INTERPROVINCIAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 1343, 9 January 1879, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

(Per " Timahu Herald '' Special Wire.) Auckland, Jan. 8. The number of vessels owned m Auckland on the register at the close of 1878, was 264, with a gross tonnage of 15,792. The number of vessels at the close of 1877, was 266, with a gross tonnage of 15,096, thus showing an increase of 896 tons during 1878. The increase consists principally of vessels over fi?e tons register. A nice squabble is now going on regarding new journals. Two new weekly papers are to appear on Saturday, both named the Axickland Free Press. One proprietor asks for the name of the proprietor of the other Free Press, and says the other fellow has nothing to do with the Free Press. From this lively beginning, probably lively fighting will be carried on when both papers are floated. There is a likelihood, on Father Henneberry's advice, of the Catholics starting a paper of their own. It is to be something like the Dunedin Tablet. Napier, Jan. 8. The session of the Grand Lodge, 1.0. G.T., closed this afternoon with the installation of officers. This evening a public meeting was held m connection with the Grand Lodge. Mr M. R. Miller was m the chair. The Hon. W. Fox and others addressed the meeting, Wellington, Jan. 8. In the Supreme Court, m the case of Arthur L. Sweet, charged with forging a cheque, the Jury after a long absence, dv«

agreed, and at a late hour last night, it being found they still disagreed, refreshments were ordered for them, and they were locked up for the night. On the Court being opened this morning it was found they still disagreed, and they were discharged, and the ca3e ordered to be 1 again put on the list. Chas. Schmidt, for robbery, was sentenced to three years. The Chief Justice characterised the case as a very bad one, there being an entire absence of the usual inducement to robbery, inasmuch as the prisoner was of tempi-rate habits, and with a considerable sum of money m the Government Savings Bank. The Judge ordered that the money found amongst the prisoner's personal effects, some £80, should be given to the prosecutor, but said that the prisoner's money m the Saving's Bank could not be touched. Kate Dames, for attempted suicide, was discharged, her husband becoming responsible m his own recognizances for her future appearance before the Court if desired. The Government have not finally decided what course to adopt regarding the convict Walsh, but it is expected the matter has been considered m the Cabinet to-day. The New Zealander says the Government are now acquiring large and fertile blocks of laud on the west coast of this island. Darrell's season of Henry V. has closed. The business done is reported to be the largest ever done m this Colony. James Allan Mackie, the late manager of the Bank of New Zealand (Hutt), was convicted lu-day of.forgery, by tilling up a cheque signed m blank for £1300, instead of £80. It w.\s done to pass the inspection. The jury recommended him to mercy on account of his youth ; the apparent negligence of the Bank authorities m conducting inspections ; and the insufficiency of his salary to maintain his position. In releasing Kate Davius (Mrs Margetts), who pleaded guilty to attempted suicide, the Chief Justice said, " Well, Mrs Margetts, I have to say the same to you as I said to Mrs Jacobs. I say nothing about your offence, so far as regards yourself, for you must be as fully cognizant as I am of its grave nature ; but I must point out the great trouble and inconvenience which might be caused by such an act as this of which you have been guilty. The constable, I don't know his name, who rescued you, might have risked his life m this instance. Tho water appears to have been shallow, but he did not know it. You must be aware of the risks which even an expert swimmer runs m attempting to rescue another m the water. In attempting to drown yourself you risk the lives of others, and you should bear this m mind. I hope there is no probability of your attempting to commit this offence again. The" course I propose to take is to discharge you without judgment, on your husband entering into his recognisance m the sum of £50 that you shall appear for judgment when called upon." All the drapers but one m this city have agreed to try the Wednesday holiday. The Government are determined to use