TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4443, 16 June 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.) Auckland, Tuesday. David Burn, an old colonist, is dead. In the Supreme Court to-day, Mr. Macormiek, the opposing counsel, made a long address against the discharge of George Thome, merchant, a bankrupt. He referred to ten counts, alleging fraudulent preference and concealment of bankrupt's affairs. The whole merits of the case, which has occupied the Court for months, lie in a nutshell, and are admitted by Thome. When his affairs got into a state of insolvency he thought the Bank of New South Wales should carry him on. They refused to do so. He then commenced to realise his estate and all his business accounts, in order to leave the bank the sole creditor. The argument was not concluded to-day. Dunedin, Tuesday. An article appeared in the Guardian to-day on the question of the legal profession, which has created great excitement in town among the fraternity. The article pointed out that the tone of the profession in Dunedin was much lower than it ought to be, and that gentlemen were admitted to the bar who were utterly unqualified, and who could not answer the simplest questions in English history. It spoke about the unbridled license of certain gentlemen of the Bar, and as an example to show to what a low state the Bar had fallen, it stated that some time ago, when a well-known barrister was defending a man charged with murder, in the middle of the speech for the defence he asked to be allowed to see his client in private for a few minutes. This being granted, he told the unfortunate man that unless he gave him another fifty pounds he would give up his brief, although the prisoner had already paid him a hundred guineas. He granted the request and paid the other fifty, when he was again placed in the dock, and the " learned counsel" resumed his address.

The Northern escort to-night brought down HOOozs.

The butchers have agreed to wait a week before raising the price of meat. A very strong feeling prevails on the subject. Mr. Bates'new play of "The Bed PocketBook " was a great success last night. The total receipts of the Otago railways for the month were £5354 18s. Id. [Per Press Agency.] Auckland, Tuesday. At the inquest on the body of Padon a verdict-of death from excessive drinking was returned. , Alexandra, Tuesday. Eewi and his followers left Kopua on Saturday. Rewi is now thoroughly satisfied that his life is not in danger from the pakeha. He will visit us for the future, and conduct his own business. A fine little girl, the daughter of Mr. Minkwood, of the Alexandra Hotel, died suddenly yesterday. New Plymouth, Tuesday. The body of a man named Jones has been found in the Waitara Kiver. The Council resumed to-day, but nothing was done beyond the tabling of several notices of motion. Grahamstown, Tuesday. The hearing of objections against the Tairua Company's license commenced to-day at eleven o'clock. The Court was" opened, but the Warden did not attend, and it was believed that the Government were about to take the claim out of the goldfield, especially as telegrams were being conveyed to the Warden's office. Soon after twelve the Warden entered the Court and proceeded with the business, without any explanation as to the delay. Hesketh and Brassy appear for the prospectors ; Tyler and McDonald for James Alexander Miller and Bergin and party, and Dodd for the Maori objectors. The latter were disposed of by the Warden stating that Tairua had been proclaimed a goldfield, and he had no power to go into the question of native title. Then he decided to go into Miller's plaint first, which depends on the size of the pegs. Several witnesses were examined. The pegs are in Court ready to be produced. Christchurch, Tuesday.

At a' meeting of the Philadelphia. Exhibition Committee this afternoon, it was resolved,—l. That the General Government be requested to issue a memorandum showing the formal quantity of the several exhibits of raw products which they desire fo have forwarded. ,2. That this committee recommend that exhibits of the following products be in the following quantities :—Wool, not exceeding 601bs. ; grain, not exceeding half a bushel; coal, not exceeding 40Ibs. or 501bs. ; timber, uniform samples ; flax, not exceeding 501bs. In the Provincial Council this afternoon, a resolution that if the Normal School is found on completion suitable for the purposes of a College the Superintendent be requested to take steps for devoting some portion of the building to this purpose, was agreed to on the voices. A motion that a resolution of the Council of June 25, 1874, affirming the desirability of erecting the Canterbury College in the Domain be rescinded, was carried by 18 to 11. A message was read from the Superintendent, remitting back to the Council the new Education Ordinance, with an amendment aiming at a continuation of the Board of Education instead of a Minister of Education being appointed in place of the Board, and also making education free. The message further expressed a strong objection to that clause in the Ordinance which increases district contributions towards school building. His (the Superintendent's) opinion being that such an increase would prove a serious obstacle to the erection of further school buildings. The message will be discussed tomorrow, and will re-open the whole education question. The prorogation will, consequently, have to be deferred.

The question of a vote for Canterbury College was again brought up last night, and after an acrimonious discussion, a grant of £7OOO was carried by 18 to 11 ; even then it was saddled with the condition that it. should be first shown that the Normal School was unsuitable for the purposes of the College. In the list of successful candidates for the provincial scholarships appear the names of two girls. The experiment is considered a success.

The Eosident Magistrate was occupied from eleven o'clock till six yesterday hearing objections against the city rate. The last assessor has succeeded in fixing such a valuation that 500 objections are lodged. Nelson', Tuesday. To-day is observed as a close holiday in honor of the Governor's visit. His Excellency inspected the volunteers, and complimented them highly on their efficiency. He then attended sports got up for the occasion, and will devote the afternoon to inspecting the College and public institutions.

Dunedin, Tuesday. The Bruce Herald flatly contradicts the Guardian's statement that Hawthorne was hunted to death by a malignant and unscrupulous Press. It says the delicious bit of pathos emanated from a writer hard up for a journalistic growl. A letter appears in the Times, to the same effect, this morning. A bigamy case will occupy the attention of the City Bench in a few days. Mrs. Schmidt, of Christchurch, is the offender. She is the wife of a sailor, and came down here on a spree, and tied the knot in duplicate. It is expected the Council will be prorogued on Friday.