LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1332, 7 January 1881, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[NEW ZEALAND PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Christchurch, January 5. A notice is posted up on one of the telegraph posts near the Custom House, Lyttelton, urging seamen to refuse to ship in vessels bound to London under "^*°~P W ' -tnflnlh J for the run Home. Good wages certainly. A •number of uames are subscribed to the ■no'tiee. The trial of Gibson, for the murder of Kewtson, is fixed for Monday next. A suspicious fire occurred at Papanui last night. An unfinished house was destroyed. It was insured for £4OO in the National office. An inquiry is to be held. January 6. Wi Watepa was sentenced to death today for the murder at his wife at the Chatham Islands. He made a long and pointless statement when called upon by the judge to say what he had to say why he should not be sentenced, the burden of which «vas that they tried to give him medicine in hid food, and dislike of the doctor who attended him. Ha said uothing bearing ou the murder. The jury at first wanted to recommend prisoner to mercy on account of his wife's adultery, but the judge said that no evidence" had been brought on the point, and they returned a verdict of "Guilty." Gibson was committed for trial today on the charge of murdering Korrison, at Prebbleton, and will be tried to-morrow.

Auckland, January 5. Joe, the Fijian murderer, has got quite fat and sleek in Mount Eden Gaol. He has obtained, the sobriquet of " Happy."

At Tattersall's a large sum of money changed hands, and all engagements weie promptly kept. On the whole the proceedings have been satisfactory although some leading bookmakers are said to be prettily heavily bit. Abraham Bowen, W. Brown, and W. Hudspeth, were charged at the Police Court with practical joking on William Dawson and Phillip Brady, of a filthy description, while the latter were intoxicated. They are alleged to have shaved the former and dyed him on his naked body with pink on Christmas night; they also clipped and shaved him. The charge against Brown was withdrawn, Bowen was acquitted, and Hudspeth fined 10s and costs. The prosecutor, Dawson, was drunk in Court, and arrested for contempt. Brady was also drunk. The police contemplate taking the case up as a public prosecution. Hugh Storey, a boy, was committed for trial for stabhing C. B. King, his overseer, in Austin's factory.

At the Good Templar Conference, the G.W.C.T. submitted the report for the past year, showing his work in con- ! nection with the Older was principally ! iu Wellington district, which showed the Order there was making material | progress. The G.l>. Secretary-, shewed that ten new lodges were opened dnrin« J the year. The financial position of the lodge was better than ever. The Lndy Don, schooner, is now ashore near Hokianga, a complete wreck. Insurance on the vessel, £4OO ; Victoria, £3OO ; National, cargo, £350. The wreck is to be sold on Saturday. At a meeting of the stewards of the Auckland Jockey Club re inquiry, the stewards having heard the evidence adduced by M'Donald in his charge against Fred. Matthews, were of opinion that Fred. Matthews, the rider of Foul Play in the Grand Stand Handicap, is completely exonerated from the charges brought against him. The s.s. Piaka, sunk in the Wangarei harbor, has been successfully raised. Dunedin, January 6. At the Supreme Court, after the adjournment, John Christie, horse-steal-ing, was found not guilty; Wm. Reece, embezzling a valuable security, was found guilty, and remanded for sen* tence, pending the decision of the Court of Appeal on the points raised. The weather was fine for the Caledonian sports. E. Blackburn won the border style of wrestling in the conipetion for championship, throwing W. Hudson in the last round. Wellington, January 6. A deputation of Imperial pensioners waited on the Governor to-day complaining of having to pay stamp duty on receiving the amount of their pensions. The Governor after hearing their complaint, said that Captain Knolleys would advise them as to the best course *o adopt. Captain Knolleys then advised the deputation to get all the Imperial pensioners in the Colony to unite in adoptiug a petition to the Queen.