WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4747, 18 July 1883, Page 3

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

[Pbb Pbbss Association.] FIJI 4N INFECTED PLAOE. WSLLINGTON, Juix 17. Last night, at 11 o'clock, a two-roomed house on the Bangltikei line, near Palmerstsn North, owned by Mr Wiltshire, and occupied by Mr Freeman, was burned to the ground, freeman lost everything, inoluding £14 in cash. The house was insured for £40 in the Union. A short sitting of the Supreme Oourt was held before the Chief Justice this morning. The oase of Mokena Kohere, M.L.O. v. Beimenschneider, for recovery of the Bum cf £700, was to hare been heard, but it was ascertained that the time allowed defendant for pleading had not yet expired, and oounsel decided to adjourn tbe hearing of the aotion until next sitting of the Court. The action, it may be explained, is brought to recover a sum of Government money received by defendant, who recently occupied the position of Native interpreter in the Legiilatire Council, on account of plaintiff, and alleged to be unpaid le tbe latter. Tho^asa of Sparry (Begistrar of Joint Stock Companies) v. Dransfield, claim £500 in respect to the defalcations of Charles White, late Seoretary of the Wellington Building Booiety, wob also adjourned. Among tho witnesses to be examined before the Gaol Commission are the Hons T. Diok and E. I. Conolly and Mr Macandrew. A proclamation in tho supplementary Gazette issued to-night, declares Fiji to be an infected place, under the Publio Health Aot. The diseases it is infected with are < mentioned as Bmall-pox, cholera and measleß. WELLINGTON, Jul* 18. The Dunedin Gaol Commission continue taking evidence. A long-sentence prisoner named Garrett was examined. He deposed to irregularities in the gaol, and to having been frequently assaulted by Mr Caldwell in the presence cf the Visiting Justice and warders. Ho had also seen Mr Caldwell and warders on several occasions in a state of intoxication.