NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 25 July 1901, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

[PER PRESS association;] Frisco Mail. Wellington This Day. The Mariposa with the Now' Zealand mails to July 5 arrived at ‘Frisco on the 23rd inst at 10 a. m. Presentation to Fisher M.H.R. The railway employes of Wellington and Petone to-night made a presentation of a massive silver inkstand and silver mounted walking stick to George Fisher, M.H.R., in recognition of his efforts on their behad. Sir Joseph Ward, who was asked to make the presentation, spoke in terms of praise of Mr Fishsr’s strong, determined and vigorous advocacy of the rights of the workers ever since he hud been in Parliament. Returned Troopers. Twenty New Zealanders who have been fighting in South Africa returned by the Westralia to-day in charge of Lieutenant Brebner of Invercargill. The names are —N.Z. Mounted Rifles '• Privates Thompson, Wheeler, Topp, Ritter, and Ferris. Kitchener’s Horse; Sergts. McKay and Cook, Corporal Braddell, Privates McGrath, Cookson, Anderson, Wright, Miller, Bartlett, Spence, Todd, and Green. The men are from all parts of the colony. V Accident Insurance Liability. Westport, July 24 sfwo of tho largest risks yet covered in the in the colony by the Accident Insurance under the Employers Liability and Workers’ Compensation Act wore effected at Westport in the past two days by the Government Insurance Department, viz—for tho Westport Harbor Board and the Bullor County Council. The Grand Hotel Fire.

Auckland, July 24. At the Police Court to-day Jessica Neumegan Minns, who made a sensational statement in connection with the Grand Hotel fire, was charged with the murder of Leonora Johnston and others who perished in the lire. After hearing the evidence of several witnesses, the Coroner was called for the prosecution, but on Mr Tole, who appeared for the prosecution, intimating his intention of handing in the depositions of tt c accused as evidence. Mr J. 0. Martin, for the accused, objected, on the ground that the statements wore not voluntary, but had been extracted by rnca/ns of threats and fonje. Ultimately, on the suggestion of the Bench, it was decided that authorities should be produced bearing on the point, and full • argument heard to-mor-row morning. The Court then adjourned. The charge of murder against Jessica Minns came to an abrupt conclusion al the Police Court to-day. Mr. Hutchison S.M., hold that the girl’s depositions at the inquest on the Grand Hotel fire were not admissible here as evidence. The Crown bad no further evidence tc offer and the case accordingly was dismissed. The ‘Frisco Mail. Wellington, This Day. The Mariposa with the mails sent fron Auckland on sth July arrived at ‘Friact on 23rd July.'

Fires at Wellington. Two buildings in Wright Street and a seven roomed house in course of construction for Adamson (senior), and another owned and occupied by Adamson (junior) were destroyed by fire this morning. The former was insured for JESOO in the Eoyal and the latter £4OO in the Commercial Union. Errata. Colonel Eobin, Dunedin, and not Colonel Davis, Hawera, is a member of the Court of inquiry into the Newtown Park Scandal. Obituary. Christchurch, This Day. Charles Fairweather, a well-known resident of Eyreton. Ho arrived in Wellington in 1840, and came to Canterbury in 1886, and belonged to the firm who conveyed the poles for the first telegraph line between Christchurch and Nelson. He leaves a widow and 12 children. Lady Ranfurly’s Health. The Countess of Ranfurly who has been suffering from influenza for the last fortnight, is now much improved m health. Newton Park aaandal. Colonels Pitt (Nelson), Eohin (Dunedin) and Slater (Christchurch), have been appointed to inquire into the Newtown Park scandal.