LAST NIGHT'S TELEGRAMS

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1538, 22 January 1879, Page 3

LAST NIGHT'S TELEGRAMS

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN [BY SUBMARINE CABLE,] [EEUTEE’a TELEGRAMS TO THE PRESS AGENCY.] London, January 20. Advices from the Cape state that the Zulu King, Oetcwayo, has assented to some of the demands made by the British Government, but asked time to consider the others. The Governor positively refuses to accede to the request, and is massing troops on the fron_ tier.

In consequence of a compromise between the Ministry and the Republican leaders, the Chamber of Deputies passed a vote of confidence in the Ministry by a largo majority. Further advices from the Cape states that Cetawayo is massing forces in large numbers, and there appears little hope of averting war. AUSTRALIA. [reutee’s telegrams TO PRESS AGENCY. ] Melbourne, January 21. The Canterbury team return to New Zealand to-day, after being feted by the Melbourne and East Melbourne clubs. Sydney, January 21. The “Argus” publishes the following particulars respecting the ultimatum sent to Cetewayo by the Capo Government: —l. Surrender of culprits who abducted Natal women ; 2. A fine of GOO head of cattle ; 3. Disbandment of Zulu army ; 4. Full permission for missionaries to return to the country and guarantee of safe conduct ; 5, Appointment of British residents. The Government promise a fair trial to the offenders. It is stated that Ootowayo has an army of 50,000 men, and that his influence extends to the Equator. Sir H. Parkes, in the Assembly, promised the amending of the Land and Chinese Restriction Bills. The Government proposed to have a short session. [special to “globe.” ] The Somerset arrived at Oooktown. She was refused pratique, owing to a supposed case of small pox. She proceeds South immediately. The Ocean, steamer, struck on Gibber Rock, near Thursday Island, and knocked a hole in her bottom. She was repaired, and left Thursday Island, on the 19th, for Hong Kong. The massacre of Captain Ingham and crew, of the steamer Youru, at Broker Island, is reported from New Guinea. Ingham was master and owner, Isles engineer, and there were one European and two Chinese sailors. The Natives have all Ingham’s and Redlich’s arms, and it is dangerous to go near. Two seamen of the Minnie Low were also murdered. NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS. [pee press agency.] Wellington, January 21. Ernest Wagner, a local architect, was committed for trial on a charge of obtaining money under false pretences. There were two charges against him. Superintendent James, who takes the place of Superintendent Atchesou, arrived here today. The latter officer will not leave for Nelson till the end of the month. The New Zealand Rifle Association’s annual meeting is to open at Nelson on the 3rd March Arrangements are completed for a supply of targets, &c. Detective Farrell is to be removed to Auckland. No charitable aid from Government sources has been distributed in Wellington since the Ist instant. This arises from the Benevolent Society refusing to take over the distribution from the hands of the police, and the latter having been instructed by the Government to discontinue. Much distress is said to exist in consequence. j n consequence of the Native Minister’s reported denial of the truth of the Press Agency’s telegram from Alexandra, the proprietors of tlio Press Agency sent the following telegram to their Alexandra correspondent : —The Native Minister states that your report about Eovvi’s negotiations is absolutely without foundation, and false in every possible respect. _ Pray at once explain, and give authority for publication,” To avhich the following reply has been received : “ Report perfectly true, that such are Rewi’s ideas of settlement with the Government, as far as I can believe the words of three thoroughly reliable Europeans and Natives, who had it from Rewi’s own lips.” Guetmouth, January 21. John Cordrick, an old resident, was killed yesterday while felling a tree at Maori Creek. [S pc c I al ~Wiire.] Auckland, January 21. At the evening sitting of the Wesleyan Conference the President announced that the following sums had been received during the past year for the church extension fund : —Auckland district, £294 6ssd; Taranaki and Wanganui, £137 18s ; Wellington, .£IBB Is lOd ; Nelson, .£ll2 6s 4d; Canterbury, .£586 3s 4d ; Otago, .£l4l Gs 9d; connexional rents, .£153 16s; donations, .£73. The Bay of Islands Coal Company propose at next annual meeting to increase the capital by the issue of new shares. The new Sheep Act is stated to have cast a damper on amateur sheep breeding. At the sale to-day Buckland said ho could not remember such languid bidding at any previous fair or auction. The “Star” last night, in an article on tho case of Thomas Rennell, says the question argued before Mr Justice Gillies in the Supreme Court on Friday last in the case of Thomas Rennell, brought np under writ of habeas corpus, was one of the most important ever submitted to any colonial Court. The question has never before been submitted in its present clear form to any Court in the colonies or Great Britain, and it must now be determined for the first time as though there were no authorities to guide. We here give a digest of questions raised. Thomas Rennell, a British subject, is charged with the murder of another British subject in tho isle of Butaritari, situated three degrees north of the equator, outside British dominions. After committing the act he was brought by force in a vessel to Auckland, handed over to tho police, an information laid against him, upon which a warrant was_ issued, and he was detained in custody. Ultimately ho was brought before tho magistrate who expressed a doubt as to his power to adjudicate upon the case or to detain Rennell in custody. Tho prisoner was ultimately remanded until the law officers of the Crown were consulted. At the next sitting of the Court the Crown was represented by Mr Brookfield, who claimed that the magistrate has jurisdiction—firstly, under the Foreign Offenders Act, 1863, secondly, under Act 38 and 39 Victoria, cap. 51, which he showed by a Now Zealand “ Gazette” had been brought into operation in New Zealand. To this it was answered by Mr Hcsketh that the Foreign Offenders Act applies only to offences committed in the colonies, expressly so by the 3rd section of the Act, therefore, the magistrate had no jurisdiction under that Act, this offence having been committed outside her Majesty’s dominions. He also argued that tho Act of Victoria referred to gives power to her Majesty only or to a High <Commissioner appointed by her, or to a Court in tho Australian colonies in which tho Queen had vested all her power under the Act; and that as nothing of the kind had been shown in this case, the magistrate had no jurisdiction under that statute. Thirdly, ’ Mr Hcsketh contended that there is no 1 statute, cither of the Imperial Parliament or a colonial Legislature, which gives ! power to tho Courts of the colony to ad- • indicate an offence outside British dominions. f Fourthly, tho Queen hasnopower by commonhw ) to deal with offences committed under such circnmf stances, nor has she any such power by virtue of a any statute, unless tho party committing the o offence had belonged to a British ship at any time within three months of committing the offence. Fifthly, Mr Heaketh contended that, ’’ assuming Her Majesty had such power by virtue of anj statute, that power could not he exercised by magistrates of the colony, unless it were delegated to them by statute itself or by the Queen, neither of which had been shown in this case.

