NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1764, 15 October 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

£feom oub coebespondbnt.] OAMARU, October 15. John Bdmonstone’s general store nt Moeraki was burnt down at a late hour on Monday night, through the bursting of a kerosene lamp. It was insured in the Standard for £IOO, and the stock was insured in the same office for £2OO. [Peb Peess Agency.] QRAHAM3TOWN, October 13, The Ohinenmri OutrageDaldy McWilliams, the victim of the Ohinemuri outrage, is able to be about, and can walk with the aid of crutches. A Suspicious CircumstanceA medical examination confirms the suspicion that a hole in the skull found in a mullock heap was made during life. WELLINGTON, October 15. The Case of Walsh. Walsh, who was found guilty of fraudulent appropriation of moneys belonging to the Hibernian Benefit Society, was brought up for sentence, but his counsel having raised two legal objections, they wore reserved for the Court of Appeal, and the prisoner was allowed bail of £4CO. The Native InterpreterThere is some mistake about Mr Gannon’s appointment as interpreter, as the son of Bishop Hadfield now sits on the Government btnehes alongside Tamoana. A Suspected Wreck. When the cutter Margaret Scolley was about half way between the Brothers and Terawiti, a topmast was seen floating perpendicularly about seven feet out of the water. It appeared to have belonged to a schooner of about fifty or sixty tons. It is supposed that the vessel is sunk where the mast is standing. Parliamentary. On to-day’s Order Paper are sixteen questions, and twenty new Bills to be introduced, all the Government Bills being first; also fifty-one notices of motion, Mr Macandrew’s want of confidence motion being No. 13. There are besides twenty-eight order of the day. Native Affairs—Serious Complications. GISBORNE, October 15. Some forty Natives, advised by To Manehera, a Native chief, and assessor of the Waiparapa district, went on Mr Arthur’s ru a at Tokomaru and drove his sheep off the run, Mr Arthur losing about six hundred and lambs. They threaten to take possession of his homestead, and also to take possession of several other runs on the East Coast; also to seize a block of land the Government have purchased called Taupaharopo. The Natives say that they are acting under the advice of Mr Rees. Native matters in Poverty Bay look very serious, and it is feared that if the Government do not take steps to put things on a better footing every run on the East Coast will be taken possession of by the Maoris. PATEA, October 14, At a Harbor Board meeting yesterday Sir John Goode’s report was read, which was considered by the Board engineers generally satisfactory. The carrying out of the first portion of the work will give 16ft. on the bar, which can be increased by further works to 21ft. WELLINGTON, October 14. The Maoris from Gisborne, charged with assault, forcible entry and rioting in going on land held by Bond and Allan, but to which the Maoris asserted a claim, were found guiltg of only common assault, the jury having considered their verdict for an hour and a half. They were brought up for sentence this morning, when the Crown Prosecutor asked the Judge that they might be merely bound over to keep the peace for six months, especially towards Bond and Allan. This was done, and the Maoris were ordered to find bail, their own recognisances in £IOO, and one surety of £SO. A number of members of the Working Men’s Club have determined to start a small farm association, and intend to apply to the Government for a suitable block of land, the minimum value of land for a farm to be £IOO, the maximum £4OO. Ten per cent deposit to be lodged on application, and weekly instalments of 10j per cent to be paid into the Bank. Mr Yesey Stewart was present at the meeting, and gave valuable information regarding the conduct of a small farm association. TIMARU, October 14, At the Levels Board Board to-day a resolution was passed expressing surprise at the action of the member for Geraldine in giving notice of motion in the House that it was not advisable to form the Levels riding of Geraldine County into a new county. DUNEDIN, October 14. In continuation of the Octagon fire case, Hall, the actor, was severely cross-examined to showhis antecedents. At the close of the prosecution, Mr Denniston, prisoner’s counsel, submitted that there was no case to go to a jury, but his Honor decided against him. An adjournment was made to seven o’clock, when Mr Denniston addressed the jury for the defence. The foreman of the jury suggested on Monday night that the jurors should be allowed to visit the Theatre, but the Judge declined to allow them. On resuming at seven o’clock, Mr Haggitt summoned up the case for the prosecution in a speech of an hour’s length. Mr Denniston followed with a powerful appeal to the jury on behalf of Waters, pointing out the improbability of his having set the building on fire. The Judge summed up at great length, occupying two hours, and the jury retired shortly after 11 p.m. The jury returned into Court at 11.35 p.m. with a verdict of “Not Guilty.” The accused was formally indicted on two charges of arson and dismissed. Waters, who was greatly excited, was then discharged, the Crown Prosecutor intimating his intention to enter a nolle prosequi on the other indictments against him. INVERCARGILL, October 14.

A petition is being signed, asking that in any amendment of the Counties Act provision should be made for the extension of the principle of local self-government by affording facilities to residents in country townships to expend the revenue accruing from the townships in the construction of streets and drains within the townships by means of township improvement Boards, to bo constituted by the County Council upon the petition of twelve or more bona fide ratepayers. The petition further asks that rates, &0., should come to the Improvement Board through the County Council, less a small deduction for cost of collection.