YESTERDAYS TELEGRAMS

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 998, 6 September 1877, Page 2

YESTERDAYS TELEGRAMS

oAUSTRALIAN. [Per Tararua, via Bluff.] [pee press agency.] Melbourne, August 29. The Council have been engaged during the week taking evidence on the Railway Construction Bill. The Assembly have passed the land tax resolutions without division, and they have been embodied in a Bill. Some progress has boon made with the Mining on Private Property Bill. Dr Macartney has been re-elected for South Gippsland by a majority of ninety-four over Mr Mason. Protests are raised against the proposed impost of 9d per head on sheep, as being calculated, amongst other things, to ruin the meat-preserving interest. There have been no more cases of smallpox. The passengers by the ship Macduff are still in quarantine. At a sale of sheep the average for terms was £94' 17s. The highest price paid was 270 guineas, but owing to the drought the condition of Ike elwep uot go good Ups fWh

“ Lohengren” continues to be a groat success at the Opera House. The Mayor’s fancy dress hall last night was a brilliant affair. There were 1600 guests present, including the Governor.

INTERPROYINCIAL.

[pee peess agency.] The “Waka Maori” Libel Case. New Plymouth, September 5. It is reported that wreckage has been found on the coast between Hawea and Opunake. The mutilated body of a European is reported to have been seen on the Harriet Beach by Natives. Search has been made, but it has disappeared, it having been either washed out to sea or covered with sand. It is supposed to have been the body of a man who fell overboard from the Fiery Cross when off the Sugar Loaves on the 7th of August. Wellington, September 5. The “Waka Maori” libel case is nearly concluded. Mr Conolly, for the defence, addressed the jury for nearly six hours. Mr Macassey replied this afternoon, speaking three hours and a half. The Chief Justice will commence to sum up to-morrow morning. Timaeu, September 5. Terrific seas have been rolling in all day. The Maori has again not been tendered. She is to take soundings about the coast with reference to the practicability of an entrance to Milford lagoon. At the Magistrate’s Court to-day two young men, charged with stealing a turkey, were sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labor. James Binstead and Charles Herbert, charged with perjury arising out of a civil case in the District Court, Blyth v Wadsworth, were discharged. Dunedin, September 5. A petition asking for the appointment of a commission of inquiry regarding the Dunedin High Schools was sent North to-day. It is signed by 200 influential citizens. Twenty thousand acres of land in the Chatton district have been opened for application on deferred payments. The number of applicants is very large. [from the correspondents of the press.] Scene in the Timarn Court. Acreage Kate on Kuns. Timaru, September 5. A very heavy sea has been running all day, breaking up to the railway goods shed this morning. The Maori arrived from Dunedin, but was unable to communicate with the shore. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court to-day, while a perjury case was proceeding, a scene occurred between the Magistrate, Mr Woolcombe, and Mr Hamersley, solicitor. The Magistrate said there was not sufficient evidence to commit the accused, and Mr Hamersley told him he should send the case for trial and let a jury decide. After some further cross firing, Mr Woolcombe said Mr Hamersley used words to him which he would he would not dare to do to a Judge of the Supreme Court, and if he showed any more disrespect he would not allow him to come into the Court. Mr Hamersley replied that the Magistrate had not the power to stop him. Mr White, solicitor, then said that, as Crown Prosecutor and senior member of the bar in Timaru, he considered that the conduct of a certain member of the Bar (meaning Mr Hamersley) was most disgraceful, and calculated to bring the Court into contempt. The proceedings of the Court were the talk of town. Mr Hamersley retorted that Mr White was acting in a cowardly and unmanly manner, by using words in the Court which he dare not use outside for fear of summary justice being inflicted upon him. Mr Woolcombe then hurriedly vacated his seat on the bench, and left the Court. Dunedin, September 5. A Dunedin firm offers to construct a railway from Waipahee to Tapanui if the district takes up £40,000 worth of shares. Judge Williams decides that the Land Board have power to levy an acreage rate in addition to assessment on runs. The Board have been acting for some time on the same interpretation of the Act, and dealt with all runs as they fall in on that principle. When the Hon. Mr Campbell’s case came to be considered, the question was raised as to their power to charge more than assessment. The Crown Solicitor’s opinion supported the latter. In spite of Judge Williams’s opinion the Board, by the casting vote of the chairman, were guided by Mr Haggitt’s opinion, and in respect to run 415 decided to charge assessment only. The Board determined not to release run 414 A and 414 B, of very small area. There was to-day a great rush for land on the Chatton and Otama Hundreds, in the Mataura district. The land offices here and at Invercargill were fairly besieged with applicants. Longuett, late postmaster at Palmerston, has been committed for trial on two further charges of embezzlement of premiums paid for life insurance. Four other charges are to be heard.