every effort to secure New Zealand being properly represented at the coming Sydney Exhibition. A meeting of the creditors of Mr Guilford, leather merchant, of Wellington, was held to-day. His liabilities were stated to be £14,000,. and his assets, £22,000. The creditors all signed a deed of arrangement. Greymouth, Jan. 8. The Claud Hamilton took from here 10,5740z5. of gold, valued at 642,296. The shippers were the Bank of New Zealand, 63450zs ; Union Bank, 19820zs ; National Bank, 21990z5 ; and Chinese, 54ozs. The amount of gold exported for the year ending December 31st was, 67,0690z5, valued at £268,275. Christchorch, Jan. 8. Three young men were brought up today on a charge of horse stealing, but as no felonious intent was proved, the prisoners having taken the animal m a drunken frolic, they were discharged with a strong caution. At the Supreme Court to-day, J. Casey, convicted of larceny yesterday, was sentenced to six months' hard labor. J. Keig, for indecent assault, was sentenced to three months'. The rest of the day was spent on the case of Cowan, for arson, m October last. The prisoner was acquitted. It. is slated that Mr R. Puffleth, the Union S.S. Company's agent at Napier, will succeed Mr D. Mills, who is at present stationed at Lyttelton, and is to be removed to Wellington. There were 28 applications for the post of engineer to the Ashburton County Council. The Council have decided to build a hospital at Ashburton themselves. At a meeting of footballers, held tonight, it was decided not to join Otago m sending a team to Australia thi3 year, as it was thought the cricket trip was quite enough for the present. The local branches of the Annuities and Stamp Departments were removed into the new Government buildings to-day. The jury m Cowan's case to-day complained to the judge of the food which was provided for them, and his Honor said the only help he could give them was to allow them to arrange for their refreshmeut. At present, ie appears, juries are left to the tender mercies of a publican. Oamaru, Jan. 8. The second trial of Messrs Reid and Gray's reaper and binder came off on Tuesday afternoon, and it was m all respects perfectly successful. The defect observed m the tying apparatus m the previous trial has been remedied. It is said the work was performed m a style equal if not superior to that performed by the American machines. The local machine is a combination of the principal makers' best features, they having adopted m the construction of their machine, the Wood "binder," the McOormick "elevator," and the O3borae " reel," together with several improvements effected by themselves, notable amongst which are the wire spools being placed horizontally, as handier to replace when empty than the other machines. The machinery for raising and lowering the height of the reaper is placed behind, is easily reached, and is raised by the application of a key with scarcely any trouble. The el' — itor is so constructed that it carries alsSs-^grain and straw into binders without loftiiis it fall into machines not intended for it. The throw of the sheaf can be regulated as the driver likes, at from three to six feet. The Wood machine throws it the latter distance. Practical men say it is an advantage to be able to regulate the distance, as with over-ripe grain, much is apt to be lost through it being thrown too far. The draught of the machine seems to be very light, as two medium-sized express horses were able to draw it during the afternoon without showing any signs of distress, and that m a heavy crop, speaks volumes I for the lightness of its draught. Several actions for non-payment of

wages, &c, pending against. Mr J. j ] Henderson, contractor for the water- 1 ] works, are postponed, owin^ to the ab- 1 sence of defendant m Wellington, and \ the consequent inability of the authori- 1 ] ties to serve him with the summonses m i time. The present are understood to be ] only test cases, and m the event of their being decided against Mr Henderson, they will be followed by others. A man named Patrick McCuskell was charged at the R.M. Court to-day for assaulting his wifo by kicking her on the head with his boot. The woman is m a very critical state. The prisoner was remanded for a week. Professor Ulrich, accompanied by Messrs Shrimski and Reeves, M.H.Rs., left Oamaru to-day for Livingstone, to inspect the goldfields at that place. Mr Reeves, M.H.R., who