NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5487, 18 June 1879, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

(PER " EERALD" SPECIAL WIRE.) [press association.] WELLINGTON, Tnesday. The Government has rented the Athenceum Hall as a temporary Police Court. An agitation is ou foot to get the Corporation to procure a floating fire-engine. At the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day, the case Regina v. Kinross, for alleged perjury, was continued. A long argument took place as to the proof of tbe oath having been administered to Kinross in 1871, before the Committee on Native Lands. Mr. Rees put iu a copy of the Journal nals of the Legislative Council. Mr. Travers contended that this document was no evidence, unless an officer of the Council produced and deposed to its being genuine. The Council's permission had not been obtained for any of its officers te give evidence. The Speaker had power to grant permission for an officer to attend, but only the Council had power to grant the officer permission to give evidence. Mr. Keee denied this. He asserted that the attendance of an officer, with the consent of the House, meant, in fact, giving evidence. Mr. Travers pointed out that the evidence required was contained in the appendix, and the appendix was not .1 part of the Council journals. He quoted from the Act to shew that no appendix could be taken as evidence as the proceedings of 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 nnfair to delay the case till after the meeting of Parliament, on July 11, for the prodaction of the evidence of the Clerk of the Legislative Council. Mr. Travers was then put in the box. He had not been present as counsel at the beginning of Mr. Kinroas's examination, therefore he did not see him sworn. He, however, saw several other witaesses sworn before the same committee. There was a resolution of the committee that all evidence should be written on oath. The case was further adjourned till Thursday. It is understood that the Governor will pay a visit to the Kawau. It is also not improbable that he will return via the East

Coast, going round the North Cape frern Onehnnga in the Hinemoa. BLENHEIM, Tuesday. The flax mill on Mr. Davis'a property wa« burned down last night. The cause ia involved in mystery. Its value was £150, uninsured) An inquiry will be held on Tuesday next. The case Davis t>. Bothwell was decided against the defendant last Friday. . CHBISTCHTTRCH, Tuesday. The coursing meeting was postponed till to-morrow, owing to the wet weather. The first production of "H.M.S. Pinafore" was crowded last night, and was fairly sucsesful. Three lads, named Watkins, Fitzgerald, and Beach were convicted at Rangiora today, of pouring kercqene on a dog, and setting fire to it. The evidence disclosed the grossest cruelty. The magistrate regretted that he could not order them to be flogged, and took time to consider the verdict. The Chrisbchurch Tramway Company commence operations next month. The first design of the new Town Hall was received yesterday from Auckland. The Drainage Board will introduce a bill next session amending the working of the present Act. A man working with the contractors, at Wainui, had his face and eyes fearfully burnt last week by the explosion of a dynamite cartridge while drying it on a shovel at a wood fire, when it exploded. He was conveyed to the Akaroa Hospital. Dr. Gathrie is doubtful whether'he will be able to save the eyesight. Eight Sydenham councillors cannot agree about putting the employed together, each one going to find work in his own borough. A whale was stranded at Akaroa Head. It is 50 feet long. It has been dead for weeks. The oil and whalebone are useless. OAMARTJ, Tuesday. The body of a man was found in the lagoon to-day. It had evidently been in the water for some time. It was identified as a Scotchman, 55 years of age, named Donald McDonald, or Donald McGunnell.