TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5157, 2 October 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.) Wanganui, Monday. The uneasiness felt at Wanganui on Sunday arose from the insufficiency of information. Takairangi, the chief of the tribe, indignantly disclaims any intention of frightening or injuring the settlers. He states that he has petitioned the Native Minister on the subject of his claim until he got tired, and has now determined to bring matters to a crisis. Being busy planting potatoes at present nothing will be done, but next week he purposes driving some of Mr. Owen’s cattle to pound. He wants an action brought against him, so that the matter can be taken to the Supreme Court, the Resident Magistrate’s Court not being important enough. Takairangi claims the whole of the land comprised within the boundaries of the Wanganui electoral district. This is in consequence of the block having been acquired by the Government without his sanction. He states that he was afterwards promised seventy-five acres that now form part of Owen’s station. The settlers in the immediate vicinity of Kaiwhiki are not apprehensive of any danger, but are desirous of not being interfered with. Auckland, Monday. The criminal sessions began this morning. In his charge to the Grand Jury Judge Gillies said there was a light calendar, and the offences wereof alight character. The total absence from the list of habitual criminals seemed to indicate that this class was either rooted out or all were in prison. This being so, he could not avoid the reflection that it was highly desirous to keep these offenders from other criminals, and so prevent the gaol being made a hotbed of crime. He was sorry to say there was no provision, or possibility of its at present being made, for such classification in the Auckland Gaol, and he should consider it his duty to make representations on the matter to the proper authorities. He hoped the Grand Jury would aid him in the matter, and would also see for themselves, aud he should direct the Sheriff to place carriages at their disposal to go to the gaol, and otherwise inquire into what was applicable to particular cases. Tauranga, Monday. A large fire occurred at Archdeacon Brown’s house last night. The kitchen and store-room, full of goods lately imported from England, valued at £2OO, was destroyed. The fire originated from a servant having left a candle burning while in the dining-room at prayers. The buildings are detached. There was no wind, or nothing could have saved the main building. Owing to the splendid supply of water from underground brick reservoirs and the energetic working of all hands, the fire was got under in two hours. Blenheim, Monday. W. J. Drake, charged with assigning property with intent to defraud his creditors, has been committed for trial, but allowed bail, himself in £IOO, and two sureties of £SO each. Westport, Monday. The brigantine Sarah Pile in sailing in on Saturday stranded on the bar. An attempt to get her off yesterday failed, but when her timber cargo is discharged she may probably float. Insurances—Hull, South British, £1500; cargo, Victoria, £BOO. Dunedin, Monday. Information has been received at the Police Court that two carpenters, named Arthur Mitchell and John Ewing, employed in the erection of the lighthouse on Puseygur Point, at the south side of Preservation Inlet, have been drowned. The body of an infant, about a week old, was found in Chapman’s Bush, between Dunedin and Bavensburne, last evening. The face bore marks of violence. An inquest will he held to-day. The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court commenced this morning. In the course of his address to the Grand Jury Judge Williams said :—“ There is a case of libel which, as you will be aware, has been already before the public, and lias formed the subject of discussion elsewhere. You, however, have nothing to do with what may have gone before, or with any circumstances that have led up to the prosecution, and should not allow any knowledge you may possess of circumstances to operate to the prejudice of either party. As it comes before the Court the case is simply a charge made by one private person against another. Frederick Whitaker charges George Jones with libelling him, and an indictment is preferred against the defendant. Your function is to ascertain from the evidence that may be brought before you, and from the construction you may attribute to the alleged libel, whether a pritna facie case against the defendant is made out. You have to consider first, whether there is evidence that defendant published the alleged libel, and you have that in an affidavit of the defendant, in which he admits that he is the proprietor aud printer of the newspaper in which it appeared. Next you have to consider whether the meaning given by the indictment to various paragraphs of the article is fully correct, aud lastly, you have to consider whether the article appears to come within the definition of libel. A libel strictly defined is malicious defamation expressed either in printing or writing, aiid tending either to blacken the memory of one who is dead or the ■ reputation of one who is alive, and expose him to the public hatred, contempt, or ridicule. At this time of