PROVINCIAL NEWS

Kumara Times, Issue 3070, 4 September 1886, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS

[united press association.! Invercargill, September 3, The body of Mrs Kaill was discovered in the debris of a fire. She had evidently been suffocated while endeavoring to get out. Dunedin, September 3. A charge of indecent assault on a girl 12 years of age, by n youth of 17 named Daniel M'Loughlin, was called on to day, but adjourned. Notwithstanding the large number of men on the relief works, several more waited on the Mayor to-day to ask for employment. The Minister for Public Works will endeavour to have more sent to work in the country. A fatal fire occurred in Walker street this morning, resulting in the death of an old woman named Mrs Joyce, better known as “ Granny ” Joyce. She lived in a oue-roomed shanty at the back of the Rising Sun Hotel, and is supposed to have fallen asleep by the fire at night, and fallen into it. The house, which belonged to Mr Elson, was very old, and burned rapidly, and by the lime the Fire Btigade arrived it was too late to save the woman’s life. Deceased had been on several occasions an inmate of the Hospital and Benevolent Institutions, but could not be induced to stop at either. SIR J. VOGEL’S LIBEL ACTION. Wellington, September 3. Sir J. Vogel’s libel action against the Evening Press began at 10 a.m. The claim was laid at £ISOO damages for each of ihe two articles referring to what was known as the Waimate Railway scandal. Defendants’ plea was that the matters referred to in the articles set forth in the statement of claim were matters of public interest and concern, and that the alleged libellous statements were fair comments on all matters therein referred to, and were published bona fide and for public benefit, without any malicious motives, and without negligence, and in honest belief of the truth thereof. Mr Travers appeared for Sir J. Vogel, and Mr Bell for the defendants, Messts Wakefield and Roydhouse. Chief Justice Prendergast was on the Bench. Mr Tra vers’ opening address was lengthy, and tip to lunch time only two witnesses had been called. T. K. M'Donald gave evidence as to Ibe impression caused on him by reading the articles. Sir J. Vogel was then called, and answered a question or two from Travers, after which was cross-examined till the luncheon adjournment, chiefly as to his action in the House when the report of the Committee came up, and Ms connection with the New Zealand Agricultural Company. Later, After an hour’s deliberation, the jury returned with a verdict for the defendants. Costa were allowed on the highest scale.