TELEGRAMS.

Southland Times, Issue 3416, 2 June 1879, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION'S SPECIAL WIRE.) NAPIER, SATURDAY. The prisoner McLennan was to-day committed for trial charged with poisoning his wife. The case occupied the R.M. court all the week, and has excited great public interest. The most important additional evidence given was that of a woman .named Macdonaid, who knew the prisoner Geraldine, and he told her before his wife's death that he was over head and ears in debt and had passed forged cheques, but that he had managed to keep his wife in ignorance of his troubles. After her death he again appeared at witness's house at Patangata, and remarked that it was a gooc job his wife was out of the way, as he was free to go to Africa. She afterwards found that there was suspicion of his wife's murder, and told him so. He replied, with some curiosity, t; could they detect poison so long after death. No, I loved her too much to poison her." He also said that if an attempt were made to arrest him he would shoot the policeman, and shewed her a revolver..

The Maori chief Hiroki Tniha, who obstructed the railway line, was charged at the Police Court with the offence. Irjnecto.l Scully said he had received instructions from the Government to withdraw the information, as there were extenuating circumstances. The Magistrate said the summons was withdrawn because it appeared that in the morning prisoner had been ejected from a railway carriage with undue force for smoking, and had allowed his temper to get the better of him. He had, however, told the stationmaster at Kopua of his intention to obstruct the line, and he no doubt thought be had a right to prevent the trains passing over his land. He had, however, rendered himself liable to penal servitude for life, and it was to be hoped that this would be a warning to him. NEW PLYMOUTH Saturday. Tfee Hinemoa with the Governor, Sir George Grey, and Colonel Whitmore on board, arrived here this morning at about noon. The party landed and were conveyed to Mr Caverhill's house which has been given over to the vice regal party. It is expected that the party wiU'remain here liil Tuesday next, and tben leave for Auckland. Sunday. A meeting of settlers was held yesterday at which it was decided to wait on the Premier and present a resolution, to the effect that they hoped the Government would not take any steps to coerce the native.9 without first securing the protection of the districts by large forces. The deputation, consisting of J.J,?., members of the Assembly, and prominent outsettlers, waited on the Premier, and Col. Whitmore; and Major Atkinson having submitted the resolution, proceeded to state the anxiety that existed, on part of settlers, with reference to the aggressive attitude taken by the natives. He then proceeded to point out that they had waited npon the Government to know whether Ministers were prepared to give an absolute " assurance of protection^ so that settlers might remain at their homes with safety. Sir George Grey replied that Government would do everything in their power to protect the settlements when endangered, but he thought it would be better if some of the leading settlers would meet him and give him information respecting their several districts as to ths number of settlers, and what were their means of pro* tection in case of an outbreak. Major Atkinson replied that the settlers would give all the information in their power, but he would not like to be on a private deputation. Sir George Gray replied that there were other gentlemen equally" cognisant of the state of the country. Several other settlers spoke, In reply to the deputation, Sir George Grey said the Government would be in a position to protect them and their' interests when required, arjd would notify them, if advisable, to quit their homesteads, After the deputation, Sir George Grey and Colonel Whitmore had a long discussion with a number of settlers. A public meeting hag been called for Jl o'clock 0« Monday, --■•-...

WELLINGTON, Satubday,

Gleich. the Adelaide bankrupt, has been released from gaol.

Alfred Lindsay, bootimporter, has assigned his estate to T. W. Young, merchant. The liabilities about £14,000 ; assets about £17,000.

The Customs revenue collected at the Port of Wellington, for the month ending to-day, amounts to £12.563 8s M; for corresponding month last year, it was £16,793 lis 6d. During the month of May 85 births"ahd:3l deaths were registered in Wellington, and 24 marriage certificates issued. ! ■ • : - •. ; Captains Hewitt, Rose, and Cross, who form the Royal Commission touching the wreck of. the s.s. Taupo, returned from Tauranga yesterday. It is understood that they have not yet concluded their labors.

A supplementary Gazette authorises the shooting of hares within the Counties of Maniatoto, Vincent, Waikouaiti, Lake, Peninsula, Taieri, Bruce, Clutha, and Tuapeka, between the Ist June and 31st July.

The middle line of railway from Clutha to Gatlins river is defined.

The experiment of lighting the trains on the Wellington and Featherston railway with gas manufactured en route has at length been rewarded with entire success. A trial was made in a train a night or two ago, and proved conclusively that so soon. as the trains are fitted with complete apparatus, it will be perfectly easy to light them with safety and economy. Preparations are now in progress to carry out this system of lighting, which probably will be applied to all New Zealand railways' on' account of its great superiority in every way to the dirty and inefficient oil lights hitherto in use. A man, on whose veracity we can rely (says the New Zealander), informed us late last night that he had brought to town several ounces of alluvial gold, fouud'-in one of the up-country districts. At present we are not at liberty to mention the locality, as the party has not yet secured his own interests, and wishes to make further investigations, but we have every reason to put faith in the statement of our informant.

Mr Ballard, cadet instructor to the Telegraph Department, was presented with an address and a gold pin this afternoon by the cadets of the department prior to his departure for the south.

