INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 103, 30 April 1880, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, Thursday. I At the Police Court to-day, Charles Alexander Martin was charged with indecently ' assaulting Rachael Eletcher. The case was adjourned in consequence of the absence of witnesses. Bail was allowed. Henry Richards, James Corbett, Richard James Feltus, and Leonard Adams were charged under the Vagrant Act by playing •with a totalisator at a game of chance, at the Elleralie racecourse. The totalisator was produced in Court. The charge against .Feltus was withdrawn, as he was only engaged as clerk. Francis Short, a hairdresser, deposed that he paid £1 for a ticket on King Quail, three other tickets being taken ; he went to watch the race, and King Quail won. When he returned the totaliBator proprietor offered him a fourteenth share ; a dispute ensued, when the proprietor said someone had altered the numbers. Eventually he got his £12. William Booth, a bootmaker, corroborated this. William Roberts and R. Churton aaw only four numbers up when the race was run. .Feltus deposed that Richards received the money, and Corbett worked the machine, the witness made the entries and stamped the tickets. t . Fourteen subscribers to King Quail were * extended after the race had been run. Detective Jeffrey is being examined. Later. The totalisator cases are concluded, and the defendants were sentenced to one month imprisonment with hard labor. A private telegram received here reports that Major Atkinson is ill, and ia not going to the front with Mr Bryce, as he requires rest. Sailed — Hinemoa. Messrs Whitaker and Bryce are passengers. Mr Bryce meets Major Atkinson at New Plymouth. Mr Whitaker is anxious to reach Wellington to consult with his colleagues re measures for the new Parliament, but will remain at New Plymouth if advice is necessary, and afterwards go to Wellington overland. Wellington, Thursday. An official enquiry into the circumstances ponnjoted with tbe Beeiflenfc to the boiler of

the steamer Manawatu was held this afternoon. The evidence, which was lengthy, was principally to show which engineer was in charge. After consulting for a few minutes the Bench reserved judgment until tomorrow. Arrangements are being made in London for a supply of torpedo boats for the Wellington Torpedo Corps. Friday. At a meeting of the City Council Mr Whiteford, Superintendent of the late Wellington Eire Brigade, was appointed Superintendent of the new Brigade about to be formed. The charge against William Devereux for arson is now proceeding. Napier, Thursday night. At the inquest on the fire at the Commercial Hotel the following verdict was returned :— " That the building was burnt down under very suspicious circumstances, but evidence of the origin of the fire does not appear to the jury." The above verdict was not borne out by evidence, and the general opinion is that nothing suspicious is connected with the fire. Christchukcu, Eriday. Six stacks of wheat belonging to the Bank of New South Wales at Leeston were burnt dewn yesterday, supposed to be through incendiarism. They were insured in the Norwich Union for £250, which will not nearly cover the loss. Dunedin, Eriday. A fire broke out in Harry Strentford's store, High- street. The building did not suffer much damage. Insurance on stock in Transatlantic is £60. Mrs Moss, who occupied part of the building, had her property insured in the Standard for £100. The building was uninsured. Timaru, Eriday. At a numerously attended meeting of merchants, farmers, and others to-day it was resolved to form a company with a capital of £50,000, to buy up the present Waitangi flour and saw mills at Timaru, together with 6000 acres of Kauri bush in the north and other property in connection therewith, valued at over £40,000.