TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 860, 24 August 1888, Page 26

TELEGRAPHIC.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Nelson, August 16. A private letter received from Mr Salt, Chairman of the Midland Railway Directors, dated 27th June, says that as soon as the contract is signed the Company intend to push on the work with the utmost energy, and to get the through line built as rapidly as possible. Oamaru, August 16. Sailed—Elderslie, for London, via Timaru and Port Chalmers, with frozen mutton, preserved meats, wool, and tallow. Dunedin, August 16. The Education Board has negatived the resolutions for periodical exchange of inspectors, but by ”a bare majority carried a resolution that the inspectors should meet in Wellington triennially for the exchange of their views. Auckland, August 16. A six-roomed house at Otahuhn, owned by Mr Fred Hairs, was burned down this morning. It was insured for £l5O in the Victoria office. Peter Hansen, a Dane, aged 27, employed in building a bridge over a creek at Waitakerei, was found dead yesterday in the bed of the creek. He was subject to fits, and is supposed to have fallen from the bridge during the absence of the other workmen. A public gathering last night at the Oddfellows’ Hall, the Mayor presiding, inspected a model of the Hamford windmill bell tower iron lighthouse, and after hearing explanations of the invention, resolved respectfully to ask Government to give it a trial at their earliest convenience. C, Conning, travelling agent for the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society, was seized with a fit on board the Devonport ferry steamer tc-day,' and died a few minutes afterward when removed to his house. The cause of death was heart disease. Feilding, August 16. Mr Sandilands, solicitor for the widow of the late Perceval Bear, states distinctly that the application for the amount of the Government Life Insurance has not yet been made, as the necessary documents are not to band. The paragraph from Napier is a pure fabrication. Hawera, August 16. At a public meeting held here last evening, convened by the county chairman, it was resolved that this meeting, while anxions to see relief granted to ratepayers liable for the New Plymouth Harbour rate, strongly objects to any power being given to the Government to levy harbour dues at Waitara or Patea under the Harbour Act Amendment Bill now before Parliament. Invercargill, August 16. The jury in the cattle stealing case against Sophia Kidd, after being locked up over night, were unable to agree on a verdict, and were discharged. Mr Justice Williams, in doing so, said it was a great misfortune to cause a fresh trial with delay and expense to the public. Beally in another case of the kind one would be almost inclined to resort to the old practice only recently changed, which, at any rate, had the effect of making the jury agree, that of keeping them together till they did agree. By this means a

verdict was at any rate assured. The case comes on again on Monday, for which day a new jury panel has been summoned. The trial is causing considerable excitement here, the accused’s family being in good circumstances, owniDg three farms.

Thomas Edmunds, from Waikaia, charged with the theft of a watch so far back as Ist January, 1885, was acquitted. The defence was that accused x-eceived the watch aB security for a loan made to a man who was on the premises from which the watch was stolen on the day named. A peculiar coincidence in connection with this case was that the watch originally belonged to a man who was drowned, and the last owner was assisting to recover the body of the drowned man from a well when the watch was stolen, and that man from whom the accused said he got it, drowned himself recently while in delir urn tremens.

Edward Albert Mawer and Harry Freen, two old offenders, were convicted on charges of housebreaking, and sentenced to three years’ hard labour. The convicts had made a systematic raid in the country districts, breaking into and robbing bachelors’ and settlers’ houses while the owners were at work. Christchurch, August 16. Frederick Collins, who was nearly suffocated by the fumes of coke at Richmond yesterday, is slowly recovering consciousness, after being insensible for .40 hours. He is better, but still in a precarious state. At the race this evening at the Tuamstreet Hall for the rinking championship of Christchurch, one mile course, between G. Fisher and A. G. Smith, the former won by a few yards ; time, 4min 13|sec. Napier, August 16. A fire to-night destroyed the boardinghouse at the Western Spit, close to the freezing works. Nothing was saved. It is believed that it was not insured. The cross informations, Luckie v. Ware, for embezzlement, and Ware v. Luckie, for perjury, were called in the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day, but were adjourned for eight days to allow of the attendance of Mr Tanner, M.H.R., who is one of the principal witnesses. Dunedin, August 17. Human remains were found yesterday on the 'range about a mile from Eastbourne Station, Crown Range, Arrow. From papers found on the body it is believed to be that of Henry A. Bourke, late of Dunedin. Waipawa, August 17. Nopera Kaikainga, a well-known chief living at the Taipara Pa here, died this morning. Some time ago he had his big toe amputated, but the delay in consenting to the operation is supposed to have induced a state of health which rapidly shortened his life. Nopera was a very decent mac, and it is said leaves a good round sum of money. New Plymouth, August 17. Robert Jaokson, alias Patrick Loughran, who has been robbing stores lately, entering them at night by means of skeleton keys, was brought up yesterday and to-day, charged with breaking and entering a house. The charges were proved, aud the prisoner committed for trixl.

