NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1953, 28 May 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[PEE PE3SS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, May 27. The Recent FireThe inquiry into the recent fire at Mr Alexander's hoarding-house is now proceeding. The Melbourne ExhibitionAn official letter received from Dr. Hector, at Melbourne, contains the following:—“I was shown over the Exhibition building by Mr Casey and Mr Munro, vice-presidents, accompanied by Mr Hill, the secretary, and Mr W. Reid, the architect. The permanent part of the building, intended for art galleries and for a ceremonial hall, is expected to be finished this month, but the large temporary erection for the Exhibition proper is still far from completion, although the greater part of it may be ready by the Ist July to receive goods. The organisation and arrangement of details in connection with the Exhibition appear to be very perfect. A system of tramways is being laid throughout the grounds and buildings, which will facilitate the placing of the exhibits. The Victorian catalogue is in the printer’s hands, and Mr Casey wishes to have the MSS. of the New Zealand catalogue in as soon as possible, as an attempt is to bo made to issue the catalogue oa the opening day, and to get all the judging done in the first few weeks, so that the public may see the articles with the awards affixed. From what I have gathered, it will require a strenuous effort on the part of New Zealand to maintain the position she won at Sydney.” The Court of Appeal. In the Court of Appeal to-day judgment was given in Brigham v. Chambers, allowing the appeal with costs, and, in Oleve v. King, discharging the rule for leave to appeal. Mr Singleton Rochefort again applied on behalf of Mr Bray, of Auckland, for leave to bo allowed to appeal in forma pauperis against the decision of Judge Gillies, at Auckland, refusing the application. It was refused. AUCKLAND, May 27. A Sad CaseA half-caste woman of the Ngatirau Kawai tribe, who came into Cambridge to see the races, bad her baby, a year old, accidentally smothered. An Immoral Calling. At the Waste Lands Board a letter was read asking the Board to assist the inventor in utilising a machine he had invented for finding kauri gum. Mr Touts was apprehensive that the invention would have a demoralising effect on the gum diggers. At present they only made a rise at rare intervals, and when such an event did occur they invariably went in for a lengthened spree, but if this unerring machine was to assist them half of them would be in their graves in a few weeks. After short discussion, it was agreed that the Board could do nothing in the matter. NAPIER, May 27. A Sporting CaseAt the District Court, in the case of Ellis against Laurenson, claim £55, judgment was given for defendant. Laurenson drew Grand Duchess in a Derby sweep in the Tradesmen’s Cup at the last Hawke’s Bay races. Ellis agreed to buy Laurenson’s ticket for £25, and an agreement was drawn out, signed by both parties and stamped, The ticket was also endorsed to the same effect. Grand Duchess proving to be the only other starter entitled the holder of the ticket to £IOO. Laurenson then instructed the holder of the sweep money not to pay Ellis, and received it himself, hence the action. The judgment has caused considerable surprise. WELLINGTON, May 27. A Maori Prisoner. In the Supreme Court, in Banco, this afternoon. Me W. Travers, solicitor, applied to have a rule nisi for a writ of habeas corpus in the case of Winiata Parata, one of the Maori prisoners at present confined in Dunedin gaol, mede absolute. The application was based on an affidavit by the prisoner’s father, which set forth inter alia that his son was under the influence of certain Maori chiefs, to whom he imagined ho owed allegiance, and that in pursuance of that influence he was restrained from making the application on his own account. The rule was discharged, the Judges holding that in the absence of the prisoner’s concurrence the rule could not be made absolute. A Claim Se DrainageIt is understood that Mr Daniel Olimie, who made out the drainage scheme for fhe City Corporation, and who was unemployed by them for the same, has issued a writ against the Corporation, claiming the sum of £4731 19s 4d, made up as follows :—commission on the cost of his drainage scheme, £80,104, at 2J per cent., £2003 11s; one month’s salary as drainage engineer during January, 1878, £G6 13s -Id; for services rendered in connection with Mr Clark’s drainage scheme, thirty-one days at £5 ss, £162 15s; for wrongful dismissal from hia office aa engineer, £2500—£4731 10s 41. The drainage committee in their report, which will bo presented to the Council this evening, recommend that the sum of £162 15s, claimed under tho third head, he paid into Court, and that the other claims be contested.

Hew 'Waterworks. Tender* for the first section of the netP waterworks will be called far ihortly. GEETMOUIH, May 27. Mr Reeves and Ms ConstituentsA crowded meeting was held thi* evening at the Public Hall, when Mr Beeves, M.H.8., explained his action during the past year, and stated that although he would not promise to support the present Ministry he would not offer any factious opposition to them. If the Ministry would bring forward liberal measures he would so far support them, as ha considered that the Opposition party waa thoroughly disorganised. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Beeves vu passed. After Mr Beeves had returned thanks, the county chairman, Mr A. B. Guinness, moved the following resolution, which was seconded by the Hon. H, H. Lahman, G.C., and carried unanimously—“ That taking into consideration the importance of the labor and railway works authorised by Parliament to be constructed in this district, and that a large amount of public money haa been promised by the Government to be expended in constructing the same, this meeting is of opinion that the public works are being carried out in a very unsatisfactory manner, and would therefore respectfully request the Minister of Public Works forthwith to appoint an engineer of ability and experience to reside at Grey mouth, and take charge of and superintend the construction of the works referred to.” HOKITIKA, May 27. Gas Company. The Hokitika Gas Company yesterday declared a dividend of 7a per share. lIMAE.tr, May 27. Coursing. The South Canterbury coursing club’s opening meeting at Waimate was finished today. For the puppy stakes Mr B. Thompson’s Shamrock beat Messrs Eeid Bros. Toi Toi, and won. In the All-aged Stakes, Mr Sherwin’s Queen of Seas beat Messrs Beid Bros. Malice, and won. Sport on the whole waa good. Sporting. At a special meeting' of the committee of the South Canterbury Jockey Club to-night, it was resolved to hold a steeplechase meeting in Timaru on June 18th. The following programme was drawn np:—Tallyho Handicap of 100 sovs., distance 3 miles; Maiden Plate, of 40 sove., distance 21 miles; Timaru Cup, of 50 sovs , distance, 21 miles ; Consolation Eaoe Handicap, of 30 sovs., distance 2 miles. DUNEDIN, May 27. The Property Tax. At the request of a deputation, the Mayor promised to call a public meeting to discuss the property tax. Verdict. At the inquest on the man Jamieson, killed on the railway, a verdict of “ Accidental death ” was returned.