LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 509, 17 April 1880, Page 3

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

CATTLE PLAGUE SPREADING. Auckland, Friday. Plfuro-pneun.onia is spreading seriously in the Waikato district. All cattle on the Pi.dcu station are to be slaughtered as infected. Orders are expected requiring cattle to he confined to their paddocks. DROWNED IN THE FLOODS. Wellington, Friday. The body of Devereux, one of the victims of the Wairarapa boat accident, has been found. STRUCK ON A ROCK. Wellington, Friday. The Stella struck on a sunken rock in Queen Charlotte's Sound, on the 13th, and narrowly escaped being wrecked. PERJURY AND HORSEWHIPPING. Nelson, April 15. At the conclusion of a case against Acton Adams for perjury, before Nelson Magistrates, a fracas occuin-d at the door of the Nelson Club. Mr Bunny, junior counsel for the prosecution, was returning to his chambers, when he was assailed by Mr Percy Adams, brother of the defendant, who struck Mr Bunny with a horsewhip over the head. They closed, and blows passed freely, blood streaming from Mr Adams’s mouth. Mr Teschemaker and Mr Langley Adams were then drawn into the fray, which appeared likely to result in a serious breach of the peace, but on the advice of friends the parties entered the Club, and separated. On Mr Teschemaker reappearing in the street, he was cheered by a large crowd, and Mr Bunny was also cheered. He addressed the assemblage, claiming he had but done his duty as a solicitor in his conduct of the case. He had had unpleasant tilings to say, but if the same necessity occurred to-morrow he should he ready to do his duty. He was again cheered, and groans were given for the Bench. RETRENCHMENT AT WELLINGTON. Wellington, April 14. It is understood that the Retrenchment Committee of the City Council will recommend rigid economy in expenditure, and the cutting down of expenses in every possible way, including a pro rata reduction in all salaries and wages, from the highest to the lowest. MORE RELIEF LABOR. The Returning Officer has been asked by the Government to select twenty single and five married men to work on the road being constructed by the Wanganui County Council fr*m Wanganui to Murimotu. They will be employed on the same terras as the lost batch. THE COLONY’S FINANCES. Wellington, April 15. At the Colonial Treasury yesterday afternoon the accounts were formally closed for the past financial year, 1879-80. It will take some time to

balance the accounts accurately, as certain outstanding liabilities have to be carried forward to next year. All practicable expedition will be used, however, in making up the balance-sheet, in order that the actual financial position of the colony inay be ascertained as early as possible, with a view to devising ways and means before Parliament meets. OFFICIAL BLUNDERING. A deputation of the City Council waited on the Government to-day, protesting against the new railway station being built of wood, it being against the regulations ef the City Council. The result is not yet known. CIVIL SERVICE REFORM. The Civil Service Commission have completed its business at Timuru. A day will be spent at Ashburton, and three or four days at Christchurch. At Wellington some of the Under-Secretaries will be examined, and the Commission will then leave for Napier and Auckland, after which Wanganui and New Plymouth will be visited. After returning to Wellington, they will visit Nelson. LOST IN THE FLOODS. Masterton, April 15. Daring the search for the missing man supposed to have been drowned in the Wairarapa Lake, the police have been informed that the hat of Cross lias been found, also a dead dog, which was known to have accompanied the young men in their unfortunate excursion. Part of a boat has also been found, broken up. WALKING MATCH. Christchurch, April 15. A walking match has been arranged for the 20th May, at Christchurch, between Bowley of Christchurch, and Connor of Timaru; distance, seven miles, for £IOO a-side. DRINK AND SUICIDE. Napier, April 15. A man, whose name is at present unknown, but was in the employ ol Mr G Holmes, of Mount Harding, cut his throat on Wednesday. He is in a very precarious state. It is believed that drink was the cause of the rash act. THE DUNEDIN MURDER TRIAL. Dunedin, April 15. The charge of wilful murder against Butler is now being taken, in the presence of a crowded Court. The prisoner, who is undefended, exercised his full right of challenge when the jury was being empanelled. The Crown challenged two jurors.

SIR WILLIAM.FOX AND THE PUBLICANS. Mr Thomas Haywood, proprietor of the Albion Hotel, Carlyle, addressed (he following letter to the Wanganui Herald : Sir, —In justice to myself, I cannot allow a letter which appeared in yes! onlay’s issue of the Chronicle headed “ Maori Bum,” and signed li William Fox,” to pass without making a few remarks. In the first place be says that 1 inadc the Natives drunk. That 1 flatly deny, and what is more, I do not think there is one person in Carlyle, were he asked, who could say the Natives wore made drunk any lime during the silting of the Commission. Then he savs ho was the cause of in}' discontinuing to supply the Natives. This is another misstatement. My reason for discontinuing to supply the Natives with drink until after the rising of the Court, was at the lequest of the local authorities, who a-iked in a proper manner (far different to the bouneeahie style of Sir William Fox), and not through the fear of the threats held out by him. At previous meetings here, the local authorities have sent, asking me not to supply Natives until the close of the meetingin the afternoon, which I have always done, and tilings would have passed off as before without any trouble, but for the nnealled-for interference of Sir William Fox.—l am, &c., Thomas Haywood. Carlyle, April 8.