INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 11, 11 May 1881, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

-— •;» - ~ tue Tauranga bank burglary Tacranga, Tuesday night. Bai field, tbe prisoner for attempted burglary at the National Bank, was committed for trial. Tbe Case created great interest from the extraordinary disclpa'd-rpa brought out by theu prisoner'! V.oUueei, who after a deal, or dimcuity made the manager of the $ank disclose that mere was an informer, a bo&tmaker, named Ellis, who in his evidence stated that the prisoner had informed him of his intention to rob the Bank, and he (Ellis) went and informed Mr Morria; who made arran&emeuta with the intorihfer td Hiaa the man on so that hfe bplilrl be cspttired. Ellis, in his evidence, said that during April the prisoner called bim into hid saloon and told hini that he \vas in ttnacblal dinlculties and the only way of clearing himself was hy going to the National Bank. He added that there was a capital chance as there was only one pariy on the Bank premises. The prisoner further said ho hud weighed the matter over for a fortnight, also thit he had a pistol and Could catch the manager any night coming from or going to the Glut*. It he could not get anybody. to asßiat him he would go single handed. The prisoner told the witness (Ellis) his, movements after leaving the Bank, nnd said he could easily knock him down und tuke tho key from him to get into the Bank. The prisoner said nothing at that time of cutting Morris' throat nor about setting the town ou fire. Tho witness never had any intention of taking part in the burglary, but told the prisoner that he would think over the matter. He then decided to put Morris on his guard. The prisoner said if he gave tip going in ou Sunday ho would go on ths following Saturday with some one, and while Mr Morris wa9 perusing the deeds he would knock him on the head. We went round on Tuesday night and he was knocking about sometime before he could make up his miud to go in. This was between 10 and 11 o'clock. I propoaed to give it np, but he insisted on hiving a try. We walked across the road to the swamp and prisoner started to blacken his face. Prisoner said, " Come on Ellis," ond Witness then blackened hit face. Wo went over to the Bank. Witness carried the pistol, as he wished to save bloodshed. Tbe prisoner knocked at the Bank door. He had a parcel of pepper and a bludgeon in bis hand. The door was opened by Mr Morris. A voice said " Come in," whereupon the prisoner ru9bed in. The witness then cleared away and returned horae. Wblungton, Tuesday night. At the Magistrates' Court this afternoon Ernest Greatrex, of the firm of Greatrex and Sons, appeared to answer an information charging him with neglecting to furnish a statement of his property in the manner required by the Property Tax Assessment Act, 1879, within tho prescribed time. At the outset Mr Brandon, on behalf of the defendant, asked tbe Magistrate to decide a point which he desired to raise preparatory to the evidence being entered into, namely, had the defendant a right to set apart all debits due by the firm in Wellington to the firm in London, the members of that firm being the same. After a long discussion His Worship said the question was one affecting the mercantile community, and ho would take time to consider the point. Tbe hearing of the case was therefore adjourned until Tuesday next. To day Dr Hector received the first telegram from Australia under the arrangements recently come to by tbe Meteorological Conference at Melbourne. Tha message, which was from the Government Astronomer of Victoria, stated that depression was passing over Tasmania, and the inference from this statement is that the storm is approaching New Zealand. It is estimated that it takes about a day and a half for the depression to travel from Tasmania to the Bluff. The third annual meeting of the Colonial Insurance Company will ba held on the 18th inst. The following is the report of the directors :— Tbe income from tbe premiams is £67.398 8s ld (being an increase upon that of last year of £5618 3s 8d) ; from interests on investments, £4496 Oi 4d (being an increase upon that of laßt year of £731 li Ud); from transfer fees, &c., £254 19s ld (being an increase upon that of last year of £151 13s sd) The year reported on has been marked by large losses all over tbe world |in both the fire and marine branshes, more especially the latter, and our Company haa had to bear its full share in these losses $ nevertheleps, after deducting these, which amount to £23,241 4s 2d; re-insurances, discounts, &c, £23,339 11a lOd; and general expenses £14,964 14s 3d, there remained a sum of £2 ,234 17s Ud, out of which the directors have placed £5000 to the reserve fund, thus increasing it to £15,000, and tbey recommend the payment of a dividend at tbe rate of teu per cent, which will absorb £5000, aud leave £1234 17s lid to he carried forward to the profit and loss new account. In February last year the general manager proceeded to London, which branch he has reorganised, and on his way out he availed bimself of the opportunity to vißit and inspect the Indian and Australian branches of the Company. The directors are of opinion that tbe results of his visit will be highly favorable to the further progress of the Company. The seats at the Board of Messrs C. J. Pharnzyn and E. W. Mills have become vacant, and Messrs J. B. Harcourt and W. H, Levin have been appointed directors in their places. Wednesday. The Marine Department have decided upon erecting a concrete beacon at the I'rench Pass. Ddnedin, Wednesday. The enquiry into the wreck of the Tararua commenced yesterday before Mr Simpson, R.M., Captain Louisson, harbor master at fort Chalmers, ana Captain M'Cfowao of $$

•hip Benvenue. Robert Lindsay, tbe chief officer, was the only witness examined. lie gave evidence as to the captain altering the course, the particulars of which have already been telegraphed. Wben he left the venel in the boat he did not think she was in dunger, but the sea commenced breaking about 1 1 o'clock in the morning, and then in his opinion aDy steamer or boats could have got near enough to render assistance. He believed it most have been the southerly swell that put the Tararua ashore. All was douo tbat could be done for the safety of the passengers after the vessel struck. A light on Waipapa Point would render the navigation between Port Chalmeis and the Bluff safe. The conclusion he came to was that at the time he went below the vessel had not run her distance, and, if that was so, her course was erroneously altered. The Court adjourned until noon to-day. Twenty witnesses are to bo examined ,'and it ia likely that the enquiry will occupy six or aeven days. iialeri The chief officer.* examination is likely to last the better p«rt of tho day, Hawbra, Wednesday A youns man named John Ferry, brother of the landlord of the Occidental Hotel at Wanganui, got smothered last night. He was camped uear an embankment, when a portion of it fell and smothered the deceased, who was lying in his tent at the time. He was greatly respected} and much, eotrow is expressed throughout the districtChrisTciidkcii, Wednesday. The Star cautions the public tl at spurious coinage is now being circulated in Christchurch. The Insurance Companies have decided on contributing towards the cost of a new fire alarm system recommended to the City Council by Superintendent Harris, and the work will now be carried out. . AtJcKriAtJO, "Wednesday. The Zealandia with tbe inward mail left San Francisco on Sunday, one day behiud hertim* 3 : ■fhefe is a gcod deal ot speculation among the lawyers re the appointment of a successor to Mr Brookfield as Crown Prosecutor, no appointment yet having been made.