NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 79, 28 July 1896, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

— - GENERAL ITEMS. Aucslanh, July 27. Mrs Jane If. Breen was found dead in her dwelling, Devon port, it is supposed from heart disease. Lindsay Johnston, at Raglan, has been committed on a charge of cattle stealing, bail being refused. Helders Bergersen was arrested and remanded to Palmerston North on a charge of horse stealing. At a meeting of the Auckland Trades and Labor Council the action of the Builders' Association in conceding the request of the carpenters and joiners for an increase of wages and reduction in the hours of labor was warmly praised. A deputation from the Council was appointed to wait on the Inspector of Factories with regard to complaints made by certain societies re breaches of the Factories Act. Gisbobnf., July 27. A novelty in the way of a steamer is being constructed to the order of Mr Kennedy Evans, of this port, for the lightering trade. The vessel, which will have a carrying capacity of 100 tons, will be fitted with a gasoline double-cylinder marine engine of 55 horse-power, giving a speed of nine knots. The engines are to be of the latest (1896) type, and similar to those in the yacht of the well - known American millionaire C. L. Fair. The work of construction has been entrusted to Mr \Y. H. Brown, of Auckland, and the machinery is being supplied by W. A. Evan of that city. Wellington, July 27. The Representation Commissioners began their work to-day of readjusting the electoral boundaries in accordance with the last census. James Jeffrey, chimney sweep, aged 52, died suddenly last evening in a fit. Recently the steamer Ohau struck a rock off Jackson's Head, and the nautical inquiry resulted in the suspension of Captain Black's certificate for three months. The matter has been under the consideration of the Government, and it is understood that a recommendation has been i»nd t to the Governor to remit two mo nil rf the suspension, which means t it the suspension has now practically expired. It is understood that the result of the meeting of representatives of the timber » trade will be the co-ration of the severe competition that has weighed so heavily on producers. Already there is a tacit understanding that no white pine is to be sold under 6s per hundred feet for export. Prior to the conference both white and red pine were selling in Southland for 3s Gd, which was actually less than the cost of production at fair wages. The Chief Justice is hearing argument to-day in the case of the Queen v. the Wellington City Council, to test the legality of the erection of shelter sheds between the Queen's wharf and the General Post Office, which occasioned a considerable amount of controversy a few months ago. The plaintiff sues for the recover}' of possession of the land from the Corporation, or as an alternative the removal of the sheds. Harry Woods, a rabbiter, is believed to have been drowned while crossing a creek on the East Coast. Nelson. July 27. At the inquest on George Lucre, the young man who banged himself in the Congregational Church, a letter to' the acting-coroner was read in which deceased alluded to a love disappointment, and spoke of making a sacrifice by the step he was about to take. He also expressed faith in the Heavenly Father, and a piece of paper indicated the spot where he last prayed. The letter indicated that his mind was unhinged, and a verdict was returned of temporary insanity. The funeral took place this afternoon, "when the officers of the Congregational Church, Good Templars, and many friends followed. CsRiSTCHUBCH, July 27. A movement is on foot to establish a memorial to the late Peter Cunningham, and a committee was appointed to-day to receive subscriptions, which are limited to £l, and it was resolved not to canvass, all subscriptions to be spontaneous. About £25 has already been received. The annual match between Christ's College and the Otago Boys' High School resulted in a win for the home team by 11 points to nil. The College bad the best of the play throughout, the backs giving a fine exhibition of passing. Cotterill scored three tries, one of which Louisson converted. At the Supreme Court to-day the case of Thomas Popham, licensee of Coker's hotel, against Thomas E. TayIbr was commenced. The plaintiff alleged that in April last, at a public meeting at Gore, defendant slanderously used the following words concerning his hotel: —" Coker's hotel, Christchurch, one of the best in New Zealand, has been proved to be a common brothel, and had been so for years," or words to that effect. Plaintiff prayed for judgment for £IOOO as damages. Defendant denied using the words, but if he did so he alleged that the words were so used that they were true in substance and fact. Messrs "Wilding and Bruges appeared for plaintiff, and Messrs Alex. Adams (Dnnedin) and A. R. Atkinson (Wellington) for defendant. Mr Wilding applied for an amendment of the statement, to the effect that he wished to insert the following words :—" That at the same time and place defendant aaid * Coker's hotel is a brothel, and the place has been so for years.' " The case for plaintiff concluded at 5.30 when the Court adjourned lor the day. DtntSDiK, July 27. In the Supreme Court to-day Sarah Martin, aged 56, a widow, sued William Orr Smille, 72, widower, for . damages for breach of promise. The case occupied an hour, when promise

I merit. It was asked if it were not : possible to do so. Counsel conferred, ami a settlement was announced. Another case was Gwendoline Annie G. Williams v. A. F. Robertshaw, an action for slander; £2OO damages were claimed. Counsel announced a settlement, stating that the slanderous words used, if they were slander, were issued under a mistaken belief of identity.