The Evening Post. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1865.

Evening Post, Issue 222, 24 October 1865, Page 2

The Evening Post. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1865.

The Court of Appeal commenced to-day, at eleven o'clock, their Honors Chief Justice Sir Oeorge Arney, Judges Johnston,Gresson, and Chapman, on the bench. The Court deolded on taking the criminal business first, and proceeded with the case of the Queen against M'Guinness. The prisoner had been tried before Judge Johnston, for forgery and uttering, but there being an informality in the check (the amount haying been omitted from the body of it), and the prisoner being undefended, his Honor reserved the question for the Court of Appeal. Mr. Izard, who appeared for the prosecution, cited several cases in support of his argument, and contended that although the check was informal, it purported, on the face of it, to be an order for the payment of money, and was sufficient to convict the prisoner. The Court, after a short consultation, took the learned gentleman's view of the case, and directed that the prisoner be brought up for judgment afc the next sitting of the Supreme Court. In the .case of Godfrey v, Loimle, Mr. Barton applied to have the matter disposed of at an caily stage of the sittings. Their Honors consented to its being heard to-morrow, proTided they were supplied with copies of the case to-day. His Honor Sir George Alfred Arney, Chief Justice, has admitted William Carey, Esq., to be a barrister of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. Mr. Carey was admitted a barrister of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, in December 1856. His Honor hat also been pleased to admit the following gentlemen to be solicitors of the Supreme Court of New Zealand ;— Edwin Macdonald, Esq., and Edwin Hesketb, Esq. Mr. Macdonald was admitted an attorney of the Superior Courts at Westminster, in 1856. Mr. Hesketh served the greater part of his clerkship with the late William Bracey, Esq., of Auckland, and the remaining portion with the Crown Solicitor, the late Frederick W.

Merriman, Esq. These gentlemen were all examined by his Honor last week, and have passed the necessary examinations required by the "Law Practitioners' Act, 1861," in a manner to elicit the marked approbation of the Chief Justice.— New Zealand Herald. j Major Richardson has given notice that he will this evening ask the honourable gentleman at the head of the Government, whether there is any intention of moving the Defence and Native Departments of Government to Auckland. The gallant Major will also enquire whether the honourable gentleman at the head of the Government has concurred on the part of the Government, in the active employment of Her Majesty's troops in New Zealand, and if so, on what understanding. The sailing of the steamers Tararua and Lord Ashley has been postponed till tomorrow, to suit the convenience of members of the Legislative Assembly. The Government have detained the steamer Wellington, advertised to sail to-day, until Sunday next, in order to convey members of the General Assembly to Lyttelton and Dunedin. Mr. Pharazyn has given the following notice of motion : — "That the correspondence between the Government and Mr. Hulke relative to a proposal to construct a railway between New Plymouth and the Northern boundary of the province of Wellington, be printed. At the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day Henry Harvey, seaman, charged James Sweeny with stealing a purse from him. It appears that both parties left Napier on Saturday last, in the cutter Anne, and the prisoner was observed by another seaman, named John Williamson abstracting the purse from plaintiff's pocket ; that he went ashore, waa arrested by a constable, and on being searched the sum of £14 was found, on his person. The prisoner was committed for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court. Two men were fined ten shillings each for drunkennes. A few debt cases were disposed of. Some very important despatches from the Secretary of State for the colonies were laid on the table of the house yesterday, and ordered to be printed. Major Yon Tempsky and a number of volunteers are for immediate service. They proceed to Wanganui this evening by the Wanganui steamer, at 7 o'clock. They received their arms and accoutrements to-day, and are in high spirits. The diorama continues to attract great numbers, the house last night overflowing. It will again be exhibited this evening, nt the Odd Fellows' Hall, and a distribution of presents take place. • The exploring party under Mr. Pyke, have succeeded in discovering a practicable route to the West Coast, from the head of the Wanaka Lake. The adjourned meetingof the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company was held yesterday afternoon at the Athensum, to consider five resolutions, notice of which had been given on Friday. Mr. J. Rhodes moved the first—" That it is the opinion of thismeetina that the affairs of the company be wound up as soon as possible." He was not at all Banguine8 anguine of carrying this, aa the meeting consisted chiefly of Wellington shareholders but that he believed if a vote of the shareholders generally was taken,an opposite result would be the issue. He said that a good divi dend could be obtained by winding up now. He spoke of the loss whiah had been bus tamed, and that was likely to be sustained, year after year. Mr. J. Watt seconded the resolution. He said that the company's loss was consequent on the manner in which the affairs had been conducted. He referred to the statement of the value of the boats, which, he said, was calculated to mislead the public. He also referred to a transfer of shares by Mr. Russell, of Auckland, without the overdue calla having been paid up. He spoke of the East and West Coast trades having been neglected, when other companies reaped the benefit, and referred to the insurance system and the want of confidence which the London public had in the concern — the shares being totally unsaleable there. He said the company might get 12s in the pound by winding up now, but nothing would be obtained in two or three years hence. Mr. J. M. Stuart did not agree with the resolution, but would wish to see the affairs under better management, which, he hoped, would be the case. He referred also to the opportunities which had been neglected of trading on the West Coaßt,

