NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1750, 29 September 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[PBOM OXJS OWN COBEESPONDENT.] DUNEDIN, September 29. In the Bankruptcy Court Judge Williams made an absolute order for the attachment of George Capstick, trustee in an insolvent estate, for failing to account for moneys. Alleged Case of Murder. A most brutal and fatal assault is alleged to have been committed by James Smith upon his wife in Great King street. Smith, a tailor, formerly resided with the deceased at Cavcrsham, but they seemed to have lived very unhappily there, and eho obtained a protection order on account of the ill-treatment she suffered at his hands. The deceased then left her husband and went to reside with her brother, McKenzie, of Heriot row. Smith removed to Dunedin about the same time, and lived ine on of the cottages opposite the National Hotel in Great King street. At eleven o’clock of Saturday night, the deceased proceeded to Great King street to see her husband, for the purpose of obtaining from him some money duo to her on a maintenance order. She was then brutally illtreated, and shortly after twelve o’clock was seen lying on the footpath by a man who, not being able to ascertain whether she was injured or intoxicated, simply reported the matter to the night warder at the hospital. At a later period she was again observed and the nature of her injuries having been asoer*

tained, she wag removed to her brother’s house, where she arrived at 1 a.m. yesterday. McKenzie states that when She was conveyed into the house, all she said was, “He has kicked mo twice, and broken one of my legs.” I>r. Maunsell was afterwards sent for, and he arrived shortly after 2 a.m., and dressed the patient’s wovnds. She had sustained a compound fracture of the right log above the knee. She was attacked with a series of epileptic fits, and it was found impossible ,to move ner to the hospital until half-past five o’clock yesterday afternoon. She then rallied, and her friends, taking advantage of the opportunity, had her at once removed to the hospital. Shortly afterwards she was again attacked with fits, which continued until seven o’clock, when she breathed her last. It would appear most probable that the intense nervous excitement consequent upon the assault was the cause of the epileptic fits which resulted in death. The deceased was thirty-seven years of age. The case was reported to the police shortly after nine o’clock last evening, and at quarter to ten Smith was arrested. The prisoner, who is charged with murder, was brought before the City Police Court this morning and remanded |for a week, no depositions of the woman even having been taken.

The Octagon Fire Case. Nothing fresh has yet come out at the Watters enquiry before Mr Watt.

PEE PRESS AGENCY. WELLINGTON, September 29. The body of John Houghton, which has been missing for several weeks, was found in the harbor this morni ig. A Prolific Mother. A woman gave birth to triplets on Saturday. The Governor presented the usual Royal bounty of three guineas. The children died this morning. The ExhibitionA private cable from Sydney states that accommodation for visitors is abundant in the town at ordinary rates. The Torpedo'CorpsThe new Torpedo Corps has elected Dr. Lemon as president, A. T, Maginnity as captain, and B. H. O’Halloran as lieutenant. The New ReefsThe Wairarapa prospectors deny that a quarter of their interest has been sold for £3OO saying that not one of them would sell his share for several times that amount. Protection Views. The “ New Zealander” says the Government made a mistake in taking the tax off timber. It says that protection must be given to the manufacture of such raw material as we possess, and such a modification of tbe tariff should be made as would distinctly assert the principle of the protection of New Zealand produce in the particular direction needed. The Christchurch Election. Mr Richardson, late M.H.R., goes to Christchurch to-day to give the necessary information to the Returning Officer respecting the illegality of Sir George Grey’s election. The Elections. It is repoited that an inquiry wJ’l be held into the Government expenditure ou the late elections. Tbe Telegraph DepartmentThe annual report of the Telegraph Department shows the year’s revenue to be £75,435, more than £5009 in excess of the sum estimated. The gross earnings shows the total receipts for the year to be £85.402. The value of Government telegrams added would bring the amount to £112,328. The number of messages of all codes for the year were 1,448,943, nearly 14 per cent, increase over the previous year. The working expenses for the year were £96,801, which, after taking credit for Government messages, leaves credit to the department of £15,527, or about 3£ per cent, on the capital invested. The cost of the maintenance of stations shows an increase of £IO,COO over the previous year. This is mainly due to the increased number of new stations opened. 14,607 money order telegrams were sent, representing £61,593, and showing an increase of £6770 in value over the previous year. During the year 109 miles of line, carrying 113 miles of wire, and 296 miles of wire were erected on existing lines, malting a total mileage in circuit o” the 30th June, of line 3543 and of wire 8414. The stations open to the public on the 30th of June were 195. Of these sixteen were opened during the past year, eleven in the North and five in the South Island. The cost of maintenance was £5 per mile, and the strength of the department on tbe 30th June was 801 persons, while for the previous year it was 716. There were £4623 worth of urgent messages for the year, and only £2523 for the previous year. Since the “Delayed code ” has been introduced 56,721 messages have been sent, and revenue therefrom has amounted to £2846. As soon as the necessary instruments now ordered have arrived from England the quadruple! system will be put in to practical use.

