LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1735, 22 April 1882, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[NEW ZEALAND PKESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, April 20. The evidence taken in the libel case Quin v. Hitchcock to-day was of the most contradictory nature. The girl whom Quin charged by Hitchcock with having committed a rape upon, denied that Quin had ever acted wrongly towards her whilst in the benevolent Institution, and said that she had signed a paper produced admitting that she had been taken advantage of by him three years ago without knowing what was in the paper, and whilst in sb excited a frame of mind that she did not know what she was doing. The defence set up was that whilst the accusations were now admitted to be untrue, Hitchcock at the time he made them firmly believed them to be true, and therefore did not make them maliciously. The case has been adjourned till tomorrow, when his Honor will sum up.

April 21. Hitchcock was convicted of publishing a defamatory lihel, the jury addin» | a rider that on public grounds an inquiry should be held into the working of tho Benevolent Institution. The accused expressed regret for his conduct and the prosecution suggesting that he should enter into a surety to come up wh-n called upon, this course was pursued. THE NEW MINISTRY. Wellington, April 21. A meeting of the members of the late Ministry was held at 9.30 this morning, and it lasted for nearly two hours. Mr Whitaker, who was present, subsequently had a conference with Mr Hall, after which he interviewed his Excellency and intimated that he was prepared to form a Ministry. He also mentioned that his Ministry would consist of the members of the former Government, with the exception of Mr Hall. Ministers were sworn in before his Excellency at 3 this afternoon. The resignation of the late Ministry, and the appointment of the new one is gazetted. The Hon. Mr Oliver's name was omitted from the gazetted list of Ministers, but it is understood that he will be sworn in on his arrival at Wellington. The following allocation of portfolios has been gazetted :^=- Hon. Frederick Whitaker, td bfe premier and Attorney-General. Hon. Harry Albeit Atkinson, to he Colonial Treasurer, Commissidner of Stamp Duties. Hon. William Rolleston, to be Minister of Lands and Immigration, and Minister of Mines. Hon. John Biyce, to be Minister of Native Affairs. Hon. Thomas Dick, to be Colonial Secretary, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Education. Hon, Walter Wood Johnstone, to be Minister for Public Works, PostmasterGeneral, and Commissioned of Telegraphs. Nothing has as yet been decided upon regarding filling the vacancy in the Ministry occasioned by: Mr Hall's retirement. His Excellency left for at 4.30 this afternoon. ,- . -