Nelson, August 17. A sharp shock of earthquake, of unusually long duration, was felt at 7.10 this morning. Christchurch, August 17. In the Resident Magistrate’s Court to-day two tobacconists were each fined la and costs for keeping their shops open on Sundays. The Midland Pharmaceutical Association met to-night to discuss the proposed Medical Bill for 18S8, and passed a resolution con. demning the clause which provides that no person shall act as consultant in prescribing medicine unless he is a duly registered medical practitioner. It is considered that this will prevent the chemist prescribing in simple cases. Masterton, August 17. At the examination of the bankruptcy of Brown, Rodgers, and Nees, it was resolved that the proceedings be transfered to Wellington, on the motion of Mr Jellicoe, who appeared on behalf of the Wellington creditors. Auckland, August 17. A man, whose name is not at present known, was drowned at Helensville to-day by the capsizing of a boat. Considerable damage was done at the shop of T. and S. Morrin, in Queen-street, this morning through an explosion of gas, the lower office being completely wrecked. A man named Watson was thrown down by the shock, and had his face singed by the flame. The office of the Ellerslie Railway Station was broken into last night and the safe ab stracted. This morning Plumley, a ganger employed on the railway, found the safe on the road about 150 yards away, showing signs of attempts made to break it open. Entry to the office was obtained through a window.

A man named Wm. Cummings is supposed to have been lost in the Mahakerau Bush, at Mercury Bay. Cummings, who was formerly a brewer in Hamilton, was engaged prospecting in the bush, and has not been seen since Saturday. Invercargill, August 17At the Supreme Court to-day, Gidgeon F. De Joux, late Town Clerk cf North Invercargill, was found guilty of one of two charges of embezzlement of rates. The Government Auditor deposed that the defalcations of tho acoused amounted to £I3OO. The jury recommended the accused to mercy, on the ground that the annual audits had been very lax. Sentence was deferred.

The Union Steam Shipping Company’s Directors decline a further reduction of excurBion fares to Melrourne, as requested by the organisation of residents, who have deputed one of their number proceeding to Victoria to endeavour to induce shipowners to run steamers monthly during the Exhibition. Auckland, August 18. The mail steamer Zealandia shipped 12 extra hands here, making a total crew of 50. She has sufficient coal to bring her back to Auckland without coaling at Sydney. She took in 500 tons of coal here, to which there was no opposition. It is reported that the Alameda has coaled at San Francisco for the round trip. Captain Hayward, of the Mariposa, goes to Sydney by the Zealandia at 1 p.m. to-day. Messrs Stone Bros, shippers, have received a cable message from Melbourne

askmg if they could supply 5000 (sic) tons of coal daily for the gasworks. It is understood that unless this can be guaranteed Melbourne will be in darkness in the event of the strike proceeding. Messrs Stone replied that they oannot fulfil the order unless ships are provided. They would require to despatch two vessels every day in order to keep up the supply. . , , A fire at 7.30 last night, m a two-stoiy block in Hobsrn-street, resulted in the destruction of three shops with dwellings attached, occupied by Misses Day (dressmakers), .Robert Mitchell (upholsterer), and Robinson (ohemist). A fireman named George Finlay was seriously hurt by a sheet of galvanised iron falling on him. The preraises destroyed were owned by R. Cameron and J. Buchanan. The following ore the insurances : Cameron’s buildings, £4OO in the New Zealand office; Miss Day’s stock and furniture, £2OO in the New Zealand office, and £IOO in the Norwich Union office. There was no insurance on Mitchell’s stock and turniturc or Buchanan’s buildings. The shop and dwelling of Mrs Dore, m Cambridge, were burned down yesterday. Tho insurance is £IOO in the South British office. The furniture was destroyed, but there was no insurance on it. At Shelly Beach, Kaipara Harbour, a man named Harry Prout was found clinging to a capsized boat. He was brought ashore, but died soon after reaching land. It is feared that another man named Peter Brown, who was in Prout’s company, has also been drowned. The decree of the Ronyin Catholic Plenary Council, held in Sydney, forbidding the reception of the saoraments by parents who send their ohildren to the secular schools, has been promulgated in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Auckland. Christchurch, August IS. The sheep purchased in the North Island, and sent here in execution of a frozen mutton order not carried out on account of the high rates ruling at present, amount to 18,000 carcase*. The governing body of Christ s College has informed Mr C. C. Corfe, headmaster, that his term of office will close on the 31st December, ISS9. The reason given is that they believe 14 or 15 years is long enough for the best qualified man to hold such an appointment. Mr Corfe has been connected with the school since IS7I. About 20 minutes past 11 last night William McLean, a labourer, was stabbed in the abdomen by a carpenter named Joseph Delahunt with a lock saw at PapanuiThe men had been drinking, and were quarrelling as to who was the beßt man, when DelahuDt suddenly struck at McLean with the saw, which he held in his hand. The wound is'not considered serious. Delahunt was arrested. . Collins, the victim of the Richmond suffocation ease, is recovering. Hawera, Augustlß. At a public meeting held at Manaia last evening to consider the Harbours Amendment Bill, it was resolved : —“That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that the present Bill be withdrawn, and that a new Bill embodying only the provisions of clause 4, should be substituted in its place.” The effect of this resolution is to approve of the provision giving the Harbour Board power to borrow to pay interest on loan on the security of land revenue to accrue ; but to request the withdrawal of all the powers to impose harbour dues at Patea, Waitara, and New Plymouth, proposed to be given to the Governor-in-Council. The resolution was passed unanimously. Hokitika, August IS.

