NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1909, 7 April 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, April 7. Criminal Sessions. At the Supreme Court, John Thompson, for larceny, was sentenced to twelve months. George Raekenstaffe, who stole a letter from the Post-office at Carterton, was discharged on his own recognisances to come up for judgment when called upon. The charge of rape against George Longhurst is noir proceeding. The prisoner's counsel applied for leave for the jury to visit the shed in which it was alleged the offence was committed. Tho judge refused, it being exceedingly inconvenient for himßelf and counsel to visit tho spot, and there being a difficulty in preventing communication with the jury. However, if later on he found the prisoner would suffer by their not visiting the shed, he would allow the application. INVEROARGILL, April 7. A Jealous Husband. Louis Schmoll was charged at the Police Court to-day with discharging a pistol at his wife. The pistol burst in his hand but the bullet inflicted a wound on the forehead of his wife, but not a dangerous one. The affair is attributed to jealousy. He was remanded for a week. Volunteering. Four members of the Invercargill Rifle corps are likely to be expelled from the Volunteer force for insubordination at the review. One never appeared at parade all the time the corps was in Christchurch. Registration of Votes.

A large number of residential claims have been lodged at the Southland Registration Office. Railway Regulations. The regulations prohibiting engnie-drivers making up for lost time between stations has been revoked. While in force the trains never arrived to time, which caused much dissatisfaction. FireMr Barnard's cow-shed was burned down at Wakarewai. The loss is £6O, and is uninsured. Some boys were seen near during the day. Preservation Inlet CoalThe steamer Ino arrived yesterday with a cargo of Preservation Inlet coal. It is intended to give it a trial on the railway. It is said to equal Newcastle coal. The Chargs of Murder against a Boy. The boy Cox, charged at the Police Court yesterday, with feloniously killing and slaying Robert Curtis at Wallace Town Grousing, was remanded for eight days. AUCKLAND, April 6. Criminal Sessions. At the Supreme Court, Sydney Beetham, for breaking and entering, got six months; Thomas Hawkes, for embezzlement from the Railway Department, got six months. In the cases Simeon, a Fijian, for rape, Charles Johnson for forgery and uttering, William Tidmarsh for rape, the judgments were deferred. Gored to Death. A man named William Streeter, a bullock driver, was gored by a bullock which he was driving with his dog. The latter bit the bullock in the heel, and the animal turned suddoely and gored Streeter in the abdomen. He was removed to the hospital, and died this morning. Streeter was well known in the South. WAIMATE, April 6 Sale of Oats. The recent sale of 80,000 bushels of oats at BJd is contradicted. Eleven thousand bushels were sold a few davs ago at Is 3d. GISBOBNE, April 6. The "Poverty Bay Herald." The " Waka Maori " plant has been purchased by Mr Webbe. Under his editorship the "Poverty Bay Herald," which ceased publication during the past few months, will shortly be re-issued. NEW PLYMOUTH, April 6. Killing Canaries. Thomas Tait and Ered. Eannbs, two me who frequent racecourses with a wheel of fortune, were brought up before the magistrate and charged with having maliciously killed four canaries, the property of Joseph Freeman. After hearing the evidence, which was circumstantial, the prisoners were sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hird labor.

WANGANUI, April 6. FireShortly after six o'clock a fire broke out in Mr York's sawmill. When the alarm was given the engine-house was found to be all in flames, which quickly spread to the adjoining machines and dressed stuff. Six jets of water were promptly at work, and hundreds of willing hands worked in removing Bashes, &0., from the adjoining sheds. For two hours the flames held firm, but the efforts of the brigade were well directed, and they managed to prevent further damage. A dwelling-house inhabited by Mr York was on fire several times, but was finally saved. The fire is still burning, but all danger is over. The insurances are —The Transatlantic, £IOOO on machinery and stock ; New Zealand, £4OO on the building; Standard, £IOO on the dwelling-house. WELLINGTON, April 6. The Fire Brigades. At a meeting of the fire brigades relativ* to the stoppage of the Corporation and insur ance companies' subsidies, it was resolved tha unless satisfactory arrangements were come to the engine Btations be locked after noon of the 13th inst., and the members requested not to turn out. " Gazette" Notices. The boundaries of districts under the Property Assessment Act, and regulations appertaining to the same Act, appear in the "Gazette." Appointments under the Act also appear. A notice appears in the "Gazette" eonfirming the declarations by the Auckland Cattle Board of places infected with pleuropneum»u:ii. Mr Levin and his Constituents. Mr W. H. Levin, M.K.R., addressed his constituents this evening. He gave a recapitulation of his actions during the late session. He estimated the deficiency to March 31st at about a million and fifty thousand, but this would be reduced by £230,000, effected by retrenchment in the various departments. Mr Levin reoeived an unanimous vote of confidence. OAMARU, April 6. The Unemployed. At the request of the unemployed Mr Hialop, M.H.R., to-day forwarded a telegram to the Government, asking whether work was to be resumed on the Livingstone line. Snspested IncendiarismWhat looks like a case of incendiarism occurred on Sunday evening at Awamoko, when Beven stacks of wheat were destroyed on the farm of Mr Leitch. The owner was away from the farm at the time. The stacks were insured in the National Offic3 for £3OO, half of this amount being reinsured in the New Zealand. They were also insured in the South Brilish for £IBO. Fatal Accident. A man named John Raberteon waa killed last night by a fall from his horse. When giing round a corner of the road his horse 1011, and threw its rider with bo much force on his head that he sustained concussion of the brain, and died the same night. He leaves a widow and six of a family. DUNEDIN, April 6. Civil Service CommissionMr W. Conyora. Commissioner of Railways for the South Island, and Mr T. Lowe, Resident Engineer, were examined by the Civil Service Commission to-day. Fire. Gorman's Kirtleburn Hotel, niuo miksfrom Cromwell, wa< totally destroyed by fire today. It was insured in tha Union office for £SOO. BALCLUTHA, April G. Suspicious. The body of a new-born infant was found in an outhouse at Hotson's Hotel, Stirling, on Bunday. Dr. Reid, of Milton, held a postmortem examination yesterday, and the police investigating the matter.

