TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 658, 3 October 1884, Page 21

TELEGRAPHIC.

(UNITED press association.) Auckland, September 25.

At Mr A. Buekland’s sale of allotments and sections in North Gisborne township, the property of the New Zealand Land Settlement Company, there was a strong representation of East Coast settlers. The sales effected totaled £6OOO. , , ~ At a meeting of the Rotorua leaseholders, held to protest against the oppressive legislation affecting the township of Rotorua, in the Hot Lake district, it was resolved that a petition be framed and forwarded to the General Assembly, signed by the chairman and secretary on behalf of the leaseholders. Twenty-nine prisoners are down for trial at the Supreme Court sitting, fifteen of whom are Maoris. The only case of importance is that of Rosina Emily Smith for child murder. Krupp and Necklace were shipped to Christchurch by the Rotomahana to-day for the purpose of fulfilling engagements at the Canterbury Spring Meetiug. Nelson, September 25. H. S. Creswell, whose death from a carbine shot was reported the other day, was buried to-day with military honors. The funeral procession was a very large one, notwithstanding pouring rain. An art exhibition of paintings, sketches, and studies of John Gully was opened. this evening by the jMayor. The collection is an admirable one, and the exhibition has been got up principally by the Bishop of Nelson and a committee with the view of starting an art gallery. Dunedin, September 25. The Blue Ribbon executive have sent the following telegram to the city members : «The Blue Ribbon Societies Union urge strenuous opposition to the compensation and optional endorsement clauses in Mr Steward’s Bill. Compensation means a large and indefinite liability in restraint of popular control.” The committee of the Chamber of. Commerce have carried the following resolution : “ That the committee view with concern the proposal of Sir Julius Vogel to increase the rate of postage on letters via Brindisi to Is per half ounce, as in their opinion such a step will practically close this route to the general community, and so deprive them of mail communication with Home which they now enjoy. That great value is attached to the existing facilities for communication, but while appreciating the advantages which the direct steam service and the San Francisco mail route confer, the committee are of opinion that it would be an unwise and retrogade step to curtail the present facilities, and that a copy of the foregoing resolutions be forwarded to the city members, to use their influence in the direction indicated.” Napier, September 25. Owing to very inefficient lighterage in the service carried on by Mr Kinross and the excessive charges imposed, a number of leading commercial firms are subscribing the necessary capital to purchase a new steamer and lighters. Most of the chief importers have promised their support to the new venture. Christchurch, September 25. For the annual horse parade on Saturday there are forty entries, ten le3B than last year. Hatching out trout ova, in the Acclimatisa-

tion Society’s ponds has been very successful this season, no less than 50,000 young fish having been obtained. Timaru, September 25.

Very heavy rain has been falling here for the last two days, and still continues. No floods are as yet reported. Geraldine races had, in cousequence, to be postponed from to-day till Thursday and Friday next. Wanganui, September 25.

