TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 908, 26 July 1889, Page 26

TELEGRAPHIC.

(per press association.) Russell, July 18. A large meeting was held last night to consider the proposal of the Government to lease the oyster beds. An opinion was unanimously expressed against leasing the beds as creating monopolies, and being likely to cause trouble with the Maoris. It was proposed that an export duty of a shilling per sack be imposed on all oyßters gathered for sale ; that an inspector be appointed, to be paid out of the funds, and the balance paid to the local Fishery Board; the districts to be divided into small sections. Christchurch, July 18. Tenders were accepted to-day for Lightband, Allan and Co.’s establishments as follows :—Manufacturing plant, machinery, stock-in-trade, Christchurch Factory, Skelton, Foßtrick and Co. ; boots, shoes, leather, and grindery in factory and bond, Gavin, Gibson and Co. ; stock-in-trade of the Zealandia Boot Store, Ashburton, Andrew Orr; stock-in-trade and book debts of the City Boot Palace, Oamaru, Dadley and Co., of Auckland ; stock-in-trade of leather grindery, &c., in the warehouse, Princesstreet, Dunedin, G. Esther. No tender was accepted for the tannery at Woolston, nor was any received for the equity of redemption on. the Christchurch warehouse. At a meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union last night letters were read from the Wairarapa, Union asking terms for a match in September, and from the Maori Team saying they intend playing here on the 17th August. Christchurch, July 19. A lad named Frederick Simmonds, having a cheap ride on the Richmond omnibus, jumped off in front of a passing cab this morning. The horse knocked him dowD, and the wheel passed over his forehead, inflicting serious wounds. The boy died this evening. A labourer named Thomas Martin, who was in the habit of taking turpentine in small dozes for rheumatism, died last night at Sydenham, shortly after returning from work and having taken the usual dose. James Tregair, head.storeman for Miles and Co. for thirty years, died this morning. He was mueh respected by his employers. At the quarterly commemoration of the Masonic District Grand Lodge last night, it was decided to erect a suitable tablet to the memory of the late D.D.G.M. Bro. Deemer. A subscription is receivable from all English Constitution Lodges. Christchurch, July 22, Mr Spencer Gallon, of Napier, while hunting o:s Saturday, fell and sprained his shoulder severely. The accident will prevent him riding in the Ladies’ Bracelet at the Grand National Meeting. The case Bing, Harris and o:>., Dunedin, v. Commissioner of Customs was begun in the Supreme Court to-day. Messrs G. Harper and T. W. Stringer lor the plaintiffs aud Ales'.-rs E. J. Joyob anil J. C. Martin {Crown Prosecutor) for the defendant. The claim is for £205 Ss 10d, and £IOO damages for detention of goods seized on value. The defence was that false statements of the contents were supplied to the. Customs to defraud the revenue, and the usual calendar month’s notice of action was not given. The evidence from two employes of the firm occupied all- day. Christ church, July 23. The Customs cases occupied the Coart all day again. The case for the plaintiffs, Bm", Harris and Co., is not concluded. The pLiUdiffT counsel asked leave to withdraw toe clause for damages for detention of goods. New Plymouth. July 13. A very strong feeling is being expressed here at the verdict in the Chemis case. Letters are appearing in the papers expressing surprise at any jury coming to such a decision with only the evidence that they had before them. The Herald comments strongly on the matter. Gisborne, July 18. The crew of the locally-owned brigantine Kenilworth struck to-day, and demanded to be put ashore, as their articles have expired. Palmerston North, July 18. Aa a sequel to the recent ease against the

Manawatu Road Board all bridges on Stoney Creek, Napier, Palmerston, and other roads, have been declared unsafe for traffic. The travelling public express indignation at this state oi affairs.

Nfehs'ON, July 19. The cutter Goldshekst capsized off the Croixelfes yesterday morning. One man, Joseph Spiers, unmarried, was drowned. The Others, after four hours in the water, swam ashore, and walked to the Maori pah} Wakapuaka, where they arrived in & great state of exhaustion.

