TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1189, 14 December 1894, Page 35

TELEGRAPHIC.

Napier, December 6. / The Wesleyan Synod for the Wellington district commenced its annual sittings today at Napier, the Rev W. Baumber, district chairman, presiding. The Rev Carr was appointed secretary. ' The Revs Peryman and Elliott, probationers, were passed in their year, and Messrs Hosking and Burton, candidates for the ministry, were recommended for college training. December 7. At the Wesleyan Synod to-day, the Sunday school secretary’s report showed an increase of schools, teachers and scholars. The Rev T. N. Griffin was appointed representative to the Conference. Christchurch, December 6. Another slight shock of earthquake was felt at 2.55 this afternoon. Christchurch, December 8. An inquest was held this morning concerning the death of Edward McGirr, one of the victims of the fire in St. Asaph street. The evidence showed that the four men —Upton, owner of the house, Wilkie, Taylor and McGirr—were all the worse for drink. The three former lay down on the bed, and Taylor lighted a match, threw it down, and set the place oh fire. All got out but McGirr, who was evidently forgotten by the others. ■ The jury, after half an hour’s consideration, returned a verdict,that McGirr met his death by the accidental burning of the house, and that the lire was caused by the inmates while they were in a state of intoxication. The Coroner commented upon the fact that the foreman of the jury was the licensee of a hotel, and recommended the police, in summoning juries in cases where the question of drink was involved, not to place a licensee on the jury. Christchurch, December 10. The Rev Mr Chodowski, who has been in charge of the Jewish congregation for the last six years, is leaving shortly for England. Owing to deaths and removals, the Hebrew congregation has diminished to such an extent that.it is difficult to provide the minister’s stipend. Mr Chodowski has been granted leave of absence on full pay for the remainder of his term. 1

The Cathedral spire, it is found, was injured by the recent earthquake. . The damage, which can easily be remedied, consists oi a crack in the part thrown down by the heavy earthquake a few years ago, and since restored in firebrick. - The Papanui shooting case came before the Magistrate's Court to-day, when Wagstaff was committed for trial on a charge of. wounding Langdon, and Langdon was committed on the charge of attempting' to commit a burglary at Wagstaff's house. Christchurch, December il. The Balmoral shearing case came before the Magistrate's Court to*day in the shape of claims by 20 shearers for wages tor work done and damages, averaging in amount about <£ls each. The evidence was that the shearers, in accordance with custom, discontinued work at 4 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, and refused to shear a small number of sheep required to complete the mob which had been penned. They were all dismissed, and the wages they had already earned were withheld. \ , Mr Beetham, S.M., gave judgment in favour of the men for the sums claimed for wages, and for £7 damages for wrongful dismissal in each case. The Magistrate said it appeared to him from the evidence that the men were perfectly willing to work on had they been asked in a proper way by the shed manager to do so. Dunedin, December 6. The directors of the Walton Park Coal Company recommended a dividend, of 4 per cent, for the year, and the report was adopted. The retiring directors were appointed. Dunedin, December 7. The Knights of Labour have carried a resolution protesting empathically against the appointment to the judicial bench of

people who are known to be opposed to the reform of the liquor traffic, also adding that they view with disapprobation the recent appointment of an ex-editor of the Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette ; that the Stipendiary Magistrates being ex officio chairmen of licensing committees it is imperative that they should be thoroughly impartial. The Union Co. have received intimation that the s.s. Port Melbourne left Singapore for Sydney on the 6th inst. Her first port of call in the Colony will be Wellington. The police have arrested two men, George Gardiner and John Bent, in connection with some recent burglaries and petty robberies. A Social Democratic League has been formed with a view of joining together the Labour and Liberal parties. Dunedin, December 10. Mr W. Hutchison, one of the city members, addressed his constituents at the City Hall this evening, and defended the Government policy brought down last session. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried. A motion of no confidence in Mr Hutchison, and another of no confidence in the Government, failed to find seconders. Dunedin, December 11. Mr Arthur Morrison, M.11.R., addressed his constituents to-night at Caversham. There was a good attendance. Mr Morrison defended the policy of the Government in every respect. He received [a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. Wanganui, December 6. The construction of new public baths has commenced. The baths are to be finished in January. Auciceand, December 6. A party of police and Permanent Artillery, under Inspector Emerson, went by train to Rotorua to-day. It is stated that the men are only up on ordinary force duty in view of the large gathering expected there, and not in anticipation of any Native trouble. Aljckland, December 10. The Premier received a telegram from Tawhiao’s successor, the new Maori King Mahutu, asking for an interview. The Premier replied that he would be in Hamilton on Monday, and that Mahutu could see him there if he liked. Auckland, December 11. When the Premier was at Huntly a deputation of miners presented a petition asking that the freight for coal should be reduced. The Premier admitted that something was wrong when coal hewn in New South Wales could be sold in Auckland cheaper than that obtained from Huntly. Probably vessels had brought coal as ballast when coming for timber. The subject required careful handling. If freights were reduced from Huntly it would mean the same throughout the Colony. The Government desired to promote their own industries, now that' colonial products were practically shut out from Australia. He would consult the Railway Commissioners. The Maori King, Mahuta, met the Premier at Hamilton this morning, and had a long interview. He stated that he came to personally assure the Premier of his friendship towards the Government. -He discussed with the Premier the Native lands legislation of last session, and also brought several matters ' under the Premier’s notice. Palmerston North, December 6. Yesterday afternoon a Chinese storekeeper named Ping Kong was brutally assaulted in a room behind his shop. He was struck on the head with a bottle and rendered unconscious. He recovered sufficiently this morning to say that a European knocked him down with a bottle. It is supposed the object was robbery, and over 20s is missing from the till. No arrest has yet been made. Westport, December 8. A 13oz nugget was found to-day in Waimangaroa Creek by a fossicker named Kiel, who a few weeks back picked up an Boz uugget in the same locality. Greymoutii, December 9. The Reefton gold returns for the week are :—Progress, 148 oz amalgam from 115 tons; Russell, 188 oz amalgam, 75 tons; Globe, 1740 z amalgam from 180 tons ; Hercules, llloz amalgam from 70 tons ; Cocksparrow, 350 z 13dwt amalgam, 82 hours’ work. Invercargill, December 10. At the adjourned quarterly -meeting of the Licensing Committee all applications for 11 o’clock licenses were, ref used, the voting being 5 to 3.