AUCKLAND

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 67

AUCKLAND

Thomas Gardner. a WaihL musicdealer, was fined 5s and costs for being on licensed premises during prohibited hours. The facts were that, Gardner's wife being seriously ill, he went to the hotel at 11 o'clock at night for a stimulant for her. Finding Sergeant Sheehan on the- watch, hu appealed to him for peimission to get some gin. Gardner, wiiom the police admitted to be a sober man, asked the sergeant to visit his home and satisfy himself as to the wife's illness. The sergeant refused. On returning to his homo Gardner, finding his wife no better, went in desperation to the hotel and secured some gin. The ease has caused groat indignation locally. The fine and legal costs we^re promptly paid by public subscription, as a protest against the action of the police. Tho amount wa-s offered twentyfold.

A warrant was issued on Monday for the arrest of Thomas Morrin, late managing director of the Wellington Park Stud Company, on a sworn information made by the chairman of the company. Hon E. Mitchelson. The charge against Morrin is said to be in connection with certain irregularities alleged to Juno taken place whilst he was managing director of the company. Passengers landing on Sunday in the Tuahi from Tangarca had an unpleasant experience. A sreai part of the deck was occupied by sheep and a bull. The passengers had in their" midst a coffin containing the remains of a Maori gir! who died of consumption. The coffin, which had been closed for about a week, leaked, and the contents ran along- the deck. The wharf authorities refused to let it land until the police were sent for. The Maoris are now holding a tangi over the girl at Waihirere pa, near Wairoa.

The coroner (Mr Gresham) held an inquest .•it the Avondale Asylum on a male patient. Evidence was given by Dv H. Barraelough to the effect that a post-mortem examination disclosed that death was due to typhoid fever. He attributed the presence of tynhoid to the fact that a blockage had taken place in a drain, a defect which had beea remedied. The jury brought in a verdict of "Death from typhoid fever," and added the following rider: — "The jury requests the coroner to convey to the inspector of publio works its regret that at a public institution like the Avondale Asylum such

c^isease as typhoid should have been allowed to germinate in consequence of the careless blockage of a drain." Thomas Morrin. late managing director of the Wellington Park Stud Company, is missing. He was seen driving down Queen street in a cab at 3.15 p.m. on the 27th. His name appeared among: the ' passengers by the Zealandia, which left for Sydney that night, but it is stated that the vessel was searched, and he was not aboard. It has since been ascertained that Morrin boarded the- Zealandia, for Sydney, outside Rangitoto on Monday evening. Father King, of Pukekihe, died suddenly on the 28th ult. in a railway carriage.

The Hon. Ona Haioho, the celebrated Maori chief, an uncle of the Hon. Mahuta, died at his residence, Mangerp, on the Ist iist., at the age of 78 years. Arrangements have been made for the removal of the body to Huntly on Saturday, where a groat tangi will be held, a.t which a- large number of Maoris from the north of Auckland and the Waikato are expected to b© present.