Grahamstovvk, January 21

I'llr Sheehan, in the Government steamer Stella, arrived early this morning to interview the Natives re wants of the district. He consented to allow them .£2OOO, to be spout under the authority of the County Council, for fi ucing Native roads, Ohiucunud road, ferry at To A. roha, snagging river, and making a road from Katikati to Paeroa. This is in addition to the JJ2OOO for bridges ia tbo Ohincrmui country.

Mr Sheehan met a number of Natives at the Runanga House, Parawai, to-day,_ and had a long conversation with them on various matter-' connected with the Native Department. Amonget the subjects discussed was the land required for the railway, and it is understood that the Natives repeated the promise given on a previous occasion that any of their lands required they would give to the Government for a railway. Most of the principal representative Natives in the district were in attendance.

The Native Land Court opened hero to-day before Judge Halse, of Wellington, to inquire into some old claims of McCaskill and Angus Martin, trustees of the late Dr. Morton, over Ohineranri lands, titles to ■which have already been by former Land Courts to the Natives. It appears that McCaskill has since parted with his interest, and ho repudiated the appearance of counsel on his behalf, but after wards wished to withdraw the objection. The Judge expressed astonishment at his conduct, and told him he would await a reply to a common cation to the Chief Justice asking instruction.

Weslington, January 21

It is stated that the Government intend to establish an educational museum at Wellington. The Education Board have made the following appointments : —Mr Cumberworth of Christchurch, to bs second master at Fcatherstou; Mr Gordon to be assistant master at Masterton; Mr Wakclin to succeed Mr Austin at Kaiwarra; Mr Kilpatrick to Gladstone, near Carterton The Board resolved to advertise for a headmaster and second-master for the Wanganui school.

A microscopical examination of the water supplied by the City Waterworks shows that its impurities arc dangerous to the public health. On examination the sediment was found to consist largely of dead insects, minute fish and various fungoid growths, all being considered conducive to dangerous disease. The construction of filter beds at the distributing basin is recommended. The Government have arranged to continue the Supremo Court in the present building for another year, about which time it is expected the new buildings will be completed. About a thousand sheep are now conveyed conveyed weekly by railway from Eoatherstonc to W illington. ’ This is quite a new branch of trade on the railway. To-night an elderly man, named W. H. Parnell, was locked up for a shocking assault upon his wife by stabbing her in the nose with an ordinary fork, whicn he drove in with all his strength. The doctor, who was called in, was obliged to administer chloroform. The wound is below and between both eyes.

E. Holroyd Beere, a Civil Engineer, was this afternoon charged with embezzlement by Hy. CV'rwonka of a sum of .£133. The case was adjourned for a fortnight. Dunedin, January 21.

The sum of .£7515 has been handed over o the Benevolent Institution under tho provisions of the Savings Bank Act of last session. Steps have been taken to form a political association in Dunedin with the view of securing Bible rending in the public schools of the province. A paid secretary has been appointed, and funds are being raised to prosecute the undertaking vigorously. The debate between the Rev. Mr Green and Mr Chas. Bright, free thought lecturer, commenced to-night in the Queen’s Theatre, which was crowded. The subject for discussion was, “Is tho divine origin of Christianity provable?” Mr Green affirms, and Mr Bright denies. The discussion will last three nights. In the Synod to-night Mr Ryley gave notice of a motion to appoint a commission at Home to select a Professor of Moral Philosophy and Political Economy for the Otago University. The resolution then proceeds to affirm that whoever is selected by the commission shall bo, and is hereby appointed Professor by the Synod. In the Supreme Court to-night the jury gave a verdict of £lOlO against Sheriff Watt and others for sacrificing goods belonging to the estate of Black’s tru tees. Invercargill, January 21.

Tho case against Fiahenden for fraudulent bankruptcy fell through at the District Court yesterday, consequent upon an informality, and the creditors declining to prosecute. A test of the illuminations in town was made to-night with good effect. Tho electric light apparatus for exhibition to-morrow night on the Athenamm arrived to-night by train. So far as is known at present, about 150 persons will be at the demonstration banquet to-morrow night. Tho weather is splendid, and there ia every promise of a fine day to-morrow.