NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2120, 9 December 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[PBMS ASSOCIATION.J WELLINGTON, December 9. Criminal Sessions. The criminal sitting of the Supreme Court commenced this morning. Eleven cases are set down for hearing. The Chief Justice’* charge to the grand jury was unimportant. With reference to the murder case he reviewed the evidence, which has already been telegraphed. He said the question if the* prisoner was insane or drunk or sober when tie committed the act, was not a matter for their consideration. John Watson pleaded guilty to attempting suicide. The judge remanded him for sentence. Charles William Ellison, alias Thompson, pleaded guilty to a charge of housebreaking, and was remanded for sentence. Stephen Baker, on a charge of attempting to wound, pleaded not guilty. He was acquitted. The Hinemoaarrived this morning from Opunake with the witnesses in the murder case. True bills were found against Adam Peitch (for housebreaking) and Ellison alias Thompson (for larceny). Later. The grand jury have found a true bill against Tuhi for the Opunake murder. Ellison was found “ Not Guilty.” AUCKLAND, December 9. The Islands. It is probable that, with the assistance of the Lord High Commissioner and the Governor of Fiji, arrangements may ultimately he made by which the present monthly service may be superseded by a fortnightly service, and further that a regular steam service may be instituted between Tonga and Fiji. H.M. schooner Alacrity returned yesterday from Fiji, after a long absence on a surveying tour amongst those islands. They first learnt the murder of Lieutenant Bower and several other men ot the Sandfly at Solomon Islands upon opening the Auckland newspapers, and were much shocked, as many on board were intimately acquainted with the unfortunate men massacred. The Alacrity is expected to remain in Auckland two or three months to refit. AUCKLAND, December 8. Judge Gillies. Judge Gillies resumed his official duties today. The Spiritualists Abroad. The Spiritualistic Progressive Association of Auckland have received advices that Dr. Peebles will not bo atlo to visit New Zealand at present, in consequence of pressing engagements in America, and that in all probability Professor Dutton will pay New Zealand and Australia a visit at an early date. Mr G. W. Simmons, a trance medium, is in Auckland, aud intends lecturing. NEW PLYMOUTH, December 8. The Opunake Murder. From private information received by the “ Taranaki Herald," it learns that the Parihaka Natives look upon the Opunake murder as the act of a dastard. They talk over it more than if it was a man who had been the victim. They say it is the work of a Prononga Kino (a bad or vile slave), Tuhi, it is thought, was not an attendant at the Parihaka meetings. He may have been there two or three times, but not oftener. The Natives are strongly impressed with the notion that Tuhi must have been drinking previous to committing the act. Native Drowned. A Native named Fatea was found drowned this morning in a small stream called tbs Mangoane, a tributary to the Waiwakauho River. Deceased was living at Waiwakauho settlement, aud during the night was heard by the Natives in the whare to get up and go outside. As ho did not return, a search was made at daylight in the morning, and his body discovered in the stream a short distance from the settlement. Deceased was an old man, and one of the prisoners recently liberated at Dunedin. NAPIER, December 8. The Omaranui Dispute. The Omaranui dispute is now in a fair way of being settled. This morning Mr Sutton went out to interview the old chief, Tareha, and after some discussion the following terms were agreed upon :—The Natives to give undisputed possession of Omaranui to Mr Sutton, but the latter to allow them to work at hoeing the crops in the ground, and to gather the grain when ripe. In the meantime signatures are to be obtained to a deed giving in exchange for Omaranui another piece of land of considerably greater value, the value of each block to be assessed by arbitrators, Mr Sutton paying the difference in cash. Though Mr Sutton’s men remain in legal possession, he informed the Natives that they would not in any way be restricted in the use or occupation of the land pending a settlement. The only condition he exacts is that every time they want to occupy the pah or go on the land they shall ask permission from the men in possession. Stabbing Case. A stabbing case occurred at the Spit this evening. A foreign sailor used a knife on a resident, inflicting a severe wound in the face. CricketArrangements are being made to get up a team to play the Australian cricketers. The Clip. Shearing is now nearly over. The universal report is large clips and good quality wool. The country never had more feed. WELLINGTON. December 8. The Missing Boat. No farther tidings have been received regarding the boat which left Cape Campbell for Wellington on the 29th ult, and it Is feared that the occupants have been drowned. The names of the men are Leandro Teodoli, Francesco Mori, and Ohristi Nicholas. Beer Duty ActAt the Magistrate’s Court this afternoon, nine publicans were charged with not destroying or defacing the stamps on barrels of beer supplied to them. Four were fined a nominal penalty of one shilling, and in the remaining cases his Worship reserved his decision. Immigration and EmigrationDaring November last, the excess of immigration over emigration throughout the colony was 1119, of whom 1053 came from the United Kingdom. PresentationAt the Port Nicholson Club this evening, Mr R. M. Simpson, the local manager of the New Zealand Insurance Company, was presented by the members of the club with a handsome silver tea and coffee service, in recognition of his services as treasurer, which office be has occupied since the formation of the club. QREYMOUTH, December 8. Fatal Accident. A fatal accident occurred this morning to Mr Robert Mcllroy, the well-known storekeeper, belonging to the Seventeen Mile Beach. Deceased was driving some cattle on the 'beach, near the Cobdeu punt, when one of the bullocks escaped from the others. In endeavoring to head it, deceased attempted to cross a small lagoon, when he slipped off his horse and was drowned. His body was recovered in about half an