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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5167, 13 October 1877, Page 2

In reference to a paragraph in our leader of yesterday Mr, Travers has addressed a letter to an evening print. Mr. Travers politely calls the editor of this paper a person who does not write the truth, and denies that he called at this office and authorised us to contradict the evening papers in their statement that he had been offered the Attorney-Geaeralsbip in a new Ministry. The matter is very simple. Mr. Travers did call and authorise us to contradict the statement. He was much excited at the time, and said some silly things in addition; but he certainly said what we attributed to him. His contradiction of us is doubtless attributable to a shortness of memory on.his part. Wo are sorry for occupyiug space with this silly affair. We think. the -public does not care twopence whether Mr. Travers was or was not offered an Attorney-Generalship. We are sure the New Zealand Times doeß not care a brass farthing.

It has been industriously circulated about the town that two members of the City Council are interested in the Tramway Company, and it has been hinted that they have used their position as members of the civic body for the benefit* of the Tramway Company. In fact, Councillors Greenfield and Maedonald were openly charged by Councillor Maginity, at the Council meeting on Thursday evening, with being' interested in the Tramway Company. Mr. Macdoniild and Mr. Greenfield emphatically denied that they had any pecuniary interest whatever in the company. This, however, did not appear to satisfy Mr. Maginity, and he kept on reiterating his assertion, till at last Mr. Greenfield was forced to use some very strong langurge in contradicting the statement. It was certainly bad taste on Councillor Maginity's part to keep doubting the word of other Councillors on a personal matter, when he was not able to produce a particle of evidence in support of his assertion. If such things are permitted the City Council meetings will degenerate into mere displays of petty animosities. In connection with this matter, we omitted to mention in our report of the proceedings of the City Council, that a letter was read from Mr. J. Henderson, in which he stated that the interest-of Mr. Charles O'Neill and Mr. T. K. Maedonald in the tramway had been transferred to him. Mr. Maginity's charge appears to have been of the most paltry and unsubstantial nature. He is a new Councillor, and it is to be hoped thet he will gain wisdom by experience, and not waste the time of the Council in angry discussions on abuses which do not exist.

The third trial of .Heggarty, for setting fire to an accommodation-house at Carterton in June laßfc, commenced at the Supreme Court at 10 o'clock yesterday morning, before His Honor Chief Justice Prendergast. Mr. Bell prosecuted on behalf of the Crown, and Mr. Gordon Allan defended the prisoner. Haggerty used his right of challenge largely, and the jury panel was nearly exhausted before the required twelve had taken their seats in the jury box. The evidence was similar to that given on the two previous trials, and has already appeared in our columns. The jury retired to consider their verdict at half-past six. At half-past nine his Honor sent for the jury, but they sent back the messenger asking for five minutes longer consideration, which was granted, but on the jury coming into Court the foreman said they were not unanimous. .His Honor then intimated that he would again attend at twelve o'clock, when, if the jury had not agreed, they would be locked up for the usual term. .However, he further stated,that if there was any probability of the jury agreeing before twelve, he would attend at any hour they chose to name. The foreman was of opinion that the jury would at least require a couple of hours further deliberation, and they then retired. At 12 o'clock the jury came into Court with a verdict of guilty, accompanied by a recommendation to mercy on account of prisoner's age. The Chief Justice asked the jury if they found prisoner guilty of defrauding both insurance companies or only one, and they, replied (through their foreman) only one—the South British. Heggarty was then remanded for sentence until 10 o'clock this morning, and the jury were discharged from further attendance.

At Mr. Rayner's aale of stock, &c, held on Wednesday last; the 10th just., at the Taita, Hutt, by Mr. J. H. Wallace, there was a numerous attendance, and very satisfactory prices were realised. Milch cows from £6 15s. to £l2; horses, £l3 to 20; young cattle, 355. to £3 10s.; pigs, 355. to 455.; poultry, Gs. per pair ; potatoes, £3 10s. per ton ; spring trap, £lB 10s.; drays, £5 to £l2s.; implements and sundries very good prices. Luncheon was provided, and the sale was looked upon as satisfactory to all parties. Mr. Kayner, a very old settler, is, we believe, leaving the Hutfc to join his numerous family aud friends in the Wairarapa.

