NEW ZEALAND.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXV, Issue 212, 7 September 1891, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

Wellington, September 5. In the Supreme Court this afternoon Wra. Charles Hazal, of "The Carnival of Fun Company," was charged with obtaining money under falsa pretenoes. The Jury found aooused guilty, but Mr Jelliooo for the defenoe aeked the Court to reserve the question for the Court of Appeal whether the indiotment waa not bad for dulplioity, and whether there was anything to support a conviction. The ! Chief Justice said the point was an important one, and ib had oooured to himself during the trial. He would give his deoision on Monday. A mass meeting was held last night on the reolaimed land for the purpose of protesting against the rejection o( the Labour Bills by the Legislative Council. Messrs Kelly and Hogg, M.H.li's., addressed the meeting at whiob about 1000 were present, The following resolution was carried: — "That in the opinion of this meeting, the prejudiced aotion of the Legislative Council in dealing with bills that have passed through the House of Kepreßentatives tbis seßßion— especially Sir George Grey's Friendly Sooieties AoJ Amendment Bill— is unjußt, and deserving of oensure; and that in protesting Bgaiaet suoh aotion, this meeting also requests the Government to take such steps as will give them fair representation in the Legislative Counoil next session to ensure the safe passage of their Bills."

September (}, The banquet tendered to the Hop, John Bryoe lay members of. the Opposition was

given In the Joint Commit teeroom of the Parliamentary buildings last night, All the members of the party were present except Mr D. H. Maoarthur, who was absent owing to iliness, and Sir John Hall presided. There were among the guest 3 saveral. 'gentlemen who held seats in the last Parliament, and were then on the sime side of the House as Mr Bryce. After the usual loyal fcaasts, Sir John Hall proposed the health of the guest, and in doing so eulogised the services of Mr Bryoe, and briefly sketched the position, Mr Bryce, in replying, made a lengthy speech, and fully explained his views on the circumstances which lei to his retirement from Parliament. Several other toasts were proposed, amongst which was ex-membera, replied to by Mr R. Brace. The banquet waß not open to the press, but a shorthand writar was engaged to take the remarks of Mr Bryoe, which will, it is understood, be published in pamphlet form, The gathering was very successful,

A garden party was given at the Hatt yesterday by Mr Duthie, and was attended by most members of the Legislature.

Auckland, September 5. In the football matoh. Rovers v. Gordons, this afternoon, at Potter'B paddook, Thomas Sibbin, printer, the well known footballer, was playing for the Rovers, and received a f raoture of the spine. He was accidentally tripped over by a player who was dribbling the ball, and doubled his head under his breast. He was admitted to the Hospital unconsoious, and died shortly {afterwards. He leaves a wife and several children. The deceased was a son of Mr George Sibbin, auctioneer. The game played was the Association game,

The Premier, in a telegram to the Liberal Association, expressed a hope that the Waikato seat would be contested in the Liberal interest by a candidate personally acceptable to the electorate.

Dunedin, September 5. The annual football matoh between team 3 from the Southland and Otago Unions was played to-day, on the Oarisbrook grounds, »nd the weather was lovely, and the attend • anoe fair. The game resulted in a deoieive win for Otago by 17 points to nothing. In the first spell, especially in the open, the visitor's forwards had the best of the game, and the Ofcago backs were nob only inferior in defence, but also in offensive tactics. It was in passing, however, that the local team were superior, each of the seven tries secured being from a passing rush, by the baoks or forwards.

The National Insurance Company has issued the following circular to the share* holders :— The Directors think it proper to take the earliest opportunity of advising you that the liquidation of the Fire Department in the London branch, which was the object of Mr William's visit to England last August, is practically completed, and the total cost of the retirement, including all provision for unsettled losses, amount to £24,123 in excess of what was in hand, in reserve to insure current accounts. It haß also been arranged that we retire from the general. Marine Department at the 30th of June, 1893 ; and the Directors regret it is necessary to reserve a sum of £ 10,000 in provision against claims to come in. before these liabilities can be completely extinguished, To make the necessary provision the Directors propose to withdraw £381,835 from the Reserve Fund, bringing that down, to £70,000. As the annual meeting is so near at hand, they supply the information without comment, bub it may be as well to add, that as the capital and general reservo fund still amount to £168,057, besides re* serves to reinsure current risks, there is actual value still represented in the aasets of the Company of 17s per Bhare, exclusive of good will. If the results of the past five oc six years in the Colonies are maintainedj tho Directors are justified in expressing an opinion that the prospects of profits in the future are much better than they have been for years.

The ceremony of presenting the diplomas gained at the last New Zealand University examination took place this evening in the Garrison Hall, which was crammed to the doors, Sir Robert Stout, representing the Chancellor, presided, and presented the diplomas as follows :— M.A., 8, including Miss Gifford of Auckland ; 8.A., 18, includiog four ladies ; L.L.B, 2 ; M.8., 3. Speeches were delivered by Sir Robert Stout, Mr J. McGregor (Chairmen of the Eduoatiou Board), and the Rev-. Dr Stewart, who all received a fair hearing, The students had their orchestra present, and played the " Dead March " ween reference was made to atx undergraduate who died from a oold caught after laat year's ceremony. The usual songs were rendered, four of them being original and appropriate to the oeoai aion, and there was an excellent caricature illustrating a recent medioal fracas. la front o£ the orchestra was a student repre« senting Father Time, with a sickle and hour glaas, which was duly turned when tho speeches wera becoming wearisome, the speakers taking the hint. Sir Robert Stout thanked the students for their excellent behaviour.

Westpokt, September 5, A coloured man named John Bennett was out fishing when his boat capsized. A boat which put out from Cape Foulwind with three men to rescue Bennett also capsized, and the crew saved themselves with difficulty. Bennett, who is a powerful man, was rescued after being two hours in the water. He is in a prostrate condition, The coal export for the week is 630Z tons,