NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1820, 20 December 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

NEW PLYMOUTH, December 28. - Criminal Sessions. The jury in Hill's case, for indecent assault, were locked up last night, not being able to agree. They were brought up again this morning at 6.30, and discharged, when tha Court adjourned till Monday morning, when James Hill will be tried again with another AUCKLAND, December 19. Mr Justice Gillies. Mr Justice Gillies has obtained leave oE absence for two years, and intends visiting England. Mr Jubtice Bichmond will probably preside during his absence. FiresSuperintendent Hughes, of Auckland Fire Brigade, classifies the forty-nine fire alarms during the year as follows :—5 were false alarms, 12 chimneys on fire, 8 calls for fires beyond the city boundaries, and 24 were olaased thus —15 of light or trifling danger, 4 of serious damage, and 5 resulting in total loss. Sanitary StatisticsThe Sanitary Inspector of Auckland gives the mortality as 100, against 173 in the pre vious year. The Accident Insurance Company. The Accident Insurance Company have made arrangements to obtain the services of the staff and use of the offices of the New Zealand Insurance Company not only in New Zealand, but in Australia. The Free School of Art. The prizes were awarded in the Free Schoo of Art founded by Dr. Campbell to-night. They consisted of silver medals in commemoration of the first anniversary. The pupils presented Dr. Campbell with a souvenir. GRAHAMSTOWN, December 19.

The Big Pump. The Big Pump, with its appliances, was sold to-day for £I3OO to Mr Comer, manager of the Moanatairi. £200,000 has been expended on the works, and the plant is valued at £25,000. It was sold by order of the County Council. There is considerable dissatisfaction at the course pursued. ComplicationsThe contractors for the railway works weret sued in the District Court by the Natives for removing earth. The Natives from the same claim are receiving license fees and miner's right fees from the workmen, and have now received £3O and costs for the earth from the surface. This complication is owing to the terms on which the Government hold the goldfields. The Natives are instigated by interested Pakeha Maoris. WELLINGTON, December 19. Mark B. Byatt, on two charges of forgery, was committed for trial. On five charges of issuing valueless oheques he was sentenced to sir months on eaoh charge, the sentences to be concurrent. At a meeting of creditors of Robert Port, grain merchant, a rather animated discussion took place. Ultimately it was decided that the estate be wound up in the Bankruptcy Court. The schools under the Education Board broke up to-day for the usual Christmas vacation. Ohituary. Mr Hastwell, proprietor o? the line of coaches between Welling!, n nnd Palmeraton north, web found dead at Greytown to-day. No cause is given for his death, but it was believed to arise from heart disease. Charge of Perjury. A charge of perjury against P. K. Watty.. commission agent, at the instanoe of theDeputy Oommiesiorer of Stamps, was partly heard to-day. The information charged ham with having falsely declared the amount of cash in tho estate of tho late John Hoc*?,, of Ferry Hotel, Poriiua. The case was. adjourned. J. J. WallaceJ. J. Wallace is doing a fair business at the Theatre Boyal. DUNEDIN, Deoember 19. The Clutha Bridge. The Clutha County Council to-day decided to call for tenders immediately for re-erection of Clutha bridge. The Bifle Association Meeting. At the Bifle Association meeting th« Ladies' Challenge Shield was won by th* Clutha Blues, with a soore of 358, the South District Bifl.es being second, with 352,