was m Oamaru to-day, contradicts the statement made m an Auckland telegram, to tho effect that Mr McFarlane is about to sue him for certain statements made at a public meeting at Gisborne. He says he was never at Gisborne m his life. The name Reeves must evidently be intended for the name of another well-known M.H.R. from the North. Dunedin. Jan. 8. At Mr Stout's meeting at the Queen's Theatre on Friday night next, the whole of the dress circle will be reserved for ladies, and gentlemen with ladies. The Waste Land Board to-day declined to grant a petition for the opening up of a block of ten thousand acres for settlement, as they did not consider the circumstances justified the opening up of more land at present m that district. The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court concluded to-day. Jane Reid, charged with perjury, was found guilty and sentence reserved. The Mayor received the following com.municatiou by to-day's mail : — " Merchants House, Glasgow, 9th November, 1878. Sir, — I offer no apology for bringing under your notice the City of Glasgow Bank Relief Fund, and expressing the hope that your valuable services may be enlisted m promoting its success. It is the conviction of our committee that an appeal to those who have still so many bonds of connection with their native country will not be made m vain. From the accompanying report of the proceedings at a meeting m Glasgow, held upon the 4th inst., you will observe that it was resolved to raise a fund not less than £300,000 for the relief of the shareholders of the City of Glasgow Bank. Since that meeting was held it\ has become daily more and more apparent that the sum then arrived at, large though it appears, will fall much short of what will be necessary. We feel that with yourself no argument is required m support of the benevolent movement, but with others it may be necessary to direct attention to the fact that according to the investigators' report there was a deficiency on the Ist October, 1878, of the enormous sum of £5, 190,880 to which must be added interest, contingencies, and expenses of liquidators, all of which has to be met by the shareholders m addition to the loss of the value of their shares. These figures speak for themselves, and, m plain language, they mean the ruin of a large majority of the shareholders. The proposed relief fund is projected not to assist the shareholders to pay the calls that may be made upon them, but to relieve those who may be deprived of their means m consequence of these calls. I leave it with yourself to take such steps as may appear to you best calculated to ensure for this appeal the widest publicity, and also the most generous response. I would respectfully suggest the formation of local committees or such other means as may secure the best result. May 1 request the favor of a reply m course, and also of a communication from time to time, apprising me of the success attending your efforts, which no doubt will bear corresponding fruit to the necessities of the case. — I have. &c, William Collins, Lord Provost, and Chairman of the Committee." The Bishop of Melbourne has ordained the Rev. A. R. Fitchett, late Wesleyan minister, to deacon's orders, and no appointment having been made at Home, he will take charge of All Saints' Church here. Invercargill, Jan. 8. The Times this morning advocated Mr Shanks' candidature, and the News tonight favors both parties. The election is very open. It was stated about town to-day that the convict Walsh had been executed this morning. The rumor was baseless ; nor is there any idea when he will be hung. A poll of the burgesses of Invercargill will be taken to-morrow to decide whether money shall be borrowed to provide the town with a good supply of water. » (Press Agency.) Auckland, Jan. 8. The thirty-sixth report and balancesheet presented at the meeting of shareholders of the New Zealand Insurance Company to-day, makes provision for all ascertained losses to date, and carries £5000 to the reserve fund which now stands at £40,000. Of the remaining sum of £19,283 Is lid, available for division, the diiectors propose to appropriate to the payment of a dividend at the rate of 15 per cent, £15,000 ; the balance carried forward being £4283 Is lid. Early this morning a goods train rau over a 'flock of sheep, killing twenty-two. Mrs Malcolmson, of Parnell, stepped on a loose stone, fell, and broke