NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1763, 14 October 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[iBOM OTTB COBBEBPONDENTS.] The Octagon Fire Case-

DUNEDIN, October 14.

Bitchie, alias Scottie, was submitted to a severe cross-examination. He stated he had kept back some important facts re kerosene tins he used. At the coroner's inquiry he might have said, " D the fellow, we'll hang him." A number of people had been at him to provoke him into saying these things. After several times contradicting himself, this dialogue ensued:—"Were you ever in gaol?" "Never in my life." "Will you swear that?" "Yes, I will?" "Will you swear you were never in gaol at HomeP" "No, I never was." "Will you swear you were never in goal in Dumbarton. Remember you are liable to perjury, so be careful. Now, were you ever in gaol in Dumbarton?" "Of course I was." (Sensation.) " Were you in gaol for fire raising ?'' " Yes I was ; but that wants explaining. People here know all about it." " Were you in gaol for eighteen months?" "I don't deny it." " Was it for setting fire to seme stacks?" "It was." Crown Prosecutor—- " Did you do it ?" " I did not." " You were falsely charged, then?" "Yes." Mr Denniaton—" So the Judge and twelve jurymen took an erroneous view of your case." Witness—"l have a statement to make." Judge—" We don't want any statement. Leave the Court. "The ease for the Crown is likely to finish this evening.

AUCKLAND, October 13. A man named Myers was working for Farron at a deep cutting at Ohaupo, when a fall of earth crushed him. The injuries are so serious that it is feared they will prove fatal. Manning, who escaped from custody at Dargaville, and took refuge with the Hokianga Natives, has given himself up through the exertions of his sister, who went to the district where he waß hiding. The South British half-yearly report shows that the income for that term waß £67,927, and the expenditure £63,876. The fire and marine premiums amounted to £56,558, and the losses were £4,1,197. The report refers to the heavy loßses and general depression, and recommends the payment of a dividend of 10 per cent. NEW PLYMOUTH, October 13. At the meeting of the Waste Lands Board to-day the Chief Commissioner was instructed to prosecute John Wix for depasturing cattle on the Waimate Plains. Owing to a storm the mail steamer passed on without communicating. WELLINGTON, October 13. James Shearer, charged with indecency, was acquitted solely because the ladies who witnessed the offence would not attend to give evidence. Prank Nicholson, charged with embezzling monies from the proprietors of "Punch," was brought up and remanded, bail being allowed. . Surveys for the extension of the NapierKopua Railway through the Seventy Mile Bush have been commenced. NELSON, October 13.

A meeting of Mr Shephard's constituents was held in Waimea on Saturday night, when a petition was adopted expressing the regret and astonishment of the electors at Mr Shephard voting in direct violation of his distinct and emphatic pledge that he would support no Government of which Mr Macandrew was a member, stating that in consequence he had for foiled their confidence and respect, and asking him to resign forthwith. TIMARU, October 13. James Guy, a cadet in the Temuka telegraph office, died suddenly yesterday. At the District Court, to-day, W. Warne obtained £SO damages against the Levels Enad Board for wrongful diversion of a James Anderson, a bankrupt farmer, had his certificate suspended for four months. There are now 260 men at work on the railway extension, near Albury, and things are eoing on very smoothly. e DUNEDIN, October 13. The trial of Waters, charged with arson and murder, commenced to-day in _ the Supreme Court, before Mr Juetice Williams and a special jury. Mr Haggitt opened m a lengthy address, in which he stated the case for the Crown. AEter the address witnesses were called, and eleven in all wore examined before the rising of the Court at six o'clook. The iury are staying at the Boyal Exchange Hotel to-night, and it is possible that the case may be concluded to-morrow. No fresh evidence haß as yet been produced. The remainder of the Forfarshire's passengers were released from quarantine to-day, and were housed at the Emigration Barracks. Some excitement was caused in Dunedin this evening owing to a rumor that a railway aooident had occurred near Palmerston. The arrival of the train was waited for with great anxiety. An accident did occur, but it was not so serious as rumor stated, Peter Trainer,

a railway employe, and a number of other workmen, were engaged shunting a ballast train into a gravel siding at Palmerston, when one of the waggons came off the line at the points, and jerked Trainer on to the line. The wheel pasted over his leg, which sustained a compound fracture. He was at once brought to Dunedin on the ballast engine, and is now in the Hospital.