INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1544, 28 April 1887, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

.**. Auckland, April 27. At a special meeting vi lha Presbytery yesterday, called to couaider a disßgreetnent between the Rev A. MncKenzio and hia Avondale congregation, Mr MacKeiizle was requested to resign, A dead body, believed to be that of Grant, who disappeared from (he Old Men's Refuge a fortnight ago, was found on the- beach at Hobaonvllle. Tha dead body of a gnmdigger named Woodward hiß been found on a gumfisld four miles from Dargavilla, Deceased vraa last seen alive last night and appeared quite well. i" A man named Robert Thompson attempted to oat his throat at Ponaonby. Ha is stated to hnve been suffering from melanoholy for some time past. It is not known whether the injuries will prove fatal. Wellington, April 27. It is understood the Minister of Defence has completed all arrangements for handing over the Civil Polico to the Department of the Minister of Justice. At tha Education Board to-day, <he Ohairnvm proposed to gtva the ataft of the Training College three monthn' notice, and employ the funds released by the abolit'on of the College Jn founding an Educational chair at the proposed Wellington University College. After some dlacmßicn, jjit was decided to let the matter stand over for a month, It was stated m town to-day that the captain of the Now Zealand Shipping Company's Orari died on the voyage home, but if true nothing is known of it at the Comppnj'a office here. About fi'y shags of a Rpaciea larger and finer looking than the ordinary bird, have been obtained m tha Sounds by a gentlemaa hero, who intends to Bend them Homo; where h» expeots to get £3 or £4 apieoa for them when stnffod and mounted They present an extremely handsome appearance. The B.a. Waltakl has a large hole Jn her bottom underneath the boilers, and is full of water. Captain Preeoe, R. M. at Tflapier, having held an inqairy into the death of Parsonage, the prisoner who battered himself to death m the Napier gaol, reports to the Minister of Jnstloe that the evidence given by the prisoners at the enquiry differs most ma'erially from that given before him aa Coroner at the inquest, more especially as regards the calling up of wardsrß and the amount of noise made by Paraonaptr, Captain Preeoe reports that the offioars hava very long hou a on duty, aud that a night-watch officer ia abanlnt^ly necessary where there are a numbers of prisoners . The evideuce of all the prisoners examined tends to prove th t every attention wag paid to the deceasod by the wardora and gaoler, and co oomplainta were made against; them. The medical ofiicer states that if the

gftoler had baen properly informed as to the prisoners mental condition he would have been placed m a pidded oell m the old lunat o aßylnm, which la part of tht gaol buildings. Mr Von Sturraer, R.M,, Wairawpa. has baen appointed Sole Commissioner to enquire into the dispute with the Rabbit and Sheep Department made the aubjeofc of a petition from the Kaikoura. Blenheim, April 27. The Supreme Court sessions opened to-day, before Judge Riohmond. Three criminal cases are m the calendar, besides four oivil notions. There are two. appeals from the R.M., and a number of bankruptcy applications In charging the Grand Jury the Judge referred to a oaae of perjury m the calendar, and expressed the opinion that the offence was common m Courts of inferior jurisdiction m the oolony. The Grand Jury ignored the Bill against; the Bailor of the Helen Denny, for attempted rape on a servant girl In a boardins; house. The trial of Henry John Worthylark, for shooting at his wife re* suited man acquittal. The Grand Jury ronde a presentment that m both oases Of offences against the person, the informants' stories completely failed to substantiate the charges Bet forth m the Indiotments. The Graad Jury were of opinion that grave oensnre at least ahould attach to Informants bringing charges, which after a brief lapse of time they show a disinclination to press. The Judge satd it was a common experience m cases of the olass, New Plymouth, April 27.. An important decision was given by Mr Justice Ward to-day m banco. The case m whioh the right of lessees under perpetual leases to mortgage their lease* holds without the oonseat of the Land Board came on for argument, being m the form of an appeal from the decision of the District Land Registrar. Mr Samuel, for appellant, oited oases m support of hi* contention— that Govern*. ment were wrong m their olaim to prevent such mortgages. Mr Rtandisb, Crown Solicitor, supported the contention of the Crown Land officers m Wellington, 01a Honor deoided m favor of Mr Samuel's contention and allowed the appeal, with coats, agaloat the Govern* ment. IKVjBROARan.iI, April 27. Following on the embroglio m the Borough Council Chamber, Councillor Bastian was to-day charged on the in* formation of Councillor McDonald with assaulting him . Defendant pleaded guilty and alleged provocation. The Bench characterised the asaau't as an outrage upon acoiety and upon men engaged m the performance of public duty, and fined Bastiao £5, oo&ts £i 12s. A movement is ou foot to pay the fiae and re-elect Baßtian to the Council.