The s.s. Charles Edward stuck on a bank when goiDg out this morning. It is expected to get her off with to-night’s tide. Napier, August IS. An hotel at Tahoraite was burned down this morning. Nothing was saved, and the inmates barely escaped with their lives. The insurances are £2OO in the Imperial office, £250 in the Royal, and £2OO in the Equitable of Dunedin. Dunedin, August 19.

Twenty-three Volunteers have Bent in their names as willing to go to Melbourne to take part in the Centennial Rifle matches there if selected. A glove contest for £2O a-side took place between Pefctengell and a stranger who turned out to be Darkey. The affair was very tame, and Darkey was knocked out in the Bixth round. Greymouth, August 19. An effort is being made here to establish a small steam company in connection with the Tyneside Coal Company. The coal exports for the week were 3284 tons.

Reefton mining returns for the week : Welcome, 2720 z amalgam from 35 tons stone ; Keep-it-Dark, 2400 z from 120Jons ; Globe, 1 60 oz from 190 tons; Nil Desperanduro, 1530 z for the week ; Progress, 50oz from 90 tons.

Invercargill, August 20. In the Supreme Court on Saturday Mr W. H. Palmer, lately Clerk of the Resident Magistrate’s Court and Licensing Bench at Gore, sought to recover £2OO, damages for libel, from Mr J. G, Fraser, editor of the Southern Standard. The libel consisted in certain comments in connection with a scene in the Gore Courthouse between the Mayor and two other Justices and the statement that a report from the police objecting to the granting of the license was not produced at the proper time. In the first instance the newspaper accused the plaintiff of partisanship, and in the second published an article headed “ Very Suspicious.” For defence it was contended that the comments were fair and honest, and made in the public interest. The jury returned a verdict for the defendant with cost - m .. The divorce case George Tucker v. Mary Tucker and James Christie (co respondent) was also heard. This was a petition by the husband for a divorce on the ground of the wife’s adultery with the co-respondent. The petitioner put in a number of affidavits by way of documentary evidence. The other parties were not represented. G. W. Tucker deposed that he was married to respondent in 1874, and lived with her up to ISBo, when she deserted him. While he was at Riverton his wife went away with Christie. He had them arrosted in Wellington on a charge or larceny and brought back. They were acquitted on the charge of larceny, but the respondent then admitted to witness that she

lived with co-respondent. When laßfc he heard of her she was living in Napier with Christio. When she went away she took with her all witness was worth, some £3OO or £4OO She wrote to witness, and he simply replied to the effect that he did not want any correspondence with her at all. His Honour granted a decree nisi, with costs against the co-respondent, the petitioner abandoning his claim to damages. The Kidd cattle stealing case was on for a fresh trial to-day, but his Honour adjourned the hearing till to-morrow. It is reported that proceedings under the Printers Act ere likely Jo be taken against J G. Fraser, editor and manager of the Southern Standard, printed at Gore, for the alleged usiug of an unregistered press. Fra"er was the defendant in the newspaper libel action. Palmer v. Fraser, on Saturday, when a verdict in his favour was returned. The funeral of Dr Menzies, M.L.C., tomorrow, will bo conducted with a Celtio ceremonial. a x on Thames, August 20.

