NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2340, 3 October 1881, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

(PEB PBBBS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, October 3. Diocesan SynodThe Diocesan Synod opened this afternoon* The Bishop, in his address, said the clergy o f the diocese, including thirteen Maoris, nnm* bored fifty-seven, being an increase of four during the year. With reference to religious teaching in public schools, he said parents should be allowed, during ichool hours, and by means of teachers approved of by themselves, to give their own children definite teaching in those religious truths in which they believe. He spoke warmly of the debt of gratitude due to the Now Testament revisers. By the help of the revised edition lay readers and Hunday school teachers, and all unable to read the original Greek, might arrive at the teaching of the New Testament writers with a facility that was quite unknown before. The New Zealand clergy, however, according to the construction of the Church, could not use the revised version until it had been adopted by the Convocation of Canterbury. When it is so adopted it will be for the General Synod of New Zealand to declare for or against its use in public service. Supreme Court The Supreme Court opened this morning. The Judge said there were ten prisoners, charged with fourteen offences. With the exception of fou-, viz., two of rape, one of sodomy, and one of indecent assault, none were of a very serious character. There was also a case of sending a letter threatening to murder, and another of sweating coin. Three of the prisoners, viz , Morris, Arthur, and Duke, for larceny, were sentenced to nine months. True bills were returned against Butterwortb, larceny ; Irwin, larceny as a bailee: and Jno. Ngaro, breaking and entering. WELLINGTON, October 3. Political. Mr Burton Boys, of Carterton, contests Wairarapa South. The Premier. The Premier leaves for Lyttelton this afternoon. DUNEDIN, October 3. Supreme CourtThe criminal sessions commenced this morning. Mr Justice Johnston delivered a long opening address, but the greater part of it was occupied in commenting on the charge against Augustus, who was committed for manslaughter and indicted for murder. H s Honor went carefully over the evidence, and from his comments it appeared that he did not consider the charge of murder could be sustained, and that the charge of manslaughter would only be proved on the jury being satisfied that the acts of Augustus hastened bis wife’s death. A count had been introduced which charged Augustus with accelerating his wife’s death by neglecting to procure medical assistance, but his Honor said he had considerable doubt whether, under the circumstances of the case, that could be considered as a cause of the acceleration of the woman’s death, and the question of manslaughter or murder must stand on the question of the violence she received. Of coarse, his Honor added, if an indictment were brought for assault there was plenty of evidence to enable them to find a true bill. Eliza Whittel, who was charged with housebreaking, was acquitted. John Fergusson, for stealing from a dwelling, was sentenced to eighteen months. Christian YeoLt pleaded “ Guilty” to a charge of maliciously injuring property, but the case was ordered to stand over to enable his Honor to consider a technical point as to whether the indictment was correct in form.