The remains iff, Mr C. E Bunny arrived per Rotorua &t noon, and were conveyed to St, Mary’s Church, where mass was said. The funeral takes ..place this afternoon. Among the followers will be a number of members of the City Rifles in plain dress, the deceased having once commanded that corps. James Sobmdere and Co. have laid four criminal informations against Thomas H. Mabin, oi Auckland, for circulating libellous matter against them. Wanganui, July 19. The tender of T, Bush, who was succeasful in getting Casey and McDonald’s stock, was accepted to-day for Walker’s boot stock at Us 10Jd. Wanganui, July 20 The Martini-Henry rifles for the Exhibition Meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association, Captain Sommerville says, are likely to be here next month, 500 having been ordered. The liabilities and assets iu the estate of C. E. Ashforbh were filed to-day. The liabilities ars £21,000, and the assets £19,000, in properties and shares. Wanganui, July 22. The case against Reid, for sending in false Property-tax returns, has again been postponed for a week. Mr J. Ballanoe left town to-day for Wellington. Masterton, July 19. Three farmers were to-day each fined £5 and costs for not taking efficient steps to destroy the rabbits on their land. Inspector Drummond prosecuted. Masterton, July 22. Richard Vincent, formerly an inmate of the Asylum, was found wandering in a state of lunacy cn the Taueru hills on Saturday, and was taken in custody to Masterton. Several sheep at Tenui, it is stated, have been killed through eating poisoned grain laid for rabbits. The 15-year-old son of Mr George McKay was accidentally shot in the face yesterday. The wound is not dangerous, but part of his nose has been shot away. Fetlding, July 19. A petition in favour of a reprieve of Chemis is being largely signed here. Feildtng, July 22. Messrs Blake and Grimmond, M.H.R.'s, visited this district yesterday, and expressed themselves highly pleased with the progress the settlement is making. The Chemi3 petition continues to be numerously signed. f Timaru, July 19. The steamer Ashleigh Brook has some bad characters from Sydney amongst her men. Last night a party ashore hustled a barman and stole a ease of spirits from one hotel. In the small hours the Ship Hotel was entered and a watch taken fiom one room and a gold ring from another. The owners were absent at a fancy ball. The thief entered the proprietor’s room 1 and got £S from his pockets, when ho was disturbed by his wife waking up, and the thief made off. He was arrested at uoon with the watch and over £5 in his possession. Dunedin, July 18. The Education Board refused to receive a deputation of schoolmasters regarding future appointments, and called on Mr Whitehead, master of the Normal School, for an explanation of bis speech before the Educational Institute. Dunedin, July 19. The outcome of the recent abortive charge of cattle-stealing against Alexander Campbell iu that George Wallace, the prosecutor, is now charged with perjury. The question of the appointment of teachers has come before the Education Board. At a previous meeting a resolution was passed requiring Mr L. White to say whether or not he had made a statement at a meeting of the Education Institute that the ‘'three-name" system had proved a piece of ivrosa favouritism from beginning to end. Mr White replied that he made the statement. The Board looked on this as a serious charge preferred against them, and passed ' a resolution refusing to hear him as one of the deputation appointed by the Institute to bring before the Board certain resolutions bearing on the appointment of teachers. Mr White, however, did not turn up, and the remainder of the deputation were introduced. After they had withdrawn a strong letter read from a number of teachers, objecting to the proposals contained in the resolutions passed at the Institute, the whole matter was postponed for a month. Erom the tone of the discussion it seems likely that Mr White will be se rerely handled by the Board. Dunedin, July 20. The Mornington Tramway Company has declared a dividend of Gd per 3hare. Dunedin, July 22. The Big Beach Company have obtained SBoz Schvt retorted gold for twelve days’ dredging, and S9oz amalgam for two days' operations. A cable message reports the death of Mr Lewis, an ex-Dunedin resident, at Sandhurst, at the age of 105. Four young men were charged to-day with behaving in a riotous manner, having smashed the windows and broken in a panel floor of the Golden Age Hotel, which has now no license, afterward offering to square the damage rather than appear in Court. The young men came recently from Christchurch, and vvere apparently “ making a night of it." The .Bench remarked that such conduct must be put a stop to, and fined each £2 Is. A smart altercation then ensued between their counsel, who applied' for time.to pay the fine, the Bench hiving granted it in a previous case. The solicitor was charged with being impertinent, but after a lot of argument the Justiees gave way, and granted a week to pay the money.

