NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1629, 10 May 1879, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[PEB PEESS AGENCY.] WANG AN dl, May 9. Hugh McMahon, an elderly man, of dissipated habits, yesterday fined for drunkenness, had an altercation with three Native youths at the Bed Lion Hotel between six and seven o’clock last evening. He was pushed down, and then pulled up insensible. He lingered till seven this morning, when he died. The youths made off. WELLINGTON, May 9. Samuel Cowan was brought up at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this afternoon, charged with bigamy by marrying one woman in 1872 and another at Adelaide in 1876. He was identified by a photograph. Prisoner admitted to the detective who arrested him that he was the man, and said he would be glad to get back to Adelaide and settle the whole matter, which would end in smoke. The magistrate committed him to prison until such time as a warrant was prepared for forwarding him to Adelaide. In the Supreme Court this morning the Chief-Justice delivered judgment in the case of McNamara v Norwich Union Fire Insurance Company. After stating the facts he said he could not agree with Mr Bunny’s argument, that the policy contained three distinct contracts, as the premium was undivided. It was not as though the property insured was two distinct buildings. He therefore made the rule absolute on the first f;round, and ordered judgment to bo entered or the defendants with costs.

His Excellency arrived this morning. It is stated amongst commercial men that since the commencement of the current year orders sent home for goods to the extent of a million have been countermanded by cable messages. The solicitors of Wellington have appointed a committee to make representations to the Minister of Justice in regard to the conduct of the business of the courts here.

Mr Stout arrived to-day from the South, and Colonel Whitmore from Napier and Poverty Bay.

[prom our own correspondent.] TIMARU, May 9.

The first meeting of the South Canterbury Coursii g Club will be held at Peel Forest estate on May 20th. This morning, as Captain Pheas, of the barque Edwin Fox, was coming ashore in his boat with a crew of three men, named James Mitchell, Isaac Douglass (men of color), and Percival Sinclair, the boat, on entering the channel of the Government landing service, was caught by a huge broken wave, dashed on the end of a ledge of rocks to the north of the channel, and immediately capsized, the occupants being submerged. Douglass was washed out to sea. The other men were floating on oars, and Captain Pheas managed to secure a hold of the boat, all being able to swim. The Government service employes immediately tied ropes around their waists and proceeded into the water to rescue the unfortunates. They succeeded in bringing the boat ashore, and Mitchell, Sinclair, and Captain Pheas were quickly placed on terra flrma, although in a very exhausted condition. Douglass’ position, however, was one of great danger, as. he had been washed out to sea some distance. A boat was quickly manned with volunteers, launched, and proceeded to the rescue. He was taken out of the water shortly after. On being brought ashore it was found that Captain Pheas’ leg had been badly torn by the rocks, and that Douglas had received a gash on the forehead, the other occupants escaping unhurt. The hounds had an excellent meet at the Levels station to-day. Larrikins from McKenzie country, who came to town for the sports, have been indulging in midnight frolics. They comprise the squatters’ sons and station hands of the back country, and they are notorious for giving way to unbridled larrikinism when they come to town once or twice a year. Last night, after the banquet held in connection with the sports, they turned out, wore very noisy, broke all the barbers’ poles in town, removed sign boards and knockers, and wound up by hanging three balls, taken from a pawnbroker’s shop, over the door of the Bank of New Zealand. The latter feat was looked upon with much favor by the general public, as that institution’s way of conducting business lately has made it unpopular, Yery probably some Court cases will ensue from these proceedings. [Press Special Wire.] AUCKLAND, May 9. The public meeting convened by the Mayor was held to-day, and a committee of over a hundred leading citizens appointed to make arrangements for the reception of the Governor. The improvement commissioners resolved to open negotiations for the transfer of their property to the City Council. An infantry corps has been formed at Hamilton.

