SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1055, 18 January 1879, Page 2

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

0 [press agency.] AUCKLAND, last night. A very important case was argued in the Supreme Court to-day. Mr Eiesketh brought Thomas Rennell, under writ of habeas corpus, in charge of the gaolor, with a view to ascertaining whether the Court in New Zealand had jurisdiction to detain in custody a person committing an offence outside the limits of the Queen's jurisdiction. Mr Hesketh argued that shooting Capt. Moller was commit tsd on an island where the Queen's authority does net extend, and that if it were shown that the flag followed subjects and the Court had power to send Rennall to Fiji to be tried by the Commissioner, it must be proved that such Commissioner had been appointed. Mr Tyler argued that the Court had power to issue a fresh warrant committing the prisoner to Levuka, under thegeneral jurisdiction of tho Queen over all her subjects, but did not produce proofs of the existence of a High Commissioner. Judge Gillies reserved . judgment, regarding the point raised as one of the utmost importance. The aafcive quarrell, at {^okianga,

lias arsutned a bettor aspect. The Resident Magistrate has, with some difficulty, succeeded in persuading ' both parties of natives to submit ■ their cause of dispute to arbitration, which will take place on Monday next. At one time affairs looked very bad, as the Rarawa's with sixty men were camped on the cultivation of Ngatiheu, whose food they were destroying. MAHURANGI, last night. The stewards of the races refuser! to accept McGee's nomination of Elsa because the nomination was sent to Mr Percival instead of Mali urangi. The Rodney Cup, of 50sovs., was won by Skylark. Tom Finn, Jessamine, Belle of the Isle, and Chanticleer also ran. The owner of Tom Finn lodged a protest that Skylark crossed him, collided, and threw Tom Finn on his k.ees. Mr Sheehan leaves for Auckland this afternoon. He willl address the electors in February. WELLINGTON, last night. Wagner, the well known achitect, was arrested, charged with passing valueless cheques, Tt is understood that Government will decide in Cabinet to-day, togrant one free pass to ail news papers. GISBORNE, Thursday. James Mackay is here, having returned from the Easb Cape, where he has purchased 1000 acres of land from the natives for Wellington speculators. The price is statpd to 7s 6d per acre, which is considered very high, considering the nature of the country. Mr J. S. Macfarlane has been busy with preparations for the sale ol land in Oaptain Read's estate. He has paid legacy duty to the Government, under protest, as they owe the estate £2000, for which he will sue. He is surrounded and interviewed by Maoris, and has a " tail" quite as , large as that of the Native Minister. The land sale begins to-day, but it seems doubtful whether large prices will be realised, on account of tightness of money, and the unsatisfactory state of some of the titles. It is also said that some of the foreign banks have been lending liberally, but have suddenly reversed their policy, and are now calling in all their advances, on account of the j demand for money in Australia. , Every person one meets here has the same story to tell of the scarceness of money ; but still the place is growing with wonderful rapidity, aud • would be more prosperous than ever if people could get titles to their lands. GISBORNE, Friday. Messrs. Burke and Fryer sold £3,100, and Ferries and Pitt about £14,000 worth of Captain Read's estate. It was bought principally by local men. Mr Rees, in the ' Standard ' this morning, notified that he had taken steps on behalf of the native grantees to dispute the title, and Mr Robinson, solicitor, on Mr Rees's behalf, attended both marts and protested. Prices were not much affected, and suburban allotments facing Gladstone Road fetched £50 an acre. This is lower than prices ruling some months ago, but No. 1, near Captain Read's gully , fetched £1.400; Makanui, 050 acres. £6,500 j Willows, £4500 ■ lot 11 brought £1851. WELLINGTON, Thursday. . It is stated on good authority that voluminous memoranda are passing between the Marquis of Normanby, his Ministers, and the Victorian authorities, as to the manner of his Excellency's departure for his new sphere of duty in Melbourne. Some persons believe thut the Premier will place the Hinemoa at the Governor's disposal, to land him at the Williamstown wharf, whilst others assert that in all probability the Victorian Government will specially despatch a steamer for her Majesty's new representative, when he is ready to leave Wellington for the sister colony. It is not at all improbable that Sir Hercules Robinson, the new Governor, will land at Auckland, and then come to the Empire City by the Government steamer Hinemoa. Rumours are current of further disagreements between the Governor and Ministers. A few days ago the 1 New Zealand Times' denounced Mr Wood's appointment to th3 Legislative Council as a "job," and appealed to the Governor to prevent any further nominations to the Upper House. It is said now, either that this article was inspired by His Excellency, or that he forthwith showed a strong desire to adopt the advice given in it in preference to that tendered by Ministers. In reference to Mr Dignan's promotion, nothing definite is known further than that the objection was not pressed, and Mr Dignan will be duly called, and at once. Tli6 Governor, it appears, asked the Ministers to give him the Hinemoa to take him to Melbourne, and bring Governor Robinson back ; but they rej lied, regretting that the steamer cculd not be spared from New Zealand waters. WELLINGTON, Fiiday. The Governor is said to have strongly objected to the advice to \ call Mr Dignan to the Legislative Council. One of the grounds is 3 that no further nomination should ' be made in that body. The Minisr ters, however, pressed their advice, and the Governor gave way. l The question of a Penny Bank , baa bt?- 1 considered by the Edu-jt

cation Department, and the system will be introduced when the school re-assembles. Books havo been pivpared^ by the postal department which will render the accounts keeping a very simple matter. It will rest with the local school committes to appoint trustees and treasurers, and in many casis the master will probably undertake the duty of cashier. A scholar having saved 5s will have at once to transfer his account to the Postomce Savings Banff, without expanse, as the two banks will be connected.