NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2516, 2 May 1882, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[per press association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, May 1.

The Supreme Court was opened this morn* ing by Judge Gillies. There were seventeen prisoners charged with nineteen crimes. The Grand Jury found true Bills in the following oases :—Those of the Natives Titokowarau, Eangi, Puhoeko, and Teoti for stealing. “No bills ” were found in the oases of Patrick Conway for horse stealing. The folio wing cases were tried today:—John Hemingham, for horse stealing, was acquitted. He pleaded guilty to the charge of escaping from gaol. Sentence was deferred till tomorrrow. Tom Richardson was acquitted of horse stealing. Mr Samuel, who had been engaged to appear for the Crown prosecutor against Hiroki, asked the Judge if any one had been appointed to defend the prisoner. His Honor replied he had no power to instruct any one to appear, but he thought the Government should have certainly provided a solicitor to take in hand the defence. The Crown prosecutor said he had retained Mr Samuel to prosecute, but had no authority to provide a solicitor for the defence. WELLINGTON, May 1. The cable steamer Agnes has been successful in picking up one end of the cable and buoying it. She is now engaged grappling for the other broken portion. The Volunteer land claim petition has commenced its sittings here to-day. The steamer Agnes has not yet picked up the second end of the cable. She returned to the Heads this evening, and will make another attempt to-morrow should the weather permit, NELSON, May 1.

It now appears that the injuries received by Mr T. Dodson, jun., were self-inflicted. Three shots were heard before Mrs Dodson went to her son, whom she found with a gun between his knees. The only injury he received was to his lower jaw, which is frightfully smashed, and he is now in the hospital in a very critical state. A concert is to be given on Wednesday in aid of the persecuted Jews in Russia. At mass yesterday the Eev. Father Gavin announced that he had adjourned the Church meeting, fixed for the same time, so that none of his parishioners might be deterred from taking part in such a laudable act of charity. TIMARU, May 1. The Customs revenue for April was £1768 8j Bd. The vital statistics for Timaru district are —Births, 30 ; deaths, 12 ; marriages, 9. A child five years old, the son of Captain Mills, harbor master, had both thighs broken on Saturday evening by getting them between the apokos of a buggy wheel while attempting to get into it. From to-night the Timaru lighthouse will show a fixed green light between west and south-west (magnetic) as viewed from the sea. The remaining sea arc shows a fixed white light, as before. OAMABXJ, May 1.

The police will bring forward a test case to prevent the coursing and shooting of hares on Sundays. The action will be laid under an old Statute of William IV. DUNEDIN, May 1.

The Otago University session was inaugurated this evening by a lecture by Professor Mainwaring Brown, Professor of English Literature, &c. The Bov, Dr. Stuart, Chancellor, occupied the chair, and in the course of his remarks stated the Council had now made arrangements to impart a complete medical education to students. The south-east wind ceased during last night, but rain has continued with intermissions all day, and many showers have been remarkably heavy. The Lyceum, the new public hall built by the Freethought Association in Dunedin, was opened yesterday. Mr Stout lectured in the evening on “What is Freethought ?” to an audience of 750 people, including many ladies. Three entertainments in celebration of the opening are to be given in the hall this week. INVERCARGILL. May 1. About the middle of last month a terrific report, which seemed to come from some enormous cannon, was hoard in various parts of Stewart’s Island, and as no vessel was in sight the only solution of the mystery appears to be that some violent eruption has taken place in tbo interior of the island. The Botomahana, on her arrival at Bluff Harbor on Sunday evening, anchored off the pilot station, and Dr Galbraith went on board and examined her passengers and crow, (jljg yssult being tbat a clean bill of health was issued. The examination was conducted under "instructions from the central Board of Health.

[prom the “ PRESS.”]

WELLINGTON, May 1. Some time ago I mentioned that Sir H. Robinson was rumored to be very anxious to return to New Zealand, and that he was expected to bo Sir A. Gordon’s successor. I hear now, however, that a letter received from Sir Hercules by the last Cape mail practically dispelled the hopes of his return. Sir Hercules is still most desirous to come to this colony, but in view of the renewed trouble at the Cape he feels that ho could not with honor apply to be relieved, as it would look like a desertion of his post in the face of the enemy. Ho therefore feels bound to remain at the Cape until the present difficulties are finally overcome, or until his services are no longer needed there. Judging from present appearances this completely upsets all chance of hie succeeding Sir A. Gordon,