NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2409, 24 December 1881, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[FSB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, December 23. A Suicide. Joseph Smith, a gum digger, committed suicide at Kankapakapa by banging. Libel. • James Barry Simpson, formerly teacher at the Native school, Ahipara, has been committed for trial for criminal libel on Mr Beid, postmaster, Abipara. The libel was an accusation of opening letters. A Proper FineAt the Police Court to day William Weston, bookmaker, -was fined £5 and costs fonr guineas for assaulting Mr Bathbone, proprietor of the “Observer” newspaper. The cause of the trouble was a paragraph giving a list of the southern bookmakers with whom it was safe for the public to have dealings, Weston’s name not being mentioned in the list. WELLINGTON, December 23. An Eccentric Honorable. The Hon. C. J. Pharazyn was to-day committed for trial on a charge of plural voting at the recent elections for Tborndon. Bail was allowed, bis own recognisance of J 65, The Bench stated that they were perfectly satisfied with the explanation given by Mr Pharazyn, but they felt bonn.i to send the case to a higher conrt, os the question of fact was one for a jury. The Festive Season. A large number of excursionists left town today for Wanganui and Nelson. The Late Explosion. At the inquest to-day on the body of Mrs Anthony, who was killed by an explosion on Wednesday, no further particulars beyond those telegraphed were elicited, except that Dr. Diver’s the ry was that Mrs Anthony was scraping out the mortar with some hard instrument, and so caused the ignition and explosion. A verdict was returned of “ accidental death,” and the following rider was added:—“That the attention of the Government be called to the fact of large quantities of dangerously explosive powder being mixed np in the city, and sold, without any steps being taken to regulate or limit such sale.” The Gaming Act. A public meeting, convened by the Mayor, was held to-night to discuss the question regarding the recent fine imposed on Chinamen for playing fan tan. 500 persons were present, and the Mayor presided. The following resolution was carried “ That the circumstances connected with tho first conviction under the 6 iming and Lotteries Act, 1881, which took place on the 22nd November, are of that peculiar character that in the opinion of this meeting they should bo brought under the notice of the Government.” It was also decided to petition his Excellency, praying for the remission of the fine inflicted by the Bench, and a deputation was appointed to wait upon the Minister for Justice to furnish any further information that may be required. The Late Seat of Disturbance, There is nothing fresh to report from Pnngarehn. A largo number of men are absent on leave for Christmas. There is one man confined for accepting a present of potatoes from tho Natives. Earthquake. A slight shock of earthquake was folt here at seven o’clock this morning. DUNEDIN, December 23. AppointmentsThe Government have offered Messrs B. Stout and J. Duncan, of Cherry Barm, Waikonaiti, seats on the Land Board. The A. & P. Show. The Palmerston Show was held to-day, and was tho most successful of all the ouuntry shows, somewhat closely approaching in number and quality the entries at tire Metropolitan and Camara Shows. A Nice YouthAt an inquest to-day a boy aged fourteen, who was a witness, stated that ho conld noitt er read nor write, and was unaware of the existence of the Bible and had never been taught a prayer. The Drink AgainThe Coroner’s enquiry resulted in a verdict of manslaughter against Mary Ann Weston, who was found drunk in the street with a dead child in her arms. The Land Agitation Movement. A public mooting on tho land question, called by the Trades and Labor Council, was hold at tao Priaceas Theatre to-night. About 300 were present; Mr W. D. Stewart in the chair. Messrs Stout, Pyke, M. W. Green and Bracken were the principal speakers. A resolution was carried urging the Government to postpone releasing tho runs nutil the whole question of dealing with tho pastoral lands of Otago was further considered by Parliament; also expressing con-

f cnrrence with the resolutions come to by the conference of M.U.R’s. INVERCARGILL, December 23. Sudden DeathA man ntmtd John Fowler, a carpenter by trade, and belonging, it is believed, to Oamaru, died suddenly on board the Arawata, on her passage from Port Chalmers to this port. [feom tub own oobbbspondhnt of the “ PBBBS 3 WELLINGTON, December 23. The Premier went couth to day by the Waitaki for the Christmas holidays. At the Court to day the Hon. C. J. Pharazyn, M.L.C., was charged with personation by voting at both booths at the Thorndon election on the 9th inst. Accused, who is over eighty years old, behaved with great eccentricity, and flatly refused the assistance of counsel, and insisted on conducting bis own case. He also disdainfully rejected the offer of a chair on the floor of the Court, and persisted in standing in the prisoners’ dock like a common “ drunk,” declining even a seat in the dock. Ho made a rambling statement in defence, and wound np with an irrelevant attack on the Press generally apropos of nothing at all. He created great amusement by reciting imaginary articles and telegrams which he declared would appear in the New Zealand papers setting forth and commenting on his deinquencies.