TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1125, 17 August 1882, Page 2

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

[UNITED I’BESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. It is understood that an action for defamation of character in which damages are laid at £20,000, has been brought by Mr Cook, late Manager of the Colonial Bank in this city, against Mr J. M. Larnach. The case is to be heard in Sydney, and evidence is being taken, on commission, in this city by Messrs, Sievwright and Chapman, as Com. missioners for plaintiff and defendant respectively. Mr Cook, after leaving here, became Manager of a Bank in Australia, but was dismissed in consequence, it is stated, of a letter addressed by Mr Larnach to his brother in Sydney, and which was shown to the Directors. It is this letter which forms the ground of the present action. Damages to the extent of £5OO have been caused by floods during the late storm in Karori and Makara districts. A strong southerly wind is still blowing, accompanied with heavy rain. CHRISTCHURCH. According to the “Telegraph,” Alfred Thompson’s defalcations amount to £20,000, and the property he leaves behind to £5OOO. It is stated, however, that one creditor smelt a rat, and managed to get security before Thompson left. Nearly half the defalcations are the produce of embezzlement, the rest being debts. Where the money has gone to is a mystery, as Thompson was always of a quiet and retiring disposition, and to all appearances was sticking steadily to work, though it was no secret that he did not make a heavy income, DUNEDIN. Phillip Davis, a plumber, aged about 30, a single man living with his parents, took some spirits of salts used in his trade on Tuesday night, and yesterday he died. He had been drinking very heavily and coming home drunk, was reprimanded by his father whereupon he went and took poison and stated that he had done so. The doctor attended but although the drug was removed the effects of it and of habitual drinking killed him, The Otago Acclimatization Society have telegraphed to the Colonial Secretary in regard to the Fisheries Bill, urging that a license fee will Injuriously affect the operation of such society, and that the original Bill as brought down by Mr Whitaker should be dropped for the season. UMARU. A man named William Chambers fell off a dray at Waimate yesterday afternoon, and the wheel passed over his head, He was conveyed to the hospital, but died soon after reaching there. He was a single man, and had lived in the district for 11 or 12 years, A public meeting will be held to-day in connection with the wreck relief fund, which now amounts to nearly £2OOO. Permanent trustees have been appointed, The fund in aid of distressed Jews in Russia amounts to £3OO. ASHBURTON. A man named Walsh, a settler at the Rakaia, has been arrested for threatening to shoot a constable who attempted to interview him on the subject of recent alleged cruelties to horses on his farm. He was brought up yesterday and remanded to the Rakaia Court till to-day, bail being allowed, himself in £2OO and two sureties of £lOO each. AUCKLAND. Superintendent Thompson left for the Thames to conduct the prosecution against Sergt. O’Grady. Edwin Hesketh, barrister, is retained for the defence, Sami. Joy has been committed for trial for bigamy. The marriage arose through Joy advertising for a wife, a widow named Mary Ann Pringley promptly replying. The petition against the Fisheries Protection Bill is being largely signed by the local fishermen. It protests against Maoris being exempt from the operation of the Bill, and against the power of the Governor to close fisheries for three or more years at pleasure. PATEA. The severe weather is creating great havoc among the lambs in this district. After last nights storm one farmer found forty lambs dead. The coming land sales are bringing speculators in this direction.