LATEST TELEGRAPHIC

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 267, 17 September 1879, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAPHIC

(PER PRESS AGENCY. WELLINGTON. Tuesday Edward Tolley, an old Wellington resident was charged with obtaining goods to the value of £8 by means of a valueless cheque. The plaintiff was not quite clear as to the cashing of the cheque, saying in cross-examination he was not quite certain whether the 5s which he gave to the defendant as change was on account of this particular cheque, or one which had been given previously. Counsel for the prisoner contended that the cheque was given as an acknowledgement of indebtedness. Bench took the same view and dismissed the case. Official declaration of the poll for Hutt election was made to-day—Mason 166; Jackson 139, No intimation of any formal protest against the election was given though it was threatened. Between three and four hundred men are now employed on the WellingtonFoxton railway. Owing to men being discharged daily through not coming up to the standard required, there is considerable grumbling-chiefly amongst those discharged,' The official declaration of the poll for the Country Districts was made to-day.

The New Zealand. Steam Shipping Co.'s steamers Ringitira, Stormbird,Manawatu, Jane Douglas, coal hulk, &c., wore sold by auction to-day for £15,500 in ono lot. They were bought on behalf of the Hon■John Martin, Joseph Byrne, and David inderaon, liquidators of the company and principal shareholders.

CHARLESTON. Tuesday. Schooner Shepherdess, Captain Bilby, parted her lines this morning and capsized in Constance Bay. No lives were lost, She is now breaking up fast. Sailors lost everything. She was insured in the Colonial, but it appears she was not to go into port. AUCKLAND. Tuesday. Protest has been lodged against Lundon's election for the Bay of Islands on the ground that ho was elected on the corrupt roll. Sydney Taiwhanga, who enters the protest in this case, also protests against the election of Alohi Tarohai for the Northern Maori District as being Native Assessor. DUNEDIN. Tuesday.

In the fire inquiry evidence, it transpired that Inspector Mallard visited the cafe and saw such riotous scenes that he told Walters that would be the last night he would allow the place open, and that if he did not close it he (Mallard) would take proceedings forthwith, It also transpired that Walters antecedents were bad) he having been committed to Pentridge for burglary for four years, with three years' police supervision. Walters remonstrated with Mallard as to closing the place, telling him it was a good paying usiness, and offering" to provide special police surveillance, but Mallard was determined to take steps to close the place 0 11 Monday. Before he could take any action it was burnt down.

A witness also swore positively that Walters threatened to set fire to the building if he could get it insured. The witness thought him in earnest and quite capable of doing it, The Coroner: Why 1 Witness: Because a man who would run away with his brother's wife and child is capable of doing anything, especially after saying so ; and also on account of his previous career. George Ritchie, steward of the cafe, identified the parcel of rags produced which smelt of, and appeared to have been strongly saturated with kerosene, as being dresses used on the cafe stage. After the fire Walters accused him of saturating the dresses with kerosene, but he denied most positively that he did so. The inquiry is! eing continued. LATER.

Walters was formally charged with arson and reminded till Monday. Police produced evidence to show several local offices refused to take the risk on cafe stock and contents, which were not worth £l5O. Inquiry adjourned to to-morrow to allow the production of Walters under habeas corpus.