INTERPROVINCIAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3303, 29 April 1885, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL.

(By Telegeaph.) Auckland, April 28. Probably the Trades Union here will support the action of the Sydney Seamen's Union m refusing to work the Zealandin. The President of the local Trades and Labor Council has telegraphed to the PostmasterGeneral asking how penalties are inflicted on the Pacific Mail Company when delays are unavoidable. Murphy, who was defeated by JViiovan m the glove fight on Saturday night, has not yet recovered from his injuries. Woodyear's circus has averaged £80 a night here, and Miss DeGrey is doing a business nearly as good. Sarah Thomas, aged 16, an inmate of Mrs Courie's Woman's Reformatory, attempted suicide by stabbing herself yesterday, and has since been committed to the Lunatic Asylum. The injury is not dangerous. Augustus Muller has been committed for trial for a cigar robbery and burglary at the Auckland Tobacco Company's Factory. The s.s. Zealandia will be anchored m the stream to prevent her crew being tampered with by the Seamen'sjUnion. The Lumpers' Union have decided to sustain any action taken by the Seamen's Union. A fresh Volunteer corps is being formed here. Tatoansa, April 28. Mr Sheehan addressed the electors last night, and was well received. He reviewed the local requirements respecting Native lands, [.and said he thought they should be purchased by Government, setting aside ample reserves for the Natives. If the land was not required by Government the Natives to be allowed to sell. He eulogised Mr Ballance's administration of Native affairs. A vote of thanks was carried. Wanganui, April 28. The barquentinc J. S. Lucas, from Newcastle, with coals, is ashore on the south spit of the Wanganui River. She was being towed m by the Haid this morning when the line snapped. She is expected to come off to-night. The real culprit m the false notice of marriage case having publicly apologised, the case has been withdrawn. Wellington, April 28. Government have received resolutions passed at Fiji asking for its annexation to New Zealand. Government have the question m hand, but nothing has been decided as to what course will be adopted. Colonel Hewitt not having accepted the position of commandant of the Now Zealand Volunteers, the appointment has been conferred on Sir G. S. Whitmore, who is now m Wellington consulting with Government. In connection with the appointment it is understood that negotiations with Col. Hewitt wore broken off owing to the difficulty of settling conditions ■with him, and also that the Government deemed it advisable to have an officer m command on the spot without delay. The appointment made will be subject to the approval of Parliament, and it will then be decided whether Sir G. 8. Whitmore's acceptance of the position will affect his seat m the Legislative Council. The steamer Hinemoa brought down from Napier to-day 16 lunatics, who have been removed to Wellington owing to the very unsuitable character of the Asylum at Napier. The Hinemoa leaves to-night for Dnnedin taking 30 lunatics from our Asylum, which has become somewhat crowded. She calls at Lyttelton on her way, and at that port takes m 25 lunatics from the Christchurch Asylum, •which is also overcrowded. Their destination ia the_ Seacliffe Asylum, Dunedin. It is understood that the Hon. Mr Stout will be nominated by the convocation of the University Senate as a member of the Senate. The allocation of officers who are to take permanent charge of the marine and land forces should hostilities occur will probably be decided to-morrow. Government have received information that a quantity of war material, including that required for torpedo defence, will be shipped from Sydney m a day or two. Captain Medlay will probably have charge of the Auckland marine defence, and leaves for Auckland m a day or two. Captain Ridley i of the steamer Coptic, was taken suddenly ill to-day, and was removed to the Hospital. The nature of his illness has not been ascertained. Government has bought the scabby flocks of sheep off Mr Dillon, Pakawai, m tho Wairarapa district, and they have all been killed. Tho object is to eradicate scab m the district. Major Cautley and Lieut. Douglas returned to Wellington this afternoon from Auckland. Doubt is expressed as to the vessel seen off Wakapuaka being the Espiegle, as no further information about her has been received. It was probably the Wakatipu passing from Sydney. A number of persons desiring commissions m the Militia waited on Captain Hume today. The only condition stipulated is that those who desire appointments Bhall undergo a course of drill