The perjury case against Mr Kinross of Napier occupied the R. M. Court all day. The examination of native witnesses was very slow, all they said having to be taken down in both Maori and English. Very little progress was therefore made, and nothing very important was elicited. The chief witness was Pariawene, one who deposed that Kinross now claimed certain lands of his own known as Paukawa, in payment for spirits supplied to witness. The land had been mortgaged to Kinross, but only for four] years. -.Witness had got goods and money from Kinross on several occasions ; he had transacted business with Kinross through George Wpgan, who acted as interpreter. Goods of various kinds had been debited by Kinross to him, and laidl against his interest in the Kaukawa estate. He always got whatever he asked for in connection with the Kaukawa estate from Kinross's store, whether goods, money, or spirits ; he could not say how much spirits he got, but he used to get two cases at a time. The spirits were all charged against the mortgage on Kaukawa estate. He always sighed a document when he got goods, spirits, or money. He did not understand the contents of these documents. Mr Kinross used to tell him the amount of the cheques as he could not read himself. The case was further adjourned to Juno 10th. CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. There was a large attendance of sporting men, this morning, at the sale of Mr W. F. Neilson's well-known race, horses, held by Messrs J. T. Ford and Co., at their new premises, Cashel otreet. Before submitting the horses Mr C. Newton, who officiated, said that whether they fetched guineas or pennies his instructions were to sell without reserve. The following is the result of the sale:— Fishhook, 6 yrs, by Traducer — Laura, started at 450 guineas and ran up, in fifties, to 650 guineas, at which he was knocked down to Mr R. Ray. Mildleton stallion, I yrs, by Traducer — Lady Florence — won Maiden Plate and Metropolitan as a three-year-old — started at 10 guineas, and was purchased by Bassett, at 45 guiueas. Te Whetu, by Traducer — Ladybird — started at 20 guineas, and was knocked down at 80 guineas, to R. Derritt, Moose, aged, by Rattan— Bopeep— fell at 32 guineas, to Mr Boyle. Luna, rising 5 years, by Traducer — Flying Fish — won the Flying Stakes and Flying Handicap in IS7B— started at 25 guineas, and was knocked down at 55 guineas to Mr M. N. Aram. Bribery, 5 yrs. by Traducer — Ethelred — the winner of the Autumn Handicap, 1877, and many other races — started at 5 guineas, and was bought by A. Saunders for 25 guineas. Sir Tatton, aged, by Mai ton — Blue Gown — -started at 5 guineas, and fell to Mr R. Ray's bid of £7 10s. May Queen, a brood mare, by Prince Charlie — May Queen, in foal to Middleton, and with foal at foot, by Korari — fell at 10 sovs. to Mr E. Millett. A two-year-old filly, by Talisman — May Queen — was bought for 9 guineas by Mr E. Millett. Messrs H. Matson and Co. advertised for sale to-day the racing stud of Mr J, Horsefall, consisting of Ratcatcher, King Quail, All Steel, Jenny Lind, Deception, Rosalie, Randwick, Will-o'-the-Wisp, and Spring. The first submitted was Deception, in foal to Randwick, but did not succeed in drawing a bid from those present. The chestnut mare All Steel, 7 years old, in foal to Randwick, was next brought out. For her there was one sporting offer of £15, and the all-persuasion of the eloquent auctioneer not being able to get a second bid, he announced that, according to instructions from the owner, he would pass the whole lot in. The groom, however, brought out- a third, which was immediately dismissed with the observation from the auctioneer, " There's not enough money in all the crowd to buy that horse."

The Star to-night, referring to the small prices obtained for Mr Neilson's horses, says that Sliddleton, whq brought 45 guineas, was sold for 501) guineas after he had, as a three-year-old, won the Maiden Plate and Metropolitan. Sir Tatton, who was knocked down for £7 10s, changed owners one. time at between two hundred and three hundred minds.

A box of surgical instruments quite new was found the night before last in a stall of the Old provincial stables Durham street, The police so far havp been to find tin owner.

At a meeting of the Christchurch Chess Club held last night ; 12 entries were received for the chess tournament to take place on Tuesday and following days. Dr Ellis was appointed vice-president, and Mr Hailwood, of Wellington secretary. The births in Christchurch and the surrounding districts during May were 158 in numberj against 162 for the same month last year. The marriages were 36, against 33 for May last year, and the deaths 61, against 49 for the corresponding month of 1878. TIMARU, Sunday. "Vital statistics for Timaru for last month are — 48 births, 20. deaths, 10 marriages. A large proportion of deaths were caused by accidents. The Customs revenue for ths same month was LIBOG 5s lOd, and for the corresponding month last year it was L1945 Ss 3d. OAMARU, Sunday. Mr A. H. Maude reports the sale of good draught horses in good condition, at from L2B to Li6. Inferior are unsaleable, The number of vessels entered inwards during May was 43 ; aggregate registered tonnage, 6478. Outward, 36 ; tonnage, 6198. The Customs revenue for May was L1393 19s 4d, as against L1723 Is Id for May 1878 DUNEDIN, Satubday. It was reported to the police. that an elderly man named Stevens working at the Steam Laundry in Cumberland street, was missing from his home yesterday afternoon. A resident of South Dunedin whilst walking upon the beach near Lawyer Head, found the bodv of a man which subsequently proved to be "that of Steyens. A bottle half full of brancjy was found at his side. The body was removed to the morgue by a cabman nained Burman, who came on the scene shortly after? terwards, and an inquest will probably be held on Monday. The vital statistics for the Dunedin district for the rnonth ending to-day, are as follows: —Births, }49; deaths, 55 ; (including two from typhoid fever) manages 39. For month of May last year the returns were births, 155 ; deaths, 33 ; marriages, 38.