TELEGRAMS.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 510, 21 April 1880, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

FIRE BRIGADE DISBANDED. Wellington, Tuesday. The City Council have accepted the resignation of the Fire Brigade, and a new one is to be organised. DISPUTED SALE OF TRAMWAY. Wellington, Tuesday. The case of Lockie .against McDonald, for setting aside the recent sale of the tramway for £IB,OOO, commenced today, and excites much interest. POLITICAL SHINDY. Nelson, Tuesday. A public meeting lias called on Mr Acton Adams, M.H.R., to resign his seat, and the evidence in the recent assault case is to be laid before the Minister of Justice. ALARMING BOAT ACCIDENT. Auckland, April 19. Mr W. Wane, J.P., and the Rev Mr Hawkes, Church of England minister, while crossing from Wangaroa to Totara in a sailing boat were capsized in a sudden squall. A boat put out from the Krimhilda schooner, and picked them up. GRAIN STATISTICS. Christchurch, April IG. The complete agricultural statistics for Canterbury show that the yield of wheat is 5,461,400 bushels, against 3,621,820 last year; oats, 5,776,275, against 3,237,462; barley, 1,124,281, against 381,000; or a total yield of 12,361,056 bushels, against 7,230,291 ; or, a7O per cent, increase. Had not rain fallen during harvest time, South Canterbury figures would have been still larger; as it is, this year has been marked by decidedly the best harvest ever garnered. The percentages arc— Wheat, 28 ; [ bushels per acre; oats, 37 5; barley, 30-*-. The yield of potatoes was 37,446 tons, against 25,76i>; or Sf tons to the acre. DUNEDIN MURDER TRIAL. Dunedin, April 16. At the Murder trial to-day Inspector Mallard was subjected to a rigid crossexamination by prisoner, who adimadverted strongly on the Inspector questioning him after he had been charged with murder. The Judge’s remarks implied that, whilst a certain amount of discretion was left to the police as to cautioning prisoners, it would be better if Mallard had refrained from questioning, but, as he made a memo, immediately afterwards, the evidence was admissible. Mallard said be debated with himself nearly two hours as to what course he should persuo, and ultimately he decided to make the memo., leaving his superiors to censure him if they thought necessary. Ho, however, swore positively that prisoner began the questioning. Mallard, in bis examinatioii-in-chief, detailed many conversations with the prisoner, when lie came seeking the Inspector’s assistance in obtaining employment, Butler discussed all the recent great crimes, particularly Peace’s and Moonlite’s, and observed how easy it was to destroy traces of crime by arson, adding, in conclusion, “If some great crime was committed here like this, I suppose you would blame me for it?” Mallard replied, “ No ; I should look for suspicious cir - cumstances ; if they pointed to you I should certainly be after yon.” Prisoner complained to the Court that the prosecution had been conducted treacherously and vindictively, and that evidence had been given of bloodspots on his clothes of which bo had not previously been informed. The case lor the Crown was concluded, and the prisoner, who said he would call no witnesses, will enter on his defence to-morrow.

April 17. Butler, in addressing the jury at great length, explained that his reason for leaving Dunedin on Sunday morning (the morning of the murder) was the belief that his arrest for Stamper s burglary on the previous morning had been planned. The Judge sums up after the adjournment. Butler’s Acquittal. April 19, On Saturday, Butler spoke for six hours in his defence. The Judge summed up favourably for the prisoner. After three hours’ absence, the jury brought in a verdict of “ not guilty.” The prisoner was hooted by the crowd. It is said he will now be tried for the murder of Mrs Dewar. AUCKLAND RACING. Auckland, April 17. Very few of the Cup horses put in an appearance this morning. Vampire is the fittest, and is doing good work. Laertes looks light; Saunterer and Soukar also did good work. Ariel did not put in an appearance. Resolution, King Quail, and Otawa arc expected by the steamer to-day. Vampire and Libeller are the favourites for the Handicap. Grey Momus and Loch Lomond did good work. The former is going very well; the latter appears very lightlooking and well. Sportsman and Baron are the favourites for the Steeplechase. The South Australian . Parliament will meet for dispatch of business on the 27tb fllay. Temptation. —At a meeting of the unemployed held near London early in the year, Mr A. Clnyden suggested that New Zealand was a land flowing with milk and hones', and that several Oxfordshire labourers whom be bad known had grown fat on the milk, and were now surfeited with the honey. When, however, it was suggested thattown labourers tHdn 7 fc know a plough from a cauliflower,” Mr Claydcn was not so certain that the detritus of the town population would so easily absorb either the milk or the honey.”