Joseph Paul, the well-known draper, was sued for a breach of the Stamp. Act to-day. The evidence showed he had given a statement of a monthly account and credited the payments made. Mr. Ward, R.M., did not consider that a receipt, and dismissed the case. . , At the Supreme Court Johnston, for forging telegrams, has been sentenced to three years ; Rees, charged with the same offenee, comes up for sentence next session, pending the decision of the Court of Appeal on the legal points, Invebcargill, September 2d.. The District Court has been occupied with the hearing of the case W. Guthrie and Co. v. Reid, claim £159, damages to goods per ship Bebington, from London to the Bluff, of which ship defendant is master. The defence was that the damage was caused by perils of the sea, as provided for in the bill of lading. The evidence of plaintiffs so far is to show that the cause of damage was insufficient dunnage, which was proved to have been entirely absent in some places and only three inches deep in the bilges. It was contended that the amount of water in the hold was not sufficient to damage the cargo if properly dunnaged. The case will last all tomorrow. Westport, September 25. The body of Henderson, engineer of . the Timaru, was found this afternoon in the river, about the spot where he is supposed to have fallen in. A severe wound was found over the left eye. He evidently struck the timber of the staiths in falling. The deceased was not under the influence of liquor when last seen. Greymouth, September 25. It has been raining all night and all day, and is raining still. The wharf and bridge contracts have been impeded to an extraordinary extent by the bad weather. Auckland, September 26. The man Davisson, who attempted suicide by blowing himself up with gunpowder yesterday, died at the hospital to-day. At the inquest on Darrell, the contractor, killed by a portion of the Presbyterian Church, Surrey Hill, falling upon him, a verdict of accidental death was returned. No blame was attached to anyone, and the witnesses expressed a belief that they thought the building perfectly secure. A requisition is being extensively signed to Mayor Waddell, asking him to consent to stand for a second term of office. A rumor that Judges Gillies and Johustoue bad arranged for a temporary interchange of circuits, proves to be without foundation. Judge Gillies has made no arrangement for going to Dunedin. A divorce case, Moulden v. Moulden, is fixed for trial at the next Civil Sittings. Petitioner claims a divorce on the allegation of his' wife’s adultery with two persons named Corbett and Young, the latter of whom is yet undefended. M!rs Mloulden is the eldest daughter of Mr T. M. McAttie, and for many years past has been living apart from her husband, the cause being incompatibility of disposition. The respondent strenuously denies the allegation of adultery. The petitioner, who describes himself as a settler, has been away from Auckland for some time, and only recently returned. His wife at once sued him for maintenance, and the court made an order on him Eor contribution. The Auckland militiamen, whose land claims have been disallowed, intend convening a public meeting. , , Howard Vincent left to-day for the Lake country, via Waikato. After visiting Rotomahana district; he will go on to Taupo, and thence to Napier and Wellington. He will then visit the South Island, and leave the Bluff for Melbourne. Napier, September 26. The Harbormaster has instituted proceedings for libel against the captain of the Mary Wadley. The alleged libel was contained in a letter from the latter to the Harbor Board, read at its last meeting. Greymouth, September 26. It is still raining, and the rivers are flooded. The bar is rough, and there have been no departures. Wanganui, September 26.

Mr Bryce’s effigy is to be burned to-morrow night for his determined opposition to the Harbor Rating Bill now before the House. Nelson, September 26. A child of W. In wood, junr., was drowned in Sydney Creek, Riwaka district, this afternooD. , Deceased was four years of age. Christchurch, September 26. A meeting called to oppose the passage of the Licensing Act Amendment Bill was attended by thirty persons. The weather was rather inclement. Mr W. Chrystall presided, and resolutions were passed to the effect that Mr Steward’s Bill was uncalled for ; that the meeting entirely disapproves any scheme of compensation for refusal of renewal of license ; that the optional endorsement clauses lessen the restraint which the law at present places around the trade, and are fraught with terrible evil to the community. Further information is to hand by English mail concerning the Methodist Union in New Zealand. The Bible Christian Conference cordially agrees, and the Primitive Methodist Conference has referred the subject to its churches in the colony, a large majority of which support the Union. The matter now rests with the General Conference of the Wesleyan Church, which meets in Christchurch next November.

Invercargill, September 26. In the District Court to-day, the case Guthrie and Co v. Reid, master of the Bebington, claim of £159 for damage to goods, was finished. Judgment for £2, value of colza oil lost through improper storage, without costs, was all that was recovered. A witness for the defence, who surveyed the ship in Lyttelton, deposed that the damage was caused through leakage from the decks in bad weather, and not from deficient dunnage. Dunedin, September 26. The Amateur Athletic Club continues, to add to its membership, and has had to appoint a paid secretary. _ At the meeting of the Acclimatisation Society, it was reported that the following brown trout ova bad been sent away to

Northern ports :—Auckland Society, 20,000 ; Hawkes Bay Society, 36,000 ; Wellington Society, 10,000 ; Wairarapa Society, 30,000 ; Hawera Society, 1000 ; andlnangabua County Council, Westport, 100'*. The first four of these lots had arrived safely at their destination. The following are still to be sent : Wanganui Society, 20,000 ; Hawke’s Bay Society, 12,000. There are twelve prisoners for trial at the Supreme Court sittings. Rape is the mo*fc serious offence.

