BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH

Evening Star, Issue 3039, 14 November 1872, Page 3

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH

(from the Xcw Zealand Press Association,) Tima.ru, November 13. The November criminal sittings of the District Court opened to-day before his Honor Mr Justice Ward. Charles Puncan, found guilty of the larpency of a cash-box containing money and valuable documents, was sentenced to three years’ penal servitude. Frederick Nelson, for larcency of a gun, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. Richard Parker, for an indecent as oauit on a girl five years of age, was sentenced to three years’ penal servitude. A charge against Alfred Smith, of obtaining L3OO by false pretences, was dismissed. Two other charges against the same person were adjourned. Invercargill, November 13. James M'Laren, storekeeper, was apprehended this morning on suspicion of stabbing Malcolm Graham, foreman of the laborers employed at Edendale, on Mr Campbell’s contract of the Mataura Railway, on the night of the 9fch inst. The two men had been drinking and fighting together all day, and in the evening Graham went to sleep outside his tent. Re was afterwards found stabbed in the back, and was brought to the Hospital here last night. The man Kidd, who had one of his legs cut off in Jack’s sawmill at Winton on the 6th inst., died in the Hospital this morning. Wellington, November 14. The Governor has not sailed in the Nebraska, which left at 2 p.m. to-day. The Horn Mr Reynolds is a passenger. Nelson, November 14, Mr Shephard, M.H. R., met his constituents at Wakefield last night, and gave an explanation of his conduct during the session. He received a vote of approval. Auckland, Novemh?r 14. Major Stone> has been elected M.P.C. for the northern division Mr Beveridge, Grand Master of the Masons, writes to the Southern Cross, contradicting Father Morris, and says Mr Freer told him twelve months ago that, in consequence of his refusing to renounce Freemasonry and opposing the priest in regard to education, the priest said he would have the death of a dog. Mr Freer then requested Mr Beveridge, if he survived, him, to see that he bad a Masonic funeral, shortly before his death Mr Freer complained to Mr Beveridge that the priests continually annoyed him, and urged him to renounce Freemasonry. Mr Freer expressed himself bitterly against the priests, and requested them not to visil him, which they insisted on doing. On the day of his death father Norris was coming to administer

extreme unction, when Mr Freer sent for Mr Beveridge to remain during the service, fearing that the priests would renew the request to renounce Freemasonry. Mr Beveridge did so, and when the priest was gone, he asked Mr Freer how, still being a Mason, the priest administered the Last Sacrament; whereupon Mr Freer replied, “ They have stretched a point for me; but mind the Masons bury me.” This happened shortly before Mr Frecr’s death.