William Davis, a milkman at Mount Pleasant, was murderously assaulted by his wife on Saturday ' night. It appears that quarrels have been frequent between them for some time past. On Saturday night Davis returned home under the influence of drink and while undressing he commenced to quarrel with his wife. Subsequently, as she alleges, he took up a large butchers knife and threatened to out her throat. At this time Mrs Davis was in bed, and, fearincr he would carry out his threat, she caught up a tomahawk that was on the window sill and struck her husband several times, inflioting no fewer than 17 wounds on his head, which is terribly mutilated. He now lies in the Hospital, and there is little hope of his recovering. Mrs Davis was arrested by the police and brought before the Court today on a charge of attempted murder, but was remanded for eight days. Auckland, August 20. Captain Wing, late harbourmaster at Onehunga, died yesterday. He came to tne Colony in 1841. Two married women have died suddenly. Mrs Giles, of Devonport, was lately oonfined. She was attended by a neighbour, and had reeovered, but on Saturday night she suadenly fell down and expired. Mrs Sims, residing at the sugar works, Birkenhead, died suddenly on Sunday morning. She and her husband drank some rum on the previous night, but the lot er suffered no bad effeots. An inquest is to be held in both cases. A telegram was received from Te Aroba on Saturday by Nikoriwa, a Native attending a tangi, stating that a young man named Jerry, a son-in-law of Matthew Tepuke, had been murdered in the Hikutaia bush. The body of the youth was found by a number of Natives, who proceeded to the scene, and it was taken to the Thames. C. C. Fleming has been elected Mayor of Onehunga, and Messrs Smith, Shaldrick, Dinwoodie and Austin have been appointed to the Council in the place of the councillors who retired last week because of the opposition to the water scheme. Christchurch, August 20.

Yesterday evening the body of a man unknown was found on a part of the hills near tho Governor’s Bay-road. Decease 1 was about 35 years of age, sft 9in high, of robust frame, with fair hair and beard. Nothing was found on the body to identify it. It was dressed in dark grey tweed, but was naked from the waist to the knees. From the appearance of the ground, the man had evidently camped under a flaxbush close by. RATER.

The body found on the hills has been identified as that of H. Macdonald, who lodged at Bligh’s restaurant, which he left on 26th July. He was considered “ queer while here. The neck appeared to be broken, but there are no other marks of violence.

At the inquest held this evening on McDonald, found dead on the Port Hills, a verdict of death from exposure was returned. No evidence was adduced to Bhow how he came to be on the hills. He had lodged for three months at Bligh’s boardinghouse, where he was believed to be a shepherd from Otago. . It is stated he was formerly in the Seaoliff Lunatic Asylum. Frank Perrott, a farmer at Waikan, left his home yesterday morning to walk round his farm. He was apparently well at the time. He was found by two swaggers at 12 o’clock lying against a wire fence dead, at the spot adjoining the North-road, about 10 miles from Ilia home. Dunedin, August 20.

The premises of Mr Drummond, draper, at Greytovvn South, have been burned down. The insurance is £l5O in the Now Zealand office. A preliminary meeting was hold this evening to consider the proposal of Government toTnake a tunnel at Puralianui Cliffs for the railway line. The general opinion wab that the tunnel would be useless, except to blind people to the danger, unless far more than £IO,OOO was spent on it. A sub-committee wa3 appointed to consider the question of alternative routes, and to gather information, to be submitted to a subsequent public meeting. . . nrt Greymouth, August 20. At the cattle sales to-day bullocks wore submitted and all sold. Prime beef, 21s ; medium, 20s. Sheep - 443 head ; 400 were sold. Wanganui heavy, 15s 6d to 17s ; Canterbury, 11s Gd to 12s 3d. Pigs 103, 233 4d. ! Hokitika, August 20. The Charles Edward was floated off the bank and brought alongside tho wharf this morning. She has not sustained any damage. Auckland, August 21.

Mr Samuel Vaile, in reply to a communication from the Minister of Public My orks stating that it is too late in the session to consider the proposal for leasing the Auckland railways, has replied siiggeatiag that an Enabling Act might be passed at once so as to enable negotiation to bo continued duving the reoess. The subject will be brought before a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. Mr R. W. Moody leaves for Australia this afternoon in connection with the floating of coalmining properties in this district, m Sydney or Melbourne. The three-year old'rson ;of Mr Thomas Casey, Waiorongomai, Te Aroha, was terribly burned on Sunday afternoon. Ha was left in the house and was playing with fire. He

died last night, Thitte is no doctor within 30 miles of tho place at present. The statement that Jerry, a NatiVff, 2 on of Matthew Tepuke, had been murdered at Paeroa, is found to be incorrect. It has transpired that Jerry was injured by an axe falling on his head. The man is still alive. Blenheim, August 21.

