YESTERDAY'S TELEGRAMS

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 986, 23 August 1877, Page 2

YESTERDAY'S TELEGRAMS

[by submarine cable, per press agency.] AUSTRALIAN. Melbouene, August 22. Sir John O’Shannassy and Sir James McCulloch have both condemned the land and live stock taxes. The Eingarooma has sailed. INTERRED YINCIAL. [per pbess agency.] The Loss of the Steamer Lionel. The Queen Bee InquiryAuckland, August 22. John Hume, engineer, was drowned on the Lionel, steamer. He leaves a wife and four children wholly unprovided for. Captain Steward, formerly of the Craig Ellachie, brig, well known in Sydney, leaves a wife but no children. The other two men were unmarried. The vessel belongs to McLclland. who is now in the South. She was insured in the Batavia oflice for £750. The people on shore witnessed one man clinging to the bottom while the vessel drifted over the bar but were unable to help him. He was ultimately washed off in the surf. The hull was completely smashed, and is worthless. Wellington, August 22.

In the Resident Magistrate’s Court to-dai two laborers sued Dates, the railway confcriwtci’j i'vr wages allege ci to be due to them

for labor on the Pakuratahi works, from a subcontractor, who has since left the district. The plea urged on behalf of Oakes was that lie paid the sub-contractor the full amount due to him on his contract, and that he could not therefore bo held responsible for the claim. His Worship the Mayor, in giving judgment for the plaintiff, said that, while it was a hard case for Oakes, the Bench were of opinion that the object of the Contractors Act, and more especially of the 136th section of it, was to take care, at least to the extent of sixty days’ wages, that the earnings of laborers employed on colonial public works should be protected, and that it was the duty of a contractor to see he did not subject any portion of his contract to persons in whom he had not the fullest confidence, and indeed to be sure before a final settlement with any subcontractor that the workmen had been paid their wages. Mr FitzQ-erald, on behalf of his client, asked leave to appeal, which was granted.

ISelson, August 22. The Queen Bee wreck inquiry was concluded to-day, when judgment was given to the following effect: —l. That there had been want of proper navigation between the time of sighting the Spit light and the ship striking. 2. That there was culpable neglect in not using the lead. 3. That a bad look out was kept. The captain’s certificate was suspended three years, and the second mate’s for six months. The Court considered first mate erred in judgment as much as the captain, but that the responsibility rested with the latter and the second mate, who was the officer of the watch at the time of the wreck. Dunedin, August 22.

The Harbor Board to-day resolved to send the secretary to Wellington, with the view of arranging with the friends of the Board there for proper protection of the Board’s interest in the matter of the wharves and quays reserves. An inquest on Weir and Sampson’s fire is being held this afternoon. An influential deputation waited upon the Mayor this morning, for the purpose of having steps taken to keep the fever hospital open (ill a permanent one can be erected. The Mayor suggested that representations should be made to the Government to have the hospital kept open for three or four months longer. Ho would forward the petition to the Central Board of Health, and do all he could in the matter.

fI'KOM THE CORRESPONDENT OF THE PRESS.] Auckland, August 22.

An amusing elopement case came before the Police Court to-day. A young carpenter of Waikato had been paying his addresses to a girl of sixteen. The father for a time looked on the suit favourably, but afterwards wanted the girl to marry another man. She declined, and eloped with her first lover. The father gave information to the police. The Waikato ferry boat was missing, and it was supposed that the couple had gone down the river in it. A warrant was issued against the lover for stealing the boat. It proved, however, that it was a false scent, the boat being found floating five miles down the river. The truant pair had gone on horseback, intending to take train for Tauperi for Auckland. The father took the very train by which the lovers intended to continue their journey. Before entering, however, they espied the old man, and drew back until after the train had started, when they waved to the exasperated old man a hearty fond adieu. At next station he got out and telegraphed to Tauperi, but meanwhile they had disappeared. The lovers were ultimately arrested in Auckland on the charge of stealing the boat, and bi’ought up at the Police Court to-day. The case was withdrawn by the police, it being certain that he had not taken it. An action may possibly result against the old man for false arrest. The cricketers’ committee have been making inquiries as to the arrangement of the approaching match with the Australian team. A final meeting is to be held on Friday io definitely settle terms. The Opera Company have been very successful. Soldane and Stella both first-class ; Campbell is a splendid tenor; chorus fresh and vigorous. The company includes several good voices, and are the best appointed company that ever visited New Zealand.