NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 3 December 1901, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

(per press association.)

Earthquake. A shock of earthquake was felt here about 6 10 last night. South African Trade. Wellington, Dee 2.

The Agricultural Department has arranged on behalf of various firms to ship to South Africa by the Otarama in a few days, about 3,000 head of frozen poultry and several thousand eggs. Land for Settlement. Wellington, Dec 2.

The Government have decided to compulsorily acquire the Melbourne estate near Waipawa, Hawkes Bay.

The property is of 29,000 acres belonging to Stokes trustees. Otago University. Dunedin, Dec 2.

At to day’s meeting of the University Council, notice of motion was given to appoint the Rev. Dr Watt as lecturer upon Hebrew without salary, and that the Senate of the New Zealand University be recommended to amend the statute for B.A. degree, so as to allow students to take Latin or Greek as a subject for that degree. A Female Administrator. Wellington, Dec 2.

For the first time in the history of this district, a woman has been elected to assist in the administration of charitable institutions—Mrs E. F. Allen having this afternoon been returned as one of the representatives of local bodies on the Board of the Benevolent Trustees.

Evading the Customs. Wanoandi, Dec 2.

At the Court to-day, a man named James M’Cainch was charged with having on October 22nd, at Wanganui made a false declaration of the value of goods imported by him into the colony of New Zealand.

The evidence was to the effect that on October 22nd, a parcel containing opal rings and broaches came by post addressed to defandan, who called himself an opal merchant. The invoice of the goods was £ll. The Custom Department being suspicious that the value of the goods was understated, had the same valued with the result that the cost price was found to be about £35. The goods were seized and the man was charged with attempting to defraud the Customs. A fine of £IOO was imposed.

Retrenchment on Public Works Wellington, Dec 2,

At Stratford seventy men were dismissed from the Okura road works. Thirty men who were retained are resident settlers.

The Supreme Court. Wellington, Doe. 2,

The Supreme Court Grand Jury found no bill against Marion Scott charged with theft. Sidney Smith alias Harry Hills, was found guilty of indecently assaulting a girl aged 13, at the Upper Hult, and was sentenced to five years imprisonment. Frederick Gorrie, alias Minchic, pleaded guilty to cattle stealing at Whitemans, and was remanded for the report of the probation officer. Lewis Naylor, and Henry Beddle, were sentenced to 12 months jor forging and uttering a cheque. The jury returned a verdict of guiby, with a recommendation to mercy in the case of Paul Chequelle, a seaman charged with stabbing a negro named M’Oonney. Assault with Intent. Dunedin, Dec 2.

William M'Ewan was committed for trial to day for assault causing bodily harm.

It is alleged he assaulted a man after they had a drink or two together with the result that the man’s leg was broken.

Pick Pocket Arrested

A pickpocket was arrested on Saturday and he gave his name as Frederick Ma thews. He appeared at the Police Court to-day. The Court declined tb« Counsel’s request to reduce the charges to common theft, and a little later Counsel withdrew from the case.

After hearing the evidence accused pleaded guilty to each of the three charges and was remanded to the Supreme Court for septepep.

Wellington Fire Enquiry. Wellington, Dec 2.

The enqdiry into the death of William CfaWford, the victim of the Oriental Hotel fire iVas Continued to=ddy and further adjoUrnCd till to-morrow. The evidence given by the boarders who escaped showed that they were considerably in the dark as to the means of exit from the building in case of fire. The superintendent Of the fire brigade said he had always regarded the place as extremely dangeroiis to lives. He had Ordered the owners to carry out certain work to facilitate exit. This had not been done. During his evidence the superintendent said ropes were not an efficient means to esCape from bilMing buildings; there should be railed balconies with fixed iron ladders leading to the ground;