her ancle, yesterday. Serious apprehension along the railway is felt m consequence of sparks from the engines igniting Dilworth's fence and the high grass m a paddock near Ellerslie. Dilworth and a number of men stayed the progress of the fire, and drove a herd of cattle depastured m the paddock into another field. The Agricultural Association's show buildings, situated near the line at Ellerslie, were considerably jeopardised by the grass between the building and the railway taking fire to-day. The Railway Department have requested the Association to plough the space intervening, m order to prevent danger m future from a fire spreading. Grahamstown, Jan. 8. Scarlet fever of a malignant type has boken out m a family here, four of whom are attacked. Tauranga, Jan. 8. Thomas Williams, lately a journeyman tailor at Wellington, and secretary of the Foresters' lodge, was arrested here to-day on a charge of embezzling the funds of the Order. It appears that he bolted away as soon as he got a hint that his defalcations had been discovered. Wellington, Jan. 8. The Chronicle gives the land revenue for the month of December, so far as the returns have been received from the several districts, of the colony. The returns are — Ellesmere and Forayth reclamation, etc., L 647 4s ; Westport and Ngakawau Coalfields Rail .ray, L2 l3s 4d ; Ashburton, L 1493 lls 3d ; Ashley, L 1493 8a sd ; Akaroa, L 48 6; Bay of Islands, L 274 6s ; Bruce, L4Bl 16s lid ; Buller, L 37 7s 3d ; Clutha, L 635 la 4d ; Coromandel, L 27 8; Collingwood, L3l

193 6d ; Grey, L56 2s 6d ; Geraldine, L 59 7; Inangahua, Hl3 8s 6d ; Lake, i L93 15s 8d ; Manukaii, L 978 53 ; Mana- , < watu, L75 133 ; Maniototu, L2BO 2s ; Marlborough, L 5 11s 8J ; Patea, LI ; Sounds, Ll Os lOd ; Southland, L 9156 ' 11s 3d , Stewarts Island, L2l 17s 6d ; ' Selwyn, L6B 9a lid ; Taieri, L 144 10s ; Taranaki, L 1790 5s 6d ; Thames, 7s 6d ; Tnapeka, LI4OB 4dsd ; Vincent, L6sos7d ; ; Wairarapa East, 103 ; Wairarapa West, j L4l ; Waipawa, L66 9j 8d ; Waiwera, i L69 la 4d ; Waimate, L 742 7s ; Wai- j kouaiti, L 302 17s lid ; Wallace, L 742 12a ; Whakatane, Lls ; Westland, Ll7 I 12s Gd ; total, L 23.661 9a Bd. The fol- I lowing land has been sold on deferred pay- ! ments : — Lake, L6 ; Southland, L3 ; ' Sehvyn, L4B ; Wallace, L2B 103 ; total, j LBS 103. This gives a gross total ot J L 24,746 10s 6d for December. j Tlie remainder of the Fernglen's imini- j grants have been landed. The majority | of them will be sen' to the West Coast, the others being for Nelson and Taranaki. Regulations are m course of preparation and will shortly be gazetted, setting forth the conditions nnder which exhibits can be forwarded from New Zealand to the [approaching New South Wales Exhibition. The bundle of notes stolen from the Anchor Line office did not belong to the Company, but to Mr Brind, the purser. Ministers have been m Cabinet all day discussing questions of policy. Lv.ttei.ton, Jan. 8. An influentially attended meeting was held last night to arrange for presenting a suitable testimonial to Dr. Donald before he leaves for England. Christchuhch, Jan. 8. At a meeting of the Directors of the Temperance Hotel this afternoon, it was stated that nearly 5000 shares had been taken up, and that the company would shortly commence operations. Mr Varlej, the revivalist, gave his first Bible reading this afternoon, m the Congregational Church, to a small audience. He held forth, however, m Cathedral Square this evening to a much larger assembly. At a meeting of footballers to-night it was resolved if the English team visited Christchurch that they should have all the gate-money, but the meeting would not guarantee anything. It was stated, however that £250 might be safely relied upon to be collected as subscriptions. The Stewarts are still drawing crowded houses. The drapers decided to have a monster picnic on the 28th inst. Dunedin, Jan. 8. A laborer named John Orr was seriously injured at Port Chalmers to-day by a fall of earth. James Oorbett, on bail, charged with larceny m Melbourne, aud who had been liberated on bail, himself m £100, aad two sureties of £50 each to-day, failed to appear. Unless he shows cause within seven days, the bail will be estreated. At a meeting of the Presbytery to-day, the Rev. W. Kirkland was appointed Moderator for the next six months. The Presbytery adopted an overture to both Synods m favor of Bible reading m the schools.

