Crimes and Errors.

Patea Mail, 26 January 1882, Page 3

Crimes and Errors.

The local record of crimes and misdemeanors in this district is instructive. During the year ended December, there were heard at the E. M. Court 4 cases of indecent assault, 10 common assaults, 1 feloniously wounding cattle, 1 wilful damage, 16 larcenies, 8 prisoners being punished summarily and 4 committed for trial ; 1 charge of obtaining money under false pretences, 1 breach of Licensing Act, and 5 of Beer Duty Act, 1 breach of the Taranaki Municipal Police Ordinance, 1 breach of Public Works Act, 1 breach of Dog Registration, 7 cases of drunkenness, 2 being discharged, 1 breach of Cruelty to Animals Acf, 4 cases of using language calculated to provoke a breach of the peace, 5 offences against the Vagrant Act, and 1 breach of Destitute Persons Act. Sixty-four males were taken into custody during the year, and 7 females. Six were discharged for want of evidence, 17 were dismksed on the merits, 10 committed for trial, 23 fined, 8 males and 1 female imprisoned summarily, and 5 bound over to keep the peace. Civil cases heard at the Court numbered 177. The total amount claimed was £3074 18s Id, and the total recovered was £1607 13s Id.

The failure of the Harbor Board at Wanganui to realise their reserve of bush land is an unfortunate incident. Only three sections sold for cash at the auction, all the others being passed in. One section of 243 acres sold for £304 ; another of 70 acres for £IOO ; 71 acres for £BB 15s. A few sections are taken up on deferred payment, four sections: being contested at 345, 645, 40s, and 36s per acre. The Harbor Board is in this position, that having commenced a costly wall at the heads in the expectation of realising this bush reserve to raise funds, the prospect relied on proves delusive. The bush land is not in demand among cash buyers. A marked success; in the land sale would have pleased us better. Hawera is to have another lawyer. Mr Matthews, lately managing clerk to Mr Hutchison, and a solicitor of long experience in England, is removing to Hawera. The Canterbury scheme of a railway to the West Coast seems doomed td abandonment. At a meeting of subscribers the following resolution was carried That the report be referred to the proposed provisional directors as a committee'to consider the same with a view to present a recommendation as to the abandonment, or otherwise, of the project,” Spent hops are rich in fertilising qualities, and valuable for applying on light lands. They should be.rotted by letting them ferment in a heap over which liquid manure has been poured, and the heap turned over occasionally.