TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

West Coast Times, Issue 6406, 2 February 1887, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

LN.Z. PXESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, February 1. The Premier and the Hons. Tole and Buckley are the only Ministers at present here. They bad an Executive meeting to« day, at which the Barrier murder was considered. The individual opinion of each Minister will be forwarded to his Excellency along with the papers which go down to-morrow. It turns out that it is not necessary for the Governor to come here, as he can have the views of each member of the Cabinet laid before him in {See fourth page.)

writiue, and then call a final Executive meeting in Dunedin, where the Hons' Reynolds and Larnach constitute a quorum A final decision will tben rest with Sir William as to the Judge's presence. Mr Stou testates that it is by no means decided to invite his presence. Some high legal authorities have laid it down that the Jadge's intervention is objectionable. If» however, absolutely nece Bury he can be called before a final decisi m is arrived t f

At a meeting of Watets' crodit >rs a long siatemeut of the bankrupt's affairs, prepared by Mr Kember, accountnnt, read. In this he states that during the whole period under review there appeared to have been no attempt at correct bookkeepiag, and a balance never could have been taken since the commencement of tbe new ledger in January, 1883, as errors and omissions, commencing on the very first entries, precluded a balance being arrived at. Journal entries are simply absurd. For exumple, on realising; on property already credited in capital account, the amount of capital becomes enhanced to the full amount of the sale. Tbe errors of addition on the ledger amount to hnndreds of pounds, and the incorrect entiie3 to many hundreds more. The book-keeping is ingenious but bad. In conclusion he says "I have, however, furnished you with j a return of receipts and expenditure from Ist of January, 1883, to date of bankruptcy, Bbowing an actual expenditure of £5,222 7b 4d over the receipt?, to which I hire added an estimated Joss for bad debts and shares, of £4000, making a probable deficit of £1222." The residence of Mr E J. Gill was burglariously entered early yesterdaymorning and a hw articles stolen, the thief apparently being disturbed. A gentlemanly looking man, named Mark Hutchison, appeared on a charge of being of unsound mind. He had £90 cash and a bank draft for £200 in his possession when arrested. He will be sent to the asylum. Auckland, February 1. A claim has been made to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for £551 by Mr Logan, of the Kohimarama school, for payment for boys committed by the Eesident Magistrate and relieving officer. The Chairman stated it was no nse attempting to pay it for the Board simply had not the money. The districts refused to pay on one hand and on the other, the Board was made liable for all sorts of claims. Mitrailleuse and Kingfish were shipped by the Waihora for Sydney. A number of persons were fined for neglecting to furnish Property Tax returns. Nelson, February 1. The banquet to Mr Alan Scott last night was a most successful affair, about 160 were present, including the Bishop of Nelson, leading citizens, representatives from all parts of the district, also Mr Brodie Hoare and the railway party who were present at Brunnerton, The Mayor of Nelson presided and proposed Mr Scott's health in a highly complimentary speech, Mr Scott replied and gave a sketch of the proceedings in London, and congratulated the people of the district concerned in having shown that great public works could be carried out on commercial principles without going to Government for pecuniary aid.

MrSclanders, vice-chairraao, proposed the Midhnd Eailway Company, coupled with the name of Mr Brodie Hoare, whose reply was # the speech of the evening. He said though he left England with some misgiving, he, after seeing the country for himself, was perfeet'y convinced the railway could be made right through, and would prove a great success. He bad been asked to state Mb impressions of New Zealand, and after travelling all over it he was convinced the country wss of immense wealth, but wants population, and is far better suited to English immigrants than Canada with her snowy winters, and Australia with her torrid summer. He then described the prevalent impression in London about New Zealand. It was that every corporation had a loan, every place with a ditch or ahorse pond mnst have a harbor; that individuals weretoo fond of borrowing* the result being that New Zealand Lur per cents honestly worth 106 wefa quoted at 95. He warned them very earnestly against floating bogus companies in the London market. He considered New Zealand was a favorable field for the employment of capital, but it must be above suspicion. He leaves with the most favorable impression of the colony. The proceedings terminated after midnight.

Fred Perceval Outram, aged about 18 year i of age, son of the Rev. C; Outram, of Surbiton, Surrey, had been staying as guest of Mr Turner of Wakapuaka. On Monday he did not come to breakfast and he was found with his head banging ove r a bed in a pool of blood, quite dead. At the inquest held it appeared that death resulted from an epileptic fit, and a verdict of " natural causes " returned.

The Hon. B. Richardson and Mra Kichardson arrived this evening from the West Coast overland. They leave for Wellington on Thursday. Advice has been received of the sale of Nelson hops at Adelaide at fifteen pence. Dunedin, February 1. A writ was served to-day on the Evening Star claiming £50,000 damages. The writ was issued by Mr Robinson, who Eome year or so ago was in business in Dunedin as an architect, and against whom one or two complaints were heard in the Police Conrt arising out of alleged annoyance of women in the streets. Gisbobne, February 1. A later account confirms the double murder at Pahitikotiko. Sergeant Bullen went up yesterday, and this morning went down for the Coroner to go up but neither have returned. The persons killed are Noko and his wife. Noko is a well-know and respected native, aged abont 50. Be* ports say that a short time ago Noko told another native, then in good health, he would die. in. three days, nod. he did,

Upon this the others believed Noko had bewitched the deceased, and they assert he bad sent an evil spirit into the small hole near whicb the deceased stood or sat. Noko and his wife were shot dead aa they slept in their wbare the night before last, and the hut was then fired and the corpses burned beyond recognition* It. is stated al"o that a boy waa sleeping in the whare at the time anil be escaped naked to Ormoud yeterday, where he was given clothes. This was the first news of the tragedy. So far there is reported to be no clue to tho actual culprila. Some sixty or seventy natives live wilbia a very email radius. It is not an unusual thing (or natives to accuse persous of witchcraft ond put them to death, but Noko was not one of the sort of people usually accused of this offence, and it seems at present doubtful if the guilty persons will be detected. Reports have been current, but not authentic, that the murderers acted on hints telegraphed from Te Kooti ; these reportu say the man who died was a follower of his, and Noko an opponent. There probably is nothing in this, but the reports are current. Later. It is now stated that the wbole hapu of some 50 or 60 people were privy to the murder, and had decided on it at a meeting It is supposed iho intention was only to kill Noko, but that bis wife being awake she was shot to prevent ber identifying tbe actual murderer, and then *he whare was fired, so it will be almost impossible to discover the actual culprits positively. Statements are also made show, ing that tbe whole hapu except Noko were Hauhaus and belitve in Te Kooti, and that they were guided by indications received from Te Koott.