TELEGRAMS

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 923, 1 April 1879, Page 2

TELEGRAMS

(I'ER ri'.ESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON. March 31. The inquest on the man Banks, killed 011 board the Loch Fergus, resulted in a verdict that he was killed by a blow from a capstan bar given by Jones in selfdefence. The evidence showed that Banks was pursuing Jones, armed with a bar of iron, and that Jones warned him to stand back, and that Banks said he did not care, and intended to kill Jones. Jones will be brought up in the Police Court, to-morrow. The Chronicle to-night denies that its recent remarks about Sir G. Grey were in any way authorised or inspired by any of the Ministry. Mr. R. J. Seddon, who has just returned from a visit to the Waimate Plains, informs the Chronicle that when he came down from them on Friday there was no particular oxcitoinent felt either by the natives or settlers. Mr. Seddon states that when he went over the plains to inspect the land, the resident natives whom lie met treated him courteously, and even showed hini the pegs of some sections. Mr. Seddon declares that the natives actually resident on the plains had nothing to do with the removal of the surveyors that it was a party of natives from Pariiiaka—some 40 in" number—who effected the removal. Mr. Seddon inclines to the

opinion that there will be no disturbance, and that should the surveyors once more be placed upon the plains, "the survey will be allowed to proceed without further interruption. The special correspondent of the Association at Ilauera telegraphs as follows, but the latest news received by the Government does not bear out the infunna-

tii.ii, which represents things ;us going 01 .satisfactorily :—" The Kakera anil othe natives are now very bold in assertion:

■airainst the Government. They say the Government are all bounce, and do not mean what they say. Mr. Williams, who again visited them, was insulted. Violent language was used by the Maoris to him. Katene offers to tal:o the surveyors back, i his looks very kind, but under the present circumstances it would not do. The natives complain that they hear so many different yarns as to the intentions cf the Government, they do not know which to believe. In any case, they will not have the surveyors back at any price. Te Whitis niana would be broken if Hiroki could be taken.

Torday, a little child foil into the Te Aro Baths, and was in great danger of drowning, when Mrs. Levy, who was passing at the time, sprang into the water while in her walking dress, and supporting herself by one of the ropes which run across the baths, managed to rescue the child, although at considerable personal risk.

A woman named Wilson, who has been suffering from depressed spirits, walked into the sea this morning, and was rescued with some difficulty. During the month of March of this year, 74 bir!i... .'-.1 deaths wore registered in the city, and 33 marriage certificates were issued.

Sickness of different kinds is very prevalent just now in nearly all parts of the town. Another fatal case of typhoid fever is reported, and there are several cases in which 110 hopes of recovery are entertained.

A violent gale blew last night, and the yacht Fanny Goddard, which was out on a sailing cruise on Sunday afternoon, is missing.

April 1. The New Zealander appeared this morning under the new proprietary. The price has been raised to twopence. It promises an independent .and discriminating support to the present Government. A meeting of the Thorndon ratepayers, last night, decided against the proposed LIOO,OOO loan for streets and improvements.

Mr. Sheehan's departure for the Wa: mate Plains is again postponed.

HAWERA

April 1. Mr. James Mnckay has gone to Parihaka to interview Te Whiti. The natives have considerable faith in him. A large number of the natives aregenerally friendly disposed, and now say that Te Whiti is right in defending their land. Others say, •'Give us libera] reserves and the Government can take the rest, and the matter can be settled." Te W/hiti's immediate fol-1 lowers are on the Plains, that is Tito I Kowarau's men, seem bolder than ever, [and laugh the threats of tho Government to scorn. The impression is favorable amongst the whites. The Government sending Mr. Mackay to Te Whiti is perfect folly now, as by parleying with the natives they only gather in impudence towards the Government. The result may be looked forward to anxiously. DUNEDIK March 31.

In about a week, tenders will be called for the Palmerston to Waihemo branch railway line.