hour, hut he was quite dead. An inquest was held on the body before H. A. Stratford, Esq., Coroner, when a verdict of “ Accidental death " was returned. Deceased was a native of Belfast, Ireland, and leaves a widow and six children. TIMARU, December 8. Severe Accident. A child named Powell, aged four years, received injuries at Pleasant Point yesterday by its clothes catching fire. It ia not expected to recover. A Foolhardy Jump. A young man named Cox jumped from a bridge on to the river bed atKatahu yesterday to get his riding whip. Ha landed on his back, and was so much injured that fatal consequences are anticipated. OAMARU, December 8. Presbyterian ProposalAt the meeting of the Presbytery to-day (ho Rev. Mr By ley brought up an overture for preaentaliou to the Syncd to arrange for the union of the churches of the North and South, and an assembly of delegates from all parts of the colony at stated periods. INVERCARGILL, December 8. A Butter Venture. Being dissatisfied with the low pries nowruling for butter, Mr J. W. Hamilton, of Flint’s Bush, has determined to send a trial shipment home, per Jessie Headman, which

leaves the Bluff in a few days. He is now salting down a large quantity. The Stewart's Island ReefFrom news received, it would appear that the Stewart’s Island “Beef" is a myth. Acting under pressure, Boper was obliged to open up the tunnel where the leaders were said to be buried. After about twenty shovels of dirt Lad been washed a solitary speck of gold was found, and although the supposed leaders were followed a considerable distance into the hills no reef could be found. I’he specimens found by Boper are pronounced by experienced miners to be nothing but mundio. The miners are returning thoroughly disgusted. Educational. Out of thirty-eight applicants, Mr J. Wilson Martin, of the Scotch College, Hobart Town, was chosen to be second master of the Boys’ High School, Invercargill. Miss Milne is to be offered the appointment of visiting teacher of languages to both the Boys’ and ■Girls’ High School.

[fbom orra own cobbkspondbht.J WELLINGTON, December 8, The Omaranui BlockIn reference to the Press Association tele' gram from Napier yesterday relative to the dispute between Mr Sutton, M.H.R., and the Natives, about the Omaranui block, there has evidently been some misconception, if not misrepresentation, in the matter. The statement made to the Natives by the Government, through Captain Preece, was simply to the effect that it was Mr Sutton, and not the Government, who was proceeding against them in the Supreme Court: therefore that the affair was in no way a political one. This is now twisted into an intimation that it was Mr Sutton, and not the Supreme Court, that was endeavoring to eject them, which of course is entirely erroneous. The attitude taken up by the Government is that the dispute is entirely a purely personal one, which should be settled in the ordinary civil process by the Sheriff, who is an officer of the Supreme Court and not of the Government. No grounds have /yet been shown for forcible military intervention on the part of the Government, who would rather mediate if possible between the litigants. Our Prisons. The new Inspector of Prisons, Captain Hume, who recently arrived from England by the Durham, has already entered upon his duties, and has been assigned an office in the General Government Buildings near that of the Minister for J notice. Captain Home is about to commence his first tour of inspection throughout the New Zealand prisons. He will begin with Nelson Gaol, and then make a complete round of the South Island prisons. The North Island gaols will be visited subsequently; after which a full report will be presented to the Government on their present condition and requirements, with a view of placing on the estimates for next session such sums as may be found absolutely necessary to put the various prisons of the colony in a thoroughly efficient state. The number will be reduced so far as .practicable. Amalgamation of Offices. The amalgamation of the accountants’ offices for the postal and telegraphic departments, which I stated had been decided upon by the Government, has been followed by a similar amalgamation between the accountants’ offices for the North and South Island Railways. Instead of retaining a separata railway accountant for each Island, there will he only one for the whole colony, who will have his headquarters in Wellington. This will enable considerable reductions to be effected in the expenditure, besides a material simplification in the work. Mr Eyfo, the present acconntant for the South Island, will receive the new appointment, Mr Whitaker, accountant for the North Island, retiring upon compensation allowance. Sanatorium at EotornaThe Government have euooeeded in arranging for a township to be laid off at Lake Rotorua, A sort ot sanitorium will be formed there, and the town will be laid off in the best possible way eo as to render it a convenient and attractive place of resort, not only to invalids, but for tourists generally. The land will be held by the Government in trust for the Natives, and all payments will have to ha made through the Commissioner of Crown Lands. The arrangements have been made through Mr E. D. Eenton, Chief Judge of the Native Courts, and Mr Percy Smith, the Auckland Chief Surveyor, has been instructed to proceed with the survey immediately. Ministerial Movements, The Premier will leave Wellington on the Wednesday before Christmas for Christchurch, with a view of spending his Christmas holidays on his station in Canterbury. The Colonial Secretary will leave Wellington on End ay next for Dunedin, where he will spend his Christmas holidays. The Minister for Public Works will also pass his Christmas in Dunedin, and the Attorney General in Auckland. The Colonial Treasurer, the Native Minister, and the Minister of Lands will remain in Wellington. The Murderer TnhiDp to the present time Tubi, the murderer of Miss Dobie, has appeared quite unconcerned regarding his approaching trial. His demeanor has been cheerful, and he eats heartily and sleeps soundly. He is said to have remarked since his incarceration in the Wellington gaol, that he would _be back in Taranaki by Christmas. Te Whiti says that “As he has bitten like a cur he may die like a dog.” _____________