TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11199, 23 August 1898, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, August 22. A cabinetmaker's factory and its contents, in Eden terrace, were totally destroyed by fire. ■ It was occupied and owned by Thomas Short. The building and contents were insured for £237 in the Union Office. Detective Maddern/ Constable Dunne, and District-constable Maney have been engaged during the past week in the Native settlements, near Eangihua, inquiring into the death of the woman Kuhia Poharama, on whose body the inquest was held on the 10th inst. The Natives proved very reticent and in no case was it found possible to implicate Neho Popata the tohunga, nor could any direct evidence be obtained confirmatory of his Maori position as the tohunga. The case throughout has proved how much i the Maoris are under the influence of to- '[ hungas, and it is very doubtful whether the police will be able to take any further steps. I There is not sufficient proof to convict Neho j Popata of manslaughter, and it is even j doubtful whether a magistrate would allow | the case to go before a jury; but the un- ! usual proceedings, and the exhumation in connection with the inquest will undoubtedly prove very beneficial in warning the Natives | against the malpractices of tohungas. i Burglaries are becoming frequent again in the city and suburbs. NEW PLYMOUTH, August 22. In the Magistrate's Court this morning ' Mr Stanford, S.M., gave judgment in the j case of Bishop v. Burkhardt, which was a' claim for expenses and damages caused by '■ the defendant's steer knocking the plaintiff ,down. The evidence showed that the animal ■ was ordinarily quiet, but became maddened through over-driving. His Worship gave : judgment for plaintiffs for £50 and costs' (£9). ■ ' | . ■ WELLINGTON, August 22. ' Mr Andrew Campbell, who for nearly 12 years has occupied the position of manager of the National Insurance Company's branch in Wellington, has been .promoted to the managership of the Melbourne branch. i The,woman Sarah Jones, who was brought back >.from Sydney on a charge of child desertion, has been committed for trial, j I She said she had-no intention of leaving the i ! children for good. She could not get' work j here, so went to Sydney to look for it. The i case is said to be the first of its kind in Australasia. At the Police Court to-day Thomas Ryan, j a bookmaker, was fined £i 5 and costs for j j laying " tote" odds, and given a week to I pay the fine in. H. Lake, who made a bet i with him, was fined 10s and costs. F. B. j Muir was remanded. His counsel stated : that £50 of the £110 which forms the basis ': of the charge was paid back before Muir; I went away. j | A large number of men have recently been ! j retired from the police force,.and the Com- : ! missioner intends to effect a good many more ! I retirements ia various parts of the colony. ' In consequence of some reflections on Mr i George Fisher's conduct in his capacity of Italian Consul, which appeared in a southern i newspaper, the Italian residents, here; after. inquiring into the matter, -have' presented f him with an address expressing their utmost I confidence in him, and protesting against ; the aspersions cast upon him. \ ■. i INVERCARGILL, August 22. j A youth was fined £4 14s to-day for firing : a gun in a public place and wilfully damn,'"-': i ing the shelter shed at Tisbury station He | denied that he fired wilfully, alleging that j the locks, would not stand at half-cock, so | he carried the gun at full cock, that it struck I against the doonyay and one barrel was fired jby the shock. Some boys deposed that they | saw the youth put the gun to his shoulder. . j Major Keddell did not believe the youth's ; story,, and said that his method of carrying | a gun proved him to be an idiot, who should not be allowed at large with a loaded gun with children about. He might 'think himself lucky that he was not there on a charge of manslaughter. . w i SPECIAL TiuGRAMa (Feom Ope Own Cokbebfondent.l ! . AUCKLAND, August 22. | I It is currently reported that Ipspcetor ; Hickson goes on a month's leave of absence, j and that Inspector Cullen, of the Nelson ! and Greymoulh Police District, .will act as \ i relieving officer. I : Mr and Mrs F. L. Prime celebrated their ; g'c-lden wedding to-night by a social in the I ; parlour of the Pitt street Wesleyan Church. ' | I hero was a large assemblage, and handsome, presentations made to the worthy couple. WELLINGTON, August 22. Mr Trevolyan, son of the Right Hon. Sir George Trevelyan (who was Chief Secretaiy for Ireland after the murder of Lord Frederick Cavendish), is at present staying as a ptuest at Goverhment House. •The plans and specifications for the bridge, over the Awaiere between Blenheim and Starboroug-h have been approved. It is understood that'the bridge will be built by contract. An application was recently made to the Government by Mr Solar, of Wanganui, for land on the Wanganui River to be used by him for the purpose of vine culture. The Government have favourably entertained the proposal, and it has been left to the Minister for Lands to arrange the matter. -The Cabinet have authorised an appropriation of £8000 for rails for new railway lines.