NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1873, 24 February 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[PEBBS ASSOCIATION.] NAPIER, February 24.

False Reports

Mills, who on Saturday evening arrived in town and gave a sensational account to the police about the Natives shooting sheep on Moorhouse’s run, was never in his employ or house. No station hands have left. Mills appears to have repeated a bogus report, as no reliable information baa been received here of any serious disturbance. GISBORNE, February 24. Poverty Bay Petroleum. Considerable excitement exists about the oil springs. A member of the firm of Clark Bros., Melbourne, and Mr Fleming, representing Canada at the Melbourne Exhibition, an oil expert, have visited the springs. Mr Fleming says the indications are equal to anything in America. It is believed to be probable that a company with a capital of £60,000 will be floated to work the oil, and operations will be immediately commenced. HAWERA, February 24. Advance on the West Coast. Colonel Roberts and the whole of the Armed Constabulary under his command at Kaipipi shifted camp to-day, and took up a position on the Otaiketo stream, about five miles north of the old camp. The Natives visited the camp in the afternoon, and intimated that a present of food would be made this day. WELLINGTON, February 24. The French Convicts. The New South Wales and Queensland Governments unite with ours in protesting against the importation of French convicts. The three Agents-General will make a remonstrance. PORT CHALMERS, February 24. Ship on Fire- • A fire was discovered in the lower hold of the ship Marlborough at ten o’clock last night. It proceeded from some bales of greasy wool, which were found in a state of combustion. The Fire Brigade went on board and succeeded in breaking out the bales, four of which were partially consumed. WELLINGTON, February 23. Wellington Unemployed. Upwards of 200 men applied to the Relieving Officer this morning for work. About twenty married men were taken on, and it is expected that others will be employed shortly. A Good Score. In firing for Messrs Kohn and Co.’s cup, Bandsman Dixon, of the Naval Brigade, made 56 out of a possible 60. While at practice on Saturday the Artillery dismounted and mounted their gun in 61secs. WESTPORT, February 23. Important Law PointAt the District Court William Stewart was indicted for unlawfully wounding. He pleaded “ Not Guilty.” Mr Bickerton Fisher, the prisoner’s counsel, moved to quash the indictment, on the ground that it was not signed by a Crown Prosecutor legally appointed for that purpose. It appears that the District Court of Westland was constituted by a proclamation published in the “ New Zealand Gazette ” of the 15th of July, 1875, and the same “ Gazette ” contains a notice dated 12th July that the Government had then appointed Mr S. M, South as Crown Prosecutor for the District Courts. Mr Fisher argued that the indictment must be signed by a Crown Prosecutor appointed to a constituted Court, and that Mr South’s appointment, having been made on the I2th to a District Court which had no existence until the 15th of July, was bad. It was further argued that the Governor’s letters patent limited his exercise of the prerogative of appointing officers to such as are necessary for the service of the colony, and that Mr South’s appointment was not necessary unless his office existed when his appointment was made. The difficulty, so far as Stewart’s case is concerned, was got over by the jury acquitting the prisoner. But if Mr Fisher’s objection is good, the judge’s appointment made at the same time as Mr South’s, is bad also, and everything, both civil and criminal, done by the District Courts at Hokitika, Greymouth, Reefton, and Westport during the last five years is worthless. NELSON, February 23. Address to Constituents. Mr Hursthouse, M.H.R., met his constituents at Waimea West on Saturday night. He delivered a capital speech, and received a vote of thanks. TIMARU, February 23. Fatal Quarrying Accident. A man named James Munro died in the Hospital yesterday from the effects of injuries received on Saturday while blasting rock. The charge went off too soon, terribly mutilating him. He was a single man. At the inquest to-day a verdict of “ Accidental Death” was returned. CommittalAt the Magistrate’s Court to-day Frank Poff was committed for trial at the District Court next month. The calendar will be an exceptionally heavy one. DUNEDIN, February 23, The Naval Brigade’s scores in the general competition wore 587. The Lincolnshire delegates proceed to Southland on Wednesday, forwarding their report by the outgoing mail on Friday. The Governor has arrived here, and stays over the races.

Smart TelegraphingThe following instance of rapid telegraphy has occurred. A cable message for London, to be repeated from there to Edinburgh, was answered in Dunedin in twenty-four hours fifteen minutes from the time it was pat is. A Brave Man. A Corporation laborer named Connolly, who pluckily saved a child from certain death on Thursday by snatching it from the front of an approaching engine at Hanover street crossing, is recommended by the “ Star ” for the consideration of the Humane Society. The Lincolnshire Delegates. Messrs Grant and Poster go to-morrow to see Henley estate, Taieri plains, and through to Invercargill next day, if possible. They will visit several stations, and then the Agricultural Company’s property, but they wish to catch the mail steamer leaving Auckland on March 30th, and have still several places in the North Island to visit. The Public Works Minister. Mr Oliver arrived here on Saturday night, and leaves on Friday to take up his residence in Wellington. The Easter Eeview. The City Guards have in a body refused to attend the Easter review at Christchurch, objecting to the terms of 10s a head, with accommodation in the barracks. [FROST OtTB OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, February 23. Native Commission. The Commission returned from Oeo on Saturday, and will hold a sitting at Hawera to-morrow. Most of the leading men of the Plains interviewed them at Oeo. It is expected that Kokoro and Titokowarn will attend. The Armed Constabulary. The constabulary shift camp to-day to Okakeo, about six miles from Kaipipi.