NEW ZEALAND

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 212, 9 December 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Asooc'uUion.} Fiji Items. Auckland, To-day. It is probable that, with the assistance of the Lord High Commissioner and the Governor of Fiji, an arrangement may ultimately ho made by which the present monthly service may be superseded by a fortnightly service, and further that regular steam service may bo instituted between Tonga and Fiji. H. M. Schooner Alacrity returned yesterday from Fiji after a long absence on a surveying tour amongst those islands. They first learnt of the murder of Lieut. Bonier and several other men of the Sandfly at Solomon Islands on opening the Auckland newspapers, and were much shocked, as many on hoard wore intimately acquainted with the unfortunate men massacred. The Alacrity is expected to remain at Auckland two or three months to refit. Wellington Supreme Court. Wellington, To-day.

The, Criminal sittings of the Supreme Court commenced this morning. There were eleven cases set down for healing. The Chief-Justice’s charge to the Grand Jury was unimportant. With reference to the murder case, he reviewed the evidence which lias already been published, and said the question of whether the prisoner was insane, drunk, or sober when he committed the act was no matter for the jury’s consideration. John Watson pleaded guilty to attempting suicide, and the judge remanded him for sentence. Charles William Ellison, alias Thompson, pleaded guilty to a charge of housebreaking, and was remanded for sentence. Stephen Baker, on a charge of attempting to wound, pleaded not guilty. Ho was ultimately acquitted. True bills were found against Adam Leitch for housebreaking, and against Ellison alias Thompson, for larceny. Ellison was found not guilty. Trial of the Opuuake Murderer. The Hinemoa arrived this morning from Opunake with the witnesses in the murder case. The Grand Jury found a true bill against Tualii for the Opnnako murder. The ’Frisco Mail The P.M. s.s. Australia, with the London mails of the 4th ult., left San Francisco for Auckland on the 21st idem, one day earlier than the time table sailing date. She is due on Monday next. The City of Sydney, with the November colonial mails, arrived at San Francisco on the 30th ult,, two days in advance of the contract date. Oliver on his High Horse. Dunudin, To-day. A deputation of the City Council waited on Mr. Oliver, asking the removal of the Harbor Board offices, in order that Cumberland street might be carried right through, the building new being in the centre of the street. Mr. Oliver replied that ho was determined the building should remain where it is, and he used as railway offices until the permanent station be built. The City Council are disposed to pull down the building in exercise of their powers.