instruction before they are definitely accepted. It is not expected that the first-class Militia will be called out until war is actually declared, but the Defence Department is anxious to have a body of competent officers to select from whenever it is found necessary to call upon the Militia to serve. Captain Badham, who is to take charge of the Artillery, is on his way to New Zealand. Blenheim, April 27. The Supreme Court sittings opened to-day before Mr Justice Richmond. There are four cases m the calendar. His Honor m charging the Grand Jury referred to the case m the calendar of rape on a child, and said there appeared a diminution of such cases m the colony. A true bill was found against John Rose, a youth of 16, for obtaining a gun by falso pretences. The prisoner pleaded guilty and was remanded for sentence till to-morrow. An enquiry as to his sanity is to be made m tho meantime. A true bill was returned against John Wilson for rape. No bill was returned against Charles Bell for an attempt to commit an unnatural offence, and he was discharged. A true bill was found against Joseph Davies, landlord of the Marine Hotel, for feloniously altering a cheque from £2 into £12, and his trial occupied the whole afternoon. The prisoner was acquitted. Two more criminal cases come on for trial to-morrow. The civil business will occupy the Judge till Monday next, when he will leave for Nelson. Westpobt, April 28. A proposal to borrow £8000 for the establishment of gasworks m the Borough has been carried by a large majority. Tho strike at the Westport Coal Company's mine still continues.. Tho new hands who were put on have also discontinued work. The miners are receiving assistance from Newcastle (£25 per month), also from Shag Point, Brunnerton, and Koran vi. The Company are now advertising for other men. CnBIBTCHTTBOH, April 23. Mr W. F. Pearson, MJS.R. for Ashley, addressed his constituents at Oxford last night. He expressed himself a general supporter of the Government and warmly commended their native and defence policies, but opposed the district railways scheme. It is rumored that all the Hon. W. Robinson's horses are to be taken over to Sydney. At Rangiora this morning Mr Charles Holtham, a malster m the employ of Mr J. Manning, of the Burton Brewery, dropped down dead, it is supposed from heart disease. Frederick Lane was to-day committed for trial for stealing Beven copper boilers from Mr Crompton, of the Crown Iron Works. The prisoner Martin Meclure, who was convicted of maligning a short time ago, was to-day proved guilty of insubordination and threatening the warders at Addington Gaol He was sentenced to thirty days m irons. As he left the dock he said they would hare to bury him before the thirty days were over. Dtobdik, April 28. Information bos been received that the Defence Minister h>»-aceepted the services of

the recently-formed corps at Anderson's Bay. Heayy falls of snow have already taken place at Waikaia and other elevated pats of the district. Major Goring and thirty-two of the A.C. force have arrived. An enthusiastic meeting of old soldiers was held last night, when it was decided to foiiu a Reserve Corps. Of the 35 enrolled all but five have served with the colors. The Mosgiel Woollen Factory have concluded a contract with a local firm to light the factory with the electric light. The installation will comprise 300 Swan incandescent lights. . . Five stacks of grain near Waikouaiti, valued at £200, were burnt down to-day. They were not insured. MrLarnach addresses his constituents on Thursday. The Premier (Mr Stout) will be nominated as a candidate for the University Senate on the 4th May. The Rev. W. H. West has retired m Mr Stout's favor. The only other candidate is Professor Hutton. Mr J. C. Buckland, M.H.R. for Waikouaiti, has been m communication with the Minister of Public Works regarding the grain rates, and has received an assurance that the Cabinet have decided to make the reduction uniform throughout the colony, to come into force as soon as instructions can be issued. InVBBCAHGILL, April 28. At the Supreme Court to-day the case Hall v. Aitken was commenced. The claim was for £1000, value of consignment of gunpowder to the late firm of Aitkon, Cross and Co. After the case had been opened His Honor adjourned the Court to givo an opportunity of coming to a settlement, and tho parties agreed that the powder should be given up at once, the question of charges to bo referred to an accountant, each side to pay its own coats. The Merchant Banking Company v. Wilson, Tuine and Co., claim for goods sold contrary to instructions of plaintiff's attorney, was then partly heard, when the Court rose for the day.