LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 177, 20 December 1876, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[Per Press Agency.]

AUCKLAND. December 19

Further particulars of the Ararimu murder show that three years ago, Curtin brought an action against the murdered man and got worsted, and his grass seed had to be seized. This caused a grudge, and about a week ago lie told Mrs Sbanaghan 11 you will not have him long.” Curtin’s statement to the police is that he met Shanaghan, who said “ come and see me burn your house clown” that they then fought, he getting the better. Shanaghan said, “ you’ve done enough, Curtin, let me up now.” Curtin refused, and tied Shanaghan to a stump with a half inch rope with his hands behind him, he then rode into Papakura to get a warrant which was refused. Upon returning on Sunday morning he went by candlelight and cut away the cords binding the body. Drops of candle grease wore found on the murdered man, and a piece of sperm candle in Curtin’s pocket, when arrested. When Shanaghan’s wife was looking for her husband she asked Curtin where he was. He said “He is lying down where he got his deserts.” Shanaghan appears to have struggled desperately to free himself, the rope having cut into the wrists and the stump he was tied to. One of the marks on the skull was made by a sharp instrument, and an axe was found in the ashes of a lire in Curtin’s house, with the handle burnt off. NAPIER. December 16. In the Napier Supreme Court, George Goddard, for stealing a watch, the property of his master, named Sturrock, was acquitted. It was a curious case. Sturrock has made money at the Cape Diamond Fields, and is visiting, with his wife, all the ports in New Zealand. He is a man of excitable temperament and addicted to hard drinking. At the Occidental Hotel, Wellington, he picked up the prisoner Goddard, and engaged him to go to the Cape with him. He was to receive no wages in New Zealand, but prosecutor gave him money when he wanted it. The jury adopted the view suggested by the counsel, that prisoner took the watch without felonious intent, but merely to produce a salutary effect on the prosecutor’s mind, and keep him from drink. The scene in Cmnt during the crossexamination of the prosecutor was the most outrageous ever witnessed. Prosecutor got terribly excited and refused to answer questions, and repeatedly called Mr Lee, the defending counsel, a liar, and turned his back upon him, snapped his fiusers at him, and finally demanded a chair. The Chief Justice allowed him to sit in a chair at the counsel’s table, and to give his answers from there. December 19.

In the Supreme Court, John Langhan was committed of manslaughter of his wife. He was sentenced to twenty years’ penal servitude. The Jury returned a verdict of manslaughter in its most serious aspect, prisoner having kicked his wife about tiie head until all the muscles became a pulp. She died four hours afterwards. In the case of the National Bank against Witty, an action for £2OO on a promissory note, a verdict for plaintiffs was given. Considerable excitement exists in country districts about the county elections. There appears to have been a bungle between the Government and the Returning Officers as to the number of seats for ridings. In one case the Returning Officer has declared two candidates who were nominated to bo elected because of a Gazette proclamation. Another case of the kind has occurred, but the Returning Officer has not declared the. persons nominated to be elected. There has also been a bungle as to plurality of votes. Some of the Returning Officers will only allow one vote, and others say up to seven, in accordance with the Provincial Highways Act. WELLINGTON. December 16. The Gazette to-day publishes an Order in Council prohibiting absolutely the importation to New Zealand, from the 15th April next, and for the fpllow'ing two years, any cattle, sheep, and swine, from Great Britain, Ireland, and the Continent. December 19. Tenders will shortly be called for making the following additions to the wharf :—To widen main wharf to extent of 22 feet along its whole length ; to widen middle T by 11 feet on East side, and lengthen it sixty feet at North end, and 260 at South end. Acceptances for the Wellington Cup and Derby will close at the Empire Hotel on Friday, the 22nd inst., at 8 p.m. INVERCARGILL, December 16. The Junction Hotel, a, large building containing upwards of thirteen rooms, bar, &c., situated 44 miles from Invercargill, has been totally destroyed by. fire.' The story connected with the affair is a very one. The- hotel belonged to Mrs Ott, whose husband died a year ago, leaving all the property to his wife. During the last two months it became known that Mrs Ott was about to marry again, when

the relatives of the family interfered ami insisted that she should make over the property to the children—live boys. For sonie time back Mrs Ott showed evident symptoms of insanity. Slie was taken to reside for a few clays with her uncle at Long-bush; Slie lias never Been placed under strict surveillance. Her -friends succeeded in pursuading her to transfer the property to her children, and then Ardor} the man who wanted to marry her, somewhat cooled. The hotel had been hi the market lately for lease, and yesterday a part} 1, went to inspect it. Mrs Olt was evidently averse to leaving the place} amt this ho, doubt preyed upon her mind. This morning, between six and seven o’clock, she went up-stairs and deliberately set fire to several rooms. She' then came down stairs, tsok one (if her boys with her into her room; set fire to it; and locked the door. There were only a nian servant and a maid servant on the premises. The-man went upstairs and extinguished the fire, but not seeing Mrs Ott, went to look for her; and with great presence df mind broke into her room, and got her and the boy out with difficulty. The place was quickly all in a biaze, and although several neighbours were soon the spot, only about £IOO worth of furniture was saved. The building was insured in the National Company for £SOO, the furniture for £3OO, and the stock foi‘ £IOO. The National re-insured with the Royal, £3OO for the furniture, and £IOO for the stock; PORT CHALMERS. December 15. Arrived—Ship Oamaru, 82 days from. Glasgow, 373 passengers. On the passage/ there were 21 cases of measles ; the last case was on the Bth inst. There have been four deaths : two from measles, one from diarrhoea, and one from infantile exhaustion. There are now on board —one case of infantile exhaustion, one of enteric fever one of diarrhoea, one of mania, and five of measles. The clothing has been thoroughly disinfected, and the ship has been quarantined.