The union and non-union lumpers had a dispute this morning over discharging the Chang Chow steamer. The uuion men carried their point. The dispute assumed so serious a phase at one time that a sergeant of police was procured.

Hokitika, September 26. A man named Frank Steele, stockman at Kakatabi, is reported missing. His horse and dogs returned yesterday. The weather being bad, fears are entertained for Steele’s safety. A search party is now out. The Donnelly’s Creek Goldmining Company, Ross, has accepted the tender of John Maher for completion of the drainage of the tunnel. Two previous contractors failed to finish the work owing to the difficult nature of thegrouud The terms of Maher’s contract are no payment unless the work is completed satisfactorily. The Christchurch coach due on Wednesday arrived here this evening, having been detained by floods in the rivers and creeks. . The weather is abominable. It has been raining for weeks. Shipping business is at a standstill in consequence of the continued heavy sea and floods in the river. Auckland, September 27. Mr O’Donaghue, master of the Waiokaraka School, at the Thames, has been dismissed by the Board of Education, for writing a letter to the secretary of the board, which the board considered offensive. Wanganui, September 27. A young IVlaori named Totara was charged yesterday with assaulting a Maori woman with intent to commit a rape. The charge was dismissed, it being proved that complainant was drunk ; her evidence, moreover, lacked corroboration. The Magistrate said it would be cieating a dangerous precedent to send such a case to a jury. Judgment in the case of Munro v. Bydder was given yesterday for the plaintiff for £822, The claim was £ISOO.

September 28. The Supreme Court was occupied yesterday hearing the case Adsett v. Manchester Highway Board, compensation for bush alleged to have been burned by employe* of that board while kindling a fire in the bush. At midnight the jury could not agree, and were discharged. John Bryce was burned in effigy last evening, on account of his opposition to the Harbor Rating Bill. The affair was a miserable farce, and only emanated from a few. An immense crowd witnessed the ceremony. Nelson, September 27. A heavy rain storm, accompanied -by thunder and lightning, passed over the city this morning. All the lower parts of the city were flooded, streams of water several inches deep running through the houses. 5t has been the heaviest storm known for years past. The storm appears to have been local, as reports from the country state that there has been no rain to speak of. There are some slip 3 on the hills round the town, and at Bishopdale 2£in of rain fell in about six hours, and the rain was not continuous. The Rev W. St. Clair Tisdale had a narrow escape of being killed yesterday afternoon. He and Mrs Tisdale were riding through Upper Wakefield when a runaway horse in a cart came suddenly upon them. Mrs Tisdale managed to get out of the way, but Mr Tisdale was not so fortunate. The shaft of the cart went right through his horse, and he himself was thrown some distance. He fortunately escaped with a few bruises, but his horse had to be destroyed. Christchurch, September 27. A young man named Robert Farquhar, while working in the bush, at Little River on Thursday, was jammed between two. logs and so severely injured that he died last night. The Clydesdale entire Young Clyde, by Lord Clyde—Maude 3rd, was sold by auction to-day for 500 guineas to Mr Robert Puflett. At the annual meeting of the Canterbury Cricket Association last night, the balancesheet showed a debit balance of £147, assets £36, and liabilities £llß. The falling off is accounted for by the expenditure on tbe Auckland and Otago matches. It was decided that teams for all except club matches be selected by one person appointed by a general committee ; also to request the committee to arrange for home and home matches with Otago, and endeavor to fix the next match between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. J t-v cn l. i no

Dunedin, September 28.

Very heavy rain prevailed all day yesterday, and floods were threatened. The rain ceased, however, at nightfall. Both express trains were detained, the north one for half an hour, and the south one for an hour and half. A meeting of those favorable to the retention of the present provisions of the Bradshaw" Act was convened for yesterday, but owing to the weather was postponed till Wednesday. The KaitaDgata Coal Company show a net profit for the year of £3962, notwithstanding that the mine was closed for six weeks in the winter by a fire. A dividend of 10 per cent, was declared.

