FIRST EDITION.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1006, 7 March 1883, Page 3

FIRST EDITION.

{The following appeared in the Second Edition last issue : P AUCKLAND, March 3. The inquiry into the charges preferred by Mary Wetherall against G. T. Hogan, master of the Industrial Home, is completed. The evidence, with Mr Hogan’s statement attached, and the report of the official visitors, Colonel Haultain, Captain Daldy, and Mr Shirley Hill, will be forwarded to Wellington. ; CHRISTCHURCH, March 8. From a statement compiled by total abstainers the number of arrests for drunkenness shows a decided increase; ■ln January, 1881, the number was 47-. *IBB2, 4 '9; 1883, 93. In February, 1881, the number was 31; 1882, 54 ; 1 1883, 72. • The Premier left last evening for ; Wellirigtdn by thh lWariaka, • ' ,'i ‘ 1 DUNEDIN, March, 3. There are 33; entries for the Champagne Stakes, 1884, including 12 . from the Middle Park Company, and 7 from .the Auckland Stud Company. The Trades and Labour Council in-, tend organising a series of public meetings throughout * the cojony during the Parliamentary, session,- [with the,’object ■of arousing public interest in the Eight 'Hours, Working Men’s Lien, and Bradshaw’s Act Amendment Bills. The committee the Benevolent Institute, in their annual report io the subscribers, say “ One grievous and crying fevil is that of wife desertion, which year after year is sadly on the increase ; in fact, if legislation of a de Terront nature is not brought to bear on ithis growing crime, serious results to the tax-paying public must ensue. It is ■quite enough for - the benevolent to assist in cases of pure misfortune, but To be called upon to support the families of the classes referred to is more than can be reasonably be borne.” No fewer Than 79 deserted wives, with . 276 children, were relieved daring the year. 1 BLUFF, March, 3. Two English men-of-war, the Es■peigle, six guns, and Diamond;' fourteefi guns, passed through the Straits this afternoon, bound to the eastward.