NEW ZEALAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2152, 12 February 1880, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[Per "Times” Special Wire.] Indecent Assault. Auckland, Feb. 15. —The case of Stephen Hughes, charged, with assault with intent to commit a rape is proceeding at the Police Court. It excites much interest, the accused being the son of respectable people here and a married man with children. Struck Oil. Gisborne, Feb. 12.—Mr Clark, who represents Sydney capitalists, visited the oil spring in this district, and expressed himself much gratified at the splendid indication of oil. After some days of difficult negotiations satisfactory arrangements have been made with all parties, and a Company will be immediately formed with a large capital to work the spring. This is the best thing that has happened for the district for a long time. Death of a Chief. Paul Bote, an influential chief, died yesterday, A large tangi is being held. Deaf and Dumb Asylum. .Wellington, Feb. 12. —The prospectus of a Deaf and Dumb Institution established at Sumner, Christchurch, has been issued. The charge for board, lodging and education is fixed at L'oO per annum, but under necessitous circumstances the Minister of Education will arrange for payment of part of this amount from the public funds. Telegraphic. The shore end of the cable at 'Wanganui was successfully landed yesterday. The steamer then commenced laying the cable ,to Wakapuaka, which it is expected will be completed to-day. Date Closing:. Several’drapers have intimated their intention of keeping their shops open until 9 p.m. The Early Closing Association protest’against the movement and are taking measures to prevent it. Women’s Bights Invaded. The police have laid informations against the proprietors of the following hotels : —Empire, Barrett’s, Star, Metropolitan, and Criterion, for breaches of the provisions of the Employment of Females’ Act, by allowing barmaids to remain in bars after 11 p.m. Selling: Fruit on Sunday. Christchurch, Feb. 12. —At the Police Court this morning, a case was heard against Henry Marks, fruiterer, for selling fruit on the Lord's day, contrary to the statue. Mr Stringer, who appeared for the defendant, admitted the offence of selling apples on Feb. 1, and one pound of plums, on Feb. 8, but contended that under the Act the onlypenalty was forfeiture of goods. He submitted that the statute was passed 201 years ago, and was not in force in New Zealand ; and the question really was, as laid down in Justice Johnstone’s "Justice of the Peace,” what statutes were applicable to this colony V Another point was that there was no means heie of enforcing the provisions of the above Act, as under it any offender, in default of distress, might be placed in the public stocks two hours, and here there were no stocks. He argued that the provisions of the Act could not, without great incongruity, be transferred to this colony. The magistrate said he would be against Mr Stringer on the point as to the necessity of the Act in this colony. I’oplying to a subsequent remark made by the police, Mr Stringer pointed'out many other offences under the old Act which might be prosecuted with equal justice for the benefit of the antiquarian department of the police force. There was an Act under the provisions of which common scolds of the feminine gender might be publicly Hogged. Sudden death. The wife of Mr J. Evans Brown, died suddenly last evening, at her Besidenec St. Alban’s. The deceased lady had been driving iu town during the morning. An Insurance Benefit. Dunedin, Feb, 12. —By a lire in a cottage at North East Valley last night, the Standard loses £125, and the National, £SO A Disgraceful Affair.

A boy aged 10 years of age, lias been received in gaol to ensure his attendance at the next criminal sessions. The “ Star ” calls ou the justices to enquire into the matter and sec if some means cannot be devised for ensuring his presence without keeping him a prisoner for a couple of months. Gambling Extraordinary. Nearly £17,000 has been collected in Dunedin for racing sweeps.

[fuom OUK OWN COHKKSPONOJvNT.J Mrs Jack Shepherd at large CnuiSTCiiumai, Feb. 12. —Through the “ youth Canterbury Times ” it has become known here that a woman escaped from the Addington gaol a week ago. Your informant is perfectly correct, as the report is true in every particular. The woman, who is known to be clever at assuming - male disguise, still eludes the police, who are out all over the country in search for her.