A carpenter named Maddox, lately carrying on business at Ashburton, was arrested in Dunedin • this morning, on a warrant, charged with attempting to defraud his creditors. He was forwarded on to Ashburton at once, in charge of Detective Neil of that place. The recent fire at Saddle Hill will form the subject of police enquiry on Wednesday. William Boitles, of Saddle Hill, will be charged at the Police Court on that day with having, "on or about March 20 last, unlawfully, maliciously, and feloniously set fire to a certain

dwelling-house in the possession of the said William Boitles, with the intention thereby then to defraud the New Zealand Insurance Company." Most of the statements of damage by the recent floods were much over-esti-mated. Sargood, Son, and Ewen will lose about LSOO, instead of LIO,OOO as stated. ' The vital statistics for the quarter ended to-day "were—births, 413; deaths, 134; marriages, 136. To-day was the last day for receiving applications to have names placed on the electoral roll, and Mr. Ure and his assistants had a busy time of it. In all, there were 778 applications, viz., Dunedin, 327 ; Roslyn, 299 ; Caversham, 152. The Vincent County Council has a credit balance of L 14,000. CHRISTCHURCH. March 31.

The vital statistics for Christchurch and district for March are :—Births, in the city, 43; in the district, 118 ; deaths, city, 24; district, 500. The death-rate is considerably lower than in January and February, when it was higher than had ever been known before.

At the Police Court this morning, a case was heard which was characterised by the Bench as exceedingly cool on the part of the principal person engaged in it. William Patrick Foley, on remand from Invercargill, was charged with deaorting his wife. The prosecutrix said that she wanted to withdraw the charge. In answer to Inspector Hickson, she said she wanted her husband to bo brought back, j and that was why she had laid the charge. Now that the country had been put to the expense of bringing him back, she desired that the information should be withdrawn. Her husband had not sent her money, but she had plenty of money at home. The Bench asked her what she meant by swoarirjg in the information that her husband left her without support. Prosecutrix replied that she did not want that put in the information. Inspector Hickson said to prosecutrix—"lf lie goes away again, yon will got no assistance in bringing him back again." The pfisa was eventually adjourned, so that the Resident Magistrate, who was absent, might be able to deal with it, the original information having been sworn before him,

So far aa can be judged at present, the two railway engines which were submerged m the Piako when that vessel was scuttled have been irretrievably damaged. The department will hold a survey an them during the present week.

AUCKLAND.

March 31. Mr. A. Clements, J.P., concerning whose appointment as immigration agent many rumors were current, leaves for Home by the next mail steamer. He has letters of introduction to the AgentGeneral from Mr. Stout, Minister for Immigration. Mr. Thomas Macfarlano is stated to have declined the local Inspectorship of the Lunatic Asylum, on the ground of insufficient remuneration.

About 200 additional claims to vote for the city and suburbs have been lodged with the Registration Officer, and 5000 in all for the province. A fire broke out in a shed of Mr. John Learning, tinsmith, Victoria-street, but was suppressed before the range of buildings were endangered. The fire is supposed to bo the work of an incendiary. A loafer had taken shelter in the building for the night. °

! Ihe prizes ri the Kaitangata sporis were presented at the Theatre Royal by the Mayor. A boy named Goodman, 10 years old, kept the lead of the men in the ■ mile race till five yards from the finish. The Mayor presented him with LB, raised by public subscription. April 1. The Herald comes out to-day as an eight-page daily. Mi'- J. Payne left by the Hero for Sydney to act as judge of cattle at the New South Wales Agricultural Society's Show. Arrived—Australia, with 81 passengers, en route for San Francisco. The missing barque Queensland was insured for L 320 in the Victoria Company's office. The agents here have given up all hope of her arrival. HOKITIKA. March 31. Mr. W. Pitt, solicitor, of Reefton, was drowned last night, while crossing the Arahu ra river. On the coach arriving at the lower ford, the horses became restive, and were taken out of the coach, The passengers, Messrs. Swans, Kerr, and Pitt I alighted, and eachmounted a horse. Whilst crossing, the horse Mr. Pitt was on bucked, and threw him into the water. A rope was thrown to him, which he missed. As he was floating under the bridge seaward, he was heard to call out, " W r liich is the best side to get out ?" Nothing was after seen of him, though both banks of the river were well searched by the residents and Maoris with lanterns.