which he attributed to mismanagement. Mr. George Moore thought it would be very detrimental to the interests of the colony in general if the affairs were wound up. The losses which had been sustained were beyond the control of the best management that could be obtained. Considerable discussion took place relative to the transfer of shares by Mr. Russell, referred to by Mr. Watt, he having charged the directors with being cognisant of the transaction. Messrs. Hunter and Pearce totally denied any knowledge of the nonpayment of the over-due calls at the time of transfer ; on the contrary, the balance due and interest had been paid, before the matter had been brought before the directors. Mr. G. Allen spoke against the winding up ; and Mr. Whitmore as to the bad accommodation for stock on board the steamers. Mr. Hunter referred to the matter of insurance, stating that it had been effected as cheaply as it was possible to do. He reminded the shareholders that a dividend had been paid for two years, and that old shareholders had received a bonus of £1. He did not think the company was in so bad a position as was represented. Mr. Stuart said he merely expresed an opinion that an efflcent manager was required. Mr. Duncan had had some experience of Steamers, and did the best he could for the company. The question having been put, five gentlemen were found to be in favour of the resolution. A poll was demanded. Mr. Joseph Rhodes moved that the steamers Queen and Lady Bird be sold, having cost the company more in repairs than their market value. This was followed by an amendment by Mr. Allen, that the directors should be recommended to take the proper step at the earliest opportunity ; and it appearing to be the feeling of the meeting that the matter should be left in the hands of the hands of the directors, the ameudment was carried with the addition of the words " at the earliest opportunity consistent with the interests of the company." A motion that the number of directors be reduced to five, fell to the ground, and a poll was demanded. Mr. J. Rhodes moved for an examination of the affairs «f the company, which underwent discussion, and was terminated on the proposer asking leave to withdraw his motion. Amalgamation with the Panama Company, if practicable, was moved by Mr. J. Rhodes, but lost. Another resolution, by Mr.Ormond, that the statement put forward by the directors was " not reliable" — or, as it stood amended, wns " incorrect" — was negatived. The 15th of December wns named as polling day ; and, afier a vote of thanks to thn chairman, directors, anil manager, the meeting separated. A meeting of the Provincial Executive was held yesterday afternoon to consider the offer of the discoverer of the newly found gold field, which we learn is, as we intimated yesterday, in tho North. ,We are not however at liberty to state the result which was arrived at, or as yet to intimate the exact locality of the field. We may mention for the satisfaction of the public that they have two strings to their bow, that since the making known of the alleged discovery in the North, a similar disclosure has been made respecting a considerable extent of auriferous country in an opposite direction. On this matter too we are not, at present, at liberty to say more, In a few days we shall be enabled to lay the particulars of thin latter discovery before our readers. It is we believe the more important of tbe two. — New Zealand Herald, 17th October.