NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1658, 13 June 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[PEB PEESB AGENCY,] WELLINGTON, June 13. It is stated that a capitalist has lately arrived in Wellington from San Francisco, with the view of taking preliminary steps for starting a tobacco and cigar manufactory on a large scale. The “New Zealander” states it has received information that the Government intend proceeding with the West Coast railway without delay. The City Exhibition Committee have resolved to send photographic views of Wellington, its environs, and public buildings, to the Sydney Exhibition, Over 150 recently-recruited Armed Constabulary are now at the Mount Cook barracks, ready to be sent to the West Coast. Fifty more recruits are coming in the Ladybird, from Napier. The City Council has again refused to take joint action with the Chamber of Commerce respecting the formation of a Harbor Board. The Corporation will petition the Gove’-ncr under the 250th section of the Municipal Corporations’ Act, for 2000 acres of land in the Forty-mile Bush j also for apiece of reclaimed land.

Alfonso Rush is committed for trial on a charge of perjury in connection with the caeo of Mrs Phillips, charged with arson. The re-hearing of the charge of arson against Mrs Phillips is going on. In the Resident Magistrate’s Court, in the «-.se of Mrs Phillips for arson and perjury, some startling evidence was taken this morning. Lizzie Jane Mcllum stated that on the night of the tenth Rush was with her in the back portion of the Albion Hotel, at the Hutt, while in the evidence previously taken it appeared that he was in Wellington. Rush had been courting her, and wanted her to first marry him secretly, and then asked her to go into Wellington and to get married. At that time ho told her Mrs Philips was the woman that the stationmaeter saw in the train. He said, “ Lizzie, I tell you this with a view of you being my wife.” She said, “ Oh, why didn’t you tell me this.” He replied, “She is our sister,'and had we not every right to protect her all wo could.” She asked how Mrs Phillips returned home, and ho said “By the back lane.” He also said that his father assisted Mrs Phillips several times with money, but could do so no more. The girl fainted directly she left the witnessbox. The case is continuing. HOKITIKA, Juno 13. Mr E, Barff addressed a meeting of his constituents in the Town Hall last night. There was a fair attendance, and the usual vote of confidence was carried

NELSON, June 13. At Dovedalo, twenty miles from Nelson, yesterday, two brothers, Lewis and Albert Houcton, aged thirteen and eleven respectively, went out rabbit shooting. Lewis saw a rabbit, raised his gun and pulled the trigger, when, just at that moment, Albert ran across the line of fire, and the whol« charge lodged in his head, causing instantaneous death. At the Nelson Artillery parade lust night, the men were asked how many would go to the front in the event of their services being actually required, when the whole company stepped forward as one man.

[feom oub own cohbespondenis ] BLENHEIM, June 13. The Supreme Court was engaged all yesterday and the day before in the case of Firth v Brownlie, an action for damages of £SOO, arising out of the disputes of rival saw mill proprietors at Havelock. Messrs Acton Adams and McNab are for the plaintiff, Messrs Coi #’.ly and Rogers for the defendant, The case will probably be finished to-night. There was only one criminal case, namely that of three men who were charged with stealing goods to the value of £7, from Barclay’s Hotel, Awatere. One man was acquitted, and two were found guilty, and sentenced to twelve months’ each. DUNEDIN, June 13. Four small insolvencies have been filed during the week. A company is to be floated to carry on the city tramways, AUCKLAND, June 12. The Governor’s secretary telegraphs to the Mayor approving of the 26th for the citizens’ ball.

