WANGANUI.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1285, 15 October 1896, Page 17

WANGANUI.

Messrs W. and G. Turnbull and Co. have leased two foreshore reclamation sections on Taupe quay from the Harbour Board, and intend erecting substantial business premises on them at once. Mr R. Hull, who has just resigned the position of Inspector of Stock hero, to take up his residence in Auckland, was met at Foster’s LJotel by a number of his friends and well-wishers and presented with a purse of sovereigns as a mark of esteem. The Mayer (Mr F. ii. Jackson) made the presentation, and referred to the faithful and energetic way Mr Hull had fulfilled his public duties for the last 14 years. He regretted that Mr Hull had been compelled to retire owing to illhealth, and wished him renewed strength and success in the future.

The Wanganui Amateur Athletic Club has received word that the appeal by Mr J. A. Hunt against their decision in awarding the recent steeplechase to Bullock has been upheld by the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, and Hunt now becomes the winner of the trophy. The case was rather a knotty one, and no doubt, technically speaking, Hunt s contenti on is correct. Still, in view of one of the first principles of amateurism, “ that the best man should win,” the general opinion here is that the Association has been rather hasty in upsetting the decision of a local committee with a full knowledge of all the facts.

Mr H. O. Clarke, solicitor, Patea, has been appointed Town Clerk of that town, out of a number of applicants. Mr Clarke succeeds Mr W. S. Harper, 'who has been appointed clerk to the Pohangina County Council.

A peculiar case came before Mr C. C.

Kettle, S.M., on the oth inst., when John Handley, farmer, of Okehu, sued Toko Reihana, a relative of the late Maori King Tawbiao, to recover a “ hoeroa,” a valuable Native heirloom, or the sum of <£2o, its value. From the evidence it appears that Handley lent the Native JM to go to the Patea races, and the plaintiff alleged that in return the Maori promised to give him the “ hoeroa,” which was hung up in his whare at Kai Iwi. This Reihana denied. About three weeks afterwards Handley called at the whare, where he found rhe defendant ill in bed, and unable to get up. After some conversation between the parties about the " hoeroa,” the plaintiff took it down from off the wall, and carried it away. Reihana began to cry when the heirloom was taken away, and stated that he objected at the time to the proceeding, but was unable to offer any resistance. He further said that Handley told him that lie Wanted the “ hoeroa” to show to some of his friends who Avere coming to see him. Some months afterwards the defendant applied to the plaintiff" to return the “ hoeroa,” and he sent it back, but alleges that he did so because Reihana told him his child Avas very ill, and it was wanted for the prophetess to lay alongside of the child to cure it, and that it Avould be sent back. As this was not done the present case Avas brought by Handley to compel Reihana to return it. Mr Kettle, in giving judgment, said that the plaintiff could not claim it against the <£4 he had lent the defendant, as he admitted that the money had been returned. With regard to the contention that the Maori had given it to him, the evidence did not show that there had been a delivery between the parties, and that Avhen tho “ hoeroa ” was taken away by Handley it Avas against the Native’s wish. The plaintiff was nonsuited with costs.

At the Stipendiary Magistrate’s Court last week, Robert Gordon Avas fined 20s and costs for Avorking a horse with a sore shoulder.

The Supreme Court is occupied with the case of J. C. Paterson v. William Young, James McDonald and Isabella McGregor. The defendants Avere the executors of plaintiff’s father’s will, and plaintiff contend;? that the executors neglected to sell 120 Bank of Noav Zealand shares that his father owned Avhen he died, and also that they purchased 20 more shares in the same bank out of the trust funds, such actions being a breach of the trusts imposed on them by the will. The plaintiff claims to be reimbursed for all losses and costs incurred through such alleged default. The case Avill last some days.