Accidents, Offences, &c.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 222, 29 August 1884, Page 2

Accidents, Offences, &c.

DIVORCE. WRECK OF THE AUGUSTA.—ENQUIRY. LIBEL ACTION. SUPPLYING LIQUOR TO DRUNKEN MEN. [Per Press Association.) Invercargill, August 29. In the Supreme Court to-day a rule nisi was granted in the divorce case Kean r. Kean and Aylward, with £lOO damages against the co-respondent. At an enquiry held into the wreck of the brigantine Augusta, Captain Clare (pilot) said that owing to being shorthanded he had to take a man away from the signal station, and in consequence of this the semaphore arm was accidentally dropped the wrong way by one of his children while the pilot boat was getting out to the ship, thus causing the mischief. The Court stated that the evidence would be forwarded to Wellington, and expressed an opinion that no blame was to be attached to the Captain or pilot.

In the Divorce case Sorenson v. Sorenson and Watson, a verdict was given for the husband, who was petitioner, with £2O damages.

Dennehay’s general store, at Wyndham, was destroyed by fire shortly after midnight this morning. It is supposed that it occurred by overheating of a stove. Insurance, £l5O on the building in the South British and £350 on the stock—divided between the Equitable and Standard. The building and stock were valued at £ll5O.

By a fire in the sitting-room of the Aparima Hotel, Riverton, at 3 o’clock yesterday morning, a quantity of furniture, including a piano, was destroyed. Insured in the New Zealand office. Some damage was done to the building. Nelson, August 29. At the inquest on Mrs. Scaife a verdict was returned in accordance with the facts. It is not known how the fire originated. Napier, August 29. William Ebett, licensee of the Royal Hotel, was fined £2 and costs for supplying drunken men with drink on Sunday. A third information for allowing disorderly conduct in his house was withdrawn, as defendant had already been fined on a complaint lodged by the man he assaulted. Since closing the hotels in the Norsewood district there has been a large amonnt of sly grog selling, but the police have found it very difficult to get sufficient evidence on which to prosecute. They have, however, made a raid on the hotels and seized large stocks of liquors, and the occupiers will have to account for the possession of the stuff. Auckland, August 29. Mr. Peel, wine and] spirit mercahant, has taken proceedings for libel against Mr. M. Niccoll. Damages are assessed at £5OO. The libel alleged is contained a letter sent by Niccoll to the Takapauna Licensing Bench in June last. The brig Robinhood and the brigantine Aratapu are quarantined at Kaipara. The owners are indignant, as Sydney is not declared an infected port. There is no sickness on board. A child named Giles Smith has been poisoned at* Wangaroa, through drinking carbolic acid. Dunedin, August 29. On Wednesday, the cottage of James Cameron, at Arrowtown, was destroyed by fire. Insured for £l5O in the South British.