Auckland, September 29. The Governors of the Auckland College have established a workshop for the mechanical training of pupils. , , ~ The Rev. W. Gomne, who formed tbe first Presbyterian congregation in Auckland, died at Pukekohe on Saturday, aged eighty-thtee. He was exceedingly eccentric and very wealthy. ■ . , . , A half-caste named William Smith has been committed for trial at Ngawawahia, on a charge of indecent assault on a girl seven years of age. The Rev. A. Reid, of Pitt-street Wesleyan Church, yesterday, in the course of the morning service, made some scathing remarks specially bearing upon members of the General Assembly whom the people have placed in office, and were found yesterday Sabbath excursioning in the Government steamer Hinemoa to visit the bays and harbors of New Zealand. He anticipated that some such curse as befel the Israelites of old, on account of their national sins, would most assuredly fall upon. New Zealand owing to such outrageous deae-

oration on the Lord’s day. He hinted that the people should rise ep masse and denounce sach procedure as detrimental to the true interests of the colony. . The Auckland Parliamentary union was formally opened to-night in St. James Hall by the governor of . the union, Sir Frederick Whitaker, with a speech. There were 600 persons present. Nothing had been heard of the missing Dunedin schooner Tauranga when the Sandflj left Tonga. Napier, September 29. Webb’s Marionettes are here drawing crowded houses. The Diocesan Synod was opened to-day by a lengthy address from the Bishop of Waiapu. Wanganui, September 29. The Supreme Court to-day heard the case, Churton v. Walker, for commission on native land transactions. Judgment will be given today, The claim is £2OO. The libel action, Bussell v. McKelvie and McMinn, commenced to-day, before a special jury, and is expected to last several days. There are a large number of witnesses to be examined. v

Freeman E. Jackson, a well-known auctioneer and stock-salesman, filed a petition in bankruptcy to-day. His liabilities are £16,124 ; assets, £8379 ; deficiency, £7544 (?). There are only three unsecured creditors. The Stormbird in coming up the river yesterday stripped off all the blades of her propellor by catching on a snag. The steamer then swung' round on to the bank, but was soon got off. Masterton, September 29. Mr Mackay, manager of the Rev. J. C. Andrew’s lea Station, was fined the minimum penalty of £237 this morning, for breach of the Sheep Act, Clause 23. Notice of appeal was given. Christchurch, September 29. At a directors’ meeting of the North Creek Gold Mining Company, a report as to the propress of the works was presented. The result to-day was that shares advanced a shilling, or equal to 50 per cent, premium. The report describes the route to the diggings on the Wilberforce as easy all through from Christchurch. The party was found comfortably housed, and the works iu very forward condition. The prospects of the company are very good. The report suggests alterations in the details. The company is awaiting replies from England to order £BOO worth of the newest machinery of novel and. gold-saving properties, which will cause a revolution in gold mining in New Zealand. Dunedin, September 29.

The bankruptcy case of George Badley, the proprietor of the Leviathan Cafe, who got a bogus contract signed in such a manner as to impose on a local building secretary, came before Judge Williams to-day. The Official Assignee said it was not quite clear, whether the building society would proceed against Badley for having obtained money by false representation, and the examination was adjourned. Mr Stout will arrive to-morrow night to give evidence in the Supreme Court case Campbell v. Sievwright and others. He will be received at the railway station by the Mayor and other citizens, and be presented with an address.

Napier, September 30.

