BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3317, 7 October 1873, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

A uckland, October 6. Mr Williams, the English Consul, is a passenger by the Dauntless, from Samoa* He reports that rich quartz reefs have been discovered there abmt three miles from the port. Count Steinberg has returned to the United States, having interviewed the chiefs. The natives generally wish for American protection. October 7.

Captain Beaton, who is awaiting trial for barratry of the schooner Florence, escaped from gaol, but was recaptured. Mr Thornton, landlord of the Royal George Hotel, attempted suicide by cutting hia throat with a carving knife, and lies dangerously ill. Hokitika., October 7. The inquest on the late tire was held at the Empire Hotel to-day, and a verdict returned that the fire arose accidentally from the foulness of the parlor chimney. The jury added a rider, praising the efforts of the brigade and citizens. Volunteer Stonebridge is highest scorer for Hokitika representatives at the Intercolonial contest. Volunteer Ross second. Wellington, October 6. The Provincial Councils of Auckland and Taranaki have been dissolved. The writ for the election of a Superintendent for Auckland was sent up on Saturday per Ladybird.

Several resignations of members of the House of Representatives ore spoken of: among others that of Mr A. S. Collins, of Nelson.

The immigrants per Douglas, for Napier, leave by the Luna to-day. The remaining immigrants will be released from quarantine tq-morrow,

The races, have been fixed for the 7th and Bth of March.

The William Tapscott weighed one anchor yesterday, apparently in readiness fora start. Captain Moresby, of H. M. S. Basilisk, presented a cassowary to the Botanical Hardens, Wellington. The Governor paid an official visittoH- M. S Pearl to-day. The Pearl fired a salute. Both vessels manned their yardq. The Supreme Court criminal sittings commenced to-day. -Judge Johnston, in his charge, congratulated the Colony on the passing of an Act for the regulation of prisons. He said further delay in the introduction of a system for the classification, industrial education, and personal amendment of prisoners would be culpable. He hoped the Colony would profit by the lessons emanating from the International Penitentiary Contress r cently held in the Inner Temple, London, and published in the volume of transactions of the Congress. Judge Johnston detailed the result of the labors of the Congress, and gave a summary of the paper contributed by Sir Walter Urofton of the system introduced into Ireland, which has three stages, and had stood the test of sixteen years’ experience, and had proved a success. There was only one case for trial, that of Blatchford and Nelson, for perjury. Blatchford was found not guilty, and Nelson pleaded guilty, aud was sentenced to a fortnight’s imprisonment. Christchurch, October 6. The criminal sessions ot the Supreme Court opened this morning. The calender includes the following cases:—Forgery, four; embezzlement seven ; unnatural offence, two ; man-slaughter, one ; horse-stealing, two ; bigamy, two ; sheep-stealing, one; housebreaking, one ; breach of the Ma riage Act, one ; larceny as a bailee, one ; total, twentytwo. Judge Bresson, in his charge, said it was deplorable that there should be so many frauds at a time when all workmen could find employment at highly remunerative wages, and pointed out that many men earned sufficient by working half time to keep them; while others who worked full time were able to spend the evening at public-houses, wasting their substance, injuring their health, and leaving their families in a worse position than if their wages were lower. Personally he thought the forgeries and embezzlements which had been so frequent lately were attributable to money spent in self indulgence, caused by abuse of the high rate of wages. At the same time he did not desire to see wage? reduced below what employers could afford, but he would like to see frugality and a desire to acquire means by workmen encouraged. October 7. In the Supreme Court yesterday, Thomas Preston, alias Williams, for forging and uttering a cheque for Ll2 10s on the Bmk of New Zealand, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment; George Rond, foi forging a cheque for Ll4O, to three years’ ; John Edward Taylor for forging an order for boots, four years’; Thomas Sutton, for forging a cheque for LI9 5s on the Bank ol New Zealand, one year ; for larceny as a bailee of L 4 llsj Bd, an additional year; George M'Kay, eighteen months for bigamy ; Charles’ Mathews, five years for horse stealing ; Alfred Drain, five years. The health of the immigrants, ex Pnnjaub, is improving rapidly. No further cases are reported, and the ship will be admitted to pratique to-day. Graiiamstown, October 6. Dr T ethbridgo, who was received into thf Catholic Church, 1869, was yesterday, at the ea'ly communion in St. George’s (Church ol Rnglaud), publicly received back into tin Church of England. Subscriptions are being raised to defray the expenses of the cricketing team to the South, and of the Volunteers to the Intercoloina ffifle Match. Both are being well supported here. October 7. The share market is more active to-day. Caledonians have advanced from Ll3 15s t< Ll4 10s. Several other stocks show an up ward tendency, A telegram has been received from a former resident of Grahamstown from Port Darwin. He says the diggings are a failure, and he returns by the first opportunity. New Plymouth, October 6. The Ironsand Company has fixed upon a site for the furnace. Mr Parris has concluded negotiations for the purchase from the Natives of a block of land at the back of the mountain. The Natives returning from the Parahaka meeting speak of Te Whiti as a fanatic, and deceiving. Te Whiti’s influence is gone. Cr imwbll, October 6. The Cromwell Company, Bendigo, cleared up at the end of last week, with a result of 20 oz , from between 70 and 80 tons of stuff. The Cromwell esport takes down 3,0380z. brunette won the LiO handicap on Saturday. Maori Chief won the Hospital Race of Lls. .