TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4316, 20 January 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[Press Telegraph Agency.] Auckland, Tuesday. The case of Dalziel v. Reid, for £SOOO damages, owing to the failure of the defendant to give a good title for land at Gisborne bought by the plaintiff, has just terminated in a verdict for £IBOO. Captain Harrison, of the schooner Dauntless, was convicted to-day on three counts for smuggling one hundredweight of tobacco, upon his arrival from Noumea last trip. He was fined £IOO on the first count, £25 on the second, and £IOO on the third. The latter count was of having made a false entry at the Customs. Information for perjury was laid against a witness in the case, who denied any knowledge of the affair, although it was afterwards testified that he helped to remove the tobacco. In consequence of the conviction of the captain, the Customs authorities have seized the vessel, although there is no r allegation that the owner was connected with the smuggling. The Wesleyan Conference to-day dismissed the question whether Hokitika and Greymouth circuits should be transferred from Nelson to Canterbury district, but decided not to alter the present arrangement. Gkeytown, Tuesday. | The body of a child was found, tied up in a sugar bag, in a well here last night. An inquest has been held. The jury were of opinion that Alice Macartney alias Ruth Miller was the mother, and that the child died through her wilful neglect, and that some person or persons aided her in concealing the child. The woman is at present out on bail on the firstmade charge of concealment of birth. Masterton, Tuesday. A man wa3 found drowned in the Whareama r jver on Saturday last. At the inqueßt the jury returned a verdict of " Found drowned." His name is not known. Mabton, Tuesday. The horses in two waggon teams ran away on Turakina hill yesterday. Both drays were heavily laden. One fell down the hill, and lulled two horses ; the other fell over the bridge. The Bhafta had to be taken out to extricate the horses. The drivers narrowly escaped. i

Westport, Tuesday. On Sunday night a cargo boat, which had conveyed machinery for the Halcyon claim up Mohikinui river, on return trip capsized. Five men were drowned. Their names are Peter Seaton, William Miller, William Hall, Benjamin Rundell, and Nichol George. The sixth man, named Carsen, escaped. Hokitika, Tuesday. At the inquiry on the late fire, before the coroner and a jury, several witnesses gave testimony to having seen the lightning strike the fire-bell tower. The jury returned a verdict that the building was fired by lightning. The first batch of settlers for the new settlement at Jackson Bay left yesterday by th» steamer Waipara, taking material for dwellings and provisions. CHEiSTCHimcH, Tuesday. An error occurred in the report of the Kaiapoi nomination. The show of hands was— Beswick, 34 ; Bowen, 30. A poll was demanded for Bowen. A conference of ministers and other representatives of the Independent Churches is now being held here, to consider the formation of a union for the better promotion of congregation and missionary work. Lyttelton, Tuesday. At the adjourned inquest this afternoon John Mercer was committed for trial for th* wilful murder of Isabella Thompson.