At the Theatre Royal last night there was a fair attendance, although not so large as we expected to have seen it on the occasion of a benefit in aid o£ the Indian Famine Relief Fund. " Hand and Glove" was repeated, and warmly received by the audience. To-night " The Shaughrauu" will be performed, and we observe that Mr. I. F. Keogh and MissJMarian Willis will make their appearance in it. We hope to see a full house. St. George's Hall was very largely attended last evening, when the burlesque of "Norma" wa9 played for the second time. A ladies' gold watch was given away during the evening. To-night, a double bill is announced, consisting of the Witches Scene from " Macbeth " and " Norma" for the last time. A. peculiar feature in the prize list for to-night will be a double bedstead and a live sheep, which are announced to be given away, and no doubt the house will be as crowded, as it usually is all the week, and especially on Saturdays. A coroner's inquest will be held at the Thistle Hotel to-day touching the death of George Henry Butler, a carpenter, 35 years of age, who died suddenly yesterday. The deceased, who was a single man, had been in failing health for some time. Mr. Campion, of Pipitea-street, with whom he resided, on going to call liim about noon yesterday, found him dead in his bed.

An inquiry into the circumstances connected with the recent disturbance at St. George's Hall took place yesterday, we understand, on board H.M.S. Sappho. The ringleader and some others connected with the affair were identified, and will be dealt with by the authorities on board the vessel. As we stated in our issue of yesterday, should proeeedings be taken in a civil court for the recovery of damages, every facility will be afforded by the commander of the vessel.

At Mr. Duncan's sale yesterday the unexpired term of the lease of St. George's Hall was withdrawn. Two hundred and forty-five acres of land at Patea were sold to 'Dr. Wilford for 30s. per acre. Mr. P. Mason was the purchaser of the following town properties at £315 and £2BO respectively :—Fifty-two feet frontage to Haining-street, by a depth of 49&ft., together with a well-built five-roomed house and out-buildings, let at 18s. per week ; 40ft. frontage to Haining-street, by a depth of together with a substantial four-roomed house and out-buildings, let at 15s. per week. One hundred and sixty-two acres-of land six miles from Waverley brought 255. per acre. The anniversary services in connection with tho United Methodist Free Church will take place to-morrow, whensermona will be preached in the morning and evening by the Rev. H. B. Bedstone. On Tuesday evening there will be a tea and public meeting in the schoolroom, when several clergymen and other friends will address the audience.

News of a horrifying discovery near San Antonia, Texas County, United States, ha 3 been received. For some time past a deep well or cistern about fifteen miles from the city had been a subject of much comment, in consequence of a most sickening smell arising from it. An investigation discovered the fact that the well was full of dead bodies of men, women, and children, and from their appearance there could be no doubt that they had been all murdered and then thrown into the water, as some of them had their throats cut, and others were stabbed through the hearts, while death had resulted in many cases by the victims having had their brains blown out. A house close by, on being searched, was found to contain about 15,000d015. in money, a large quantity of jewellery, and other valuables, all of which were secreted. An old woman, the only occupier of the house, said, in answer to inquiries, that the money found was the pocket-money of her boys. The police are making inquiries.

A special ambassador from China has arrived at Berlin. His mission is to settle the affair of the Chinese pirates who murdered the captain and mate of the German schooner Anna, and plundered the vessel last spring. A permanent legation is, moreover, to be established at Berlin. The despatch adds:—"Tho relations of China with Germany are greatly improved. The abolition of the so-called lekin taxes and tho revision of the treaty of commerce are in contemplation. China has ordered a large supply of cannon and arms of Germany. Seven Chinese officers are attached to the German army for instruction in military Bervice."

The Light of the Ocean Lodge, No. 23, (H.M.S. Sappho) will meet at the Foresters' Halljthis evening at 6.30.

' Persons desirous of nominating relatives or friends in Great Britain tor passages to the colony are informed that the monthly list will be closed on the 18th inst.

On and after to-day the business of the Australian Mutual Provident Society will be conducted in the new offices at the corner of Hunter-street and Custom House-quay. Messrs. Hastwell and Macara have put on an extra coach, by which travellers can go from Featherston to Wellington and back the same day. Particulars will be found in our advertising columns.

"We have been given to understand that the late disturbance at St. George's Hall was not caused by any of the old crew of the Sappho. The men engaged in that affair were some new hands brought out in the Wolverene, and drafted into the Sappho. There was a bolt in Ingestre-street at noon yesterday, which caused net a little excitement. A horse belonging to Mr. Colley, while being unharnessed from a dray, opposite the Panama Hotel, got frightened, and bolted up Ingeatre-street, and the dray coming into contact with two telegraph poles, sent them flying from their perpendicular. The horse became entangled in the telegraph wires, which put a stop to his career. Notwithstanding the violence of the collision with the posts, horse and dray remained uninjured.