TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4451, 25 June 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

{PROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Auckland, Thursday. News to-day from the Tairua states that two shots were put into the lode in the prospectors' shaft and displaced a considerable quantity of rich picked stone, and a large quantity of loose gold was washed out. The reef- now shows as fine quartz, with very little cement. The Superintendent, who is on an official visit to the Thames, held a long conference with mining men relative to the necessary amendments to the Mining Districts Act, so as to prevent the recurrence of the Tairua experience, where a large unknown gold-bearing territory has been locked up in a few enormous leases. Sir George Grey will introduce an amending Act next session, making five acres instead of thirty the maximum area of a lease in new ground; also containing stringent provisions for forfeiture for non-working. In reply a deputation to-day, urging him to issue agricultural leases for Ohinemuri, Sir George Grey said the district was opened under an agreement. He had never seen that agreement; although a public document it was locked up in a private box, and he could not get access to it. The interests of hundreds of people were considered of such light value that it had not been thought worth while either to send a key from Wellington or break open the box. When he should have seen the deed and knew hia powers he would reply to the request of the Reputation. Dunedin, Thursday.

The end is not yet re the Smith and Maoassey squabble. It would appear that Smith sent a letter to the Times in answer to one of Macassey's, but they refused to insert it. Smith met It. Gillies, one of the Times directors, to-day, in the Criterion Hotel, and some words ensued, which ended in Gillies striking Smith three times in the face. We shall probably hear more of it. The Bench and the Bar are at it already. Johnston is rather jumping on them. At the adjournment to-day it was stated by the Bar that half an hour was generally allowed for lunch. Johnston stated that he did not see why they wanted to go out and make, a heavy meal, for a biscuit was enough for him. He then adjourned the Court for twenty minutes, at the end of which time only one barrister was present. The Judge decided to go on with the next case at once. Oil the arrival . of the other barristers, Johnston said the Court was not accustomed to such- treatment. Not only is his . Honor very punctual, but he defines with much strictness the relations between Bench and Bar. In his, opinion Mr. Barton was unfortunate enough "to think" something, and was reminded by his Honor that it was only for the Court to think or to say "My opinion is," or "It seems to me," it being the advocate's duty simply "to submit" his arguments. Later in the day Mr. . Barton made some reference to the jury's finding, and so drew from the Bench the remark, that his argument that the jury could not distinguish between a tenancy of £600.a year for three years, and a tenancy for five years of £7 per week, was a ridiculous one, and a poor compliment to the person sitting on the bench. Later on Mr. Barton said, " I have to convince your Honor if I can, but it is certainly not by insulting the Court that I presume to convince it." His Honor said that he had heard much of the way :in which the Bar is in the habit of conducting itself down here, but so far as he was concerned he would put a stop to it. The members of the Bar are all aghast, and the consequences are fearful to contemplate when Smith and Macassey come in opposition before him. . A deputation from the Harbor Board waited on the Superintendent this morning, re the Bill which they intend to send to the Assembly. The deputation seemed to think that the fact of the provinces being about to be abolished might affect their Bill. His Honor remarked that it was quite as likely that the General Government would be swept away, and that if every one was of his way of thinking, such an act would very soon be consummated. The Australasian of the 19th contains a capital article re double Government in New Zealand. Young Scott, a boy fifteen years of age, is in training to walk 100 miles in twenty-four hours.. His backers and trainers say he can do it in faster time than Edwards. Two more prisoners were committed for trial to-day. One was the woman Schmidt, for bigamy. She does not seem to care twopence about it, and says she will make it very lively for the second husband on the trial. In the Supreme Court Judge Johnston said, to-day, that his own experience of law reporting in other parts of the colony was that repoits were very different to what really took place. He had a good opinion of law reporting in Dunedin, and mentioned the name of Mr. E. Fox in particular. * A report was then allowed to be read from a newspaper, on the Bar vouching for its accuracy. Latest.—Smith asked Gillies why he did not put the letters in the Times, Gillies refused to tell.;. Smith then called him a blackguard. Gillies said, "Retract, or I'll punch your. head," , and punched it accordingly. They then had three rounds in a corner. Smith got the" worst of it, but Gillies kept on punching till Smith apologised. The bystanders say that very bad language was used. The case will possibly come before the court, but this is not likely. ;■ (PER PRESS AGENCY.) '".;>.- ' Auckland, Thursday. Judge Gillies is taking Nelson cases in the Supreme Court, at Auckland. An application was heard in the Bankruptcy Court to-day, to, get a rule , nisi, obtained by Harley, the brewer, of Nelson, against Messrs. Bray, contractors, made absolute. The granting of the absolute rule Is opposed.

Dunedin, Thursday. The doctor who has medically examined John Reilly, charged with horse-stealing at Mosgiel, has reported there were no symptoms of insanity, and the Bench, being satisfied that a prima facie case had been made out, committed accused for trial. Catherine Schmidt, charged with bigamy, seemed to rejoice in her position, and acted throughout with the utmost nonchalance. She was committed for trial. Judge Johnston is presiding on the bench. ■ One lawyer suggested that an extra time should be allowed for lunch, but the Judge stated when business was on a biscuit or sandwich was sufficient in his opinion. Mr. Barton was unfortunate enough to think something, and was reminded by his Honor that it was only for the Court to think or to say " my opinion is," or "it seems to me," it being the advocate's duty simply "to submit" his arguments.