SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS

Thames Advertiser, Volume XI, Issue 3184, 3 December 1878, Page 3

SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS

(pjiß PRESS AGENCY.)

New Plymouth, Monday.

Tito Hon. J. Shcehan loaves here tomorrow morning for Wnngonui and Wellington by way of the coast. During tlio last twelve months upwards of £20,000 has been spent in New Plymouth alone in now buildings, which have been erected. Wellington, Monday. Roferring to a direct steam service with Great Britain the Chronicle says the Government havo arranged their contract for the conveyance of immigrants by sailing vessels in such a way that they can be determined at four months should a steam lino be adopted. On this point the Hon. Mr Macnndrew wrote to tho Agent-General on April the sth: - Looking at the whole circumstances of .the caso the Government is prepared to accopt tho tender of the Albion Op. from Glasgow to Otago, and that of the New Zealand Shipping Company from other ports in the United Kingdom to Now Zealand, provided the tonderers will consent to the contracts being determined in case an arrangement can be made for a steam line for tho conveyance of immigrants to New Zealand, four months' notice at least of such determination to bo givon on behalf of the Government." The latest correspondence to hand shows that this plan was carriod out, and Sir Julius Yogel has been malting eflorts in every direction to get a direct steam service established. It appears bylato letters received by the present mail from the AgentGeneral, dated the 10th September, that he opened negotiations with Messrs Galbraith and Denny, of Glasgow, who are largely interested in the Albion Shipping Company. Those gentlemen sketched out a preliminary plan for carrying out a direct steam service, the main features of which are—(l) That a sufficient number of steamers of from 4,000 to 5,000 tons each be specially built for tho service; (2) that six voyages a year should bo made; (3) that tho Government should guarantee a certain number of immigrants to go by each vessel; and (4) that a subsidy bo paid annually towards tho service; tho subsidy aslied for was _ £60,000. Ministers expect to be shortly in possession of full information as to the cost of a direct steam service from Home.

In the Court of Appeal, in the case of Holt and McCarthy v. Webb, tho Chief Justice said the plaintiffs sought the protection of the Court for a species of property which at present has no existence, and could not be given. The charge by the demurror mast be upheld on that ground, to say nothing of other points. Judge Johnston pointed out that there could only be copyright in respect of something published, and when telegrams were once published the only persons to be injured were those who had paid for the privilege of publication. Mr Justice Gillies considered tho publication of any compilation of news in a newspaper is a dedication of it to the whole world, and in tho absence oi any statutory prohibition anyone is at liberty to produce copies thereof. Justice Williams took a similar view.

In tho case of Morrin and Kissling, in which tho defendant, while employed to purcase land for plaintiff, obtained a conveyance in his own name, as alleged in the demurrer to tho plaintiff's declaration, was overruled. Tho defendant intimated a probability of his taking the case to the Privy Council.

In the case of Dexter v. Brigham, the case in which Brissenden is concerned, the demurrer was allowed on the third plea. In Dire v. Pickering tho demurrer to plaintiff's declaration was allowed, which was also done in the case of Fisher v. Travers. _ In Kegina and Bell, the shooting case from the Canterbury district, the conviction was approved. The Court adjourned till Friday. Ohbistchubch, Monday.

The kerosene bond of Twentyman and Cousins was completely destroyed by fire last evening. It contained between 300 and 400 cases of kerosene. The origin is unknown. It is supposed to be through boys smoking near the shed. Wo insurance.

At a meeting of the Cemetery Board to-day, a general opinion was expressed that the time had now come when a necropolis should be established for Christchurch, and the surrounding district.

Another case of indecent exposure was heard this afternoon. When the case was called on Mr Mellish, the Ji.M., said he wished on this occasion that tbe public would asaist justice. There would be a number of girls examined ns witnesses and there would naturally be a great deal of difficulty in getting their evidence with men standing by. He had no power to close the Court, but he would leave it to their good taste to leave while these witnesses were being examined. The spectators at once left in a body. His Worship, seeing this, said it was only what he expected, and he thanked them very much, A;large number of witnesses were then examined. One case was fully gone into, and the E.M. expressed his opinion that the evidence went in favour of a conviction, As, however, there were several cases against

the same prisoner, ho would wait until all were heard before giving bis decision. Miss Amy Sherwin, Miss Davenport, and Signor Pompei make their first appearance at the Oddfellows' Hall tomorrow evening. Dunedist, Monday. A cake of gold weighing sdißozs has been obtained from 328 tons of stone from the Cromwell Quartz Mining Company's claim. Sir Julius Vogel, in acknowledging the receipt of a copy of the Hew Zealand Anthem, writes to its composer:—"l think the idea is excellent of associating our colony in the mind's of children being educated in this country with a pleasing melody they can never forget, and the remembrance of which will bring before them Britain beyond the seas."

An inquest was held at Taieri to-day on the body of a man named John Scannell who was found dead under mysterious circumstances. The result of the inquiry went to show that death was caused by exposure while under the influence of drink, and by asphyxia caued by the tightness of his shirt collar.

Timamj, Monday. The rain is falling at last, and is welcome to farmers and settlers, and in time to save the crops.

The revenue at the Cuatoms for Nov. is £1,728 4s 5d agaiust £1,272 4s Id for the corresponding month of 1877,