LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1041, 15 June 1880, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

NAPIER. ! This Day. At the Supreme Court .yesterday, the Grand Jury ignored the Bill against John Watt Smith, charged with indecent assault. Arthur Barnsley pleaded guilty of forgery, and was remanded for sentence. John Boyd alias Hutton, pleaded guilty to three charges of placing obstructions on the Napier Railway line, and was sentenced to fifteen i years penal servitude on each charge, the sentences to run concurrently. The prisoner behaved in a most extraordinary manner, both before and after receiving sentencg, using most disgusting language against the judge, gaoler, police, and people of the Colony. Generally, people in Court were electrified at the prisoner's language so very outrageous. His Honor said the prisoner was either a dangerous lunatic or a very wicked man. He would make a special report on his case to the Government so that an inquiry into the prisoner's condition of mind might be instituted. Wiremu Matine Paata was found guilty of stealing a horse and other articles, and was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, Kerika was found guilty of doing grievous injury to Heriona, by burning him on a copper-maori. His Honor did not doubt the offence was committed in ignorance, and sentenced | the prisoner to one month's imprisonment. The Court then adjourned as the Grand Jury could not conclude their business because of the non-arrival of the Taravua from Gisborne. WELLINGTON. This Day. The Opposition caucus did not come off yesterday, although several members signed the requisition to Mr. Macandrew, asking him to convene a meeting of his party before the discussion on the financial statement came on. Many members, Opposition, are averse to forming themselves into a compact body, fearing that if it is attempted many of the waverers would openly declare for the Ministry, or by absenting themselves from the caucus, show their disinclination to active opposition to the Government. The caucus therefore while disclosing the weakeness of the Opposition would serve to consolidate Government supporters. Ministers are credited with a majority of ten or twelve, but there appears to be a want of enthusiasm in their followers. At a meeting of Licensed Victuallers yesterday afternoon, a deputation was appointed to wait on the brewers with a view of coming to an arrangement as to what amount of the Beer Tax should be charged to publicans. CHRISTCHURCH. This Day, The steamship Norfolk has been put in quarantine in consequence of a discovery of three cases of what appears to be small pox in a mild form, or perhaps only chicken pox. The vessel is expected to be released in the course of to-day. NEW PLYMOUTH. This Day. James Hill, late hospital steward, was yesterday remanded on a charge of embezzlement of Government stores.

: AUCKLA.ND. This Day. During a storm at Onehunga oh Sunday, a large iron shed belonging to x Guthrie and Larnach was completely blown clown, and considerable damage done to other property. Sarah Brown, head nurse at the Provincial Hospital, against whom grave charges were preferred, has tendered her resignation. At a public meeting held yesterday, Capt! McKenzie in" the chair, resolutions were carried in favor of the abolition of Property Tax, and the imposition of a Land and Income Tax ; also, that economy and retrenchment is urgently demanded in the conduct of pxiblic affairs. DUNEDIN. This Day. The local brewers calculate that under the Beer Tax six Dunedin brewers will contribute to the revenue no less sum than £32,000 annually. j Marshall, and Maurice Joel, have fbeen appointed delegates to go to ! Wellington and act with others in opposing the tax.