day, however, the principle that public acts of a man are liable to be criticised with the utmost severity, and that the critic can go ‘Scot free,’ is fully established. It is recognised as a lesser evil that pain should occasionally he inflicted on individuals than that the free discussion of public affairs should be jeopardised. The growth of sound and cultivated public opinion will prove a far more efficacious weapon than the arm of the law for putting down coarse and exaggerated abuse. In the present case the alleged libel is not confined to criticisms of prosecutor’s acts, hut it makes certain charges against him. Now, although a public man is liable to he attacked for his public actions, yet he has a right to the protection of the law if charges are made against him affecting his character, not only as a statesman or politician, but as a man. Consider, therefore, the libel from this point of view. Does it charge prosecutor with conduct of which an upright and honorable man should be ashamed? and would the matter charged, if true, affect not only the political reputation of the prosecutor, but lower his personal character in the estimation of good men of all parties ? If it appears to do this you should find a true Bill; whether or not the charges are true you have not to inquire iuto, nor have you to ascertain whether the motives of defendant in making them were in fact malicious. If the charges affect injuriously the character of the prosecutor, the law would infer that they were made maliciously. _ The Grand Jury returned true bills against the following persons :■—John Gitely, rape at Otakia ; James McGregor Weir, forgery ; Janies Oheeseman, manslaughter ; Nicholas Harvena and Pareize Santa, cattle stealing ; Geo. and Thomas King, maliciously killing a calf ; John Medlin, larceny ; Thomas Walter Languet, embezzlement at Palmerston (six

charges) ; Thos. Langston, attempted suicide ; Thomas Jackson, maliciously maiming a horse ; John Walter Grierson, embezzlement ; Stuart Newton, cutting and wounding. Christchurch, Monday. A preliminary meeting of the promoters of the new insurance company was held to-day, but the result has not transpired. The principal movers in it are said to be J, L. Coster, manager of the Bank of New Zealand, and F. Wilson, of the firm of Wilson and Sawtell. Some doubt is expressed as to whether there is sufficient opening for another company, as so many of the best houses are already connected with the Union Company and the Standard Company have notified their intention to make a second issue of fifty thousand shares. The formation of a branch line of railway to the racecourse is to be commenced on behalf of the Canterbury Jockey Club this week, and is to be completed before the ensuing races. At the Magistrate’s Court to-day an application was heard for unseating Sir. Fredk. Banks, one of the recently elected City Councillors. The ground of action is that Banks was a contractor under the Council at the time of his election. It was contended for Banks that there was no legal contract, as the contract was not signed; and also that Banks gave notice of retirement before he was elected. In reply to this it was urged that goods had been delivered and money paid under the contract ; therefore it was binding, aud also that Banks’ notice of withdrawing from the contract was not received by the Council till after the poll had commenced. The magistrate reserved his decision. The criminal session of the Supreme Court opened to-day. The Judge’s charge was very brief. Thomas Bray Gill, convicted of larceny, was sentenced to six years. Karl Klintoff, for horse stealing, three years ; aud the Grand Jury returned a tine bill against Karl Kehade for wilful murder. A further test of the saud discovered at .Kaiapoi resulted in the production of a good sample of glass, aud one sample of sand is reported to he suitable for the manufacture of table, window, and plate glass; another probably is suitable for bottle glass. A company is about to be formed to work the sand. At the stud-horse parade on Saturday there were 88 entries, against 68 last year. The births in the city of Christchurch during September were 56, deaths 20. Timaru, Monday. The Customs' revenue for the month of September amounted to £1873. Lawrence, Monday. The new Grammar School, recently erected by Government at a cost of £3OOO, will be opened to-day by Mr. Hislop, Secretary to the Education Board. A general holiday has been proclaimed by the Mayor. Four hundred children will march from the old to the new school at noon. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. Sydney, October 1. A disastrous fire occurred at Townsville, Queensland, on Saturday, when a number of buildings were destroyed, including the National Bank. The estimated damage is £25,000. A Herald)s special, dated London, 25th September, says that Captain Audley Coote leaves England by the s.s. Cuzco to-day, and reports having made arrangements for a duplicate cable, which he believes will be satisfactory alike to the Government, the people, and the Press. He has also arranged with some wealthy firms for the construction and equipment of light railways in Australia, and has partly arranged for a steam service between Perth and Singapore. Arrived—The Eashy from Wellington.