Henry Eddlesione, charged with the larceny as a bailee of a double-barrel gun, has been committed for trial at the Supreme Court. To-morrow Mr Justice Riohmond has four criminal cases - one laroeny from a hut, one larcony as a bailee, one false pretences (four charges), and one arson. Greymouth, August 21. Joseph Taylor, owner of one of tho beach claims, is sending about a ton of black sand to the Melbourne Exhibition as a sample. It was taken out of a newlysunk paddock, in the presence of about a dozen gentlemen. Very rich gold was seen on every pebble. A load and a half taken up is estimated to yield 3oz. Owing to the Grey River being unusually low, men and boys are doing well fossicking amongst tho crevices in rooks in the vicinity of Brunnerton. A payable lead of gold has been struck on Fairhall’s dairy farm, within a short distance of town. The claims are working on terms, a stipulation being a 10 per cent royalty on the gold, but the owner will not allow any more claims to be worked, though it is thought there is ground enough for hundreds of men. There is much grumbling in consequence. The Midland Railway works are being push°d on to Nelson Creek as fast as possible. Timaru, August 21.

The Supreme Court was opened to-day before Mr Justice Ward. In tho first three cases called the prisoners pleaded guilty. John Russell Morrison received six months for false pretences. The prisoner is a very old offender, but bis Honour was evidently not made aware of this. Henry Latham, a lad of 15, got two years for an attempted criminal assault on a girl of 11 ; and James Fergusson was sentenced to 12 months for highway robbery with violenco, the affair beinu more of a drunken brawl than a deliberate robbery. Henry Russell, charged with killing a sheep and stealing the o.rcase, pleaded not guilty. He had camped in a whare on W. Grant’s land, and was found in possession of a carcase which Mr Grant claimed as being stolen from his flock. Christchurch, August 21. It has been showery from the south-west to-day. Several small landslips are reported from Governor’s Bay road and Lyttelton. No serious injury is caused. In one instance some outhouses at Lyttelton were damaged. At the inquest on Frank Perrott, found dead at Hurunui yesterday, a verdict of natural causes was returned. Death resulted from, heart disease. Westport, August 21.

An inquest on the remains of the late Dr Thorpe was held this morning. The medical evidence showed that there was a wound on the forehead received before death, which had evidently been caused by contact with a stone or some other hard substance in falling, The jury returned the following verdict :—“Found drowned, but there is no evidence to show how the casualty occurred.” The deceased being the hon. surgeon of the local Volunteer Artillery, was accorded a military funeral this afternoon. The members of the Friendly Societies attended, and a large concourse of the public, about a thousand persons in all, followed. The Rev J. E. Cullen preached an eloquent funeral oration. Timaru, August 21.

At the criminal session of the Supreme Court, opened to-day, there were Beven charges against a 3 many prisoners. True bills were found in all cases. Henry Russell, charged with sheep-stealing, was found not guilty, and William Cubert Swann, for attempting to commit rape, was also found not guilty. Tivo cases remain to be tried. Invercargill, August 21.

After being twice tiied Sophia Kidd was found guilty in the. Supreme Court on the charge of having received a number of cattle, knowing them to have been stolen. The jury, who were in consultation, added a rider recommending the accused to clemency. His Honour said it was not a case for the application of the Probation Act, and sentenced her to 12 months’ imprisonment, with Lard labour. As accused left the dook and moved to the door, she fell down in a fainting condition. The case excited more general interest than any heard here for many years. G-. G. do Joux was sentenced to IS mouths’imprisonment for embezzlement of the North Invercargill Corporation moneys, the amount of which is said to bo £I3OO. A breach of promise case, Evans v Jackson, damages at £2OO, was heard this afternoon. The defendant, an hots Ik coper., was a widower, and made a very prosaic engagement with a widow, but drew out on the allegation that sho had concoaled the fact that she had six children. The ring was bought, the license procured, and tho parson engaged for the marriage, but the defendant threw up the whole affair and married another a week later. Tho jury awarded 20s damages and costs on the lowest. sc [d®As a matter of fact four of the plaintiff s daughters are earning their own living in another colony, aud the defendant said that was the reason these were concealed from him.