NEW ZEALAND

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 234, 5 January 1881, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) Jack’s Demands. Wellington, To-d.iy A difference has arisen between the agents of a local steamer and the crew. The seamen and firemen of the steamer Huia refused to go to sea last night unless they received a distinct promise tha; their demands regarding the limitation of their working hours in port and payment of overtime {would be acceded to. The agents refused, and the seamen left in a body. The steamer was detained, but it is probable that a now crew will be shipped to-day, and the steamer get away. To Explore Fresh Fields. Dunedin, To-day. W. D. Morrison, one of the pioneers of the Tuapeka goldfields, died yesterday. Criminal Sessions. The Supreme Court, criminal sessions, was opened this morning. The judge’s charge contained - nothing new. The Grand Jury found true bills against John Gately, for larceny; William Pearce alias Johnstone, cutting and wounding ; and Robert Muir, forgery; Walter Rice, for embezzlement in the public service; Alexander M'Leod, maliciously wounding a cow; John Hodgkinson, indecent assault; George Scheb, public nuisance; John Christie for horse-stealing; John Russell, breaking into a countinghouse. Robert Muir pleaded guilty to forgery ; John Gately was convicted of larceny; William Pearce pleaded guilty to wounding with intent; William Adams was convicted of forgery. They were remanded for sentence. The Grand Jury ignored the bill against Thomas Mitchell for larceny as a bailee. The sessions will probably conclude to-morrow. Theatrical. _ Mr. Reynolds’ company, including Herr Bandmann, the German tragedian, opened at the Queen’s Theatre last night. There was a good house, A Big Audience. Invercargill, To-day. Cole's circus was attended by 7,000 people last night. Births, Deaths, and Marriages.

The vital statistics for December are as follows :—Births, 52 ; deaths, 7 ; marriages, 13. Total—Births, 587 ; deaths, 143 ; marriages, 99, or 64 less than last year.