NEW ZEALAND

South Canterbury Times, Issue 5024, 4 June 1889, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND

(By Telegraph.) AUCKLAND, June 3. Another meeting of White’s creditors was held to-day, when tho bankrupt again failed to appear, but sent a letter. The Official Assignee was instructed to proceed against White for contempt of Court. The Auckland North licensing commissioners met to-day, when the consideralion of several applications for renewal of licenses were adjourned for a week, tho Bench intimating that they intended to close the hotels affected as not being necessary in tho locality. NAPIER, Ji'NE 3. The Riverslea estate at Hastings, late the property of Mr Tanner, M.H.R., 2910 acres, was to-day sold at auction for £85,000. NEW PLYMOUTH, June 3. James Coad, manager of the brewery owned by James McLaughlin, of Waitara, was charged wilh breaches of the Beer Duly Act, in having two bales of hops and certain beer on the premises in excess of what was entered in tho book. Mr Hughes, instructed by Mr Standisb, Crown Prosecutor, appeared for the Crown, and Mr Samuel for tho defence. Later. Tho hearing of the charges against Coad for breaches of the Beer Duty Act was concluded to-day, Coad, who is a brewer at Waitara, was convicted in two cases, one of neglecting to enter hops and beer in proper books required by law, and the other for removing tho statutory books from the brewery. In the former case ho was fined £2O, and in the latter ss. Two other charges of fraudulent neglect were dismissed. WANGANUI, June 3. A man named Patrick Dillon, who was arrested late on Saturday night, was charged at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this afternoon with carnally knowing two girls of tender years, four and seven respectively. Prisoner was remanded on the application of the police, for eight days. Dillon was sentenced to two years and 40 strokes from the cat for a similar offence some 12 years ago. It is said he has been in the habit of treating children to lollies, with the supposed object of alluring them. Tho gas matter between tho Borough Council and the Gas Company is the burning question of the day, and on Saturday it appears that the secretary of the company had a conference with tho mayor. The results were to be submitted in writing to the council at a special meeting to-morrow night. What the offer of the gas company is has not been made known, but it is supposed to be satisfactory, and the Mayor thinks it should be acceptable to the council. From what has leaked out it is presumed thatthe company is prepared to make the present price to the council a fixed one, and the question of refund of moneys said to be overpaid to be left to orbitralion. The general opinion is that the differences will not be satisfactorily settled. At the harbour board meeting to-day tho harbourmaster reported that tho contractor for the Hoads fascine work had made good progress, and that owing to the fascines being placed in position a bank was forming as desired on tho western side, and the results looked more permanent than hitherto. If these results continue Mr Thatcher’s scheme will probably bo thoroughly successful. It was decided to place beacons at the South Spit, to show mariners how far the sand bank has extended,

WELLINGTON, Jose 3. In the Divorce Court this afternoon, the following cases were decided : Stephen Smith v. Mary Ann Smith, petition for divorce on the ground of adultery ; a decree nisi was granted. Catherine Brodie v, Oswald Spottiswood Brodie, wife’s petition on the ground of adultery, continual cruelty, and desertion ; a decree nisi was granted. Its Charles Ernest Beecroft v. Alice Gcrcroft, husband’s petition on the ground of adultery; in this case it was shown that adultery on respondent's part had taken place in England, but in order to save scandal tho petitioner brought his wife to New Zealand, where they

lived under tho same roof, but never cohabited. Petitioner had charge of the Wesleyan district at Ilastings, Hawke’s Bay, but after leaving there on his way south, and when in Wellington, his wife left him and ran away to Sydney with a young man engaged as a clerk hero in the property tax department; a decree nisi was granted. The steamer Australia, which was in charge of Captain Johnston this voyage, from Auckland, owing to Captain Kemp having remained behind to attend an enquiry,touched on a rook coming down. When leaving Awanui roadstead on Friday morning, a slight shock was felt, and on her arrival here she was placed on the slip to a;certain if any damage had been done. On examination one of the plates on the port side, under tho after hold, was found dented for the length of 20 inches and Hi- inches deep, besides a few rivets started. The repairs were completed this morning, and she will bo launched to-morrow.