An inquest was held yesterday on the body of a man found washed up on the beach on Sunday. The body was recognised as that of Edward Perry, a sailor, aged 35, who was drowned on the night of the 12th Instant. John Merritt, seaman on board the Sir Donald, deposed that the Sir Donald came into the channel about 8 o’clock that evening, and as the vessel was nearing the breastwork, witness heard a splash in the water. Ino notice was taken of the splash, and when the vessel made fast witness went on the wharf, and heard something splashing about in the water. Captain Quinlan then came along with a lantern, and witness called him. They looked over the edge of the wharf, and saw a man in the water. His head was just under the surface, and his hands moving. Witness called out, “ Man overboard,” and Captain Balle, of the Silver Cloud, let himself down from hiß vessel by a rope to try to reach the man in the water. Witness afterwards went down the chain over the bow of the Frank Guy, but was only just in time to see the man go under the vessel. Xu cross-examination witness said that there were neither life-buoys nor grapnels on the wharf for use in case of accident. It transpired also that the law in this respect is systematically ignored. A verdict of found drowned was returned, with a rider to the effect that the harbor authorities ought to provide life-buoys and grapnels, to be kept at fixed placed on the wharves. Auckland, September 30.

A petition has been signed by 150 C persons favoring the oDening of the Museum on Sundays. Firth’s Matamata estate is to be cut up and sold in the Home market.

David Alexander Evans, or Hopkins (which is said to be hia real name), who recently attempted suicide by cutting his throat at Durand’s boardinghouse, Wyndham-street, died to-night, at the hospital, of his injuries. The Hamilton-Morrinsville section of rail•way is to be formally opened to-morrow for traffic.

The Auckland Institute, looking forward to the time when the Museum will be an institution of large dimensions, have purchased, out of the Costley bequest, Gleeson’s property, having 99ft frontage to Princes-street, adjacent to the Museum. An empty ten-roomed house belonging to Thomas Rodger, Papatoitoi, was burned down last night. It was insured in the TJnion for £ISOO. The capsizing of the schooner Norah was owing to a ping coming out of the bottom of the vessel, which filled with water before the crew was aware of it. The crew of five clung to the bottom of the vessel for five hours till reVcued by the barque Progress, and taken to Whangapau. , Dunedin, September 30. A house at Blue Spur, belonging to a miner named Waters was burned on Sunday. The house and furniture were insured in the National office for £2OO. The funeral of Mr E. NathaD, who has been in business in Dunedin for many years, and •was a prominent member of the Masonic body, was attended by a large number of the general public and about 130 Masons. Christchurch, September 30. The Selwyn County Council at its meeting to-day resolved to urge oa the Government the advisability of substantial endowments being made for the maintenance of hospitals, &c.

The Christchurch Drainage Board have been proposing for some time past to revert to the system of rating on anuual value, and it was understood that Mr Garrick, M.H.R, would introduce a Bill to amend the Rating Act to enable them to do so. There is considerable opposition to the proposals from small cottage holders, and petitions to Parliament have been circulated. The board decided at a meeting to-day to defer the endeavor in this direction till after the new board is elected in January. In reference to importing salmon ova, the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society decided to-day to apply to Government for a subsidy in aid. In consequence of the great destruction of flounders in Lake Ellesmere the Society resolved to ask Government to restrict fishing there by legislation or order in Council. Mr J. T. Brown, timber merchant and farmer, has failed. His liabilities are very heavy. Wanganui, September 30. The libel ease, Ruosell v. McMinn and McKelvie, in which the plaintiff claims £IOOO damages, is now on. The plaintiff is a J.P., and was editor of the Manawatu Times ; the defendants are the proprietors and editor of the Manawatu Standard. The libel alleged that the plaintiff made indecent proposals to Miss Louise Crawford, the actress, and a native woman. Miss Crawford stated in her evidence that the plaintiff had attended supper with the actresses, and that after supper, when going home, she found the door locked, and he then made the proposals. Constable Gillespie gave evidence that he had made inquiries as to the rumors, but did not take any steps, and that the plaintiff hearing of the inquiries, took steps to have him shifted, and he was consequently transferred to Feilding. Later.

The Supreme Court was occupied all day hearing the libel action Russell v. McKelvie and McMinn, before a special jury. A number of witnesses were examined for the defence. It is expected the case will occupy all day tomorrow.