AUCKLAND, September 27. Ohiarini’s circus goes on to Sydney instead of stopping in New Zealand, but will come back to New Zealand after an Australian tour.

Captain John Henry Skinner, owner of the schooner Minnehaha, charged with carrying fire arms on board his vessel from Poverty Bay, was found guilty on two charges, but the third was dismissed. Ho was committed for trial on two charges, but admitted to bail, himself in £IOO and two sureties of £SO each. The case is connected with the charge of a breach of the Arms Act heard against Cooper in Wellington, and dismissed. WELLINGTON, September 27.

There have been several bad landslips about the town in consequence of the late wet weather, over seven inches having fallen during the past week. The fall for yesterday was more than two inches. The railway lino was cleared this afternoon, and but little damage done. Mdlle. Duboin played some selections at Government House yesterday. The Hon. John Martin has tried, with great success, on his station on the Wairarapa, the phosphorus method of poisoning rabbits. Once over-run with rabbits, the station is now almost free from them.

September 28. After the Hinemoa yesterday, with Naval Brigade aboard, got clear of the wharf, her slide valve became deranged and she was obliged to anchor close to the wharf. She was afterwards brought up to her berth by lines, not being able to use the machinery. She is expected to require a couple of weeks to execute the necessary repairs. Owing to yesterday’s heavy rain landslips have stopped traffic on the Wairarapa railway beyond Kaitoke. Last night the engine ran into a great mass of debris across the line, and stuck all night. A force of men went out this morning to clear the line between Feathorston and Summit. A great flood occurred at Pigeon Bush, also blocking all work on the line. Relays of men wore working all days. WELLINGTON, September 28. The unfortunate Hinemoa is in trouble again. She broke down yesterday within a hundred yards of the wharf. It is said something is the matter with her slide-valve, but the truth is she has been grossly abused during the last twelve months, during which her boiler has never been chipped. For six months of the time she was never without her fires being banked up, and as she always used salt water, her boilers and tubes are heavily encrusted, and consequently in a very bad state. As the machinery was also overtasked its condition is much the same, and nothing but a thorough overhaul will put her once more in seagoing order. It is expected this will form ene more of the many subjects for inquiry this session. MABTON, September 27. The Rangitikei “ Advocate” changed hands on Thursday, the late proprietor haring sold to J. Northover. DUNEDIN, September 27. A collector, employed by a brewing firm in Dunedin, disappeared some months ago. His accounts wore not quite straight. Information has now been received of his capture in New South Wales. He will be brought back to Dunedin. It is probable that there will be an amalgamation of the Taieri and Otago Agricultural Societies, which clash at present. The man Simpson, who visited ao many establishments, using skeleton keys to gain admission, was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment with hard labor at the Police Court to-day. The demand for labor fluctuates very much with the weather, but affairs are gradually improving. Trained ploughmen, shepherds, and country couples are at last moving off. TIMARU, September 38. An open air meeting of unemployed will be held to-morrow morning.