TELEGRAPHIC BRIEFS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1970, 22 August 1889, Page 13

TELEGRAPHIC BRIEFS.

The arrivals in New Zealand during July were 995, aud the departures 1030 ; 471 persons went to New South Wales, 292 to Victoria, and 147 to England. At the Supreme Court, Invercargill, the second jury that w^s empanntlled in the case of John Willis, charged with arson, brought in a verdict of guilty. Prisoner was sentenced to seven years' penal servitude. ' • Mr Scott, of Ponsonby, has jusfc celebrated his 100 th birthday by a- reunion of his descendants. At the present time there are in New Zealand, descended from him seven children, 50 grand children, and 66 great grand children, or a total of 123. Mrs Scott died some tight years ago. The centenarian wss born in Oonnty Donegal, Ireland, on the 12th August 1789, and came to the colony in 1&42. SailiDg from Greeuock, Scotland, in the Jane Gifford, he arrived 'with his family in the Bay of Islands the same 'year, and on the outbreak of Heke's war the family were in active service. For the last 20 years he has resided in Auckland, and at the present time he is hale and hearty, and his memdry is unimpaired. The only civil case in the Invercargill Supreme Court was one of some interest — a young man named Jenkinsou proceeding against Dn&can Campbell for possession of two sections in the centre of Invereargill purchased by plaintiff's father in 1860. Five years sgo Campbell applied to the Assessment Court to be registered as the proprietor of the land, but the town clerk objected on the ground that he knew where the sons of the real owner were to be' found. The lads xecently came of age, and instructed Sir Robert Stout to prosecute their claim to the sections, now worth about £1000. Campbell contended that he had lent Jenkinson £100 on the land, and was entitled to bold till repaid. On the saso beiDg called, it was announced that Campbell gave up all claim to the 4 lands on payment of £10, the patties paying. their own costs. • \ Mr Wood, R.M , at Arrowfcown on the 16fch committed John Shanahan for trial on a charge of perjury on the information of Henry Graham, storekeeper. Theehargearosethrough Shanahan denyingn g Bignatur es to receipts being his in a, erosa action between the parties respecting accounts — Mr Hickson being the presiding magistrate at the time. Mr Solomon, for the informant, rather severely handled Mr Hickson as a witness. Mr Hickson admitted that he had privately shown the receipts to his clerk at Clyde and Mr Wingfield (bank agent at Alexandra) for their opinions as to the genuineness of the signatures — hia own impression being that they were not genuine — and that Mr Wingfield was now subpeened on accused's behalf. The evidence of writing experts called by informant remained to be taken when Mr Wood said a case to answer had been made out. Bail was fixed at £200. A man named Windus was piosecured at Auckland by the Charitable Aid Board for neglecting to provide for his infant family. The board's detective, Mr Strathearn, deposed that defendant been twice offered work, but refused it. He said that before he would do the work he would • rather see his children starve. He should not spoil his hands by such workv. This was when he was asked to go to the relief works. Mrs Windus deposed that the children and herself were almost starving. She wenfc to service and got 10s per week. Her husband then came to her for money, and when she refused it he knocked her down. He refused navvying and btouebreaking because he was afraid he would injure his hands, and then he would not be able to write or paint. Defendant then coolly said, " If I had a job like either of you" (pointing to Dr Giles, R.M., and Mr Strathearn) " then I would be all right, and it would have saved all this trouble." He further said he would get the stonebreaking and burst his hands. Dr Giles decided that ho must dismiss the case, as the defendant should have been arrested at the time he refused to work. Reports to band by the steamer Richmond at Auckland are to the effect; that the natives oE Samoa aie not in pressing need of food, and that their crops will shortly be ripe. HJAfc Cambridge, Auckland, a little girl named Brennan had her foot almost severed from her ankle by her brother, wi o was playing with an axe. The Ashburfcon Agricultural and Pastoral Association have fijeed their horse parade, for Saturday, September 21, and show on Friday, November 1. Mr David Thomas Mayor, gives three five-guinea cups for most points in horses, cattle, and sheep respectively ; and Mr Max Friedlander a five-guinea cup for yearlings by the American, Blackwood Abdallah.