DUNEDIN. January 20.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2403, 21 January 1880, Page 2

DUNEDIN. January 20.

An unusual case waa commoncod in tho Supremo Court this morning. A. special jury is askod to dotonnino whether or not tho will executed by tho late David Caldor, of Cavorsham, by which his property is divided equally amongst his throe youngest children, and ono of his grandchildren, to the exclusion of tho rest of the family, is valid, [t is asserted by the defendants that this disposition was tho result of an undue proaauro oxortod by the docoased's youngest daughter, and that tho deceased was physically incapable of executing a will. Tho property in dispute is said to bo worth over L 20,000. Tho first annual mooting of the United Fire Brigade Association was held in tho Library at tho Dunedin Fire Brigade main station to-day. The following dolegatos wore present: Christchurch — Superintendent Harris (president), Firemen Marsh and Smith ; Dunedin — Captain Murphy, Socrotary Robertson ; Wellington — Volunteer Superintendent Whitoford, Captain Wilson; Wanganui — Treasurer Jones; Wellington Central — Captain Moss, .Secretary Austin, Treasurer Adam ; Kaiapoi — Superintendent Smith ; Timaru — Capt. Mills ; Nasoby— Fireman Hosie ; Lyttolton — Fireman Sedcolo ; Rangiora — Supt. Gullivor ; Napier — Sub-Snpl. Spenco, Foreman Gilbort ; Port Chalmers— Capt, D.IIO ; Waimato — Oapt. J. Sinclair, Fireman Hunter ; Mornington — Captain Telford ; Cavorsham— Captain Blagdon. The following letter from Mr Stevens, M.H.R. for Christchurch, was also read : " I write to inform you that I havo been unsuccessful in obtaining a capitation allowance for tho United Fire Brigades, but that free passes will be given for members attending tho demonstration, I may observe that I beliovo the Government to be favorable to giving aid but for tho presont state of its finances, and I would thoroforo suggest that tho subject should be pursued next session. In that case I shall bo glad to further tho object in view to the boat of my power." Tho draft of a Bill to bo introduced to Parliament next session was read, in which is tho following clause : " It shall not be lawful to use any building within a borough of more than two storeys high as an hotol or public lodging-house, without providing on tho outside of such building ono or more iron ladders, so fixed from tho top of such building in front of tho window of each storey to within ton foot of tho ground as to provide a moans of escape therefrom. Every such ladder must be fixed, and shall bo constructed in such a manner as shall bo required by tho survoyor or other officers appointed by the Council." Superintendent Harris, Christchurch, was re-elected president ; Secrotary llobertson, Dunodin, lion. sec.