TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5102, 31 July 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Napier, Monday. The Waka Maori case was resumed this morning, this being the ninth day. By the request of counsel on both sides the Commissioner has agreed to sit on up to ten o’clock every night until the evidence is closed. Mr. Sheehan, M.H.R., left by the overland route this morning for Wellington. Mr. M. R. Miller reports the sale of Mr. William J.yon and Co.’s Pororangi properties, 11,000 acres freehold, and 2000 acres leasehold, with all plants and improvements, and 13,500 sheep to be delivered after shearing, for £22,500. New Plymouth; Monday. The body of Newbegin has been found in the Waitara River, just above the bridge. An inquest is now being held. Greymouth, Monday. The Wealth of Nation returns for the month are 464 ounces smelted gold, and a dividend was declared of 3s per scrip. At the inquest at Ahaura on the man alleged to have been starved to death in the lock-up through cold the jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased died from alcoholic poisoning.

Christchurch, Monday. Lightband, Allan, and Co., large manufacturers of boots by machinery, have closed their establishment for a fortnight, preparatory to reducing the scale of wages. Sixty employes are thus thrown out of work. They have telegraphed to the association in other parts of the colony and Australia to support them in resisting the reduction. Several butchers were fined at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning for having light weights in their possession.

Nominations for the Canterbury Jockey Club Handicap close at S p.m. on Wednesday, August 1. A rather curious action was commenced in the Supreme Court this morning. Dr. Campbell was the plaintiff, and the executors of the late Mr. McKay defendants. Plaintiff's evidence showed that he had attended Mr. McKay professionally at various times for three years

prior to August 6, 1876, when Mr. McKay died from heart disease. The day before his death, Mr. McKay gave to Ihv Campbell a deposit note for £SOO and a promissory note as a parting gift, and also a cheque for £560 to enable him to draw the money represented by the deposit note and promissory note. Mr. McKay knew at this time that he was in a dying state, and made his will the same day. There was no witness present when Mr. McKay made the gift. Dr. Campbell filled m the cheque by Mr. McKay’s request, and Mr. McKay signed the cheque and endorsed the deposit note and the promissory note. After Mr. McKay’s death the doctor presented the cheque at the bank; but payment was refused, on the ground that the signature was unlike Mr. McKay’s. The executors under McKay s will refused to recognise the cheque, and Dr. Campbell now sought to recover the amount. The landlady of the boarding-house where Mr. McKay lived gave evidence that she was called into the sick room by Dr. Campbell on the day on which the gift was made, in order to find Mr. McKay’s cheque-book. At that time Mr. McKay was sitting up in bed, smoothing the bed clothes so as to write, and Dr. Campbell said, “You have given me these papers.”- Mr. McKay replied, “ 1 have.” Dr. Campbell then said, “But what about your mother and sisters ; whereupon Mr. McKay replied, “ Never mind them, they are all right.” During this time no sum of money was mentioned. The case will be continued to-morrow. 13,226 letters were despatched from the Christchurch Post Office last Saturday, the San Francisco mail day. Dunedin, Monday.

A conference of clergymen was held at Knox Church to-day, for the purpose of considering the religious clauses in the new Education Bill. The Rev. Dr. Stuart was in the chair, and there were about eighteen ministers present. The chairman explained the object of the meeting, and suggested that the Government proposal should be accepted. This having been seconded, Archdeacon Edwards moved, as an amendment, —That ministers of religion or persons authorised by them shall be permitted to give religious instruction in schools during school hours. Mr. Fitchetfc seconded the amendment, and the Rev. Mr. Lewis moved, as a further amendment, —That this meeting thankfully accepts the provision made by Government for beginning school by Bible reading and prayer, and asks in addition what is stated in Archdeacon Edwards* amendment. A motion for an adjournment, in order to invite Roman Catholic and Jewish ministers, was rejected by a large majority. The Yen. Archdeacon’s amendment was rejected by 11 to 4 ; and on the motion of the Rev. J. J. Lewis being put, there voted 7 for and a like number against it The chairman voted with the noes. 3VIr. Davies* motion was then put in the following form, and carried by a large majority ; That wbereas—(l) There , are very diverse opinions concerning religious instruction in the schools. (2.) The purely . denominational system would irritate, and purely secular system would shock the general public. (3.) The proposed compromise runs closely along the lines already pursued by the chief provinces—(4.) This meeting deems it desirable to accept the Government compromise.