NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2034, 31 August 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

0?BBSS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, August 31. Extraordinary 1 StatementAn extraordinary statement has been made by some Natives in town. They say that a man named Hoani and his wife had, a short time since, been digging gum noar Point BusBell, on the Waikato. The wife took ill and ultimately died,, but the story becime current that she had been bewitched or maJtutued by her husband. The relations of the woman reside in the King country, and her two brothers camo down for the purpose of killing the man who was possessed of such dreadful power. They found him quietly digging for gum. Ho had a large hole open, and the men killed him with tomahawks and put him in the hole and covered him up. They then returned to the King country, congratulating themselves on having done the State some service by ridding New Zealand of a man who might be the death of anybody whenever he took it into his head. Theae are the f actß as stated by the Natives in town yesterday, but probably it will not be thought worth while to inquire into the matter. It may be mentioned that Wiremu Bswiti, a well known ehief of Kaipara, is at present at Mechanic's Bay, on his way to the King country. He has been ill fer some time, and both ho and his friends are convinced that he has been bewitohed, aud that his only chance of euro lies in a visit to a priest resident amongst the Kingites, who can remove the spell.

The Lata Unwarrantable ArrestMr Samuel Brown, who wa9 so unwarrantably arrested on Friday night and placed in the lock-up, intends to prefer a formal complaint to Superintendent Thomson as to tho conduct of tho police on the occasion, and for their having; in view of surrounding circumstances, declined to acquaint his family of hia arrest, that steps might be taken to procure his release. Great surprise has been felt at tho anxiety shown by Mr Birstow, 8.M., to justify the conduct of the police. Mining Itemslie the finding of gold at Monganui, Mr O. B. Beynell writes to the morning papers that he never saw a more promising country. WANGANUI, August 31. FireA destructive fire occurred at the Butland Hotel this morning acd oompletely wrecked the building. Later. Tho fire at the Butland Hotel originated in the kitchen and was drawn upstairs through the lift, which was used to communicate with the private suites of apartments. The alarm was firet given by the billiard marker, who slept in the room over the kitchen. He woka up choking and found the room full of smoke and the fire in the lift. Onoa the fire broke though upstairs it spread readily. Six jets of water were promptly brought to bear, and, although saving the hotel appeared hopeless, the fire was literally beaten back by the force of the water upstairs. However the hotel is completely gutted, those roomß which are not burnt being blackened by the smoke and heat. Great sympathy is felt for the proprietor, as tho hotel has bean greatly enlarged lately and improved, making it one of tho best in the colony. Some of the commercial travellers lost their luggage. The insurances are £350 in the Imperial on the furniture, £750 in the Colonial on tho building. Other policies in the South British were taken out but cancelled, because the proprietor considered the premiums too high. The total loss ouiside insurances is £2OOO. NEW PLYMOUTH, August 31. A Delicate Question-

At the R.M. Court this morning the case of Bevell v Shaw excited some interest. The defendant is in Wellington discharging the duties of R.M. and Distriot Judge, having changed 'with Mr Mansford, who came here for a few months from Wellington for hia health. Judge Shaw applied to the Court to obtain an ex parte hearing of the case in Wellington. The solicitor for the plaintiff objected, as the adjournment was solely for the purpose of delay. The Resident Magistrate said it was a delicate position to be placed in, but decided that an ex parte statement could be made in Welliruton on the 10th of September, and adjourned the case until the evidence had been sent up. WELLINGTON, AugUßt 31. PedestrianismEleven entries have as yet been received for the twenty-four hours' pedestrian match to be held here on the 10th and 11th proximo. The principal are Brooks and Delaney, from Dunedin; Swan, of Ohristchurch ; Webber, of Wellington ; Neadey, of Wanganui; and O'Connor, of Timaru. DUNEDIN, August 31. A Tannery Burnt. Calpah'a tannery, at Kaikorai, was burned down on Sunday. It was insured in the Transatlantic for £2OO. The Railwy Employes. At the Railway employes meeting last night a deputation reported that Mr Conyers had replied that the 10 per cent, reduction did not apply to wages men. The reduction was not in force. No all round 10 per cent, reduction was intended, but a revision of the scale of wages on an equitable and practical system, of which due notice would be given before the rule was brought into operation. The meeting agreed to abandon the agitation. AUCKLAND, August 30. The Unemployed. The Auokland unemployed have refused work at 9d per hour on the reclamation works. The Hinemoa. The Hinemoa arrived in Manukau this afternoon with a number of the members of the Assembly, also a number of armed constabulary for Taranaki. Thames Gas Company. The Thames Gas Company have held their eighth annual meeting. A dividend was declared at the rate of 8 per cent, on the paidup capital. A Candid Opinion. At a meeting of the Working Men's Political Association to consider tho report of the Royal Commission on Local Industries, the foilowiug resolutions were passed : —l. That this meeting condemns the report of the Royal Commission on Lacal Industries us being incorrect in many details, very onesided, and entirely unreliable and worthless ;

2. That the Auokland members of th« General Assembly be requested to use their influence to h*ve a~ : impartial committee appointed of fkill-d men with a knowledge of manufactures, to determine in what manner local industries may be forwarded. WELLINGTON", August 30. Hospital EnquiryThe enquiry into the management of the> Wellington Hospital was resumed this afternoon. Several patients and ex-patients wereexamined, the majority being favorable to the officials. Fi**e Arts Copyright ActAt the Magistrate's Court to-day, the ease of B. T. G-illon, for the Dramatic Authors Society, v George Geddes, manager of the Theatre Kojal, Christohurch, was hfard. The action -was brought to reoover j penalties under the Fine Arts Copyright Act for the urj'.L-enfei produotim at ChristchuroH of the fares, " His Last L>gs." His Worship ' reserved judgment. TIMARTJ, August 30. The PareoraThe ship Pareora sailed for London this morning, the crew having resumed duty. Tha Weather. The weather is very wet and stormy. Municipal VacanciesSeven candidates were nominated to-day for three vac ict ssata in the Municipal Council. O AMARU, August 30. Councillors WantedSoma difficulty will be experienced in getting ratepnyers to allow themselves to be nominated for the po:ition of borough councillors. Twelvo ara required, tut at the present time few care to seek the honor of election. Lsst year's councillors decline to come forward again. DTTSfEDIN, August 30. Smuggling- Opossum Hugs Captain Bapp of tha barque Italy, lately arrived from Port Esperance. Tasmania, was brought up at the City Police Court this morning, charged with smuggling opossum ru?s. He was fined £IOO, which was mitigated to £2-5. Home Again. A number of the Otago members returned by the special train from Christchurch this morning. Railway Employees. A meeting of the railway employes was held at Lawrence station on Sunday evening to take into consideration the present action of the Government in reducing the wages ten per cent. The following resolution was unanimously carried :—" That this meeting thinks it unfair and unjust for the Government to reduce ten per cent, of the salaries, pay and weges, and this meeting unanimously pledges itself to abide by the decision arrived at by the Dunedin and Christchurch meetings."