INVERCARGILL, April 6. Railway Commission. The Railway Commisiion were interviewed yesterday by a deputation, which advocated tho claims cf the Steward bush railway. A number of witnesses were subsequently examined. Guthrie and larnaeh's Mill. Messrs Guthrie and Larnaeh's saw mill, which was recently destroyed by fire, ia to be re-built. Relics of the PastWhile at Chalky Island, West Ccast, the crew of the cutter Cygnet found a figure head and a cannon, which are supposed to belong to the Jack Ercst, which sailed from here sixteen years ago, and has not since been heard of. Inquiry into the Death of a Prisoner. An inquest wag held at the gaol this afternoon touching tho death of a prisoner named John Wilson, undergoing four years' sentence for forgery, who died suddenly on Monday. The evidence of the gaoler showed that prisoner was frequently sick, but the doctor who sounded him said ho was shamming, and was quite fit for work. Deceased was taken off work in consequence of his complaints. Allan Young, a prisoner in the gaol, deposed that he had frequently heard deceased complain of being ill, and had heard him say he had spokon to the gaoler, who told him not to keep bothering him. He afterwards heard him groaning in his cell. On Saturday week last deceaspd said to witness he was dying inch by inch, and his death would be laid at the governor's door. Witness did not consider deceased received sufficient nourishment. The evidence of Middleton, another prisoner, went to show that the deceased told the warder that ho was unfit for work, and that he had been told he would be locked up if he he did not work. On returning from work recently, deceased was almost dead and was sent to his cell, witness thought for punishment. Deceased was put on short alio nance, because the officials thought he was shamming. The enquiry lasted all the Bfternoon, and was adjourned till Monday next, when the evidence cf the djctor and others will be taken. A Boy Charged with MurderAt the Police Court to-day, the boy, Arthur Cox, who was one of the principal witnesses in the late inquest at Wallace town, was charged with the murder of the boy Robert Curtis. A remand was applied for and granted. [JFBOM OUB OWN COBBKSPONDEKT.] WELLINGTON, April 6. A New Counties ActI see that various rumors are in circulation as to ths alleged intention of the Government to introduce a new Counties Act next session. I have good reason to believe that this question has never yet been the subject of discussion in the Cabinet, and that no definite plans have been formed at all on the matter. It is certain that the Government will have to introduce a new system of local finance, as announced by the Treasurer last session, but the definite stage this will take is not decided, or likely to be for some time. The probability is that the Government will undertake the main trunk roads, leaving only the minor roads to be dealt with by the counties. The stoppage of the subsidy is uncertain, but it is thought that the counties might manage if relieved of main roads. The Native CommissionSome doubt is expressed to-day as to whether the Commission will examine the Maori prisoners, as private engagements may interfere, but I have reasons for believing that the Government deem it so important that the prisoners' evidence should be taken so as leave no opening for any imputations of unfairness, that some means will be found to obtain this end, even if the Commission should be unable to go in person. Possibly one Commissioner may examine the Dunedin prisoners, and another those at Hokitika. A short sitting of the Commission is likely to be held in Wellington during the current month, in order to examine formally all the official records as to the West Coast reserves, or the promises regarding them. The Minister for Public WorksThe Minister for Public Works and Mr Blackett, engineer in charge, arrived at Hawera last evening. A deputation waited upon the Minister in reference to the slowness of the railway works being carried on. Little hope was held out that they would be carried on faster. Mr Oliver is now on the Waimate Plains visiting the road works, and will proceed to New Plymouth to-morrow. A tender for another six miles of metalling on the plains was accepted yesterday.