NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2696, 28 November 1882, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[per press association.] AUCKLAND, November 27. Arthur James Fawcett, late clerk of the Mutual Insurance Society in Sydney, was charged at the Police Court with embezzling .£25 of the society’s funds. He was remanded to Sydney by the Arawata. Michael Malone, bushman, wandered into the bush at Dargaville in a state of delirium tremens on the ICth inst. Search parties failed to find him. He was found at Dargaville to-day in a weak state. Mr C. G. McMillan, of W. McArthur and Co., was thrown from his buggy with violence and cut and bruised about the face and body. William F. Patterson, commission agent, charged with embezzlement, was discharged, there being no evidence against him.

Sydney Taiwhanga has returned from Kaipara, where he gave an account of his London mission to the Natives. They approved of the English Maori land scheme, and expressed a hope that all the tribes would fall in with it. He leaves for the North on Monday to address a Native meeting convened at Waitangi on the Bth. WELLINGTON, November 27. Some fine samples of stone were brought in from the Empire Company’s claim at Terawhiti to-day, and caused some excitement among shareholders. Large numbers of shares, upon which id had been paid up, changed hands at 2s. NELSON, November 27. The inquest touching yesterday’s fatal fire was completed this evening. It transpired that the woman had been drinking bottles of beer, previously planted, and that at_ one o’clock she was drunk. She then said she would go on to the hills, and three men in the house wont to lay down, each in separate rooms. William Norton, the husband, deposed that between his naps he heard what he believed was the woman going upstairs into what was a loft. He also deposed that the woman smoked, and when drunk was continually lighting her pipe. On the constable reaching the fire he asked Norton the whereabouts of his wife, and ho said she was on the hills, and that prior to this a woman swore she told Norton she saw his wife in the house a few minutes before the fire. The constable says that immediately after Norton said his wife was on the hills, he said he just remembered hearing her go upstairs. The constablesaid then “ She is burned,” and, in reply, Norton said “ And a good job,” but Norton himself denies this. The evidence was somewhat conflicting as to whether the woman really was upstairs, but the lieutenant of the Fire Brigade deposed that the body fell, and consequently this question was considered settled. The jury ultimately brought in the following verdict and rider : —" The jury is of opinion that the deceased, Margaret Norton, died from the effects of burning while in a drunken state, and that we strongly censure her husband W. Norton for not having made known the fact that he had heard her going upstairs, and for not having made any effort to save her.” The Coroner, Dr. Boor, called the man before him, and after telling him the verdict, lectured him, but Norton made no reply. A narrow escape from a fatal boating accident occurred off Boulder Bank to-day. Two visitors to Nelson, Messrs Fothergill and Dunk, hired a fisherman’s boat for an hour or two, taking the owner of the boat, named Eeid. When on the bar outside the harbor Eeid jibed the boat, and the sheet becoming foul, capsized her in very rough water. The men clung to the boat, which turned over three times. About two hours and a half later the cutter Mersey was going out of port, when Captain Robinson, late of the anchor service, observing the men, hauled down his head sails and let go the Jiflchor, and at considerable risk, he and his mate launched the dingy, and saved the men. Mr Fothergill was very exhausted, and Mr Dunk little less so. However, Captain Eobinson did all that could be done, and after picking up his vessel, returned with them to port. His action deserves much praise. The Railway Commissioners have received a very favorable report concerning the advantages of a central route for the trunk railway over those of the Eastern route.

DUNEDIN, November 27,

George Garrett, fitter, in the employ of Eeid and Gray, was caught in the machinery, and had to have one of his arms amputated. The steamer Sorrento has now taken in 2299 carcasses of mutton, and the Dunedin 719 carcases.

The Harbor Board having written to the Marine Department, complaining that trivial casualties were marked on the wreck chart opposite the port, such as a vassel catching fire at the wharf, have received a reply that care will be taken in future that only serious casualties shall be inserted in the wreck chart.

The Hon. Mr Johnston is at present visiting Wakatipu and Cromwell.