Monday next is declared a public holiday, Rainer’s American War Diorama opens tonight. “H.M.S. Pinafore,” by amateurs, at the Theatre Royal, has been successful. At Onohunga larrikinism is causing much annoyance. Three lads were arrested yesterday by the police and were fined. At a meeting of the Waste Lands Board to-day the Chairman reported that the late land sale at Gisborne -was a failure, only one lot of two hundred acres having been sold at the upset price. A letter from Mr Fairburn to the Chief Surveyor, Mr Smith, was read. It reported the discovery of gold-bearing reefs at Pakiki, off Cape Rooney. A man named Foy, who was engaged in the neighborhood, had taken out lllbs. of bluish quartz, similar to the Golden Crown stone, and on being crushed this had yielded a piece of gold about the size of a pea. The land belonged to Government, and has been open for selection, but it was now agreed to withdraw it. Thos. Backhouse wrote, announcing his discovery of several well defined seams of coal upon Government land in Wangaroa Harbor, and inquiring if ho was entitled to any reward. It was decided to inform the writer that the amount set apart by Government as a reward for mineral discoveries had been withdrawn. June 11. The case of Sergeant-Major Oleary, who died from the effects of wounds received at the butts, has been brought under Mr Sheehan’s notice, and will probably form the subject of a claim by the widow next session. The Onehunga Borough Council will present an address to the Governor on landing. Mr Robert Graham has applied for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision of the Magistrate in the Rotorua land case. DUNEDIN, June 12. Brother John Hyde Harris, Right Worshipful District Grand Master for the Province of Otago and Southland, E C., has intimated to the various lodges under his jurisdiction his desire that the members should wear Masonic mourning for a period of three months out of respect to the memory of the late Brother John Lazar, D.G. M. for the province of Westland, and formerly D.D.G.M. for this province. The Royal Commission on Education will commence taking evidence in Dunedin on Tuesday. At the inquiry into the fire at Milton, by which McDonald’s engineering establishment! was burnt down, Mr Donald Reid gave evidence as to the early stage of the fire, when a few buckets of weter would have been

sufficient to put it out, if they could hare been obtained in time. R Jones, agent of the Standard Insurance, gar# a correct list of the insurances, the total being £420 in the Standard and £IOO in the Manchester. He considered the building itself heavily insured, according to present times. The coroner commented severely on the great reluctance with which the witness Adam Clark, McDonald’s fitter, hud given bis evidence. He also remarked that the whole of the evidence went to show a considerable amount of carelessness. The jury returned the following verdict—“ That there is not sufficient evidence to show how the fire originated.” Mr Vincent Pyke, M.H.R., while returning home from Dunedin, met with an accident. The coach in which ho was a passenger upset near Clyde. Mr Pyko whs much bruised and shaken, but is not seriously injured. The other passengers escaped unhurt. False coin is in circulation in Dunedin, the imitation being of half crowns and shillings. At the University Council to-day it was resolved—“ That the Council, having learned that Judge Bathgate intends to pay a visit to Q-reat Britain, request him to do all in his power to aid in obtaining the Royal Charter.” Opposition is expected from another quarter to the granting of the Charter, INYERCAEGULL, Juno 12. The hearing of cases in the Supremo Court was continued this morning. Jas. Young, convicted yesterday on t hree charges of forgery, was brought up and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for each offence, the sentences to run concurrently. Two previous convictions were proved against the prisoner, and Mr Justice Williams said he was evidently an old hand. Patrick Henry, 22, was charged with attempting to commit a rape on a young girl at the 0.-eti. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment with hard labor. The prisoner’s excuse was that he was drunk, but the Court said (hat it did not matter whether he was drunk or sober, it was necessary for the well being of the country that women and children should be protected from such ruffianly attack. The Court also ordered that the prisoner should receive twenty-five lashes. Lachlan Reynolds, a boy charged with stealing a letter from a mail bag, wae acquitted. John Thomas Elliott, charged with horse stealing, was acquitted. In the case of May v. McKintosh, for a breach of the Railway By-laws, a rule nisi was granted. It appears that some lime ago Mr Mclntosh, a wealthy squatter of the Ofcautau district, was fined £lO for using indecent language at the railway station. This action was brought by May the constable. The rule was made returnable within ten days after date of service. A civil case, Tappen and Brown (as trustees of M. L. Bennett and wife), will be heard to morrow. Mrs Britten, the inspirational speaker, will lecture hero next week.