TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4537, 5 October 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PER PRESS AGENCr.) Auckland, Monday. At the Supreme Court the Judge in his charge spoke of the lightness of the calendar, and remarked as a curious feature that nearly half the offenders were Maoris. Frances Dwyer, an educated girl, who has obtained some notoriety, pleaded guilty to a charge of larceny, and was sentenced to nine months. Ex-constable Axam, for forgery, received two years. Two youths, for passing bad half-sovereigns, got three mouths. Burton, for stealing from his employer, nine months. Two seamen, for assaulting a constable, were sentenced to nine months. Wylie, agent for a number of Victorians desirous of settling in New Zealand, is now in this province, endeavoring to arrange for the purchase of a block of laud. He has gone to Tauranga to inspect the land. Grahamstown, Monday. The week’s gold returns are 38850z5. Steps are being taken to secure, the -Bright Smile shaft and workings. The proposal to give only one additional member to the Thames is received with much dissatisfaction. Christchurch, Monday. The Criminal Sessions of the Supreme Court opened this morning. There are thirteen prisoners and twenty-four oases, including sheepstealing, larceny, forgery, horsestealing, larceny of letters from postoffice, and embezzlement. At the Supreme Court, George Fleet, for horsestealing, wrs sentenced to six years ; Andrew Cummack, for forgery, to six months. Nelson, Monday. The Nelson Daily Times has been given up by the original proprietors as not paying. It is to be continued by a co-operative company of working partners. Timabo, Monday. The Herald’s special London correspondent, writing on the 6th August, says :—“ Both Sir Julius Vogel and Dr. Featherston were abroad recruiting their health, and the agency was in the sole charge of Mr. Walter Kennaway. The ship Edinburgh, 2000 tons, was to sail that day direct for Timaru with immigrants.” The Metope’s people are rapidly finding employment at good wages, There is a good deal of building going on here in stone, brick, concrete, and timber. Dunedin, Monday. The Criminal Sessions wore opened to-day before Judge Williams. His Honor, in his charge to the Grand Jury, complimented them on the lightness of the calendar. Ho concluded by referring to the uncomfortable stato of the courthouse, which he said was a disgrace to the first city in the colony. Ho said it was not unreasonable to expect that the structure consecrated to the administration of justice should bo weather-proof, decent, and commodious. The jury found true bills against all the prisoners. Anno Hardy, for stealing, was found guilty. Sentence deferred. McCarthy, for assault with a knife, was acquitted. Thos. White, for burglary, was found guilty, and sixteen previous convictions were provedagainst him. Sentence was deferred. Dodson, for robbery, got six months. Soon after the hard labor gang were turned out this morning to work on Bell Hill, one of the prisoners, Cyrus Haley, attempted to escape. Ho mode his way into Moray-place, and then into Stuart street, followed by Warder Miller. Miller challenged him in the usual manner, and asked him in the Queen’s name to surrender. Haley continued running, when tho warder brought his rifle to the

present, pulled, and Haley dropped dead, shot through the back, the ball coming out at the chest near the lungs. Haley was the notorious Auckland fire-raiser, and was in gaol here for two life sentences. He has given a great deal of trouble during his incarceration. The event caused considerable excitement in town.

It appears in reference to Haley’s attempted escape, that Miller, the warder, fired two alarm shots, but these being ineffectual, he hit him with the third, and the prisoner dropped dead. On his person, concealed under his shirt, were a number of photographs, which he had often stated he would carry to his grave. In February, 1873, while dusting carpets in the gaol porch, he attempted to escape by throwing pepper into - ] the eyes of Warder Hogan. He managed to get away, and ran into Cumber-land-street, but Hogan followed and secured him. He was then put in irons for a time, hut his conduct was so good latterly that they were removed.

It is decided to give Mr. Macaudrew a grand banquet on his return from Wellington. Circulars of invitation have been issued. Sir George Grey, and Messrs. Rolleston, and Fitzherbert have accepted. The foundation stone of St. Paul’s parochial school was laid on Saturday by Mrs. Nevill, the Bishop’s wife. A large number were present, especially ladies. The weather on Sunday was bitterly cold. A heavy fall of snow is lying thickly on the hills.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS. Hokitika, Monday. The Eliza Firth has arrived from Melbourne. She brings files to the 25th of September. Melbourne, September 25. The want of confidence debate still continues. It is rumored that the Opposition have a majority of 12. Two constables named Steele and Stevenson brutally assaulted an old man in the Melbourne lock-up. He recovered £2OO damages. Madame Bistori is still playing at the Operahouse. An Omeo telegram states that a girl fifteen years of age has been tried for burglary, by going into the hut of a neighbor whom she knew well and taking a piece of bread, a few currants, and a little sugar. She was sentenced to twenty-four hours’ imprisonment. Public meetings are being held throughout the colony to express opinions for or against the new Ministry. Poet Darwin, September 25. A box of gold containing 23000z5. was dropped into eight fathoms of water by a man while carrying it on board the Claud Hamilton. The spot was buoyed and a boat made fast to the buoy, but it has since disappeared, and the steamer left without the gold, which was insured. Adelaide, September 25. The large bell for the post-office clock, weighing two and a half tons, has been hoisted. At the Adelaide race meeting Redgauntlet won the Maiden Plate and the Railway Stakes ; the Steeplechase was won by Demon. Two thousand persons were present at the farewell entertainment of the Rev. Charles Clark. Sydney, September 25. The acceptances for the Maitland races are numerous. Prian and Athos are much fancied for the big race. The brig Drover, from Newcastle, bound to New Zealand, has put into this port with the Joss of topmast, topgallautmast, and sails, on the 19th instant. A waterspout rose close alongside the vessel, and she was caught in a heavy whirlwind, which turned her round like a top. A fire broke out on board the Edina, but was extinguished without much damage being done. Helen Kennedy, aged sixteen, has been burned to death at Newtown, through an explosion of kerosene while lighting the fire. A new lead of gold is reported to have been discovered at Gulgong. Launceston, September 25. The preliminary inquiry into the loss of ■ the Cambridgeshire has been held with closed doors.