TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 704, 28 August 1885, Page 20

TELEGRAPHIC.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, August 20. About 150 unemployed this morning waited on Mr Hales, at the Public Works Office, who informed them that he had instructions from the Government to offer work at stonebreaking, at 6d below current rates. It is expected a large number of the men will accept the terms.

John Dignan and Charles Little, the Waitemata pirates, have been committed for trial. A Court of Inquiry was held to-day into the wounding of Lieutenant'Wolfild, of the Auckland Cavalry, at the Waverley Hotel, while in company with Captain Seecombe and Instructor Smith. The Court declined to hear the last witnesg, being satisfied that the wound in sword exercise was purely accidental. The Court consisted of Major Lusk (presiding), Captain Morris, A.C., and Captain Commandant Leroy, Auckland Naval Artillery. The counsel for Instructor Smith (Mr Cotter) and for Captain Seecombe (Mr Edwin Hesketh) were excluded from Court, as well as the reporters, Napier; August 20. A small tradesman named Paul Victor wa9 caught early this morning making his exit from the back of Banner and Liddle’s auction room. For a long time all sorts of articles have been missed from these premises, and the police were set to watch. On searching Victor’s house, it was found fairly stocked with stolen goods. Amongst other things are twenty large framed pictures, several kerosene lamps, cigars, crockery, boots and shoes, silver watch chains, drapery, lollies, candles, &o. When caught, he was coolly carrying a lamp n each hand. Dunedin, August 20. James O. S. Onsley sued T. G. Dyson for £SO damages for libel. Plaintiff and defendant were members of an 1.0.G.T. Lodge. Plaintiff lived with defendant, and they had a quarrel, which ended In Police Court proceedings. Plaintiff wa3 thereupon expelled from the Order, and an advertisement signed by defendant and - two others appeared in an evening paper. It was shown that it was not usual to publish these expulsions. His Honor ruled that the advertisement was a libel, and held that the statement in it was not true, as the proceedings were not conducted in a regular way. Plaintiff got judgment for £lO and costs. John Criffs, while quarrying on the north side of Deborah Bay Tunnel, was killed while in the act of drawing a charge. His wife and family reside in the Waikato. At the Education Board there was read replies which had been received to questions submitted to medical men on the question of ventilation. The replies varied very materially. Of thirteen who replied, six Btated that they had observed some ill effects from want of fresh air. The replies as to cubic feet required by each child ranged from 200 up to 2100. The Secretary acknowledged receipt of £2 anonymously. Christchurch, August 20. A three-roomed bouse, owned by Mr Galbraith, was destroyed by fire about 9 o’clock to night, and another cottage adjoining, belonging to Mr W. Moir, was gutted. When the alarm was given the Fire Brigade were at their annual dinner. They turned out very smartly, and having disposed of the fire, returned to enjoy their banquet. Both the houses were unoccupied. That in which the fire originated had been vacated by the tenant, Mr Donovan, to-day, afeer the landlord had distrained for rent. There is no evidence as to the cause of the fire. It was first seen breaking through the roof near the chimney. Mr Galbraith’s cottage was insured for £IOO in the London and Lancashire Office, and Moir’s in .the New Zealand Company, but for what amount could not be ascertained. The North Canterbury Board of Education, at its meeting to-day, agreed to a resolution proposed by Mr Alfred Saunders deprecating the action of the Legislative Council in excluding from public schools all children under seven years of age. 1

