BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3763, 16 March 1875, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

. _ Auckland, March 15. At the Police Court to-day, Henry Pettit pleaded guilty, and was committed for trial for assaulting the wife of Mr Cornford, solicitor, of Napier, in December last. The evidence showed that prisoner had followed Mrs Cornford into an outhouse, when he closed the door seized her, threw her on the floor, and threatened to kill her with a knife unless she gave him LlO. After some parley he let her out to got the money ? when she escaped, and fell fainting. He disappeared over a fence. The Pretty Jane has arrived from Poverty Bay, where she was successfully floated. She presents a dilapidated appearance. . The Williamson Testimonial Committee has issued lists inviting subscriptions, to be invested as follows 1, To provide an income for Mrs Williamsou for life, and after her decease for Miss Williamson, if she should survive. 2. After the decease of the survivor, to establish a school in Auckland, or a scholarship in the Aucaland Grammar School, to be called the Williamson Memorial School or Scholarship. Any subscriber to the amount of L 45 directing that his subscription be treated as a loan for the benefit of Mis Williamson only will be entitled to have his money returned at her decease, or the loan may be expended for the benefit of Miss Williamson for life, and also be returned at the death of the survivor, if so desired. . March 16. Mr W. T. Swan, M.P.0., and first member of the Assembly for the Thames Goldfields, died suddenly yesterday. He bad been out during the morning, returned to his lodgings shortly after two o’clock, was seized with an apoplectic fit, and expired at ten o’clock at night. Sir George Grey is expected in town tomorrow, and probably will address the Thames electors on Friday and the Auckland electors afterwards. Oheistcruroh, March 16, _ Another 61*6 occurred near the centre of the city last night, in the large stables at the rear of tuo Warwick HoteL The Fire Brigade were again remarkably smart. Flames had burst from the roof before the fire-bell rang, and the stables were within twelve feet of the hotel, mu fi re waa , confined entirely to the stables. The hand-engine was throwing water five minutes after the alarm, and the steamer in fourteen minutes. The damage is about L4OO. All the insurances are not known, but the New Zealand offices lose about L 250. Mr Holt, late manager of 'the Bank of New Zealand, was presented with testimonials on leaving for Sydney. The following is from the Aew Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited), dated London, February 25, 1875 : Wool: The sales opened at an average decline of Id to the last sales prices. The principal decline has been in supeono aaa < T IS /* The sales comprised about o aAav , es * The opening catalogue contained 8,000 bales. 1,400 bales have been sent to ,{be manufacturing districts direct. Captain Bose, of the ship Waimato, being about to leave for England, the officers of the vessel made a presentation of a silver inkstand and pencil-case to him on Saturday last, Captaip Rose goes Home to bring out a new vessel for the New Zealand Shipping Company; after which he will settle down here as ship’s busband for the Company’s fleet. Yesterday morning a house belonging to John Newsbury was destroyed by fire. The damage is estimated at L 650, and is covered by insurance. The origin of the fire is tinknown, {From our own Correspondent.) Lawrence, March 16. ihere was a very stormy meeting o! the Town Council last evening m reference to-the granting of the use of the new Town Hall to the Good Templars. The Mayor threatened to forcibly expel Councillor Fraer, and a very hot discussion ensued. J Splendid golden stone is being obtained at the Waipon Gold Mining Company’s claim, the property of Dunedin speculators. : The manager is busily engaged erecting machinery, Pj la \ g f nvm , b ?r of men employed tafenJ by many experienced judges is expected to rival the Cromwell Com-

nany’s claim at Bendigo. A large number of Chinese are flocking to the workings adjacent to the drainage channel, and they appear to be satisfied with thei;- prospects. Mr Wilson Gray is reported to be dangerously ill at Clyde. The Supreme Court sat to day before Judge Chapman. There was only one cose, Regina v. Margaret Stevenson, for larceny. She pleaded guilty to two indictments and was sentenced to eighteen months' hard labor on each. Judge Chapman returns to Dunedin to-morrow. Auckland, March 18. A singular and painful accident has occurred at the Thames. Mrs Moyle, an elderly woman, returning home at night, took a wrong path, fell down a hill, and after rolling some distance struck against the stump of a tree. She was rendered unconscious, but upon recovering managed to attract the attention of neighbors, who conveyed her to her residence. Upon examination by a doctor it was found that her spine was so_ severely injured as to cause general paralysis, and she now lies in a precarious state. A shocking mine accident occurred at^the Thames. Robert Fox, working in the Queen of Beauty mine, was shovelling some dirt, when the side of a wall gave way, falling on him. He was immediately rescued and brought to the surface, and conveyed to the hospital, where it was found necessary to amputate his left arm near the shoulder, and his left leg close under the knee, both being broken in three ? laces. He lies in a very precarious state, he contractors a short time previous were warned of the danger of a slip. The mine manager (Wilson) having pounded the wall and cautioned them, it was deemed 11 all right,” and work was proceeded with, resulting as above narrated. Father Simpson, Catholic priest, while engaged in the celebration of moss yesterday morning, fainted, owing to exhaustion from Lent fasting. The event caused a sensation and alarm in church, but the priest soon re covered when carried into the air. Measles are so prevalent among children here that the annual children’s ffite of the Catholic schools on St. Patrick’s Day has been postponed. -