LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 458, 15 March 1878, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[press agency. I

Dunedin, March 14

An exhaustive enquiry is going on touching the death of the child found in a soap box at Blueskin recently. The whole affair appears to be wrapped up in mystery. The mother is a Mrs DeCosta of Timaru, and she declares the child died and she gave it to a man who promised to bury it for £5. She did not know who the man was, and she gave it hiin to save disgrace, as her family did not know her condition. She admits that the night before the day on which she alleges the child died Bhe gave it laudanum. The enquiry was adjourned till Monday to discover the truth or otherwise of her statement.

Wellington, March 14.

It is stated that Sir George Grey and the Hon. Mr Fisher will arrive at Wellington early next week, and probably they will, proceed to Auckland the following day. They will be joined by Mr Sheehan at Auckland, and the three will then proceed to Waikato. It is not expected that Sir George Grey will meet Tawhiao until early next month. It is said that at the meeting rofeired t-, Mr Sheehan will confer with the Maoris on the Native Laud Bill* which he intends to introduce at the next sitting of the Assembly. A Napier correspondent of the Herald gives an account of some limestone caves which have been discovered near Teatue. They are described as being of magnificent beauty, with stalactites hanging from the roof and sides. Cne cave that was entered was very extensive 7 , and had many lateral. chambers. There were columns strewed about, some whole and some broken, rendering progress difficult. In one place there was a miniature lake, surrounded with a pile of green shrubs. In one plane the exploring party came upon a number of petrified bones, some very large, and also three human figures of a man, woman anl child. Near the group on the oppis : te side of the cave there were rude sketches of warfare. The countenances were appaareutly not of the present race of Maoris. The discovery has been placed in the hands of the Government.

Nelson, March 14,

At the police Court to-day two wellknown citizen* were charged with a breach oft : e peace in connection with the Joseph aifair last Friday. The police are asking that they be bound over to keep the peace. The Court was crowded. The evidence of ill-treatment of Joseph was very weak. Mr Pitt made a forcible defence, and the bench said that,! though it was clear defendants had taken part in tumultuous proceedings to the annoyance of the Queen's subjects, they did not think they were at all likely to repeat the proceedings, and so dismissed them with a caution. Mr Pitt was loudly cheered by the crowd when leaving Court.

LATEST UNPUBLISHED. Wellington, March 15. There is published in last night's Gazette a dispatch to the Governor from, the Secretary of State, dated August 29th:. 1877, announcing that Her Majesty is pleased to permit Judge Gresson arid Judge Chapman, retired from the. Bench, :to bear the title of " Honorable "for life within the colony, and to take precedence next after the puisne Judges of the Supreme Court. .The^'authority given to Chairmen of Boards of Education to frank letters has been cancelled.

Sir George Grey—called at Oamarn on his way north and met with un enthusiastic reception. He was entertained at a public luncheon at which eighty ladies and gentlemen were present. At Timara he was presented with an address after being received by all the local bodies; afterwards he was entertained at a banquet, and in the evening addressed a large assemblage, and received quite an oration at the conclusion of it. He leaves at 11.30 a.m. to-morrow and will make a short stay at Teruuka. •

Greymouth, March 15. ' - Patrick Crogan, of the Cosmopolitan stables, who was walking about at 11 o'clock this morning, was found dead a few minutes after, sitting in a chair in his private house. The cause of death is supposed to have been spasmodic asthma.

Westport, March 15. Tenders have been called for constructing a railway, and self-acting incline for the Coalbrookdale Coal Company at Mount Rocheferd. This will be an extention of the Wellington Company's line, and will open up some of the best coal in the district Dunedin, Maroh 14. The argument on the demurrer raised to George Jones's plea of justification in the libel case was heard before two Judges who reserved their decision till Saturday. The jury trial commences on Monday. Christchorch, March 15. A young girl, about 19 years of age, was found drowned in the Avon last evening. There was blood upon her pocket-handkerchief and also on her bonnet. The body has not been identified.

Sir George Grey is expected to arrive at six o'clock this evening. So far as is known there will be no public demonstration during his stay here.