TiMAßtr Habbob Boabd. — There will be no meeting of the above Board to-day. Timaktj Benevolent Society. — This Society -will meet this afternoon at four o'clock. Tisiaktj Chambeb of Comjiebce. — Monthly and special meetings of the above Chamber will be held at three o'clock to-mor-row afternoon, to consider the plans for the new railway station, and also the new goods tariff. Interesting Test of Timbebs. — A very interesting trial of the relative strength of various timbers took place at Sir James Bruce's mills yesterday ; the result being that kauri was found to bo tho strongest of all the pines to be had m the colony. Mr Thomas Eobei-ts, C.E., and Engineer to the Levels Road Board, was present, and carefully took notes regarding tho tests ; and the consequence is that he has decided to use kauri m preference to Oregon beams for bridge work, the former being stronger and possessing more lasting qualities than the latter, besides being superior m other ways. Mr Bruce is collecting different specimens of pines and other descriptions of timbers, and intends, at an early date, having a complete test made m the presence of several engineers and architects practising m South Canterbury, when the full results will be made public. The Bbeakwateb. — We notice that the contractors have commenced the laying down of the permanent way for the crane between the shore and the 620-ton block. They have also got the concrete mixer ready to work, and will thus be enabled to make blocks much easier, and with less labor. The idea which has got about that the shingle and action of the waves is injuring the large block is simply the result of pure imagination, and has no foundation whatever on fact. The slight irregularities m its corners and sides were caused by the water getting into the casing while it was being constructed, and before it had time to set properly. Since the casing has been taken off and the block fully exposed to the action of the sea, no damage whatever has been done to it. We may mention that all the steel rails for the crane have been here for some time ; but we believe the Harbor Board have as yet received no advice as to the exact date when the crane itself will be delivered. A.O.F. — The quarterly ordinary meeting of the Foresters' Lodge was held m the Hall, George-street, on Tuesday evening. Mr Stevenson, Chief Banger, presided, and there was a good attendance of members. The Auditors' report was received and adopted. It showed the Lodge to be m a flourishing condition. Some ordinary routine business was transacted, and the meeting then terminated. A EtTNAWAT. — Yesterday morning a horse attached to a dray, while at the foot of Georgestreet, took fright and bolted up the Main Road. Directly after starting, the dray collided against the new iron lamp-post at the Bank of New Zealand corner, and smashed it m several pieces. The animal was ultimately stopped near Taylor and Bowie's. Temcka B. M. Cofbt. — At the Temuka Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, judgment was given for the plaintiffs by default m the following cases : — W. Stonyer v. W. Dawe, £7 19s Id : L. Harrop, v. J. Griffin, £4 15s 9d; Ackroyd and Whithead v. Happi (Native), £4 Is 7d ; same v. Happi and others (Natives), £20 18s 6d; H. B. Johnston v. Cain, £6 lls ; J. Lee v. J. Laird, £4 7s 2d; J. Speed v. O. P, McCallum, £34 185; Qt. McSheeby Gbntlemun v. W. Neal, £3 18s. In the case Warne v. Hodgson, a claim of £7 17s, judgment was given for £2 2s and costs ; and m the case H. Pindlay v. J. McCann, claim for £5 4a, judgment was given for costs of Court, £2 3s, as the defendant had paid the amount sued for before the case came into Court, but without the costs of the summons. R. M. Coitbt, Tisiabu. — At the above Court, yesterday, before E. Beetham, Esq., E.M., Charles McGinlay, a sailor belonging to the brigantine Nightingale, was brought up on three different charges, viz. assaulting the captain, refusing duty, and disobeying orders. Mr White appeared for the prosecution and Mr Hamersley for the defendent. The evidence of Captain Conville and other witnesses showed the circumstances of the case to be substantially the same as published m our issue of yesterday, and the accused was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment for the first two charges. The charge of disobedience of orders ires dismiued.

