AUCKLAND

Otago Witness, Issue 2325, 22 September 1898, Page 28

AUCKLAND

At the inquest on Charles W. Curtis, a verdict was returned of death from alcoholic poisoning caused by excessive drinking. At the Warden's Court, Waihi, in the case of James Woods v. Waitekauri Goldmining Co., Limited, a claim for £756 damages for the death of claimant's son in the company's battery, the Warden delivered a written judgment, holding that the accident occurred through the negligence of the company. He awarded damages for £130 and costs. J Fraser, who left Waiheke alone in the yacht Dandy for the Great Barrier over a week ago, lias never arrived. He was engaged in the fishing trade. At the Police Court Charles Boden, a foreigner, was charged with stabbing Joseph Thompson with a penknife. Dr Hooper, who was attending Thompson, did not deem him out of danger. It is believed the lung is touched, as he is spitting blood. The case was adjourned, and bail refused until Thompson is declared out of danger. A mass meeting of citizens was held on Satruday in connection with North Island trunk railway and the Slaffoi-d route. Mr Fraser, president of the Workers' Railway League, presided. The following resolutions were unanimously carried : — (1) That this mass meeting of citizens of Auckland protest in the strongest manner possible against the action of Messrs Lang, Holland, and Massey, M.H.R.'s, and of one William M'Cullough, M.L.C., who are opposing the best interests of the people of Auckland by urging on the central route for the railway through a pumice desert instead of the people's choice, via Stratford. (2) That this meeting of citizens of Auckland urge upon the Government to put a substantial sum upon -the Estimates, say, £300,000, for the purpose of forthwith continuing the Auckland-Stratford railway at Stratford, and this meeting also declares it will have no other route than the Stratford route." Mr Holland, M.H.R., addressed the meeting, showing the difficulty of getting the Stratford route, owing to the combination against it of the Wellington and southern members. The Hon. Mr Jennings strongly advocated the Stratford route, and said if the Auckland members were, united they would obtain it.