels oats, 3817 cases preserved meats, 160 bales wool, 1847 sacks flour, and smaller quantities of tallow, skins, malt, &c. OAMAEU, June 17. The body of a man named Donald M’lnnes was found floating in the Lagoon yesterday morning. It was much decomposed, baying been in the water about a fortnight. There is no clue to the origin of his death, but at about the time deceased got into the lagoon he was known to have been drinking. An inquest will be held to-morrow. BLENHEIM, June 17. Last night a flax mill on Mr Davis’ property which formed the issue in the ejectment case, Davis v. Bothwell, which was decided against the defendant last Friday, was burnt down. The cause of the fire is involved in mystery. The value of the mill was about £l5O, and it was uninsured. An inquiry will be held on Tuesday next. DUNEDIN, June 17. The branch line connection to the Shag Point Coal Company’s mine with the main trunk line was formally opened for traffic today. The line is a mile and three-quarters long, and cost £5400, Shag Point coal has for some time been used on the engines between Camara and Palmerston, and instructions have been given for its use between Oamaru and Dunedin. The company, which consists of eight persons, have spent £25,000 during the past year in the construction of the line and the development of the mine. Mr E. H. Carew, E.M., of Lawrence, will probably take Mr Bathgate’s place, and Major Riddell, who is on his way from Auckland, will go to Lawrence as E.M. and Warden, The contract for the Dunedin railway reclamation works has at length been definitely signed, The successful tenderers are Messrs Pritchard and Co., and the amount of their tender was £58,487 10s. On account of an intimation that Miss Dalrymple has in the press a pamphlet on the subject, the Dunedin School Committee did not discuss the question of penny banks in schools last night, but it is understood that the head masters of the city schools have reported adversely on the movement. fraoix oua own ooeeespondbnx.J WELLINGTON, June 17. In best informed circles here it seems to be regarded as almost certain, although it is much regretted, that Mr Stout will by pressure of private business be obliged to resign, not only his Ministerial office, but also his seat for Dunedin. Sir William Fox is likely to accept the formal leadership of the Opposition, and organise a party to try conclusions on a direct issue with the Government as soon as Parliament meets.