The Evening Star FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1874

Evening Star, Issue 3444, 6 March 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1874

A special Gazette,’ issued yesterday, contains regulations for the depasturing of stock roCSouS mds o£ will reach Port Chalmers to-morrow morning. The season commences on Monday with “ Mantana, and the management, in order to ensure the proper carrying out of the stage arrangeStoKS i&ppaSsr und ’ r dkecti “ ot We hear that there is no probability of the return boat-race between the employes of Messrs Strachan and Burke’s team coming off. ihe match whs to have been pulled to-morrow but as it was found that all Strachan’a men could not take part if the match should come off on that day, and Burke’s team refuse to pull on any other day, though the following Saturday, ot. Patricks Day, or the anniversary of the Province were suggested, it is unlikely that the erews will meet again in contest. This looks like Burke a crew (who won the late match, and who object to their opponents’ practising) showing the white feather. Some time ago we referred to the probability <rf the Rev..Dr G Hilda, Victoria, rwT K T of the First Church. Last evening Qie fatter was discussed at a congregational meeting, and it appeared from the reportofthe managers that a telegram had been fcebt W thb Rev. Dr Dykes, oflonfloo, requesting him pot to proceed further in

bis endeavors to procure the services of a minister until the congregation had had an opportunity of deciding whether they would send a call to the Rev. Dr Cameron, it being considered that if the call was unanimous it would be accepted. After some discussion, it was unanimously decided that the Presbytery should be approached, and asked to moderate in a call to the Rev. Dr Cameron.

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Port Chalmers, this morning, Donald Campbell was charged by Mr Fitzer, chief officer of the ship City of Dunedin, with threatening to stick a knife into him on the sth instant. The complainant also prayed that the defendant might be bound over to keep the peace. Mr Mahsford appeared for the defendant, and pleaded guilty, but under great provocation. The defendant had no intention of carrying out his threat, and was very sorry for what he had done. After evidence on both sides, the defendant was bound over to keep the peace for two months, himself in LlO, and two sureties in L 5 each. David O’Donoghue v. George Dodson was a charge of irritating and insulting language in High street, Dunedin, on the 27th February. The case was adjourned for a week. Captain Thomson and Dr Drysdale, J.P.s, presided.

A case involving a charge of • malpractice against a medical man, was commenced in the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning. Daniel Fisher, accommodation-house keeper at Maungatua, seeks to recover LIOO from Dr M'Brearty of West Taieri, for alleged maltreatment. It appears, by the evidence on the 15th of September last, Mr Fisher despatched his son, aged twelve years, from home into Outram on a message, and the lad, while in the township, had his leg broken by a kick from a horse. Dr M‘Brearty was called on, and attended the boy; but his recovery was not effected, and it is alleged that the treatment he .received at the doctor’s hands was improper. The father claims damages for the loss of his son’s services. The case is expected to occupy a couple of days at least. Mr M'Keay appears for the plaintiff, and Mr Macassey for the defendant/

The following is a letter the Tapamii Progress Committee forwarded to Mr Holloway “ Oja behalf of the Progress Committee, and at their request, I desire to express to you our sincere approval of your having undertaken a journey to this Colony for the purpose of reporting upon its capabilities and advantages as a suitable field for agricultural settlement, We are also glad to observe that it is your intention to make a personal tour through the Province in furtherance of the same object, and trust you will make it convenient to visit this district, and meet;this committee, for the Sose of having a fair and truthful statement s to you of the various difficulties put forth by the Government to defeat the bona fide settlement of agriculturists on land in localities which for their excellent character, and which in respect of climate, are so well adapted for permanent homes of large numbers of families, but which, owing to the reckless and much to he regretted action of the Government, is almost always allowed to be monopolised by capitalists and runholders. In support of such statements we would simply and fearlessly refer to the different agricultural blocks which have been de dared open in this district for settlement, some being but dry shingle beds ; others of first-class quality, as the Island Block, being sold to the runholder in defiance of the fact of the same having been declared open for application, and being nearly all applied for by intending agricultural settlers. We venture also to state that notwithstanding the much boasted liberality of the land laws of this Province, that until suitable and reliable guarantees are given by the Government that good suitable land will be reserved for settlement, and commonages for grazing of cattle be provided in connection with each agricultural locality, there is little hope or prospect of immigrant? on arrival here being S laced in any position better than agricultural ay laborers, subject to remuneration for their laber to a fluctuating labor market.

At the Christchurch Resident Magistrate’s Court, on February 10, Samuel Jamieson was charged with having refused to support the illegitimate child of Flora Martin, of which he was alleged to be the father. The following extract from the evidence explains the case : - “ Toppin :I am chief warder in charge of the Addington female gaol. A prisoner named Flora Martin was confined of a female child. She was sentenced to twelve months for vagrancy. She was admitted on the 25th of September, 1872, and was detained for the whole terra. She was confined on the 18th January last. During the time she was in gaol work was being carried on there, and the defendant was the contractor. Defendant had opportunities of communicating with Flora Martin. Defendant was at work during the months of February, March, April, and a portion of May, 1873.” The evidence went to show that the female prisoners could carry on strong flirtations with the workmen and obtain drink from “the public-house over the way” with about the same freedom as if they had not been in “ durance vile,” Their testimony was, however, contradicted by the officials, and a magisterial inquiry resulted in a general “ white-washing.” Rather strangely, the inquiry was held by the gentleman who had been Visiting Justice at the time the illeged irregularities occurred. “ These were,” says one of the local papers, “a reflection upon his efficiency, and he was consequently, while conducting the inquiry, in the Eosition of a judge sitting in judgment upon imself. No one can dispute the justice and impartiality of Mr Bowen’s decision in this case, but we submit that he was in a false position.”

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