BLENHEIM, Jdne 3

The hearing of the charge of arson ogainsst the young man Augustus Lucas was resumed at the Resident Magistrates’ Court to-day. Twenty-one witnesses were examined for tho prosecution, and their evidence went to show that on the night of the fire accused was the only occupant of tho house. The first outbreak occurred about lam, when Lucas jumped out of bed and found the diningroom on fire. A few buckets of water quenched the flames, and then, instead of returning to bed, Lucas paced up and down outside the building stating, in answer to enquiries, that he was afraid to go inside. A cupboard in tho dining-room was found to contain burnt paper. A neighbour remained with Lucas, but on smelling fire about three hours afterwards he went to tho police station, a short distance off, to invoke the aid of a constable. On his return ho noticed the back part of the house in flames, and found Lucas lying on the road near by, in a fit, Tho neighbour was absent only a few minutes. Lucas, who is a lawyer’s clerk, effected a £SO insurance on his books and personal effects ten days before the fire. His brother, who occupied the the house, had £2OO on his furniture, which was valued at nearly £SOO. . Mr Rogers appeared for the accused, and delivered a telling speech of one hour and a half duration. Ho showed that accused had no motive whatever in firing the building, and censured the police for having taken proceedings against the ’young man without first having held a preliminary examination. The Resident Magistrate committed accused for trial, remarking that (here were several circumstances connected with the case which required explanation, and he thought it would be better for both tho police and the accused that a higher tribunal should say whether or not accused was guilty. The case excited unusual interest, as the young man is well known.

CHRISTCHURCH, June 3. A syndicate has been formed lo make a theatre of the Tuam Street Hall, which has been a white elephant to its possessors ever since it was built. The present interior is to be entirely demolished, and family and dress circles, stalls, and pit substituted. following report on the present sanitary condition of the East Christchurch school has been presented by one of the city inspectors: —“ I visited East Christchurch Main School, and ascertained that tho tanks are dry, and have been nearly so for tho last week. Tho result is that the closets had become so offensive that on Friday last the headmaster deemed it advisable to get some of the boys attending the school to carry water from the baths in buckets, to flush out the closets. The deep well which is being sunk is down abo it 150 feet, and providing all goes well, they think to complete it in three weeks, in the meantime some other means must be provided for a water supply, otherwise I should not be surprised if the same epidemic which lias caused so much trouble reappears. Drinking water is obtained from an artesian well witli a pump attached, which is very much out of repair.” An elderly man named William Mcllwraith, who lived by himself in a hut, was found dead in a water race near Rolleston yesterday.

This afternoon Sir Somers Vine addressed a well attended meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, on the Imperial Institute, and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and a promise of co-operation. A lumper named Edward Eiohard Warrington, who was struck on the head by a bale of gunny bags on board the Waihora at Lyttelton on May 23rd, died last night from the effects of the injuries. DUNEDIN, June 3, The report of the Perpetual Trustees Estate and Agency Company states that,after paying expenses, including the balance of Auckland rent, there is a balance to net profit of £1444 16s lid, making with the balance carried forward, £1639 12s XOd. It is proposed to pay a 5 per cent dividend, and carry forward £l7oTss 3d. • Messrs Samuel Orr and Co. report the sale of 10,000 bushels of oats, ex store, at 3s per bushel. The music committee of the Exhibition intend to put forward a most elaborate programme. The choir already numbers 400 voices, and meets twice weekly. Fourteen choral concerts will bo given, and among oratorios and cantatas will be the “ Messiah,” “ Creation,” “ Elijah,” “ Camolo,” “ Lord of the Isles,” “Joan of Arc,” and Cowan’s “ Song of Thanksgiving.” The orchestra will consist of thirty professional musicians, drawn from all parts of this and other colonies, and will play twice daily, while there will be military band concerts, Saturday evening concerts will bo a feature, and some of the best colonial singers are expected to take part, as it is intended to bring from Australia professional singers for the great choral concerts, and the choir will assist in singing part songs, giving demonstrations of the effect of old national melodies by 400 voices. Classical music is not to be neglected, and there will be piano recitals and quartettes. Members of the orchestra will give occasional exhibitions of this class of music.