NEW ZEALAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2096, 10 December 1879, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[Per “Times” Special Wire."] AUCKLAND, Dec. 10. At 1 a.m. a fire broke out on the premises of Mr Rafton, baskctmaker. The fire brigade were promptly on the ground, and suppressed it after some damage. The origin of the outbreak is unknown. The stock and furniture were insured in the Colonial Company for £2OO, and the building, which is owned by Mr Leighton, bookbinder, is insured in the South British Company. At the entertainment given in aid of the sufferers by the recent explosion on the Naval Brigade pinnace, Captain Leroy presented petty officer Moore with a medal in recognition of his gallantry in saving life on that occasion. Sydney advices report that Godcfroy’s South Sea business will probably he carried on, and all Colonial liabilities will be met. BLENHEIM, Dec. 10. In the Supreme Court yesterday, the cases of Kirwan, Goff, and Gourio for cattle stealing, and Yates, for assault, with intent, on a young girl, were dismissed. At the sitting of this Court, in Earle v. Doherty, an action for libel, Mr Travers, who appeared for the defendant, made a special plea, alleging the allegations in the libel to be true, and that Earle had actually seduced his niece, and had intercourse with her during the past two years, and further that the alleged libel was made with a view of having the allegations inquired into for the public benefit. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 10. At the Police Court this morning a dressmaker named Catherine Wallace was charged with purloining a piece of dress stuff given her to make up, and was sentenced to one week’s imprisonment with hard labor. Thomas Jones, charged with breaking into Messrs Lightband, Allan and Co.’s factory and stealing leather to the value of £7, was remanded till Friday. For the anniversary sports eleven entries have been received for the twomile race, twelve for the two-mile walking race, and twenty-one for the mile handicap. There arc five entries for the three-mile bicycle race. GRAHAMSTOWN, Dec. 10. A fire broke out in Pollen street .early this morning. O’Brien’s secondhand furniture shop and Wood’s fruit depot were destroyed. O’Brien’s losses are £2OO and Wood’s £250. The former is insured for £l5O and the latter for £SO,