ALEXANDRA, May 9. Wahanui and Rewi spoke to-day. Rowi accused Sir George Grey of breaking his promises made at Hikurangi. Sir G. Grey expressed a desire to return to the Hikurangi programme. The discussion will extend to to-morrow. NAPIER, May 9

Roderick Hugh M'Lennan was brought up at the R.M. Court this morning charged with the murder of his wife, and was remanded for eight days, pending the conclusion of the inquest, which was opened on April 30th, and was adjourned for the analysis of the stoznaoh

of deceased by Da. Hector. On Dr. Hector s arrival in Napier the inquest will be resumed. The charge against M'Lennan passing valueless cheques is withdrawn now that there is an accusation of murder against him. Extraordinary rain has been foiling during the last few days, which caused fljod about Meanee and Tarndule, though not of so serious a nature as was the case in 1877. Traffic with Taradale and Meanee was not practicable by the old road because of the depth of water, and the approach to the Taradale road was obstructed at Napier end by a land slip. Access to the two townships was, however, open by way of the Spit. The flood has now nearly subsided, and the obstruction caused by the land slip is being cleared away. Some of the stuff fell ori the railway lino, and trains to the Spit could not run until a clearance waa made, which was sufficiently effected last night to enable railway traffic to be resumed. A Chess Club is being formed here with every prospect of success. I WELLINGTON, May 9. Although his Excellency Had only just landed from the Hinemoa after his southern trip, ne preyed at the meeting of the commissioners for the Sydney Exhibitlort to-aay. The Wellington and Dunedin goods appear likely, from applications already received, to take up half the space alloted for New Zealand in the Exhibition. When the remaining fifteen local committees and the country districts have reported the space required, it is expected this colony will make a good report of itself at the opening of the Exhibition. . . Dimant, auctioneer, has assigned his estate for the benefit of his creditors. R. W. Carey proposes to take a party of Maoris to the Sydney Exhibition to dance the Hauhau dance, and give other performances. Carey has written to the commis sioners, laying his views before them, and stating that, if they will entrust the Maori house, which they propose to send to the Exhibition, to his care, he will bo responsible for its safety. An influential deputation waited upon Mr Ballanco to-day, and presented a petition for a site for a gymnasium. Mr Ballanco promised to consult his colleagues on the matter. Justices Williams and Johnston arrived from the South this afternoon, and Juetice Gillies from Auckland, to hold the C urt of Appeal. A movement is ori foot to form a Rugby Union Uootbail Club among the Civil servants. Mr Q-. Hunter, M.H.R., has consented to be nominated for the mayoralty. The work on the new railway wharf is being pushed on vigorously. The Education Board are calling for designs for a new school at Newtown, costing £IOOO. There was a meeting of the Governors of Wellington College held to-day, A resolution was passed to the effect that the Governors approve the memorandum sent by the sub-committee to the Minister for Education, and that the G-overmnent be requested to give effect thereto by placing a sum of £7OOO on the estimates and by bringing in a Bill enabling the Q-overnors to sell endowments of rural lands conditionally on re-investing the proceeds in other lands or mortgage on freehold, and further that by the same Act the endowments of the College be increased. A long discussion ensued on the subject of retaining the services of Professor Kirk as lecturer on natural science. The Governors agreed that it would be a great blow to the institution to lose Mr Kirk’s services. Dr. Hector pointed out that if the College ceased to teach natural science, it, must cease to be affiliated to the New Zealand University, which would involve a serious breach of faith with undergraduates who had put themselves in training in connection with the College. Further, the College would lapse into the position of a Giammar School merely, and the Governors could not expect to devote their endowments to teaching Grammar School subjects. The Canterbury College taught scarcely any Grammar School subjects. The Rev. Mr Paterson —“ So with the Otago College.” Dr. Hector —“ Yes j I may state that I think the commission on higher education will make some recommendation on the point.” Ultimately it was resolved to call a special meeting of the Governors to consider the matter.

WESTPORT, May 9

The wife of J. C. Crawford, pianist, at Sheehan’s Royal Hotel, left her home at daylight on Tuesday morning, and has not been heard of since, but one man avers he saw her on the beach the same evening, and a woman is positive she saw her in the street coming from the fire which happened that night. As the woman was demented by a long course of drink, and as she had been heard to say she would burn the place down, coupled with the fact that she left her home as she said to make away with herself, there is much anxiety about her. INVERCARGILL, May 9. At a meeting of the Easter Volunteer demonstration committee this evening, financial matters were gone into, and it was ascertained that not only will all liabilities be liquidated, but that after the various volunteer corps have paid their subscriptions, there will be a probable surplus of £IBO. This is most satisfactory, as it is the first time a demontration of the kind has paid in New Zealand.