LAST NIGHT’S WIRES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 40, 15 January 1884, Page 2

LAST NIGHT’S WIRES.

[Per United Press Association.] Dunkdin, Jan. 14. The barque Matica, from London, will discharge at tne Dunedin Wharf. The B.s. Kakanui went ashore at the Bluff, but is now alongside the wharf. Half her cargo has been got out in good condition, but the remainder is damaged. The extent of the damage is not yet ascertained. The vessel will be brought to Port Chalmers, to dock. The insurances on the vessel are—New Zealand, £500; Colonial, £250 ; Union, £250 ; Standard, £250; South British or United, £250; and National, £750. The insurances on the cargo are divided between the National, Victoria, and Standard. The charge of murder against Wm. Pearce for having stabbed Matilda Hancock has occupied the Supreme Court all day. The evidence was much the same as given at the inquest, but was stronger against tne prisoner, as a witness named Freeman deposed that the prisoner had admitted to his having committed the deed, saying that he had struck the woman when sne had provoked him, but did not intend to kill her, to a detective. Pearce had also admitted to having thrown the Knife with which ne did Hie deed into the bay. His Honor summed up strongly against the prisoner, telling the jury he could see no evidence of the provocation which would reduce the crime to manslaughter. He added that a recommendation would, no doubt, have due weight. At 7 o’clock the jury returned to ask whether a verdict of manslaughter would be accepted, stating they were of opinion prisoner had done tne deed without premeditation. His Honor directed them that absence of provocation would not alone reduce the crime to manslaughter. They are now considering the verdict. Greymouth, Jan. 14. Work is temporarily stopped in the Westport Colliery, and there is a lock between the miners and the Government. At Taylorville, when Commissioner Greenfield for the second time offered to sell the leases of sections on the railway reserve, on which a number of coal-miners have been squatting for a long time—the rent would average about Is. a week, which the miners say is too much, and want to buy the freehold, which Government refuses to sell —not a single bid was made. Nelson, Jan. 14. A six-roomed house near the railwaystation, owned and occupied by Mr. August, second mate of the steamer Kennedy, was burned down yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Corbett, August’s mother-in-law, was in the building confined to her bed, and was saved with difficulty. Insurances —National, £100; and £l5O on house and furniture in the Norwich Union. Nothing was saved*, as, owing' to the strong wind, the fire spread rapidly. Tne Collingwood correspondent of the Colonist reports a violent thunderstorm in that district early on the morning of the 9th. While Mr. G. Hislop was at breakfast, his house was struck by lightning, which split the coiner from top to bottom, tearing away the weatherboards and lining, and passing along the for 140 feet, and then exploding and throwing up the

earth. Hislop was thrown to the ground, and his wife and two children in the cowshed close by were also thrown down. None were seriously injured. Auckland, Jan. 14.

Several tenders were received to-day by the New Zealand Frozen Meat Coy., for cutting down Britomart Point, Emily Place, and the adjoining place. They will not, however, be opened for the present, pending the arrangement of conditions between bodies interested. The miners at Kawakawa Coal Mines, who lately struck, have agreed to resume work on the terms offered by the manager. A dozen have left for Westport. Hellaby’s slaughter-house was burned down. It is insured in the New Zealand for £3OO. Dead meat and hides were destroyed, also 40 live sheep, value at £4OO, which were uninsured. Incendiarism is suspected. While Mrs. Sharp, of Cambridge, was bathing in the Pokawhenua Creek with her daughter, aged four, the latter was swept away and drowned. The Epsom House Seminary, occupied by General Stoddart was burned down. The building was insured for £2OO in the South British; and in the National, £BOO. The furniture in the South British for £7OO, was partlysaved. The origin of the fire is unknown. Christchurch, Jan. 14. Lewis Stewart, a fisherman at Akaroa is missing. He is supposed to have been drowned by the upsetting of his boat in crossing Akaroa Harbor on Saturday. Wellington, Jan. 14. The Supreme Court was occupied the whole of to-day hearing the charge of arson preferred against a young man named Edward Mullen. The case for the Crown has not yet concluded, and at six o’clock the jury were locked up for the night. The police have been unable to ascertain the whereabouts of One principal witnesses for the prosecution. The Early Colonial Celebration on Anniversary Day promises to be a great success. Sir William Fitzherbert will preside. The “Mother Goose” Pantomime has finished a most successful season of nineteen nights on Saturday. The Company leave for Christchurch to-morrow morning. Donald Dinnie appears at the Tradesmen's Athletic Sports next month. The weather is very unseasonable, and a large quantity of rain fell yesterday. A man named Denis Ryan is missing. He was only discharged from the Lunatic Asylum recently, and it is feared he may have destroyed himself. The balance-sheet of the Working Men's Club for the half-year shows a credit balance of £3B. The balance of assets over liabilities is £567.