INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 104, 1 May 1880, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, Eriday night. The charge against Samuel Coombes, draper, for endeavoring to influence Martin and Mason, jurors, in favor of Hughes, who ■was acquitted on a charge of indecent assault at the last sessions of the Supreme Court is being heard at the Police Court to-day. John Mason, hairdresser, deposed that after he was summoned for the jury defendant came to hw shop for a shave, and inquired - .^which of the two brothers was on the jury. m- "On being told he said he (Coombes) would be on the jury in Hughes' case. Upon Mason asking how he knew that, Coombes said, It has been all arranged, and I have . come to see you about it. He also said he had come to see how far Mason would be * favorable, to Hughes. Mason's brother gave, corroborative evidence. Coombes waß committed for trial on both charges ol embracery. Bail was allowed,

Timaru, Friday. The Geraldine County Council passed a resolution to-day requesting the Governor to issue an Order in Council, prohibiting the importation of cattle to the South Island, whether from the North Island or Australian Colonies. James McNully, who was bound over to prosecute at the Supreme Court in a watch stealing case, was charged on remand from Dunedin with being about to leave the colony. The accused pleaded that hearing of his father's illness he had been drinking hard, and intended going home to England to the old people. The Bench said he had qualified himself for a Lunatic Asylum, and committed him to gaol till he should find one surety of £100, expressing a hope that he should not do so. Invercargill, Saturday. Vital statistics for April :— Births, 48 ; deaths, 12 ; marriages, 6. Iv consequence of an informality it was found necessary to commence afresh proceedings in connection with floating the water works and other loans. This course was agreed to at a special meeting last night. Dunedin, Saturday. A fire at Flag Swamp, on the 28th inst, destroyed seven stacks of wheat and one of oats belonging to Mr A. Allam. The stacks were insured in the Standard office for £300. Christciiurch, Saturday. In order to meet increasing trade requirements the Kaiapoi Woollen Mills will be kept going night and day from Monday next. One hundred hands are now employed at the mills, and the number will be largely increased. At last night's sitting of the Synod, the Bishop presented a memorial from the Temperance bodies of Christchurch, drawing the attention of the Synod to the terrible moral and social evils resulting from the excessive use of alcoholic liquors. Judge Johnston proceeded to Wellington last night to attend a sitting of the Court of Appeal. In raply to a number of residents of Lyttelton and Chrislchurch asking that the services be accepted of a Volunteer Naval Brigade, the Under-Secretary for Defence has written that the Government are unable to comply with the request, as no funds are available to pay capitation, etc. It is understood that the Railway Commission will proceed overland to the West Coast to day. A fire broke out at six o'clock this evening in a gasfitter's shop in High- street. ft j started in the upper storey, but the brigade were very smart and with the aid of the hand-engine put out the flames before they did much damage. The building was a very old one, and the centre of old buildings, and was insured for £200 in the National. The principal damage was caused by breaking and removals from the shops next door. Wellington, Saturday. * At the annual meeting of the Public Hall Company on Monday a dividend "of ten per cent wiil be declared. The balance sheei shows a profit of £1189. The Secretary of Customs has decided to extend the system of granting general transfers to coasting vessels, which has been in use at tlpis port during the past year, to all ports within the colony. The Customs duties for the month of April amount to £15,025.