TELEGRAMS

Southland Times, Issue 13456, 16 May 1896, Page 3

TELEGRAMS

(Pbb Press Association).

AUCKLAND, May 15,

Timber estimated at 17,500,000 feet, on the Waitewhetu river, has been sold by the Crown, and realised L 9175, the purchaser being the Kauri Timber Co. The mineral rights are exempted. The Northern Steamship Co. has declared a dividend of six per cent. . The body of a man has been fouad in a disused tunnel in the Martha mine, Waihl. The body has nob been identified. A man named Neill has been missiDg for three -weeks. „.,,. , , Mrs Tremain and Mrs Williams have been committed for trial for breaking and entering a store at Rotorua. BRUNNERTON, May 15. At the Commission to-day two miners n*med Dow and Ward stated emphatically that after examining the mine they were of opinion that gas was the causa of the explosion. Some discussion ensued between Judge Ward and Mr Joyce, solicitor for the Brunner widows, with reference to admitting certain evidence. After argument his Honour refused to admit it. WELLINGTON, May 15. The case of Regina v. Farrell and others was atgued to-day in the Appeal Court. The case was one stated by District Judge Kettle on a question ot law, reserved by him for the opinion of the Appeal Court, under part XLIII, section 412, of the Criminal Code Act, 1893. Accused were indicted at Hawera for conspiracy to defraud the creditors of one of them, Farrell, in contemplation of the bankruptcy. The acts and declarations of Farrell subsequent to his bankruptcy were admitted in evidence against all the accused in proof of their common design, and the question reserved was whether the evidence was properly admitted. The court granted a new trial on the grounds that the public examination of Farrell in bankruptcy was not a declaration by him in pursuance of the common design charged. The court ordered the accused, who are in custody, to be admitted to bail before the Justices at Hawera, each in LIOO and one surety of LSOO each. The Horowhenua Commission held a final sitting here this afternoon. A number of natives were present and after re-examining Sir W. Buller on certain points and taking the evidence of land valuers the Commission intimated that their report would be forwarded as usual to the Governor. Two boys have been arrested on a charge of breaking and entering the office of Mr T. Young, solicitor, and Btealing L 56. The Government have been asked by the Conciliation Board to allow the Crown law officers to advise the Board as to proceeding with business, pendiDg an action instituted in the Supreme Court to unseat one of its members. The Government have replied that the law officers cannot advise anybody having judicial functions, as if advice is permitted in this instance, all other bodies would be entitled to similar privileges. STRATFORD, May 15. The Hon. Mr Ward addressed a public meeting here last night. He spoke for 2£ hours, replying to the criticisms of Captain Russell and Sir R. Stout. He was received enthusiastically, and at the conclusion was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks, also of confidence in the Government. Mr Ward spoke at Eltham in the afternoon, when he received a vote of confidence.

CHRISTCHURCH, May 15. The amount of the Canterbury subsoriptionß now in hand for the Brunner Fund is L 6303 12a 9d. Last night the premises of Rhind and "Wagstaff, commission merchants, and J. M. Smith and Co., drapers, Lyttelton, were broken into but in neither case was much taken. The Hon. J. Mcßenzie addressed a public meeting at Oxford last night. A vote of thanks for his address and of confidence in the Government was carried with two dissentients. At a conference of delegates from labour and political associations and the committee of the Surplus Labour League ji resolution waa carried that the meeting is of opinion that it is the imperative duty of the Government to provide work fo: all who are unemployed. r OAMARU, May 15. The drawing for 64 sections of Ardgowan estate was concluded to-day. Of the successful applicants, 25 are women, and with the exception of 11 all the successful applicants live in this district. Much dissatisfaction was expressed by outsiders, who were fairly swamped by the great number of families who applied for sections, sometimes up to the, total allowed by law.