TELEGRAMS

Patea Mail, 5 July 1882, Page 2

TELEGRAMS

TO THE “ MAIL.” - (per united press association.) Flogging for Rape. Wellington, 4th.—-At the Supreme Court, R. Ellis, for rape, was sentenced to twelve years’ penal servitude and two floggings of thirty lashes each. The judge said it was the crime of a brute and he should be treated as a brute. Gas Explosion, Wellington, 4th.—A gas explosion occured in the Customs house this morning. A messenger named Walters on opening the office smelt gas. He at once proceeded to open the windows and doors, and after a short time he struck a match to light the fin?, whereupon an explosion occurred, smashing one door and melting the indiarubber casing off the bell wires. Walters was burnt about the bead rather severely. ; Wreck at Kaipara. : Auckland, 4th,—The schooner Torea, 78 tons, owned by J. Mitchelson and Co,, Auckland, went ashore at Kaipara Heads while outward bound with 70,000 feet timber for Lyttelton. She had been waiting for a chance to get to sea for several days. Her hull is insured for £IOOO in the Union, £6OO of which is reinsured. . CENSURING A CAPTAIN. LOSS OF THE S.S. WESTPORT. Wellington.—Judgment was given to-day in the steamer Westport enquiry case. After reviewing the facts at length, Mr Hardcastle said :—ln my opinion the loss of the Westport resulted from the wrongful act and default of Captain Gibb, (1) in not heaving the lead when he sighted the land; (2) in not navigating more cautiously in a dense fog, when he knew he was close to a rocky shore, and out of his course ; (3) in not having swung his ship in a certain hemisphere; (4) in going to sea from Lyttelton in an unseaworthy condition ; (5) in attempting to press his disabled vessel across the Straits in the face of bad weather till she was unable to retreat. I suspend his certificate for six months, and order him to pay the costs of the inquiry, £ls. In answer to Mr Shaw, the Court said they would recommend Capt. Gibb to be allowed to act as first mate during the suspension of his master’s certificate.

Insurance Business. Dunedin.—At the annual meeting of the Union Insurance Company, report and balance sheet for the past year showed receipts (including £5,200 brought forward) £125,436, and expenditure £106,665, leaving a credit balance of £18,771. Of this sum £7,500 is appropriated tb dividend at the rate of 10 per cent; £2,500 added to reserve fnnd ; and £8,771 carried forward. The retiring directors were re-elected. FLAX GROWING. Christchurch. A meeting of farmers and others interested in the promotion of the European flax industry was held in the Ellesmere district on Friday, when those present decided to assist as far as possible the provisional directorate established in Christchurch for the formation of a company having in view the manufacture of fibre and oil. £4,000 Offices for Wanganui. Auckland, 4th.—-The extensive establishment which the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company purpose erecting at Wanganui will cost £3OOO or £4OOO. Messrs E. Mahoney and Sons are preparing the plans; New Coursing Ground. Christchurch.—A meeting of coursing men has been held at which the proposition to form a coursing-ground company was affirmed, and directors elected,. The shares are £SO each, and the capital £2OOO. About 200 acres of land near Rolleston Junction, 18 miles from Christchurch, will be bought and laid out after the fashion of English and other coursing grounds. Children’s Ball. Christchurch. The children’s fancy dress ball at the Exhibition has been an immense success. The attendance was extremely large.

Drowned at a FordInvercargill.—lnformation has reached town from Otautau that two named John Comerford and Hugli McDermot, wen drowned last Sunday while attempting tc cross the Aparirno river on horseback The horses reached the bank and returnee to the place from which the riders started Bodies are not found. Election ContestChristchurch.—At the nominations foi Stan more district at noon to-day, the following was the result of the show oi hands : Cowlishaw 70, Richardson 58, Pilliet 47. Mr Pilliet demanded a poll.