West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1867.

West Coast Times, Issue 643, 16 October 1867, Page 2

West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1867.

We have Melbourne papers by the Otago to the sth inst., but they contain no news of special importance or interest ; and owing to the press of local matter, we aro obliged to hold over extracts until our next issue. Mr Shaw, Mr Button, and Mr Prosser, are the candidates nominated for the office of Mayor. Mr Shaw announcos his intention of meeting the electors thi3 evening at the Empire Hotel, at eight o'clock, and at the Ballarat Hotel at nine. Mr Button intimates his intention to meet the ratepayers at nine o'clock this evening, at the Princo of Wales Opera House. Mr Baiilett aunouncod yesterday his retirement from the contest for the Mayoralty "in favor of Mr Button." The "Argus" says—" The celebrated case of Bruce and others v. the Queen is now finally settled. Tho prothonotary yesterday adjusted tho costs incidental to the appeal to tho Privy Council, and tho costs of the agreement for arbitration under the award. His decision is not to be reviewed. The Crown solicitor's costs — L 1695 8s 2d — were brought in and taxed down to L3741s 3d. It must be noticed that a sum of L 726 12s, in one item, for a copy of tho shorthand writer's notes of evidence, containing 14,532 folios, was charged. This the prothonotary disallowed, on the ground that the only evidence upon which the appeal could be argued was contained in tho appeal case itself (which consisted of the notes of the judges), and that as the Lords of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council would not accept the shorthand writer's notes as evidence in the appeal, they were therefoi-e valueless. The petitioners' costs amounted to L154.G 13s 2d, and wore taxed down to L 1473 5s 4d." We take the following from the " Melbourne Argus": — "It has come to our knowledge that a police-court case, affecting a gentleman holding a position of some importance in tho public service, was heard and adjudicated upon, a few days ago, at the City Court, in private. The case was not an important one, aud on investigating tho facts wo have come to the conclusion that the interests of justice do not require that they should be made public ; but we should be glad to bo informed under what authority the chief magistrate oxercise3 a discretion as to the cases ho will hear in privato and the cases he will hear in open court. We wish it to be understood, also, that all knowledge of tho affair was, on tho day of its occurrence, completely withheld from our reporter. Tho following is tho latest item from tho Melbourne papers, with reference to tho caso of Mrs O'Neill :— " The law of intercolonial extradition appears likely to call for sorae early attention in Victoria. Yesterday evening an application was made to Mr Justice "Williams, to endorse warrants from Now Zealand for the re-arrest of Mrs O'Neiil, under charges arising in that colony. The application was made and granted under an Imperial Act, but on tho part of tho defendant it will become the subject of further litigation." The Melbourno ' " Argus" says :—": — " Yesterday tho remains of Mr Hugh. Aitken were interred in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The deceased, who is a brother of the Messrs. Aitlcen, of the flour mills, at Carlton, met his death on Saturday last, while' following tho hounds at the Flernington huut. On approaching a low fence his horao slipped on the soft ground, and, being unable to take a proper leap, fell over on his back, crushing the unfortunate gentleman who was riding him. The deceased, who was injured principally about the chest, lingered until Monday afternoon, when ho expired. Though only twenty-four years of age, lie occupieda high position in the firm of which he was a member, and was much respected by a largo circle of friends. The funeral yesterday was very largely attended, upwards of fifty carriages following the hearso to the place of burial. Mr Aitkon was a member of the Melbourne Hunt Club, and also of tho Foresters' Society j'and a considerable number of both bodies attonded." In the Eesident Magistrate's Court yesterday, tho business was confined to the hearing of a tolorably long list of civil cases, in the majority of which judgment wns allowed'to go by default. There was no oaso of the slightest public interest.