TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 823, 3 December 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

WELLINGTON. December 2. In the Court of Appeal, in the case of Holt and M'Carthy v. Webb, the Chief Justice said the plaintiffs were seeking the protection of the Court from a species of;property which at present had no existence ; that could not be given. He thought the demurrer must be upheld on that ground, to say nothing of the other points. Judge Johnston pointed out that there could only be copyright in respect of something published, and -Mien the telegrams were once published the .only persons to be injured were those who had paid for the privilege of publication. Mr. Justice Gillies considered that, the publication of any compilation of news in a newspaper is a dedication of it to the whole world, and in the absence of any statutory prohibition anyone is at liberty to produce copies thereof., Mr. Justice Williams took a similar view. In Morrhi v. Kissling, the case in which the defendant, while employed to purchase land for plaintiff, obtained a conveyance in his own name as alleged, the demurrer to plaintiff's declaration was over-ruled. The plaintifl intimated a probability of his taking the case to the Privy Council. In the case of I)exter v. Brigliam, the case in which Mr. Brissenden is concerned, the demurrer was allowed on the third plea. In Dive v. Pickering, the demurrer to plaintiff's declaration was allowed, which was also done in the case of Fisher v. Travcrs. In Regina v. Bell, the shooting case reserved from the Canterbury district, the conviction was opposed. The Court adjourned till Fridaj'. December 3. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company have received the following advices, under date London, the 29th November : Wool Cross-bred, easier ; greasy, firmer ; washed clothing has declined 2d, and washed combing a Id since the close of last sales ;*s;coured has declined a lid to 2d. The Home traders are purchasing sixaringly. Trade in the manfacturing districts is unchanged. Up to date 60,000 bales have been sold. The Inspector of Kerosene for the Corporation has been testing several consignments of kerosene to different merchants, and out of 1550 cases he found not more than 25 or 30 that were considered perfectly safe for household purposes, the flashing point being from 90 to 100 degrees. TIMARU. December 2. Rain is falling at last, and is welcomed by the farmers and settlers, as it is just in time to save the crops. The customs revenue for November is LI72S 4s sd, against L 1272 4s Id for the corresponding month in 1577. The promoters of the Evening Telegraph, Fisher, Chapman, and Co., are receiving the general support of the business and other commercial firms here. The paper will probably be published about the end of December. CHRISTCHURCH. / December 2. The kerosene bond of Twentyman and Cousin was completely destroyed by fire last evening. It contained between 300 and 400 cases or kerosene. The origin of the tire is unknown ; but it is supposed to be through some boys smoking near the shed. No insurances.' A steady rain fell on Saturday and part of yesterday, which will do much good to the country. The General Manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company has received a telegram from London, dated the 26th November, reporting that the Piako wculd resume her voyage on the 20th December, the hull of the ship being uninjured. A woman named Matilda Thompson was taken to the hospital on Saturday night, as it was supposed she had poisoned herself. It was there found that she had only taken a dose of aniseed, for the sake of frightening her husband. At a meeting of the Cemetery Board today a general opinion was expressed that the time had now come when a necropolis should be established for .Clii'istchurch and the surrounding districts.' Miss Amy Sherwii), Miss Devonport, and Signor Pompei make their first appearance at the Oddfellows' Hall to-morrow evening. December 3. Shortly after 12 o'clock last night a fire broke out in Sydenham. It originated on the premises of D. Foster, furniture dealer. The next shop and house, octupied by Robinson, bootmaker, were also totally destroyed. Other buildings near were saved by a copious supply of water. Again did the Superintendent of the -Fire Brigade express his disappointment that the powerful railway engine, which could so successfully have overcome the friction of a 2000 feet length of ' hose, should be unavailable. The insurances are as follows :—-Foster's freehold property —house, L 250 in the New Zealand office ; stock, L 350 in the Sun office ; tools, LSO in the Sun office. He estimates his loss at LSOO. Robinson's freehold property—L37s on house and stock, divided between the London and Lancashire, the New Zealand, and the. Sun offices. Robinson estimates his loss at LSOO. The occurrence of this fire will probably have the effect of causing the Borough Council to take action for Securing a water supply for the district, whi,ch is wholly without one. / WANGANUI. December 3. » The Wanganui annual race meeting is fixed ;'for the 13th and 14tli March. There is L9lO, divided into twelve races. The principal Handicap is L3OO. NEW PLYMOUTH. December 2. Mr. Sheehan leaves here to-morrow morning for Wanganui and Wellington by way of the coast. During the last twelve months upwards of L 20,000 has been spent in New Plymouth alone in new buildings which have been erected. ♦ AUCKLAND. December 2. It is stated that the Hon. Mr. Sheehan will resign the portfolio of Minister of Justice, owing to the many duties of the Native Degartment. An address of sympathy has been presented to Captain Malcolm. It bore the signatures of 51 passengers, and was accompanied by a purse of L 53. I The South British Insurance Company had a risk over the Southminster on lines to Southern Ports, which, as landed, amount on goods remaining in the vessel, to L 2187, f.p.a. Any re - insurances are under open policy, and the total lines in the vessel arc not now accurately known. Mr. Sheehan is expected in Auckland tomorrow. He visits Wangarei with the Premier. Mr. Jack, the general manager of the National Insurance Company, during a visit to the United States, completed arrangements with the South British for the agents of the latter in California, Messrs, Callinghain and Co., to represent also the National there. The two companies now issue joint policies in California and adjoining the States, and the papers speak approvingly of the financial strength of the combined companies itnd of the ageuts in San Francisco.

An old man named David Buchanan, a waterman, has been found dead, from natural causes. News from Samoa reports great scarcity of food on the Tonga and Ellice Groups. There is considerable distress among the natives.