NEW ZEALAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7228, 30 April 1884, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND.

[Pee Peess Association.] AUCKLAND, Apexl 29. The first “ at home ” given at Government House during the present stay of his Excellency the Governor and Lady Jervois m Auckland, took place last night. His Excellency was indisposed, owing to a cold, and was not present. The guests were received in the drawing-room by Lady Jervois and by Sir P. Whitaker, in plate ® his Excellency. Sir Frederick wore for e first time in pubhc the insignia of his i 6Kni ght-C°mmander of St Michael and St George. The attendance was very large, and. the gathering was one of the most brilliant that has ever assembled in Government House at , Auckland. General regret was expressed at his Excellency’s indisposition and inability to be present Mr Kerry Nicholls leaves Auckland and goes Home by the steamer Tongariro. His book, detailing his travels in the King Country, giving a brief history of the war, and showing the position of the Native

question, will he published in London during the stay of Tawhiao and his party there.

WANGANUI, April 29,

An accident of a peculiar nature happened this ■afternoon at tho boiliug-down establishment of the Wanganui Meat Co., situated about a mile from town, on tho northern railway Hue. A vat full of boiling fat exploded and blew the roof of tho buildings off. The top of the vat was sent about 80 yards. No injury was caused to anyone beyond two men, who wore some yards from the building, being covered with fat and slightly scalded. The concussion was heard a long distance away. The question of disestablishment of District High Schools, which has boon creating considerable discussion in Wanganui and been the subject of a public mooting of householders, was brought before tho Education Beard to-day. The Board, however, after discussing the subject for about four hours, resolved to adhere to the original decision, and passed a resolution calling ou the Wanganui School Committee to formulate charges against tho headmaster of tho High School, whose dismissal was recommended by them without any reason being given. Judge Fenton has induced the Eotorua Natives to sot aside 25,000 acres of land for sale to the Crown as an endowment for the Eotorua railway.

WELLINGTON, April 29. Tho amount of Property tax remaining unpaid for the year ending March 31, is only 224-000, and, for the recovery of this, summonses against defaulters are now being prepared for issue. BLENHEIM, April 29. The Supreme Court sittings were opened by Mi* Justice Richmond to-day. His Honor congratulated the district on freedom from crime, there being only one accused in the calendar. He added that the sister district of Nelson was even happier, as at present there were no criminal cases whatever. William Stewart, charged with horse stealing, was found guilty. Sentence postponed till second indictment for housebreaking against him is tried. That will conclude the criminal business. Neil M‘Bride, who was sentenced a fortnight ago to six weeks’ imprisonment for wilful damage to property, was released yesterday, and arrived in Blenheim Last night. It was evidently a case of mistaken identity. GREYMOUTH, April 29. The s.s. Oreti, with a cargo of coal for Hokitika, left last night two hours before full tide for the purpose of getting highwater at Hokitika, and when going out, stranded on the North Spit, where she now lies high and dry. She is not supposed to have sustained much damage, and her coal is being thrown overboard. ROSS, April 29. The quartz excitement continues, and parties are out in all directions pegging leases. Stone was brought to town on Saturday, showing specks of gold: some the size of a pin’s head. Samples of the same stone were crushed by pestle and mortar, in the presence of a score of practical miners, who unanimously agreed that the result was very payable. The reef is stated to be well-defined, and from 2ft to sft thick. DUNEDIN, April 29. Two cases were heard at the Police Court to-day arising out of former proceedings against publicans, in which it had come out in evidence that the houses were in reality mu by brewers. In one case, the licensee of the Clarendon Hotel, C. E. Anthony, was charged with having permitted Anne Dimond to be in effect the keeper thereof since March 25. Anthony was the servant of Wilson, a brewer, and Mrs Dimond bad purchased the house from Wilson, but a transfer of the license had been omitted to he obtained. It seemed from the Act that the only punishment was forfeiture, and the Bench, considering this too heavy a penalty, dismissed the case. In the other, D. Buchanan, licensee of the Bay View Hotel, was charged with allowing James Speight, brewer, to be keeper, in effect, of the house. It was admitted that the licensee is merely the nominee for the owner of the premises, and carries on the business temporarily for Mr Speight while the premises are being rebuilt, without having any personal interest in it himself. Mr Speight stated that the Licensing Committee were fully aware of the facts of the case. Buchanan was his servant, and if any profits were made by him it would go to witness. The Bench decided that ; the premises were in possession of the proper licensee, and the case was dismissed.