LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1057, 19 February 1880, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[united press association.] Westport, February 16. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, W. Stewart, for assaulting,Mr M'Lean, was committed for trial 7 at the District Court. Timaru, February 16. A plague of caterpillars has almost totally destroyed the flower gardens and orchards in and around Timaru. Wellington, February 16. It is stated that Walter Bishop, late collector for the New Zealand sun, intends to commence a criminal action for libel against that paper, for publish-

ing an .advertisement in connection with him. < Mr Johnson, the Relieving' Officer, has reported to the Colonial 'Treasurer an approximate estimate ..of unemployed in Wellington, as follows :—Carpenters saw mill 115, coaohbnilders, smiths, &c., 20) plumbers and gasfitters, 28) painters and. paperhangers, 60; printers, 12) labourers, navvies, &c 200; clerics, and drapers assistants, 30 ; total, 577. An inquiry was held at the Hutt aa to the origin of the recent fire at Devereux’s butcher’s shop. The jury re* turned a verdict of arson against some person or persons unknown, and added a rider censuring the Insurance Com* pany for over-insuring the building. February 17. A letter was received in town this evening from the chiefs in assembly at Otaki, condemning the Government in removing the Maori prisoners without first giving notice of their intention to do so. February 18. The Hon. the Native Minister re* turned from Ilawera last evening. The Government have completed the necessary arrangements for bringing into operation the Registration of Electors Act, passed last session. ' It is understood that the Government intend taking prompt and decisive action regarding the proceedings of the French Government, in chartering a schooner to convey a batch of French convicts to Auckland from New .Caledonia, whose term of penal servitude had expired. Rumqrs are current here that large reductions are about to be made in thp railway department. The following tenders have been. ceived for the dredge for the >Qrev- w . mouth harbor works : —Accepted caid and M'Quinn, Dunedin, £|l3j9*’ Declined—R. S. ( Sparrow and Co, Dunedin, £4-900; Dispatch Foundry Co., Greymputh, £5487j E. \V. Mills, Wellington, £6229. The Suez mails, which left Melbourne yesterday by the Tararda, are a supplemeutiry batch forwarded by the P. and O. steamer Deccan, which left Southampton on the 26th December and Suez on the 3rd Jahuai’y. She arrived at Melbourne on Friday last.. The Governments of New Zealand and New South Wales have succeeded in. effecting a very satisfactory re-arrange-ment of the San, Francisco service, by which the time of transit between Engand New Zealand will be Shortened by at least two clear days.' O amaru, February 16. The ceremony of laying the corner stone of the new Primitive Methodist Church took place to-day The high winds which have done so much damage to crops' in other parts of the Colony Were not felt much here, and little if any injury baa been in* fficted. Dunedin, February 16. The members of Knox Church by n majority of over 100, voted in favor of the introduction of instrumental music, but as the necessary majority was not obtained the matter lies in abeyance. James Robertson, a young raau, met with a suspicious death at the Dumbarton Rock Hotel, four miles from Roxburgh, yesterday. A number of men were harvesting at the farm of tho landlord, and'four of them commenced card-playing. Two—viz., M'Loughlan and Robertson commenced quarrelling, and during the, scuffle Robertson received a blow on the head, causing his instantaneous death. It is supposed that the blow was inflicted with an iron . bar. M'Longhlan has been arrested. V - The police have deemed -it necessary to make further inquiries into circum- • attending the death of Mr and Mrs Hayes. February 18. Peter Dymant, a Dane,, was drowned in the Sbotover on th 14th inst. He . was travelling along the track a little above the sandhills on the evening .in - question, when he slipped, falling some * 60 feet down a precipitous bank into the river. It is stated that Dymant has been drinking. The tramway was to-day opened as far as Ocean Reach. Nelson, February 16. _ Preparations fot the Rifln' Asaociation’s meeting are in progress tinder Armourer Christie. Wooden buildings for officers’ mess, huts for sleeping-room And telegraph-office are under: construction. A bricked well has been sunk, and 12 targets are being pot in position, with sunken butts to prevent any shadow being thrown on the targets. Auckland, February 18. Amer Alia Alle was again brought up at the Police Court, charged with larceny of £2B at Sydney on 21at January, also- with forging and uttering a cheque for £5, with intention to defraud at Sydney, on 18th * January.

P Buperijiifendant Thompson conducted, kand stated that the case was remanded Hror appearance of -a detective officer from Sydney. John Boy land, detective officer of the police force of New South Wales, produced two warrants duly signed by a J.P. and signed in his piesence. The prisoner was remanded in custody of the police to Sydney. The police authorities offered £2O reward for the capture of the Fijian suspected of rape on a child, and who was chased into the bush. From information received, the police captured byn stowed away on board the schooner Transit at the wharf and loading for 'Fiji. His clothes had been changed, showing that somebody had assisted him. The police were still • keeping a cordon round the bush since Sunday morning. Great satisfaction was expressed at his capture. Haweea, February 16. The road is to be widened and the **. fern cleared away ten feet on each side of the formation previous to the Constabulary shifting the camp.