TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5079, 4 July 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.) . Christchurch, Tuesday.

The Customs duties collected during the last quarter amounted to £48,938, and for the corresponding quarter last year, £44,312. The merchants who lost produce by the fire at the export shed at Lyttelton a short time ago, intend proceeding against the Government for damages. Counsel have been retained, and the mercantile community are to be asked to subscribe towards the expenses. The police were sworn in under the new regulations yesterday. Six men declined to be sworn. A good deal of dissatisfaction exists among the police at the new state of things, and it is said if the swearing had occurred during the summer, a larger number of men would have refused further service.

In the Supreme Court to-day, Anthony I-’erreck, for larceny of cheque, was sentenced to two months. William "Douglas and James Wilson, the former for stealing and the latter for receiving a gold watch, chain, and other valuables, were sentenced to twelve months each. James Reece, a lad of 16. for passing a counterfeit sovereign, sentenced to fourteen days, the last twenty-four hours to be solitary confinement. Elizabeth Bryant, alias Brian, obtaining money under false pretences, was acquitted. Margaret Henderson, perjury, adjourned till Thursday. Dunedin, Tuesday.

The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court were continued to-day. The following sentences were passed:—John Cameron, three months’ imprisonment, with hard labor ; Mary Carr, ten months ; John Maloney, three years’ penal servitude; John Hanley, four years’ penal servitude. A disastrous fire occurred at the Golden Fleece Hotel stables, at Waikouaiti, early yesterday morning. Fifteen horses belonging to Cobb and Co. were burned in half an hour. The origin of the fire is not known. The Supreme Court was occupied to-day with the case of William John Craig, who was charged with larceny at Oatnaru. The jury retired at 4 o’clock, but at 6.30 they had not agreed upon a verdict. The Grand Jury found a true bill against Daniel Quarrie for manslaughter at Oamaru. Auckland, Tuesday.

The Church Temperance Society met last night, the bishop presiding. It passed a petition embodying the permissive principles. In the Supreme Court Tamati, a Maori, charged with assaulting and wounding at Tauranga, was sentenced to nine calendar months. Andrew De Hars, alias Joseph j. Cooper, convited of horse-stealing, was sentenced to six months.

Davis and Dull fought yesterday afternoon for £SO a-side. Six rounds were fought with gloves. Davis struck Hull twice in the left side, and Hull could not come to time. Fifteen persons witnessed the fight.