NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2335, 27 September 1881, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[FSB FBBBI ASSOOIATIOir.I AUCKLAND, September 26. The New Purchase. Mr G-. McLean, a director of the Union Company, inspected the s.s. Southern Croat, and found her in better condition than he expeoted. Crime. There are eighteen prisoners for trial at the criminal session. Obituary. Brigant Yercoe, an old Auckland settler, is dead, aged seventy-two. He aßßisted to found the first Oddfellows' lodge in Auckland, of which he was a member until his death. NAPIER, September 26. The Frozen Meat Trade. i Mr John Chambers, an old Hawke's Bay settler, now in England, writes a letter on the frozen meat trade, which is published in the " Herald." He has inspected the various refrigerators and obtained all information from the managers of refrigerating companies. His letter bears out all information on the subject previously published in colonial papers, his estimates of the capital required for local colonial companies being £IO,OOO at the outside, which would enable the companies to purchase stock as well as freeze for stockowners who shipped on their own account. Tallerman's Company is ' prepared to supply transit of from five to six hundred tons a month, the meat to be frozen and delivered free on board in the colony. The freight to London, including guarantee and all charges, would be about £lB per ton dead weight of meat. Mr Chambers adds that he finds no prejudice existing against the meat, but, on the contrary, both consumers and salesmen express themselves anxious for constant large supplies, An Escaped Lunatic. A lunatio esoaped from the Asylum on Thursday by making a hole in the roof of his oell with a pocket-knife, but was soon recaptured. WELLINGTON, September 26. Political. Dr. Buller, Mr J. F. Rockstrow, and Mr O. B. Izard aro announced for Foxton, and MriW. T. L.Travers forTe Aro (Wellington) district. The Premier and Colonial Secretary leave for the South to-morrow for a holiday. HOKITIKA, September 26. CrimeMr Justice Richmond openod the sittings of the Supreme Court here to-day. There was only one case on the calendar, a charge of the murder of one John Bell against David Charles M'Gahey. His Honor congratulated the grand jury on the lightness of the calendar, which spoke a good deal for the settled, sober, and industrious nature of the population. Seven witnesses were examined to-day, and the case will be conoluded tomorrow night. Mr South prosecuted, and Mr Guinness defended M'Gahey. There is a considerable amount of civil business on the list. DUNEDIN, September 26. The Clayton Bankruptcy Case. Samuel Clayton, debtor, whose case has occasioned so much interest in the mercantile community here, applied to-day for an order of discharge. Judge Johnston said that the debtor was certainly not entitled to his discbarge. He had known worse cases, as there had not been to any groat extent a defrauding of creditors. He added, " The worst portion of the transaction to my mind from a public, commercial and social point of view, is that performance of going to Sydney, when he took practically all the money he could lay his hands on at the time he went away. I have no doubt whatever that he expected there would be an investigation into his affairs. He got out of the way and went to Sydney, and there he coolly says, after he had heard that they had made him bankrupt, he went on enjoying himself." The order of discharge was postponed for eighteen months. The Railways.

The members of the Anglers' Association waited on Mr Hannay, of the railway department, to day, asking that tingle fare return tickets should be granted to be extended from Friday evening till Monday, or from Thursday to Saturday inclusive. Mr Hannay replied that the whole subject of the railway tariff would be considered Bhorlly. Any alterations made would likely be for the general benefit, and he was inclined to think that those asked for were so. INVEROARGILL, September 26. The Distressed Shetlanders. A meeting to deTiso meanß for assisting in relieving the distress occasioned by the recent disaster in Shetland, waß hold at North Invercargill to-night. A committee was appointed to canvass the totrn and district for subscriptions. [PBOiI THE OWN COBBBSPONDENT OF THE "PRESS."] WELLINGTON, September 26. The Premier goes by the next Southern steamer to Lyttolton, on the way to his station for a week's holiday. Mr Dick also gooe South by the next boat, bound for Dunedin, also with holiday making intentions. Major Atkinson and Mr Johnston will tako charge of Ministerial matters during their absence. Nothing is definitely settled as yet in respect to the dissolution of Parliament, but every exertion iB being used to presß on the compilation of the new electoral rolls. Only a month i» allowed for this by the Ac!;, but it is questionable whothor in some of the outlying districts the work can possibly be completed within the prescribed time. It is,

however, desired to got the elections over as early as possible, at any rate before Christmas, if it can be managed, and no effort will be spared to ensure this. Mr Gillon contradicts the report that he is or is likely to be a oandidate for any district. In reference to the strike on the Canterbury Railways, the Government arc quite prepared to face the question, and are advertising all over the colony for handß. Nodifficulty at all is apprehended in obtaining an ample supply of good men, as the wages againet which the Canterbury men struck (viz., 8s to 10s 6d per day) are quite sufficient to a-ttraot a number of efficient men now out of work. I understand that it is not probable that any of the strikers will be taken back on any terms. It is pointed out that the allegation of the strikers that the Government forced a 10 per cent, reduotion on them during a time of depression, and refused their application for the restoration of the original rate of wage?," is inacourate. What mis done when the present general manager took office was simply to adopt a uniform tcile of railway wages for the whole colony, and this will be rigidly adhered to, no adequate grounds having been shown for making any exception.