LAST NIGHT’S WIRES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 75, 25 February 1884, Page 2

LAST NIGHT’S WIRES.

[Per United Press Association.) Thames, Feb. 23. A singular Volunteer case has been heard in the B.M. Court. A member of the late Hauraki Rifles sued Capt. Small for a proportion of the value of the Company’s assets, which amounted to £242. The Captain had struck plaintiff and eighty ethers off the Company’s rolls for refusing to be re-sworn under the new regulations and non-attendance at parades; He then called a meeting of the Company without specifying the place. Fourteen names were left on the roll, and of these six met at the residence of one of the officers and decided to divide the property amongst the fourteen. The Magistrate held that plaintiff and others had been illegally struck off the roll, and were still members of the Company, but that as the so-called meeting was illegal, and as no decision had been come to by the Company as to the disposition of the property, the plaintiff could not at present recover, and was therefore nonsuited. Kumara, Feb. 28. An important decision was given in the R. M. Court. Mr. George Simmonds was summoned by Mn George Steamer, who claimed £5O penalty for Simmonds acting as Borough Councillor when incapacitated under the fourth sub-section of the sixty-first section of “ The Municipal Corporations Act; 1876.” Mr. Giles, R. M., gave judgment for the plaintiff, and said I —“ It cannot be disputed that the work in the present case was done for the Council and paid for by the Council, and I am afraid that nothing has been shown which could relieve the defendant from the penalty. I regret that I have no power to mitigate the penalty; but it appears to me that the plaintiff is entitled to judgment for the amount claimed with costs/’ In another similar case brought against Simmons under the same clause, by Mr. Duncan McLennan, another penalty of £5O and costs was inflicted. Dunedin, Feb., 23. The weather wks very wet to-day and the races were run in pouring rain. The course Was very sloppy. About £7;000 were put through the totalisators to-day. The follow* ing were the results :—Forbury Handicap, of 250 sovs.j one mile and a half—Robinson’s Vanguard; Bst, 1 ; Stephenson’s Taiaroa, 7st 91b, 2, Salvage, 7st J 21b, Mata, Bst 101 b, Siesta, 7st 91b and Hippodamia, 6st 51b, also ran. Salvage was third. There was a magnificent race between the three first, a head dividing each, Time, 2min 47secs. Of £1,501 in the totalizator; £278 was on Vanguard. Marshall Memorial Stakes; of 150 sovs., two miles, weight for age—O’Brien’s Tasman, 9st 41b, 1 : McLean’s Lady Emma, 9st 21b, 2; Bates’ Poet, 9st 31b; 8. Tasman won a slow race by a length and a half with something in hand. Handicap Steeplechase, of 130 sovs.—Waills’ b g Kareare, 5 yrs, Bst 71b, Cotton, 1 ; Houghton’s b g Hercules, 6 yrs; 12st 91b, 2. Rockett, 10st 61b, and Little John, 9st 121 b, also ran. A good race between the two winners. Of £B6l in the totalisator, £163 were on the winner. Hopeful Stakes Handicap, of 120 sovs, six furlongs—Cutts’ Watersprite colt, 2 yrs, 7st, 1; McLean’s ch f Lady Evelyn, 8 yrs, 7st 51b, 2 ; O’Brien’s b f Rubina, 8 yrs, 6st 81b, 8; Lady Evelyn was the favorite; but the colt won pretty easily. Of £1,281 in the totalisator, £276 were on the winner; Time, Bmin 50secs, Of £1,452 in totalisator, £637 was on the winner. A tourist from here has successfully ascended Mount Earn slaw to the foot of the glacier; which is 2,000 feet higher than the Bev. Mr. Green got, when a snow-storm compelled his return. The pantomime girls have had their passages paid to Wellington; pressure having been brought to bear on the management for that purpose. One girl, who at first refused to go and afterwards changed her mind, had her passage paid by Miss Pomeroy. Mr. Mitchelsen telegraphs that the con* tract for the Thorn section of the Otago Central line has been accepted, and that the others will be dealt with shortly. Archibald McPherson, a lecturer, was found dead on the road ten miles from Roxburgh town. Heart disease is supposed to have been the cause of death.

