NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1743, 20 September 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[pkb pbbss agency.] AUCKLAND, September 20. Operating on a Balance. John James Paxton was charged at the Police Court to-day for passing a valueless cheque. It appeared the prisoner hod a balance of two sh-Hings to his credit at the Bank. The Bench dismissed the case, on the ground that the prisoner might not be aware of the state of his account. A Useful Dog; A fire occurred last night at Epsom in a house, the property of John Stewart, and occupied by Mr Cloven. The alarm was given by the barking of a dog, and Q-oven awoke and found the bedroom in flames, and the bedclothes on his children in an adjoining apartment on fire. He had barely time to remove them to a place of safety, when the cottage was completely destroyed. Part of the furniture was saved, though much damaged. The bu’lding was insured for £IOO, the furniture for £l3O. The Native Question. PATEA, September 20. It is expected that the Parihaka meeting will lest some days longer. Ta Whiti still preaches peace, but with a great deal more reserve than at former meetings. He says the Government will not let the prisoners return, because, if they do, all the confiscated lands will have to be returned. The Wanganui and Waikato natives are urging To Whiti to finish his work at once, but he will brook no interference, and says all will happen as predicted by him in good time, but not prematurely. WELLINGTON, September 20. The Lighting of Wellington. The cost of lighting the city is beginning to engage the attention of the City Council. It is highly probable that the corporation will construct gas works on its own account. The Missing ManNothing fuiJior has been heard of the missing man Houghton. He is sixty years of age, and has now been missing a week. A Stowaway Run In. A stowaway from Napier to Wellington was this morning ordered to pay £3, or undergo four weeks’ imprisonment. Two Men Drowned. TIMARU, September 20. Inspector Pender received a telegram this morning from Mr Middleton, manager of the Benmore station, and sent from Duntroon, in which Mr Middleton stated that two men had been drowned in the Ohau river. No names were given. The Oban river divides Canterbury from Otago, and the Benmore station is on the Otago side.

AUCKLAND, September 19. The branch railway line to Hamilton will be completed at the end of the week. Captain George Henry Trayte, Thomas Henry Payne, and John Smith were charged with breaking and entering the store of Henry Krunmer, and stealing two boxes of tobacco. This charge was withdrawn, and one of evading Customs duties was made. Mr Hesketh, who appeared for the defence, pleaded guilty on behalf of Captain Trayte and Smith. He said Captain Trayte was shipping from one vessel to another and had sent up the tobacco to Smith simply far safe custody until his other vessel was ready. The tobacco was found in Smith’s possession, and was given to him by Payne, of the ship. This was all done in open daylight, and there was nothing to show that there was any dishonesty on the part of the captain. It was tobacco originally purchased here belonging to the ship, and upon which no duty had been paid. The Court held that defendants should know the law, and fined Trayte £IOO and costs, Smith £SO and costs. The charge against Payne was withdrawn. At the Board of Education to-day the inspector reported on Dr. Richardson’s work on alcohol that he was of opinion that it would not bo necessary to schools as a text book, but it would be useful as a work of reference in school libraries. The Mayor spoke on the importance of the work, and moved that the Board sanction the use of Dr. Richardson’s book in schools as supplementary to the “Laws of Health.” Mr Dargaville said if the Board was going to take up the position of partisan and advocate teetotalism, the book might be accepted as suggested. He would move — “ That the report be adopted, viz.—that those committees that wished to use the book might do so,” The inspector’s report was adopted. WELLINGTON, September 19. A keen interest is taken in political matters by Wellington people just now. While the Government and Opposition each claim a majority, Mr Ballance is organising a party of his own out of those who identified themselves with what was known at one time as the middle party, and he is very jubilant over the prospects before them. It is hoped by the promoters that the assistance of all moderate liberals and anti-Qreyites will be secured to oust Sir Q. Grey. There was some talk of running Bunny as chairman of committees, but the idea has been partly abandoned. Up to the present time nothing has been seen of the schooner Laurel, whieh was mentioned last week as having been abandoned near the Kaikoura Peninsula. It is supposed she must have gone down. A commission is about to sit in Wellington in points in connection with Court procedure, fees, &c. Henry Stublings, who was arrested in Wellington in March last, and taken to England on several charges of forgery on the Lincolnshire dispensary, was tried and sentenced to five years’ penal servitude. TIMARU, September 19. The weather of late has been highly favorable to the young crops, which are in a very satisfactory condition. The Commissioner of Railways and Resident Engineer arrived to-day to settle matters re new railway station. Several Southern members passed through Timaru to-day en route to Wellington. OAMARU, September 19. At a meeting of the Harbor Board to-day it was resolved to purchase a dredge from Kincaid and McQueen, of Dunedin, capable of deepening the harbor to a depth of 24ct. DUNEDIN, September 19. A walking match against time commenced in the Garrison Hall this evening. Olaxton undertakes to walk 100 miles in twenty-four hours. It is rumored that Mr Finn’s return for Wakatipu will be petitioned against. The unemployed are taking advantage of the opportunities to obtain work given them by the Council and Public Work* Department. Some of the men taken on by the Corporation started work this morning. Upwards of 130 obtained free passes to Mullocky Gully,