The lumpers’ strike against the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company still continues at Lyttelton, but it is not anticipated that there will be any delay in the departure of the Tamui, as the work of handling the cargo is being done by th 6 sailors and non-Union men. At a meeting of the Coast Bail way League Committee held to-day, a resolution was agreed to urging Government to make provision in the Public Works Statement for an early commencement of the line uader conditions that will admit of rapid progress. The meeting also appointed a sub committee to organise an extended membership. Napier, August 21. At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce to-day, the Native Lands Disposition Bill was discussed at length, the following resolution being ultimately adopted :—“ That this Chamber is of opinion that the Native Lands Disposition Bill as brought down by the Native Minister is not calculated to promote the settlement of the country.” The Borough Council has passed a by-law devised with the object of putting down the nuisances of the Salvation Army processions. Christchurch, August 21. This afternoon 4998 forfeited shares in the Southern Cros3 Petroleum Company were sold by auction. The highest price obtained was 6d, at which forty were sold. Fifty were sold at sd, 2075 at 4d, and 2883 at 3d. Application was made before Mr Justice Johnston, in Chambers, to day, to change the venue of the libel action brought by Dr Stewart against the proprietors of the Evening Press to Wellington, on the ground of the feeling here being embittered against Mr Wakefield- , Mr Joynt, for Mr Stewart, opposed. His Honor asked if there was any objection to Dunedin. Mr Wilding, for the applicants, agreed to communicate with his clients, and the application was adjourned to Tuesday. Auckland, August 21. . Mr Kirby, contractor, has issued a writ for £2560 against the City Council in connection with several contracts which the Council terminated and completed at his risk. Mrs Edith O’Gorman Suffray, known as the escaped nun, is expected in the Colony by the-Bteamer Arawa, to give a Beries of lectures of the Chiniquy type. Antoni Gschnell, a lunatic, who killed an Armed Constabulary man at Taranaki, and also Mills, a patient in the Auckland. Asylum, a couple of years ago, has hanged himself in Auckland. He broke the wire on which the sashes of the windows are hung, and tied it round his neck, drawing it until he strangled himself. The unemployed meeting to-day resolved to ask the Government to employ the men at road-making instead of breaking stones. Dunedin, August 21. It is rumored in commercial circles that two large local commercial houses are iu temporary difficulties, but it is believed that both will be able to arrange matters. Some smaller failures are also reported. Christchurch, August 22. Notwithstanding the lumpers’ strike 9 the Shaw, Savill, and Albion. Company’s s.s. Tainui has completed loading, and cleared the Customs yesterday. She takes 7000 carcases of mutton and a full cargo of wool, grain, flour, &e. s August 23. A'boxing match to a finish for £25 a-side, between E. Donovan, of Auckland, and W. Hurcomb, of Christchurch, took place in the Theatre Royal last night. Ten rounds of very even fighting resulted in favor of Donovan, whose condition was far better than his opponent’s. . , ’ Timaru, August 23. A man named Edwin Best, a tailor, died early this morning from an overdose of chlorodyne. He had been drinking heavily of late, and last night purchased, or had purchased for him, three bottles of chlorodyne, which he took. He was conveye.d to the Hospital, where everything possible was done, but without avail. Best had been several times before the Court lately for failing to maintain his wife and family, and on the last occasion he stated that, through his wife going to the Salvation Army, his nome had become a little “ hell upon earth." • . FeildinG, August 22. A meeting of all the sawmill proprietors was held this afternoon re the private sidings access by-law published on July 16th by the Minister of Public Works. . The following resolution was passed, That this meeting condemns the above by-law as calculated to interfere with and check the progress of the timber trade, while being an extra tax on an industry now contributing very largely to the revenue. Copies of the resolution are to be forwarded to Messrs Macartbur, Wilson, and Bruce, members for the district. Greymouth, August 22. Thomas O’Loughlin; of Brunnertop, this afternoon made a deposit of £25 with the Editor|of the Argus, to bind his match for £IOO with Thomas Hunt, of Wellington, for a 440 yards raGe on the racecourse here. Hawera, August 22. At the Hawera County Council meeting yesterday, all the members being present, the following resolutions of general interest here were passed “ That the dog tax collector be authorised to call upon certain Native owners to register their dogs, and that in the event of their refusing to so, that he call upon the police for assistance in terms of section 5 of the Dog Registration Amendment Act, 1885, and that the Chairman request Inspector Pardy to support this action of the County Council.” ‘‘ That it is desirable that the Hawera county be attached to Taranaki Hospital district.” Carried , unanimously. “ That, in the opinion of this Council, the time has now arrived when a special land board, consisting of the Commissioner of Crown Lands and the Minister for Lands, is no longer required for the West Coast land district, and the Council trust that ordinary representation, so as to include. the West Coast land district in the jurisdiction of the Taranaki Waste Lands Board, may be provided for in the Land Bill now before the House.” Carried unanimously. Dunedin, August 22. Neill Bros, was the firm alluded to yesterday as being in difficulties. . They have now suspended payment. Their liabilities are about £60,000, of which £32,000 is due to Henty Bros., of Melbourne. August 23.

It is understood, in connection with the stoppage of Neill Bros., of this city, that the principal creditors are outside of New Zealand. The firm’s bankers are fully secured. A petition, signed by all the hotelkeepers

who were granted 11 o’clock licenses, asking that the privilege be granted to others who may apply for it, except in cases where special reasons exist, is to be presented to the Licensing Bench. Blenheim, August 23.

