LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 443, 26 February 1878, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[press agency. I "Wellington, February 25. The Alhambra left Wellington for Nelson and West Coast at noon yesterday.

Dunedin, February 25. An important case came on in the Police Court to-day. Cameron, the originator of the Dunedin Cup Consolation, was prosecuted under the Town and Country Police Ordinance Prohibiting Lotteries Clause. The cat-e was postponed till Saturday, to enable the magistrate to consider whether the participators in the sweep would criminate themselves by giving evidence, the lawyer holding that if a lottery is illegal those taking part need need not give evidence which would implicate them as aiding and abetting a wrong. Three witnesses refused to give evidence.

Great dissatisfaction is daily displayed re the Education Act. A number of deputations from the country school committees have waited on the Education Board, asking for funds for school accommodation. Hundreds of children have been refused admission already to. overcrowded schools. There is only £IO,OOO for Otago, and£so,ooo would hardly be sufficient for proper accommodation. The people generally express a desire that fees should be charged. They do not want free education except for those unable to payj and they would be willing "to pay as long as accommodation is provi. led, but there are no funds for this. It is admitted on all hands that the Bill will have to be amended next session.

Christchukch, -'February 25! Jabez Heaseman, a guard on the Southern Bailway, had a narrow escape from- death on Saturday evening. Heaseman, Thomas Williams, and Gafe Butler, we're travelling with a stepbrother between Tiraaru and Christchurch ; when near the Dunsandfl, Butler became excited, asserting that he. had been robbed. His stepbrother sent for rfce guard and told him that he had a loaded revolver in a bag between his knees. At this time Butler had his right hand in the bag and looked very excited. Heaseman asked Batler to let him take the bag into the luggage van, when Butler immediately pulled the revolver out and shot at Heaseman. The latter felt a smart blow on the left side, but nothing move. He seized Butler, and with the aid of the passengers took the revolver away and bound him. Subsequently Heaseman found that the bullet had struck him on the left side, but having a purse full of copper and silver coins in his waistcoat pocket the bullet was turned aside by them, and saved Heaseman from almost certain deith. All the chambers were loaded. Butler until lately has been farming at One-Tree Point, Invercargill, and a short time ago appeared queer in the head, and his stepbrother had him examined by Dr Hannan, Invercargill, who recommended his removal to the Dunedin Lunatic Asylum. His stepbrother started to take him there, but on reaching Dunediu Butler said he would go to Canterbury, and also that there were a lot of bad meu and devils about him, and he would buy a revolver to keep them off. This his brother allowed him to do.

Invercargill, February 25. Cecil Jackson, late surgeon to the Invercargill Hospital, was arrested this afternoon on a charge of attempting to procure abortion in the case of Ellen Green, a patient in the ' Hospital, and was brought up before the Magistrate. The evidence of the Hospital Matron (Mrs Williams) was taken, and the ease was adjourned to Monday next. It is not settled whether bail will be allowed.

LATEST UNPUBLISHED. Christchurch, February 26. At the conference of Canterbury Mayors, and Chairmen of County Councils it is proposed to consider the hospital and charitable aid questions. There are seven local candidates for matriculation in the New Z.-ai.uid University.

A lad named Morris, a native of Oxford, Northern Canterbury, made his debut last night as an imitator of Bloudin ; in the performance he included several of Blondin's bsst tricks, and was remarkably good. Wkstport, February 22. The New Zealand Insurance Company offer £2OO reward for information leading to the conviction of the supposed iuceudiary of Clark's Rinking Hall. The Timam Evening News ceases publication at the end of February.

LATEST FIJIAN NEWS. Auckland, February 25.* Arrived—Mazeppa, from Fiji. Fijian news reports the wreck of the German barque Helena on the island of Mereki, Fiji. H.M.S. Sapphire has gone to Samoa with Governor Gordon. Messrs Chamberlain have purchased the island of Naitamba. A threatened rising amongtet the natives has heen settled without bloodshed. Sevei-al natives died from fish poisoning, through eating Dunevas Rind's sardines. The sale of spirits to the natives is suppressed.