Wellington, Feb. 23. Major Swindley has sent in his resignation as Inspector of the Aid; Force, and has intimated his intention to contest the Tauranga seat at the general election. It is reported that Mr. Levin will not offer himself for re-election for Thorndon (Wellington), on account of ill-health. Yesterday morning, the Rev. Mr. Cairns said he believed it would be wise to increase the number of the Church Extension Committee, by having one representative member from all the Presbyteries, for the purpose of considering the various cases that come before it, as this would interest the whole Church. His motion to that effect was lost. The Rev. Mackenzie Fraser read a report on the new hymn-books called “ Church Praise.” Mr. Fraser spoke highly as to the excellence of the work, and strongly recommended the Assembly to adopt it. The motion was seconded by the Rev. J. Patterson, who also spoke in admiration of the hymn-book. After a lengthened conversation on the subject, the Assembly came to the following finding :—“ The Assembly receives the report, thanks the Committee — and especially the Rev. McKenzie Fraser, who prepared the report—and adopt the edition of the book of psalms and hymns styled “ Church Praise/ which gives the full number of psalms and hymns as suitable for use in the service of praise in the Church; and as it is a great improvement in every respect on the book now in use, it cordially recommends its introduction whenever practicable, and enjoins its congregations to be careful in introducing the book, so as to combine harmony and avoid pressing unduly on the circumstances of individuals and congregations.” The Assembly further instructed the Clerk to ask Messrs. Isbister and Co., the publishers, to issue a complete edition, having the title page suitable to this Church. It was stated there had been a general increase as compared with last year, there being now 86 schools, 742 teachers, (322 males and 420 females), and 6,094 scholars, with an average attendance of 5,140. The school libraries amount to 1,248 volumes. 683 scholars attend the week night Bible class, and there are 4 preparation classes for teachers. Auckland, Feb. 23. Mr. Robert Moreton, one of the Thames Valley Land Settlement Co.’s officials, was found dead in his bed at Lichfield. The Native obstructionists to the survey at Waotu have been find by the Cambridge Bench in sums varying from £2O to £5 with costs.

The local entries for the Colonial Prizeflring made to-night number eighty. The ranges are completed. A lodger in the Cape of Good Hope Dining-rooms, David Wallace, developed insanity, and threatened with a loaded revolver to send the inmates into eternity. He fired at Constable Bole. In effecting his arrest the constable narrowly escaped being shot, Mr. Bryce, Mr. Rolleston, and Mr. Oliver arrived here from Waikato last night. They express themselves hopeful of yet settling matters satisfactorily at Rotorua. They leave for Wellington on Monday. The N.Z. Insurance, Company have taken the tender of Allan McGuire at £66,162 td build the Victoria Arcade. With the foun; dation the building will cost £40,000. It will be on the block facing Queen, Bhortland, and Fort streets, the fourth side being formed by the Post Office building. Nelson, Feb. 23. Seventeen competitors have left Nelson to attend the N. Z. Rifle Association meeting at Auckland. A very sensational scene occurred in the Police Court yesterday. Mr. Harley was applying for a prohibition order against his son Arthur. The latter was in Court, and asked his father to withdraw the application. Ths father refused, whereupon his son dtew A phial from his pocket, and sAying “ Then here goes!” Attempted to swallow the contents. The police rushed on him and took the phial away, and found it to contain chloral. [The Harlev family is one of the most prominent in Nelson, being a great firm of brewers, fanners, and propertyowners.) Timaru, Feb. 28. During 1883 the civil cases heard In the R;M; Court herd numbered 1,1,60. The aggregate amount sued for ifras £12,620, and the aggregate amount recovered £5,098; Christchurch, Feb. 28. In a return match yesterday, Canterbury made 128 for their first innings, and Tasmania had one wicket down for 77. The match was resumed this morning.