The twenty members of Parliament visiting Blenheim were entertained at a splendid banquet last night at the Criterion Hotel, Mr Henderson, Mayor of Blenheim, presiding. A large number of the principal settlers of ail parties were present. The visitors have thoroughly inspected the district, and are to make a trip round the Sounds before leaving. Auckland, August 22. Mr Gamble, United States Consul, has received a note from Detective Tray, dated Honolulu, stating that the prisoner Maxwell gave no trouble on the way up, but behaved very well. He refused to enter into any conversation on the subject of the murder. InveHCARGILL, August 24. An inquest was held at Menzies’ Ferry today on the body of Henry Cunningham, a lad of 16 years, found drowned in the Mataura on Saturday. From the evidence it appeared that the youth had been in a desponding state of mind, and a letter to hi 3 family had been found in which he intimated his intention of destroying himself, being tired of life. A search was made in the river on Saturday, when his body was found in two feet of water, with his hands tied down to his feet. The jury returned a verdict of suicide during temporary insanity. The ratepayers of the suburban borough of East Invercargill decided, by 18 votes to 11, to amalgamate with the Borough of Invercargill, at a public meeting to-night. Christchurch, August 24. A walking, contest took place to-night between Hancock,-a well-known pedestrian, and Libau, of Akaroa. The distance was ten miles and the stakes £SO. Libau forced the pace tremendously at the start, but^ after going three miles he complained of a stitch in the side and gave up. * Hancock walked over the rest of the distance. At the Kaiapoi Resident Magistrate’s Court fco-dav, C. B. Richards was fined £2 for raffling a gun and other articles without obtaining a license from the Colonial Secretary. Three of the participators in the raffle were fined 10s Dunedin, August 24. The City Council have received an offer of a donation of £2OO from a gentleman for establishing a market, and steps are to be taken by the Council. A presentation of a diamond pin was made to Mr S. E. Sleigh, who is leaving for England, for his services for football. Grezmouth, August 24. Heavy rain throughout yesterday culminated in a flooded river. This morning about 3 o’clock a wall of water came down, and while the men were at work in one of the cylinders it carried away two rows of temporary piles, although driven fifteen feet in the shingle. The derrick at the end of the work was carried away, »Ibo the donkey engine and the boiler. The cylinders were not attached to any of the woodwork, and the damage is not considered heavy. It is expected to recover the engine, which is fastened to a framework. The flood was not nearly so high as the previous one, which carried away the cylinders, and did other damage. Palmerston North, August 24. The body of Neil Wilkie was found dead on the railway line, Pokomaru, yesterday morning. Deceased was brother of the Wilkies, the well-known contractors. The supposed cause of death is heart disease. An inquest is now being held. Auckland, August 24. In the wrestling match, Reaney against Fagan for £SO aside, Fagan won by five falls to two * ™ , A girl named Trethway was killed at Tamahare, Waikato, through a trap accident. A man named Wakeham has been committed for trial for attempted murder of his wife. , Later intelligence throws doubt on the suicide of Willis, at Oxford. It is believed now that he had been drawing the charge from his gun. The unemployed decline to accept stone breaking, and are petitioning Government to employ them on street improvements. Christchurch, August 25. F Arenas Spanish Vice-Consul for New Zealand, received a letter by the mail to-day from the Spanish Consul-General m London, acknowledging, in very handsome terms, the subscription sent from Christchurch for the relief of the sufferers by the earthquake m Andalusia. The Consul-General has also written to the management of the Christ* church newspapers, thanking them for the interest taken by their journals in the matter. At the twelfth annual meeting of the New Zealand Shipping Company to-day, the Hon. E. Richardson and Messrs L. Harper and K. Wilkin were re-elected Directors. Messrs D. Craig and A. Carrick were re-elected Auditors. There was a moderate attendance. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. ’ , The application for a change of venue to Wellington in the case of Stewart v Roydhouse and others (the Evening Press) has been adjourned by consent until 11th September. Dunedin, August 25. John Gillison has teen committed for trial for burglary. Bail was allowed, himself iu £3OO, and two sureties of £l5O each. Westport, August 25. The Resident Magistrate’s Court was occupied to-day with a charge against eighteen Unionist colliers, who were recently on strike at the Westport Coal Company’s mine, of assaulting and intimidating non-Union hands. It was shown that the Union men went to the huts of the others, committed assaults, and warned them to leave the mine. The cases will occupy some time.