NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2218, 5 April 1881, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[PBB PBBBB ASSOCIATION.J AUCKLAND, April 4. Crime.

The Supreme Court opened to-day. Judge Richmond's charge to the jury was very brief. Referring to the To Aroha murder, he said that there was no technical difficulty in the way. It was for the Jury to say whether the accused had been rightly placed on trial. Presuming that ho was rightly charged, this was a case of crime coming to us from without, not being committed by any regular resident. The first case called was a charge of uttering a forged cheque, brought against Topario Rawiriri, a Maori. TAUBANGA, April 4.

Wreck of the s s- Piako

The cutter Muriel and tbe little s.s. Fiako were driven from their anchorage by the storm on Sunday morning, but neither of them wore damaged. The Fiako was again anchored off the shore, and at low water on Sunday night, appeared to have settled down on her anchor, which made a hole under her bows. She soon filled with water and sank. At high water her docks are covered a foot deep. It is understood that she has been handed over to the insurance company. NELSON, April 4,

Accident.

By telegrams from Patatarunui, Golden Bay, it appears that Mr Gibbs, M.H.R., fell from a scaffold and slightly injured hia spine. WELLINGTON, April 4.

The Water Question-

The new supply of water to Wellington from the Waiuui-o-Mata will be delayed, owing to the ship Berwickshire, from Greenock, with the last shipment of pipes, having to put back through meeting with rough weather when 600 miles from land. Her cargo, which consisted chufly of pipes, broke loose through bad stowage, and severely injured the rest of the cargo and the ship herself. The contractors, Messrs Laidlaw and Co., will have to boar the loss. A large quantity of pipes were entirely broken up

Despatches.

The steamer Stella left for Manukau this afternoon. She conveys despatches to the Manukau from his Excellency [the High Commissioner of the Western Pacific, to catch the Southern Cross, which takes her departure from Manukau for Fiji in a day or two. It is understood that the trip of the Stella entails no expense on the colony.

Strange Disappearance

A draper named J. G. Dudgeon, well known in Westport and recently in business here, has disappeared suddenly, and fears are entertained for his safety.

Drawing Classes*

A supplementary “ Gazette ” contains the regulations respecting the examination of pupil teachers in drawing, and states that the order shall take effect from this date. It also contains tbo principal results of the examinations of teachers held in January. The New Mine.

The Albion gold mining company at Terawhiti have struck the main reef at 50ft., and the stone shows excellent indications. A quantity of stone will bo brought to town shortly to be crushed.

BBBFION, April 4, Gold Mining Return.

The Golden Fleece Extended Company bad a general clearing up, the result being 9340 z Odwta retorted gold from 1150 tons quartz. A dividend of 6d per share will bo declared shortly. The United Alpine Company’s return for five days’ crushing vras 200 c z amalgam from the top plates from 145 tons of quartz.

DUNEDIN, April 4.

Cautious.

The Vincent County Council, by live votes to three, declined to endorse Mr Pyke’s proposal to raise a £IO,OOO loan for public works.

A Legal Squabble-

There was a passage at arms in the B.M. Court to-day between Mr J. E, Denniston and Mr Townsend Macdermott. Mr Macdennott said he would make Mr Denniston eat the leek as his partner did, referring to his threatened action for slander against Mr Downie Stewart and the latter’s apology. Mr Denniston then referred to his learned friend as a low bred ruffian. After reproof from Mr Simpson, R.M., both apologised to the Bench.

Poor John,

The country papers are commenting on the monopoly of the goldfields by the Chinese, who are now occupying nil available land in (ho Dunstan and western districts.

City Finance.

The Dunedin City rates last year amounted to £17,400. At the end of the financial year on March Ist only £lO 10s were outstanding, and for that sum tho judgment of ths Court had been obtained.

Balance Debtor.

During March 239 persons arrived at the port of Otago and 344 left.

Railway Accident. By a mistake in shunting tho 6.40 a.m goods train from Dunedin was ran into at Merton by a ballast 'engine. Five waggons and tho cab of tho engine were damaged, but no persons were injured. The driver of the ballast engine has been suspended pending inquiries.

[from the own oobbkspondbnt of THU muss.”] WELLINGTON, April 4. Messrs Batkin and Seed’s report on the 1 Civil Service is said to be exceedingly valuable, and full of judicious suggestions, some of which are to be acted upon at once. Others are of so sweeping a nature, that they will need much careful consideration as to the advisablonoss of carrying them out in their entirety. I believe, in fact, that some of the proposals would be altogether too unpopular to be likely to bo put into force. Apart from these, however, they show tho practioablenesß of saving somo eleven or twelve thousand per annum in salaries alone. The chief reductions suggested arc in tho Justice Department. The above of course applies only to tho North Island. Messrs Batkin and Seed left by the Hawes this afternoon for Pioton and Nelson, as the commencement of their South Island tour. They will begin with Marlborough and Nelson, following with Westland, and then with Canterbury, Otago, and Scotland, in the order named.

Telegrams from Pungarehu camp to-day report that Colonel Robert*, commander of tho West Coast Constabulary, is dangerously I ill with typhoid fever of a severe type. Another destructive fire has occurred at Parihaka, tho settlement being with difficulty saved from destruction by the exertions of men, women, and children during tho whole night. The fire originated in the bush, and has done extensive damage, Mr Brogden, M.P., and Mr Lawson, eiCommissiouer of Railways, have been visiting Te Whiti, who received them moat kindly and hospitably, behaving in a very frank and friendly manner.