PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2824, 9 October 1885, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

[united press association.] Blenheim, October 8. Mr G. S. Sala lectured on Russia tonight, to a very large audience. He left for Nelson directly afterwards, and lectuies there to-morrow night. Christchurch, October 8. A meeting of the East and West Coast Railway League was held tonight. It was resolved to form an alliance with Nelson. Mr Acton Adams was elected chairman, and a vote of thanks was passed to the Canterbury members for their action in Parliament in support of the Railway. HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID. Wellington, October 8. The Government has, in pursuance of the provisions of Section 9 of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1885, appointed Thursday, 15th October, 1885, to be the day for the first election of members of the several District Boards of Administration authorised to be elected under Section 7 of the aforesaid Act by Councils of Boroughs and Counties, and in certain cases by Chairmen of Road Boards. Christchurch, October 8. At a meeting of the Benevolent Association Committee, the following resolution was carried :—“ That this meeting considers that, seeing that the object of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill now in force, ib is inexpedient te continue the operations of the Benevolent Association as a separate institution. At the same time it regrets that the Act does not provide for the first board being constituted partly by gentlemen who have had experience in distributing charitable aid.”

THE NOTORIOUS TARRING CASE. Wellington, October 8. The tarring case occupied the Supreme Court all day. Mr Gillon when called on objected to give evidence. His Honor Judge Richmond held that there could be no question of privilege, nor would be admit of any; but he did not think the ends of justice would be defeated by Mr Gillon’s silence, and as Mr Travers did not press the point, he would dispense with it. For the defence, witnesses wer brought to prove an alibi. Pilot Holmes stated that he saw prisoner on the night of the assault at 7.30. Two other witnesses deposed that they were with the accused on the night of the assault at 10 p.m. His Honor, in summing up, attached no credence to the latter witnesses’s evidence, and summed up dead against the prisoner. The jury retired at 7.15 and returned at 10.35 with a verdict of “ Not guilty.” On the announcement of the verdict the crowd in the Court gave vent to cheers, which were taken up by those outside who were unable to get into Court,