TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4384, 8 April 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[Peb Pbess Agency.] Auckland, Wednesday. Charles James, the defaulting Odd Bellows’ secretary of Christchurch, was brought before the police this morning charged with embezzling £lB5. The warrant had been sent to Melbourne, but with the prisoner’s consent be was forthwith remanded to Christchurch. A Hamilton (Waikato) telegram announces that Captain Morrison has just arrived to take charge of the Waikato district, Major Clare having been suspended for allowing Captain Northcroft, A.C., to go through the King country, on route for Taranaki, the Maoris having sent Captain Northcroft back. He is also suspended for attempting the feat. The Supreme Court criminal sessions closed to-day, being one of the shortest sessions for years. His Honor Judge Gillies despatches business with great expedition. All the cases to-day were of minor interest. Named, Wednesday. The amateur entertaiument in aid of the sick fund realised £tio. Mr, and Mrs. Case make their first appearance at the Odd Bellows’ Hall this evening. There are 126 new claimants to vote in the district of Napier. CmasTCUUEOH, Wednesday. At the Supremo Court sittings, Charles Mayor, for larceny of a valuable security, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment; James Walker was found guilty of bigamy, but the sentence was deferred; William Mcßride, for assault with intent, had, his sentence also deferred ; Eliza Anne Wooden, for bigamy, was discharged, as the evidence showed that the prisoner believed that her husband was dead when she married a second time. In the Provincial Council last night, the auditor’s report was laid on the table, and found to practically confirm the statements of the Secretary of Public Works as to the profit of the railways. This removes all ground from under the feet of those who have so loudly declaimed against the management of the railways during the past nine months; and the Press, which has attacked the Secretary of

Public Works in a series of strong articles, charging him with maladministration, publishes an apology this morning. The article commences by saying—“ We publish in another column the report of the Provincial Auditor on the railway accounts. That it has occasioned the greatest possible surprise, we admit, without hesitation, as it establishes beyond dispute, from a quarter whence we had every reason to expect verification of the statements we have made, all want of justification of our strong animadversion on the railway management of ilr. Maude. In fact, we have been misled into a wrong course of criticism, and into doing great injustice to that gentleman and his colleagues in the present Executive. Before writing one word of explanation of the attitude we have taken, we wish most unreservedly to withdraw the charges w r e made against Mr. Maude, of having brought by maladministration the railways of the province from a state of prosperty to one of insignificant value. We are sincerely grieved at having been so mistaken, and can only hope Mr. Maude’s public work has not been embarrassed, nor his feelings hurt, by what we frankly own to have been unjust criticism on our part.” Dunedin, Wednesday. The prospectus is issued of the New Zealand Pottery Company. The company is being formed with a view to purchase the Tokomairiro pottery works, now owned by Mr. William White, and conducting the manufacture of pottery and earthenware upon a scale large enough to supply the Now Zealand and Australian markets. The proposed capital is £30,000, in 12,000 shares of £2 10s. each. The shares are likely to be taken up rapidly. The directory contains the names of the best men in the district. The Harbor Board has accepted the tender of Kincaid and McLean for the new dredge : amount, £19,650. The calendar of prisoners at the criminal sessions of the Supreme Court, to be held before the Chief Justice, on the 12th April, contains six cases of stealing, and one of arson. There are two charges against George Johnston, for rape at Dunedin ; one of infanticide at Milton, two of wounding with intent, and three of manslaughter. The directors of the Dunedin Waterworks presented Mayor Keith Ramsay to-day with a silver key, voted by the shareholders. His Worship suitably replied, and expressed his satisfaction in occupying the position of Mayor on so important an occasion as the transfer of the works to the city.