The Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1873.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 177, 24 July 1873, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1873.

Fire. — The old residence of Mr E. Green, at the Sands, was totally destroyed by firelast night between 1 1 and 12 o'clock. The origin is unknown. The house whicb was occupied by the farm laborers was fully insured. Life among- the Maoris. — Avery interesting lecture was delivered at the Wesleyan Church last night, by the Rev. Mrßuddle, who recounted his experiences among the Maoris, and related many of tbeir traditions. Tbe lecture is too long to report in full, but we purpose giving an abstract of it in a day or two. During tbe evening several anthems and other pieces were Bung by the excellent choir of the Church, who, as usual, performed their share iu the most creditable maoupr. The amount taken at the door was £4 17s. Dog Poisoning- Case. — An action was brought before the Resilient Magistrate by Henry Hill, of the Baton against Aloxander Thompson sheep farmer of the same district to recover £20 damages for loss of a dog said to have been poisoned by the defendant. Mr. Pitt appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Fell for the defendant. Witnesses having been examined at some length, his Worship said that as the evidence given on behalf of the plaintiff was only eirumstantial, and was contradicted by the oath of tho defendant, backed up to some extent by the boy, he was bound to believe the defendant. No doubt the death ofthe dog was a loss to the plaintiff, and had there been clear evidence that the dog had been poisoned by the defendant, his Worship would have awarded substantial damages, but the evidence was not such as would justify him in giving a verdict. The plaintiff was therefore nonsuited with costs, £1 3s.