Suez Mail. — The Timaru portion of the s Suez mail arrived from Port Chalmers by the c express train yesterday. 1 The Late Attempted Siticide. — llr E. { M. Chadwick, who, on hist Tuesday, at- t tempted to commit suicide by stabbing liim- j self m the breast, was much better up to i yesterday evening, when lie took a turn for s the worse, and at 9 o'clock liis medical at- 1 tendant gave up all hopes of his recovery. Raxgitata Road Bridge. — The Ashburton County Council have decided to extend the Rangitata road bridge a distance of 17 chains, and construct 760 feet of it at once. Hl3 Ovrs G-EAXDFATHEB. — An ingenious calculator of the possibilities of consanguinity has discovered that it is quite practicable after all for a man to become his own grandfather. He argues thus — a woman at 20 marries, at 21 has a son, and at 30 is left a widow. At 48 she marries again, her own son being then 27, and having m the meantime married and had a son, the latter three years old at the time of his grandmother's second marriage. At 58 the woman dies, her son being 37, her grandson 13, and her husband 60 years of age. At 66 the husband marries again, a girl of 18, making her the stepgrandmother of his first wife's grandson, by this time 19 years old. At 72 he dies, and his second wife, by thisjtime 24 years of age, seeks consolation m the* arms of her step-grand-son of 27, who thus, having become the husband of his grandmother, must necessarily be his own grandfather. Scalped by a Bloodhoukd. — An occurrence of a horrible nature took place at Auckland last week, by which a little girl, the daughter of Captain Fernandez sustained injuries which will probably be the means of causing her death. Julius Fernandez, a boy about nine years of age, and his younger sister Maud, aged about cix, were playing m Canham's wood and coal yard m Symond-street. In the same yard, but m a remote part of it, wa3 a large halfbred bloodhound, which had been reared by Canham, and kept there as a watchdog. The animal was securely chained with an extra strong metal chain and collar made for the purpose. The. chain was well secured, and every precaution taken to prevent by any chance the dog breaking loose. The boy commenced to tease the animal, although he had been previously warned not to interfere with it. The boy, however, paid no attention to theso warnings. On the occasion m question he produced a piece of a clothes line, and, having tied a slip-knot, made a noose and threw it to the dog, which, as usual, was chained. In a few minutes the animal got its leg entangled m the moose, and the boy then drew it tightly, thus making its foot fast to the line ; he then pulled the dog about considerably. This conduct had the effect of making the dog very savage. Just at this time the hat of the little girl was blown off by the wind m the direction of the kennel. In her desire to recover it she ran close to the kennel, and the dog seized her. She was thrown to the ground, and the animal, which had its fangs sunk m her head, tore off her scalp. A wood-cutter, named O'Kane, who had charge of the yard, heard the screams of the child while he was engaged tying up a puppy m an adjoining shed. He immediately ran to the rescue, and, seizing the dog by the collar, threw it off and pulled the little girl away. She was taken to the residence of her father on the opposite side of the street, and a messenger despatched for medical assistance. Dr. Young arrived a short time later, and, on examination, fouud that the scalp had been literally torn from the head of the child, which presented a frightful appearance. She was -"m terrible agony. Dr. Young did all that lay m his power to alleviate her sufferings. The sufferer lies m a critical condition, and her recovery is considered to be very doubtful. What a Fly Did. — The Chicago Tribune says : —Mr James Howard, of Walker, married an interesting young lady named Symonds about a year ago, and they have lived cosily and happily together since. But the other morning, at breakfast, an inquisitive and hungry fly dropped down from his porch on the ceiling, and, stretching his legs, began skirmishing around for his breakfast. He crawled slowly around Mr Howard's coffee-cup once or twice, sniffing the delicious aroma and wondering how he could manage to get a drink, when his foot slipped, he lost his grip, and m a moment more was floundering around m the liquid. His struggles attracted the attention of James, and he pulled him out and tossed him across the table. The poor fly alighted hi a wet and bedraggled condition on Sirs Howard's plate. She indignantly grabbed him and flung him back into her husband's plate. James gazed steadily at her a moment, and seeing blood m her eye, deliberately picked up the fly, and with a hand trembling, with suppressed^ rage, tlirew it back on her plate. Then became a regular game of shuttlecock between the two, and that fly flew back and forth until he was completely worn out. Then the young wife bursting into tears, seized her bonnet and rushed from the house to the residence of her parents, vowing she would never come back, and James went out to the barn, swearing to himself. In an hour or so the father of the much-abused wife came over with a team and removed all her baggage, and now they " meet as friends no more." They have separated for good, and thus two| lives are rendered miserable by the single mishap of a fly. On such small things do our destinies depend.