NEW ZEALAND tfEWS ITEMS

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 23

NEW ZEALAND tfEWS ITEMS

AUCKLAND. An open verdict was returned in the case of the man found drowned at the Albert i street wharf. It was at first thought he | was a fireman belonging to the s.a Leitrim, j but the captain telegraphs that none of his I men are missing. The body is remarkably well tattooed with emblems. Mr Brabant, S.M., continued his investigation on the sth in taking evidence and details in connection »rith another batch of claims for old-age pensions, and, on referring to deeds and various offices, ascer- I tamed that many of the claimants were \ possessed of both income and accumulated wealth. The body of the man found drowned on I Sunday has been identified as that of Jas. Robertson by his sister, Mrs Belshim. When last seen alive the man was intoxicated. I At Auckland on Friday Edward Darley, | licensee of the Captain Cook Hotel, pleaded | guilty to refusing admission to Ernest Mackle in the execution of hiß duty. Counsel said the reason for the delay was because the defendant failed to recognise the policeman's voice, and thought someone was impersonating the police in order to gain admittance. His Worship said the j duty of the licensee was to open the door | at once at the call of " Police, 1 " and see whether he had been humbugged or not. Men would not adopt the ruse of calling out " Police !" if they found they could get no drink after having gained admittance. A fine of £5 was inflicted. TAKANAKL Mr Henry Brown, member for New Plymouth, addressed a large gathering of his constituents in the Theatre Royal on the sh. The speech was in the main a hostile criticism of the Government policy and administration. At the close a motion proposing a vote of thanks and confidence was rejected by a large majority. Three cheers were given for Mr Seddon. WELLINGTON. Mahupuku and two other Wairarapa chiefs have published a letter calling on Mr Duthie to withdraw his references to nigger landlords or to give further explanation in justification of the use of tho words.- Ifc was announced on Thursday that Mr J. Duthie abmits that hi made a mistake in referring to Maoris as " nigger landlords," and speaks of the phrase aB a regrettable use of a common vulgarism. On the 2ud inst. during the passage of the Waikare *rom Sydney, a Marat brother named Louit died, ard C*\n buried ?»* *£& the next afternoon. Tenders for the new Bank of New Zea^ land premises were opened on Friday. It is understood that Carmichael Bros., of Wellington, are lowest tenderers, the amount being aboufc £24,000. The custom* revenue collected at the port of Wellington during . March last amounted to £39,170 — a decrease of £2764 on the amount for the corresponding month of IQ9B. For the quarter ending March

1 mation ivas laid under section 4 of tha j Gaming Act, 1894., but clause 1 of that Acfc I provides that h shall be read and construed I as" "part of the* Gaming and Lotteries Act/ j 1881, clause 30 of which provides for inI demnifying witnesses, and giving certifiI cates freeing them from criminal prosecuj tion. The Magistrate said he would give .such a certificate, and the witness gave evi1 dence. The legal point is of interest, as a ' Northern magistrate recently warned a wit- ! ness in a similar position that if he gave evidence he would incriminate himself. J Mr G. A. Simmers, M.A., at present head master of the Ashburton High School, hus been selected as head master of the Timaru Boys' High School. .There were 17 applicants. Mr Simmers was for years vicej principal of the Training College at Dunedin. 1