TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Mail, 21 February 1901, Page 57

TELEGRAPHIC.

WANGANUI, February 13. At the Waverley Court yesterday James Bourns was committed for 5 trial for the attempted murder of T. R. Hickson, on the sth inst. Hickson, who is_ a clerk in the Bank of New South Wales at Patea, about ten miles from Waverley, was returning to Patea after closing the branch bank at Waverley, with a bag containing £3lB cash and £241 in cheques, when be beard someone following. looking round, he saw Bourns, who fired a revolver point blank at him five or six yards away. He jumped to the side of the road, when another

shot was fired, one piercing his overcoat, and the powder going on his ear.* A constable luckily made his . appearance, and Bourns decamped, hiding in a swamp, where he was eventually captured. A revolver with two chambers empty was found near. Accused worked at Waverley eighteen months ago as a rouseabout, at which time the bank was broken into and £56 stolen. On the 6th December last a futile attempt was made to break into the bank at the same place. The Presbyterian. General Assembly met this morning. The report of - the Church Property Board was read and adopted with thanks to members and the chairman. It was agreed that no junior clerk be appointed to the Assembly, but that a minister be associated with the clerk from year to year to assist. Amended regulations with regard to scholarships and students were adopted. An Advisory Board was appointed to act .in conjunction with the Church Extension Committee. Freeman R. Jackson and Qpmpany’s first day’s sale at the central ram fair began to-day with a catalogue of 800 animals, mostly Lincolns. The attendance was very large and bidding spirited. Leicesters were in good demand, and few rams were passed out unsold. There were no sensational prices, however. Shropshires. bred by Mr John Grigg averaged £5 Is, English Leicester’s bred by Mr A. Martin averaged £6, Border Leicesters bred by Mr Boag averaged £5 19s 4d, those bred oy Mr Holmes £5 11s 4d, and New Zealand Land Company £6 12s od. In Linooms Mr William Wilson’s flocks topped tiie market, twenty averaging £6 3s lid, Perry Bros, following with £5 7s 7d._ In stud Lincolns Mr W. Wilson’s twenty averaged £ls 10s 9d, He obtained thirty guineas each for two rams, the highest price made. Mr J. B. Sutton averaged £9 Is 6d, tire highest 26\ guineas; Mr R. Bremer’s £8 11s 9d, with 24f guineas for the highest; the Hon J. D. Ormond averaged £7 4s 4d. CHRISTCHURCH, February 13. John Richmond Jones, sixty years old, was sentenced to-day to two years’ hard labour for criminally assaulting a girl under sixteen, who he had kept locked up in his house. At an Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s committee meeting to-day, Mr Murphy, late secretary of the association, wrote drawing attention to the fact that the Hessian fly had again appeared in the wheat crops at Masterton. The pest was prevalent in Otago some years ago, and he had good reason for stating that it had now been seen in Canterbury, as infested straw had been brought to the association’s office. The only known preventive was burning the infested straw, and no cereals should be sown on infected ground for at least two years after. The Hessian fly was one of the most destructive pests to which wheat was subject. Mr Murphy was thanked, and a copy of the letter is to be sent to the Agricultural Department. DUNEDIN, February 13. Archbishops Carr and Redmond, Bishop, Grimes, and other prelates, arrived this evening, and were met at the railway station by the Hibernian Society, members of various confraternities and others. At Sfc. Joseph’s Cathedral addresses from the clergy and laity were presented to the two Archbishops. At the Police Court Alexander Thompson, one of the seamen of the s.s. Otarama, was charged with the murder of George Gibb®, one of the crew. The evidence adduced) was similar- to that given at the inquest. So far the hearing has nob concluded. A seaman named Stile® swore’ that he saw accused get out of his bunk with a knife, saying he could; not stand the row any longer. Accused then approached Gibbs just- as the light went out, Gibbs, a moment later, saying “I’m stabbed.” ” r ';^U^SK!LA!ND,‘ February 13. f vi The Rev Shirley Baker, who has been residing in Tonga for the past , year of two, returned to Auckland by the Manapouri. Mr Baker is in a very weak state of health. On arrival here he had to be carried ashore on a stretcher, being far too,weak to stand. Dr Solf, the German Governor of Samoa, who arrived to-day by the Manapouri, states that the Matafifa natives surrendered 1500 guns on the Emperor’s birthday, 27th January. All are now in, and there is no further fear of trouble. Dr Solf is now arranging with the Dutch Indies for a supply of Malay labour for the plantations in the Island®.

GISBORNE, February 13. An old Maori woman was arrested at Muriwad yesterday on a charge that, while practising as a tohunga, she did, in November last, cause the death of a young Maori man named Tami Rawhi. A re-count has been asked for in the Harbour Board Borough election, in which the casting vote was given, and the topi candidate was only one above the two seconu, who tied- The latest returns show that Messrs Hepburn and Cfooper have been re-elected for the country seats.

DANNEVIRKE, February 13. Mr W. of the Post Office Hotel at Foxton, died suddenly her© this morning.