TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4228, 8 October 1874, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[Press Telegraph Agency.] Auckland, Wednesday. The Supreme' Court was occupied this day investigating the charge of wilful murder against Charles Dyer, an old Pakiri settler. The evidence showed that the niece of the prisoner, Elizabeth Dyer, now deceased, cohabited with him. She was a poor, brokendown, wretched creature, scarcely able to walk unassisted. The prisoner is a powerfully built man, and they lived on bad terms with each other. On the morning of her death he was heard to threaten to roast her alive. In the afternoon he was seen carrying her, with her clothes all blazing, to the creek near their house. Then he threw her in, and dragged her out in a fearfully burnt and dying condition. Afterwards Bhe died. When arrested, he Baid that she had knocked her head against a kerosene can, and spilled its contents over her. He struck a match and accidentally set fire to her hair. A constable who had visited the house prior to the occurrence deposed that the kerosene can was in the same position, and contained ' the same quantity, after the prisoner's arrest, as before. The oil was spilled all around where the deceased sat, but

not on parts covered by her dress. The allegation was that the prisoner first threw kerosene over her, set fire to her dress, and then carried her out and threw her into the creek. The case will probably occupy the attention of the Court throughout Thursday. Wednesday was observed as a close holiday.

The races were well attended. The following were the results : Handicap Sweepstakes : Creeping Jenny, 1 ; Bedouin, 2 ; Slander, 3. Steeplechase : Mr. Parker's Eustic, 1 ; Highflyer, 2. Hurdle Race : Isleman, 1 ; Sultan, 2. Selling Steeplechase : Eustic, 1. Selling Hurdle Eace : Middy Ashore, 1. Sultan led till the last hurdle, when hethrew Thorpe, his rider, and rolled over him,, dislocating his shoulder; then Middy won easily.

Grahamstown, Wednesday. The day was observed, under Provincial proclamation, as a holiday, to celebrate the anniversary of -Captain Cook's landing in New Zealand.

It is reported that arrangements have been come to between the Bright Smile, the Waikato mine, and the Pumping. Association, relative to the drainage contributions, so that further litigation might be avoided. Chuistchuech, Wednesday. In the Supreme Court yesterday, the Grand Jury threw out the Bill against Captain Crawford, of the ship Cathcart, for shooting at his sailors on the high seas. Thomas Madeu, for indecent assault, was found not guilty. William Harvey, for forgery and uttering, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment. "~ The cargo of the Derwent, consisting, of potatoes, imported by Cunningham and Co. for seed, from Australia, was sold by auction at £9 per ton. Private advices intimate an advance in the price of potatoes in consequence of the great demand in all Australian markets. Dunedin, Wednesday. The Harbor Board take time to consider the appointment of an engineer. There are twentyfour applications. " Messrs. Brogden offer to do the work of deepening Dunedin harbor on reasonable terms. The last escort brought 10,201 oimces. At the Supreme Court yesterday, Sydney G. Alexander was convicted on a second indictment. Sentence was deferred, pending the trial of a third charge. v There was an alarm of fire last night. The '*"* flames were extinguished before much injury had been done. Suspected incendiarism.

John Buckley was acquitted at the Supreme Court of cattle-stealing, and the Court a( r » journed until Monday. The immigrants per Christian McAusland were open to engagement this day. Single girls obtained situations at £25 per annum, and married couples at from £3O to £4O per annum. One couple obtained £6O per annum. Thirteen single men were hired as farm servants, at from £45 to £52 per annum.