NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2188, 1 March 1881, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[PKB PBEBS ASSOCIATION,] GRAHAMS TOWN, March 1. The Murder Case. The inquiry into the murder case was continued this morning, Mr Pendent, a merchant in Auckland, reeadoLt previously in Russia, acting as interpreter for the accused. Ser-geant-Major O’Grady deposed to talcing off his boots from the accused, and showing them to Doctor Huxtable, who remarked that some spots on them looked like blood. The accused accounted for the stains by saying that his nose had bled on the floor. The witness saw under the nail of one finger some blood, and also in his nostril, previous to the 16th inst., but he had not seen blood on the floor or about the accused, NEW PLYMOUTH, March 1. A lively Scene. A meeting of creditors of George Thrush, late of Wellington and Christchurch, was held yesterday afternoon. The assets are estimated at £2l 4i 6d, and the liabilities at £IBO 10s 3d. At the termination of an exciting meeting, a resolution was made to the effect that Mr Samuel be retained for the purpose of opposing the debtor’s discharge by every possible means, and the wife of one of the creditors came forward with a child in her arms, and, addressing the debtor, said as follows :—“ Como out into the road, you vagabond, I have not done with you yet.” Then she said he was one of the unemployed who came from Wellington, and he had £l6 in bis pocket when he came here. DUNEDIN, March 1. More TaxationThe City Council, by 6 to 3, have determined to raise the rates to Is 6d. Inquest. The coroner’s inquest concerning the death of Henry Mayo concluded yesterday. The evidence was somewhat conflicting. The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death,” but added a rider expressing the strongest disapprobation of the carelessness of the railway department in not providing a signalman at the Kensington crossing at hours when trains are running. Sporting. The settling on the autumn meeting took place last night. The following amounts were paid over:—Hon. Campbell, Champagne Cup, Railway, £881; Prince, Publicans’, Maiden, City D.J.O. (2nd), £320; Hon. Robinson, Cup (2nd), D.J.O. Handicap, £250; R. H. Yallanoe, Selling, Forbury, £190; P. Butler, Hurdle (2nd), Steeple, Flying, £180; J Foster, Hurdle, Tally-oh, Steeple (2nd) £135; H. Hereford, Oup'(3rd), Queen’s Plato, Consolation (2nd), £llO ; B. Zurbano, Novel, £80; O. P. Williams, Consolation, £SO; G. Dodson, Champagne (2nd), Maiden (2nd), £25; H. Goodman, City (2nd), £2O ; J. George, Forbury (2nd), £l2; Hamilton, Hack, £2O; ditto, ditto, £10; Trotting Match, £4OO. Total, £2683.

Totalisator Triumphant. It is reported that the bookmakers were rather heavily “ hit.” The public were slow in coming forward. There is no doubt that the totalisators are diverting a lot of money from the bookmakers. IN VEBO ABGILL, March 1. Vital Statistics for February. Births, 33 ; deaths, 11; marriages, 9. AUCKLAND, February 28. Accident. Mr John Biordan, teacher of the Lucas Creek public school, was thrown from bis horse, and received concussion of the spine. Sudden Death. Mr James Ferguson, Waiuku, dropped dead from his chair. The Bible QuestionAt the annual meeting of the Scripture Association, the report showed that only three ministers in the city of Auckland had responded to the association’s request, and visited the publio schools to impart religious instruction. In the country only three publio schools were regularly visited by clergymen. Gas DividendThe Thames Gas Company, at their halfyearly meeting, declared a dividend of Is 61 per share. HOKITIKA. February 28. EncouragingThe Boss Gold Mining Company's shares are now at a premium. Tenders are called for the preliminary operations. TIMAEU, February 28. Fire. ' The old accommodation house at Tekapo Ferry was destroyed by fire early on Sunday morning, and nothing was saved of its contents. The building belonged to the Mount Cook Boad Board, and was insured for £250 in the New Zealand oflice. The dwelling of Mr D. McKenzie, an old settler at Geraldine, was burned on Sunday night, the inmates barely having time to escape. It is not known whether there was any insurance. DUNEDIN, February 28. A Paying Concern. A general meeting of shareholders in the Now Zealand Drug Company was held today. The report showed that the net profit amounted to £B3BO 11s, to which was added the balance of prefit and loss from the previous year, £2227 15s Bd, making a total of £10,617 6j Bd. The directors recommended a dividend of 10 per cent., absorbing £7IBO 9s, and that £3436 17s 8d bo carried forward. The report was adopted and the directors reelected. The Tax. Tito Dunedin Board of Assessors to day decided it to be incompetent, under the 13th clause of the Property Assessment Act, to determine the capital of a company for the purpose of taxation by the sum total of all its allotted shares taken at their marketable value. Other Boards have held an opposite view. Vital Statistics. The _ vital statistics for the district of Dunedin for February are —Births, 129; deaths, 36; marriages, 46, For the corresponding month of last year they were— Births, 123 ; deaths, 59 ; marriages, 44. Frozen MeatThe provisional committee of the Frczon Moat and Produce Company met to-day, and resolved to appoint a sub-committee to wait on the largo shipping companies to see how far they are ready to co-operate with the com-

mittee to carry out the scheme, and obtain further information regarding the cost of apparatus. AquaticThe two miles and a half boat race between the Otago and Canterbury Bowing Clubs came off fo-day at Henley, and resulted in a victory for the Canterbury crew by two lengths, [FEOM THE OWN OOBBVRPONDENT OF THB rsBPS.”] WELLINGTON, February 28. A Cabinet meeting was held this afternoon, but nothing was decided about the new Minister, although I have reason to believe the matter was discussed. 1 do not expect the question to be set! led this week. The Government have had a return prepared, showing the receipts from telegraph stations on which the extra sixcence was charged on account of their not paying expenses. It is ascertained that the revenue has bene fisted by the addi ional charge to such an extent that the Government do not feel justified in removing the tax, considering the present financial exigencies of the colony. The extra charge of sixper.ee will therefore be continued. The return was prepared with B view of ascertaining whether it could be prudently abolished, but the result has demonstrated the negative.