COUNTRY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1912, 10 April 1880, Page 4

COUNTRY NEWS.

R.M. Cotjht, Ashburton. —A case closely allied to the recent “ Ashburton Mail ” libel occupied a good deal of time of the Ashburton Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Mr Harry Friedlander instructed Messrs Branson a r d Purnell to demand from Mr Ivess an apolozy for the reference made to him as rate collector in tho article alleged by Mr Crisp to bo a libel on himself. Mr Ivess, after some negotiations, which were carried on bv Mr Houghton, late editor of the “Mail,” and Mr Parnell, consented to publish an apology to Mr Friedlander. Messrs Branson and Purnell made a demand of £2 2s, coats for conducting the negotiations on Mr Ivess, who repudiated the claim, and hence the action. The evidence for the plaintiff showed that Mr Houghton, at the time of closing the negotiations, agreed on behalf of his principal, Mr Ivess, to pay that sum, but Mr Ivess, who conducted his own case, stated that ho gave distinct instructions to Mr Houghton not to consent to pay cos's. The question then arose as to how far a principal was responsible for the act of his agent. Several authorities were quoted on both sides, and after a protracted argument and a good deal of acrimony, judgment was given for the plaintiff, with costs. The Alleged Incendiarism. —Owing to the refusal of the gaoler to bring up the accused to the Christchurch Court for remand, they will be brought up at Bangiora this morning. Resident Magistrate's Court, LeesXON. —The prisoner, Mclntyre, who was arrested at Southbridge on March 22ad, for assaulting his wife, and afterwards escaping from custody, was brought up before J. Beswick, Esq., R.M., and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labor for the assault, and one month for escaping from prison.

The Administration of the Law.—A case illustrative of the lax way in which the law is administered in some rural districts will probably be made public in a few days. In a certain country Court not far off from this city a man was fined at 10 a.m. on a summons which he had not then received, and did not receive until 9 on the same evening. A day or two afterwards he was on his way to the Court-house to pay tho money, when he was met by a lawyer, who advised him to allow his goods to be seized. The seizure was to have been effected yesterday, and if that has been done the lawyer will set the machinery of the law in motion again. Breaking Windows. —In Ashburton yesterday, a man, whose name did not transpire, ■walked deliberately up to Messrs Orr and Oo.’s shop and kicked in two large plate glass windows, of the value of £5. The man had previously called on Messrs Orr and Co. with an order for £6 due to him for harvest work done for a farmer in Waimate, over whose crops Messrs Orr and Co, held a lien. Messrs Orr and Co. had already given the farmer money to pay the men employed by him at harvesting, and declined to pay the man on the order. The man then turned out of the shop and broke the windows, and when taken into custody said he would be as well off working for nothing for her Majesty as for anybody else. Complimentary. —A complimentary farewell dinner was given to Mr. Joseph Ivess, late proprietor of the “ Ashburton Mail ” in the Somerset Hotel, Ashbutton, last Thursday night, it being the occasion of his leaving the district for Patoa, where he will assume the proprietorship of the “ Palca Mail.” Between 40 and 50 guests sat down to dinner, provided in Mr Shearman’s beat style, and the tasteful manner in which it was placed on the table, as well as the excellent quality of the viands was the subject of many encomiums. Mr T. Bullock occupied the chair, and Messrs Jacobson and St. Hill the vice-chairs. The usual loyal, patriotic, and festive toasts were duly honoured, several songs wore sung, and, after a most ] agreeable evening was spent, the proceedings were brought to a close by all joining in singing “ God Save the Queen.” Last evening a few gentlemen met at Shearman’s Hotel and presented Mr Ivess with a handsome ring as a token of their esteem.

Sumner. The annual meeting of parishioners for the election of church officers for the parochial district of Sumner was held on Thursday, April Bth, in the schoolroom, the Rev. Mr O. Merton, incumbent, in tho chair. Tho churchwardens presented a report and balance-sheet for the year ending March Slat, which showed a credit balance to be carried forward for the current year. Great satisfaction was expressed, and a very cordial vote of thanks passed to the retiring churchwardens. A special vote of thanks was given to Mr Wiggins for all that he has done in the parish. Thanks were also given to all tho ladies and members of tho choir and Sundayschool teachers. It was unanimously resolved “ That an urgent canvass for subscriptions for tho liquidation of the balance due on the church building account (about £4O) be at once set on foot,” £l4 being subscribed in the room, and it was voted that a sum be set aside from the church funds now in hand to assist in the above object. The Rev. Mr Merton nominated Mr E. W. Roper as incumbent’s churchwarden. Mr J. S. Monok was elected parishioners’ churchwarden. Railway Meeting —A. public meeting was held at the Mo'.ueka Valley Institute on March 29th, to consider various matters connected with the railway. The following resolutions were passed : —“ That since Messrs Blackett and Atkinson have failed to make a proper examination of the country between Fox Hill and Motueka Valley, the Government be requested to have it properly tested, for in the opinion of this meeting much has been done to make it appear a failure, and nothing done that would be likely to prove it a success. That Mr Joseph Shephard be requested to resign his seat as a member of the House of Representatives, his constituents in this district having lost all faith in him. That, in the opinion of this meeting, if the line to Rondell be adopted, it will be next to mpossible to descend the Buffer from that point, consequently Nelson will get no line to the West Coast, which is her just possession, and then tho Nelson people will see that, in exchange for a line to this wealthy possession, they will have one to a sheep station, for the sake of a load of wool once a year, then the term Sleepy Hollow will certainly be most appropriately applied to Nelson. That, in the opinion of this meeting, the Waieti-Top House route, if adopted, will benefit none materially except Messrs Shepfca-d, Adams, and Kerr, this showing perfect disregard to a large community and a line to the coast.”