In the bAnkhiiptcy of Rrodtoi-, Jones and Co.j an offer was made by tlio bankrupts to purchase the estate, but owing to some delijj' their backers declined to proceed. A deposit was made with the Assignee of £l5O, which he declined to return, and a summons has bsen issued to compel him to refuud. The excitement over the Nenthorne reef still continues, and since last Thursday 25 new cLima have been pegged out. At the annua] meeting of the Mornington Tramway Company a dividend of Gd per share was adopted. Another unsuccessful attempt was made to change the Directorate, but the only alteration was in reducing the number to five. Letters received from Bishop Moran, dated from Rome, June 30, state that he was to leave for Ireland at once, and then return to the Colony, bringing with him five priests. Dunedin, July 23. The Committee of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association states that on the past year’s transactions there was a loss of £206, arising principally through the expenditure on the ground and the heavy rate of interest. The coming show, to be held during the Exhibition, promises to be a great success, and" the Association hope to make a profit out of it. The divorce case Dalbedhyll v. Dalbedhyll was to-day fixed for the September sittings. This is the wife’s petition for a divorce, on the grounds of cruelty and adultery. The parties became rather famous some time ago on account of a libel action brought by the wife against Mr Brunton. a minister of the Gospel, which led to' the latter filing his schedule and afterward paying the coasts out of an unexpected find made after his wife’s death. A novel application was made at the Polioo Court to-day. Thomas N. Wilson applied that an order be made requiring G. Myers, pawnbroker, to deliver up a gold watch, the property of complainant, unlawfully pledged without his knowledge. The watch was left with Ross, a watchmaker, and pawned by him. He has been committed for trial for larceny as a bailee, and the watch is held as an exhibit in the case by the police. For the defence Sir R. Stout contended that - the watch was not now in Myers’ custody, but that of the police, and if the exhibit could be handed over, as was sought here, justice might be interfered with. Mr Haggitt sought to elicit by what right the police held the watch, but no one seegied to know if there was any law, but merely custom. The Justices could not agree, not desiring to lay down a precedent, and they adjourned the case till Thursday. Napier, July 20. W. Garrett, commission agent, formerly of Wanganui, was charged in the Resident Magistrate’s Court with wilfully obtaining money- by false pretences, and remanded to Thursday. Bail of £IOO and two sureties of £SO each was accepted. Hawera, July 20. The new property - tax valuation for Hawera county shows a total of £977,000, as against £884,000 in ISB6, an increase of more than £92,000. Greymouth, July 21. The export of coal for the week was 2621 tons. This week’s mining returns from Reefton :—Scotia, 5650 z of amalgam from 100 tons; Keep-it-Dark, 3630 z of amalgam from 180 tons ; Globe, 2440 z of amalgam from 190 tons ; Progress, 124ozofamalgamfroml80 tons; Inglewood, 540 z of amalgam from 54 tons ; lukerman, loGoz of amalgam from GO tone. 1 Patea, July 22. An important sale of 8400 acres of land iu the |Ruiahama Block has been effected on the surveyed line of railway from Stratford to Auckland, the purchasers being Messrs Wilson, Gower, Sj'mes, and Dr U’ilkie, all of this district. The land is highly spoken of as sheep oouutry, and adjoins the next block to be sold by the Government. This is a portion of the country- Mr Mitohel* son eulogised, and deplored being in private hands. Oamaru, July 22. A sitting of the District Court was held here by Judge Ward to-day. John Stewart, alias John Stewart Taylor, aged 18, pleaded guilty to obtaining goods and cash amounting to £l7 12s from a jeweller’s assistant by means of two receipts, which accused represented to be cheques for “spud” digging. His Honor decided to deal with the case under the First Offenders Act, and admitted the prisoner to 12 months’ probation. Blenheim, July 22. The s.s. Neptune is still stuck outside the bar, and the Kanieri is unable to cross outward. Waitara, July 22. A fatal accident occurred on the railway line between Waitara and Sentry Hill at about 5.40 on Saturday evening, when a man named Alexander Brown was cut to pieces at the Richmond-road crossing. The enginedriver of the Waitara train noticed some dark object lying on the line, but it was impossible to stop the train in time, although the brakes were put down. When the body was picked up it v/as literally cut to pieces, and quite unrecognisable. Deceased was identified by documents found in his pockets. He is a mill owner at Ngaire, and was on his way home from New Plymouth. He got out of the train at Sentry Hill, and it went off without him. The pointsman states that ho noticed deceased, and asked him to wait for the next train, but lie said he would walk on some distance. It appears that he walked as far as the first creasing, when it is supposed his foot was caught in the cattlestop, and he could not get away. The train shortly afterward came up, but could not be stopped in time to save him. An inquest was held at Waitara on Saturday afternoon, when the following verdict was returned : —“ That deceased on the 20t.h July was trespassing, probably inadvertent!y,i!.y straying off the road iu the dark, on the railway lino between Sentry Hill and Waitara, when he was overtaken by the 6.10 p.m. train at Sentry Hill and killed, and there is not any blams attached to the railway officials." Invercargill, July 22. At the meeting of the Council of the Acclimatisation Society it was decided to ask the Government to bring the opossum under the Animals Protection Act, and to

proclaim a close season for them. Three years ago two pair were liberated in Longwood Bush, near Riverton, by the late Captain Hankinson, and they have increased rapidly. They are now being shot for their skins* and it ia feared that if this is continued they will soon be extinct, while if protected they will become a source of considerable revenue. A Home expert declares that the local furs are far superior to Tasmauian and Victorian, and he and Mr A. McDonald, of Dunedin, eaoh gave £lO toward their protection. Thames, July 22. Five ton of stone from the new Kuatuna fields yielded 350 z 15dwts of retorted gold. The blanketings are yet to como. Fresh defalcations of Dean, the late borough olerlr, are being found daily. The loss now amounts to £2300. The fresh discovery of a reef at Tararu is likely to prove a valuable find. Ashburton, July 23. Mrs Margetts, wifo of a farmer at Newlands, was found drowned in a water-race today.