INTERPROVINCIAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIII, Issue 9450, 13 July 1881, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

♦ (rp.K itnttep press association.) AUCKLAND. July 11. Passengers for Sydney by the Penguin complain in the Herald of the action of the Union Company in transferring them, from the Bingaroonia, and bringing

them here, leaving them without any vessel to take thorn on. The Albion is not advertised to go till Friday, and may be detained here in quarantine, thus leaving sixty or seventy passengers without means in a strange place. The steamer Bowen arrived last night from Hong Kong, after a passage of 27 days, with a cargo of teas for New Zealand . The pilot brought her straight up the harbour. It appeared, however, that the Health Officer had received a telegram on Saturday evening that all China ports are declared infected. He went off to the Bo wen and found she had had a clean bill of health from the Hong Kong authorities. No disease was there when she left, and she brought no passengers. Dr Philson considered that the vessel had been long enough at sea for any disease to develop. He thought the vessel might be liberated, but had no alternative but to order her into quarantine. He has since telegraphed to Government advising her release, but had received no reply. General discontent prevails here relative to the maladministration of the quarantine arrangements, and both papers condemn Government in the matter. The LocalßoardofHealthresignedbecauseits recommendations, after mature consideration, were ignored at Wellington, and the local quarantine officer treated the Board's existence and authority with contempt. News by the Bowen is of little interest. The general verdict re the tea crop is that the leaf is damaged in appearance at least by the heavy rains, and the actual rates are lower than last year. At Canton 4500 boxes of Congou sold at 15 to 25 taels per picul; scented capar, 50,000 boxes at 11-J to 26 taels per picul ; scented orange pekoe, 7600 boxes at 13 to 24 taels per picul. The first muster of the Hong Kew and Kinning teas were offered on the 16th May. The market opened at 31 to 32 taels for NinzehoAv, and 28 to 35 per picul for Tooschan. The steamer Glencoe was favourite for the tea race to London. She left on the 22nd May with 2,048 ,4201b5. The London Castle was second favourite. Later. The Government ordered the Health Officer to admit the steamer Bowen to pratique, and the order for her release has gone to the quarantine station. July 12. The Government are in a difficulty owing to the resignation of the Local Board of Health, and are negotiating to induce them to resume office, with enlarged powers. Dr. Philson, the Coroner, has decided not to hold an inquest on the body of Major Paul, death having arisen from natural causes. The anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne was celebrated by an Orange soiree at St. James's Hall, which was largely attended. R.W.G.M. Bro. Dunn presided. A man named Baker and a Chinaman named Ah Key were arrested for smuggling cigars ashore from the steamer Bowen. The arson case against Bindon Bros, has been on all day, and the jury are still out considering their verdict. The brigantine Lookout, 20 days from Sydney, ordered to quarantine, will probably be released to-morrow. The game of hand ball between Tierman, of Coromandel, and Kerby, of Auckland, for £30 a side, was won by the latter. WELLINGTON. July 12. It has been decided to prosecute Simpson, keeper of the hulk on which the boiler exploded on Sunday week. It is understood the grounds are that he neglected to keep the safety valves clean. Richard Bell has been committed for trial for the robbery of £17 from Win. Hope. During the hearing of Whiteiaw's case yesterday, Mr Travers raised a point that the Mount View Asylum had not been gazetted under the Lunatics Act ; therefore the indictment rould not be for an offence under the statute. The Crown Prosecutor admitted the non-proclama-tion, and the Judge said he thought the point fatal to the counts as for an offence under the statute. The third count, for common assault, remained, and the jury should convict on it if it was found that the act committed was in excess of authority, even without malice. On the Courc resuming this morning, the jury, who had been locked up all night, stated that there was no chance of agreeing, and they were discharged. The Crown Prosecutor applied for a new trial. The counsel for the prisoner asked who was to pay for the second special jury. Judge Eichmond said that, as a matter of law, the expense fell on the prisoner, but he thought it would, under the circumstances, be graceful on the part of the Crown to pay the cost. The Crown Prosecutor said he would represent the matter to the Government, and endeavour to get them to pay the £12. The Judge asked the Crown Prosecutor if he thought he could get over the non-pro-clamation of the Asylum, as otherwise the charge would be merely one of common assault. Mr Izard replied that he could not. A new trial by special jury was then ordered for Thursday, the 21st instant. The prisoner was released on the same bail. At the inquest on the body of Harry Weston, fireman on the Huia, the verdict was " Accidental Death." CHRISTCHURCH. July 12. The malicious prosecution case at the Supreme Court ended in favour of the defendant, Mclntyre. He had lent O'Neill some £40 to enable him to go through the Court, and O'Neill, when asked for payment, pleaded his bankruptcy. Mclntyre then instituted proceedings for stealing a watch against O'Neill, who was acquitted at the R.M. Court, and the latter sued him for malicious prosecution. The jury considered that Mclntyre had sufficient reason to believe O'Neill was guilty of the theft, and returned a verdict for defendant on all the issues. DUNEDIN. July 12. The total number of those who have availed themselves of the excursion trains to visit the Exhibition is between 1500 and 1600 persons. The Daily Times urges that the experiment has been so great a financial success that the Government should accept the lesson, and extend concessions in future. Mr Driver has this afternoon sold Sir Modred, Somnus, and Idalium, for £3000. It is understood that in future they will run in H. Prince's name. INVERCARGILL. July 12. j By a fire at Elloughton Grange, three j miles from Timaru, last night, Mr J. W. i Hall lost three valuable horses and a quantity of other property in his stables. The estimated loss is £390, there being no insurance. !