LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1019, 7 January 1880, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[united press association.]

"Wellington, January 7. Fifteen families, principally miners, who landed at Nelson from London recently, with the intention of proceeding to the West Coast, have refused to go there, and arrived heie this morning en route for Christchurch.

Th 3 Native lad Tako Mace, who pleaded guilty to three charges of horse-stealing, was sentenced to two years in Christchurch Reformatory. Mark Ryott, for forgery, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment. Justice Richmond referred to the gaols in New Zealand in strong terms of con damnation, terming them hot-beds of vice in consequence of the absence of separation between the different classes of prisoners.

The Hon. John Bryce takes the portfolio of Native Miuister, iu addition to the portfolio he now holds.

Christchurch, January 6. The Grand Jury to-day returned a true bill in the riot cases. The name of a man discharged by the R.M. was included by mistake in the indictment, and the jury asked how they were to proceed. Tha Judge tcld them that the fact need make no difference, as a Grand Jury could present a Bill against any one whether he had been tried in the lower Conit or not.

Sergeant Sleigh, the well-known Victoriau barrister, is now on a visit to Christchurch.

At the monthly meeting of the Ministers Association, held yesterday in Durham strtet school room, the Rev. J. Elmslie moved the following resolution :—" That this association having he*rd of liklihood of Mr Chiuiquy visiting the Colony, and being of opinion that the visit would in many ways be conducive to the furtherance of the interest of the Bible, we agree very ordially to bid him welcome." The motion was carried unanimously.

Nelson, January 6. Early yesterday morning a littla, child under three years of age, whose parents reside at Toi Toi Valley, obtained possession of some matches, and, dressed in its gown, was playing with them outside the house, when the night-dress caught fire. The child's screams caused the father to run out, who got his hands much burned in extinguishing the flames. The child died from the effects of the burns this morning, although medical aid was procured.

A boy named Hamilton was seriously scalded whilesittingon the wharf, fishing alongside the Taiaroa. Lowe, the second pilot, was showing a party the steam windlass, and on starting it, the boy, who was opposite the steam pipe, was blown back on the wharf, his face, chest, abdomen, aDd legs, all being severely scalded. Remedies were upplied, and the boy was wrapped iu a blanket and taken home, Auckland, January 5. The Rev. Father Chiniquy gave another lecture at the Choral Hall tonight. The Rev. A. Carrick, of St. Audrew's, Presbyterian, pronounced a high eulogy on Father Chiniquy, whom he had known in Canada. At the close of the lecture Father Chiniquy said he would lecture at Otahuhu tomorrow uigbt. He had heard that violence would be threatened or attempted. He was now 70 years of age, and a year more or less of life would matter little to him, and could not injure the cause. It was rumored that malcontents from the pensioners' villages of Hawick, Panmnre, and Onehunga intend going to Otahuhu. Suitable precautions are being taken to protect Father Chiniquy, and prevent disturbances. Communications have been received from Christchurch, Hokitika, and Dimedin desiring a-visit from Father Chiniquy, and he has signified his desire to go to those placoj after in- j quiry and full particulars relative to the character of population and other mattprs.

Captain Capel, with fourteen A.C.s left Alexandra today, en route for Cambridge, to join the party of armed men ou the Taupo road. Samuel King was committed for trial f»r unlawfully wounding Edward Scoit. Both arc fanners at Waimi, and contention has existed for years over the disputed title to a small piece of land. ' Napier, Jamiary 5. All the telegraphists' on strike in Napier have agreed to resume work. A curious cane of abducting an European girl by a Maori is reported from Clive. The girl, who is the daughter of a German named Theakson, is 11 years of age. She states that about 8 p.m, on New Year's Eve she went down the Parkora,in company with another little girl, and as she was returning home was met by a Maori, who took her under his arm, and carried her to a

whare, where he fastened Her' in, but did not in any way assault her. She remained there until between 4 and 5 crelock- in the morning, when she took a knife which she &u*ud iu the whare, and, cutting the rope' which fastened the door, got away and returned home. The gitl's father having made a complaint at the Clive Police Station, Constable Matley proceeded to the Maoti pah, accompanied by the girl, but she was unable to say winch was the whare she had been kept in. There were only three Maories in the whare at the time, the rest being iu Napier. The girl did not recognise any of the three as the one who had carried her away. It is considered that the fright the girl received prevented her identifying the whare.