INTERPBOVINCIAL. Auckland, May 6th.

Otago Witness, Issue 1540, 14 May 1881, Page 10

INTERPBOVINCIAL. Auckland, May 6 th.

Mr F. A. Whifcaker, M.fct.K., writes a long letter to the Waikato Times, replying to Sir George Grey, whom he charges with procuring for the Thames expenditure on useless reclamation and other works. Beedle's brewery, on the North road, was totally destroyed by fire at 3 o'clock in the morning. It was burned bifore, about two years ago. The insurances amount to L 3500, distributed as follows :— On the building : National, L 100 0; Standard, L 90 0; New Zealand, LIOOO. The New Zealand had also L6OO on stock. There ia no clue as to the origin of the fire. The whole place was on fire at once, as it were, Mr Day, City Council clerk, appointed a Mormon elder, has resigned his appointment and will go to Utah. May 7th. A private meeting has been held among frequenters of the Auckland Public Library with the object of pstitioiiing the City Couucil to open the institution during reasonable hours on Sundays. Auckland, May 10th. A telegram from Arfihb'siaou Sceins, who left here for Europe, via Sydney, in ill health, reports that he is no much wowe that he remaius at Sydney, being unable to proceed on his journey. The Auckland Corporation accounts for the half-year show that tbe city funds are in a satisfactory state. Tne total liabilities are L.237,000, and the assets are valued at L 278,000. Tbe arrears of rates are L3L52. Mrs Newton, killed at Adelaide on board the Orient ateamer Potogi, was poming to Auckland with her two children to join her husband, who ia an engineer resident at Gisborne. Napier, May 9bh. There is some speculation ia the Southern Cross Petroleum Company's shares, owing to the discovery on the Company's claim of a thick vein of peculiar substance, which local chemists state contains 50 per cent, of pure paraffia. As taken from the shaft, the stuff is said to be worth L4O per ton. It is in enormous quantity. New Plymouth, May 6th. The Supreme Court was opened to-day by Judge Richmond. There are eight eases for trial, but no crimes of a heinous nature, the offences being various forms of larceny, two cases of forgery, and one of embezzlement. Wm. Cunningham, for stealing a gold chain from one Brewer, at Hawera, was found guilty, and sentenced to 18 months' hard labour. James Smith, for forgery, received two years' imprisonment. John Wills, charged with stealing a horse, was acquitted. The Grand Jury found true bills against Wilkinson for the embezzlement of money from the Government at Hawera. The case will be heard on Monday. New Plymouth, May 10«h, In the Supreme Court yesterday Wilkinson, charged with embezzling moneys belonging to the Government at Hawera, was again arraigned oa the charge. Tbe trial lasted the whole day. At about 9 o'clock last evening the Jury retired, and after 20 minutes' consideration returned a verdict of guilty, but recommended the prisoner to meicy on the ground thai; the Government were principally to blame for appointing a man like tbe prisoner, who appeared to have no knowledge of accounts, with a small salary, as receiver of revenue, when such a large amount as over L26.0Q0 had to pass through his hands. Judge Richmond sentenced the prisoner to five years' penal

The other business comprised the following cases :— Thomas Brennan, charged with stealing a silver watch and chain from E. J. Blake, Normanby, on 29th December, was fouud guilty and sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment; John O'Shaugbnessy, for stealing a horet-, the property of Jamea Hansen, Kakaramea, was next arraigned. The case is now going on. There is another caße from Kakaroa for sheep stealing, which will b8 brought on to-night, as Judge Richmond wishes to proceed with the Bteamor to-morrow if possible. Nelson, May 10th. Mr Acton Adams, M.H.R., who^ has been seriously ill for some time, notifies his resignation of his seat. Palmerston North, May 9fch. Charles Anderson, prospector for the Hit or Miss Company, came into town on Saturday with a splendid specimen of quartz, in which gold is plainly visible to the naked eye. Wellington, May 6th. The Solicitor to the Education Board has given his opinion that a member once elected chairman retains the position so long as ho continues a member of the Board. May 9th. A dispatch has been received by the Governor announcing that the Queen-in-oouncil has assented to the Deceased Wife's Sißter Mar. riage Bill which was passi d by the Assembly last Bession, Wellington, May 10th. At the Magistrate's Court tnis morning, William Ernest Greatrex, of tho firm ot Greatrex and Sons, appeared to answer an information charging him with neglectiDg to I furnish a statement of his property in the i manner required by " The Property Tax Asaessment Act, 1879," within the prescribed time. Afc the outset Mr Brandon, on behalf of the defendant, asked the Magistrate to decide on a poiat which he desired to raise preparatory to the evidence being entered into— viz. : Had the defendant a right to set off all debts due by i him in Wellington to the firm in London, the members of that firm being the same ? Af fcer a long discussion his Worship Bald the question was one affecting the mercantile community, and he would take time to consider the point. The hearing of the case was adjourned till Tuesday next. To-day Dr Hector received the first telegram from Australia under the arrangement recently come to by the Meteorogical Conference at Melbourne. The message, whioh was > from the Government Astronomer of Viccoria, Btated that a depression was passing Tasmania. The inference from this statement is that a storm is approaching New Zealand. It is estimated that it takes about a day and a-half for depression to travel from Tasmania to the Bluff. Gretmodth, May 9 th. Mr Edward Masters hassent in to the Speaker his resignation as M.H.R. for Gray Valley, from Melbourne, where he is now. His medipal adviser says that to attend the coming session in his present state of health would cost him hia life. Hokitika, May %h. The census returns of the population of West-land and Greymouth show the total to be 17,840, made up as follows :— Westland, 10,272 ', Greymouth, 7568. The increase since the census was taken in 1878 is 842. The land under crop ia 18,962 acres. Rebfton, May 9 th. Very little evidence of any additional moment was elicited during the hearing of the murder case at the Resident Magistrate's Court. After the Magistrate had cautioned the prisoner in the usual way, M'Gahey s&id he had nothing to say, except that he was inno cent and would reserve hia defence. He was tben committed to take his trial at the next criminal ueßsions at Hokitika, Chiustchuboh, May 6th. The Industrial Association yesterday resolved to aak the Government to take steps_ to introduce the white mulberry with the view of establishing the production of Bilkworm cocoons for exportation to Europe. It is said that the Government are taking sf;ep3 to prevent any land along the projeoted West Coast line being alienated or leased. This is in consequence of efforts to obtain portions of land on the route by certain individuals. May 9 th. Mr Ivey, the master of the Agricultural School, has been making experiments with seed wheat and bluestone, upon which he reports that the bluestone offered for sale last season here was shamefully adulterated. Timaru, May 6 th. Timaru, May 7tb. The agricultural returns for South Canterbury disttict show thai; the estimated yield of wheat was 1,483,249 buebels ; of oats, 767,891 bushels; barley, 159,165 bushels. The total number of acres under crop was 312,785. a