TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4441, 22 August 1901, Page 5

TELEGRAPHIC.

PKESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, August 21. A conference of delegates from the City Council and adjoining boroughs was held this evening to consider a proposal to purchase the Christchurch Tramway Company’s service, for the purpose of municipalising it. A. iong letter from the company making propjjals was read. Amotion, "Tbabtne service be not purchased” was withdrawn, and the conference decided to refer the company’s letter to the local bodies interested, and appointed a committee to bring up a report. There is an influenza epidemic throughout Canterbury, and scarcely a business place bas nob a large proportion of its employees away ill. One firm has 01, and another 37 employees away. The doctors are extremely busy, and some wholesale houses have run short of quinine. School attendance is seriously affected. DUNEDIN, August 21. The hearing of the charge against Eii. zabeth Hiscock, a young ivomau about 20 years old, of having murdered her infant mole child was continued to-day. Dr Hall, house surgeon at the hospital, who examined the accused on May 13th. said it was highly improbable he would not have noticed her condition if she was the mother of the infant whose body was found. - Mr Graham, S.M., without calling on the defence, said after Dr Hall's statement no jury would convict, and ho would take the responsibility of dnmi. sing the case. On behalf of the Dunedin branch of the New Zealand Accountants’ and Auditors’ Association, a telegram has been sent to Sir Joseph Ward pointing out the injustice to professional accountants that would result should the proposed amend, ments to the Companies Act relating to audits and liquidation become law. AUCKLAND, August 21.

The Colonial Sugar Refining Company applied to the Conciliation ■ Board this morning for exemption from the Workmen’s Compensation for Accidents Act, which provides that the Board may, after ascertaining the views of employers and workers, verify that where any scheme of compensation is not less favourable tnan the Act permits, such scheme may be substituted. The Board agreed to issue a certificate of exemption forthwith. At the Supreme Court, Mr Reed, counsel for Dr Wilkins, applied that the charge of manslaughter against accused be taken next week. He said to keep his client in suspense till November, as suggested, would amount to nosHivo cruelty. His Honor said .be consulted that an accused person had a right to demand a new trial at once, and fixed the trial for next Monday. NEW PLYMOUTH. August 21. In the District Court this morning, the jury found W. D. Scott, auctioneer, an Opunake bankrupt, guilty of theft of money. He subsequently pleaded guilty to a second charge of theft of money, also_ to a charge of failing to keep proper business books. Probation was applied for. The case was adjourned till this afternoon. HAW BRA, August 21. In consideration of the water supply of the borough, the Fire Underwriters’ Association has decided not to enforce increased rates in Hawera. In the Magistrate’s Court, E. J. Archibald, on two other charges of embezzlement, was committed for trial.