SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 851, 7 January 1879, Page 2

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

(from orr; own «-oi:i:E-<roNi>EN"T.) WELLINGTON. January 0. A somewhat unusual reason for not serving on the Grand Jury was urged this morning, at the Supreme Court, by Mr. James O'.Shca, who, on his name being called as a grand juror, pleaded that he was bail for one of the persons against whom bills of indictment were to be presented to the jury. The Chief Justice at first expressed an opinion that this did not form a valid ground of excuse from serving ; but after a little consideration, his Honor said that he thought perhaps it would be better for Mr. O'Shea not to serve under the circumstances, and he should therefore be excused. The Hon. Mr. Waterhouse has sold his W.-iirarapa station, situated a few miles from Featlierston, to the Hon. John Martin. It contains about 34,000 acres of freehold land, and the stock comprises 700 head of cattle. The total price, including all improvements, &c.. is a fraction under LOO,OOO, of which a cheque for L25.00Q was paid over by Mr. Martin this morning as an earnest of the large transaction.

DUNEDIN. January 7At the Supreme Court to-day, Margaret Barrett (stealing from dwelling) was sentenced to five years : Robert Angus (larceny as a bailee), five years; Hyam Metz (forgery), two years; James Morgan (forgery), twelve months. A Chinaman stiffring from leprosy, at Tuapeka, committed suicide this morning.

CHKISTCHCRCH. Januarv 7.

Within the past month 10li0 patent n;ap!'is and binders have been landed at Lvtteltoii.

Judge Johnston refused a prosecutor s expenses yesterday, because of carelessness shown in taking a valueless cheque fiom a stranger. The Judge says that such want of care is culpable, and an incentive to crime.

A child named Hannah Langford, an immigrant by the Opawa, died yesterday at the quarantine station. At a meeting of the Local Council of the New Zealand Rifle Association last evening, it was decided to join the Wellington Association forthwith, in order to secure the Government subsidy. Judge Johnston introduced a novel reform into Court procedure yesterday by declining to let juries retire until they had considered their verdict a reasonable time in the jury-box.