NEW ZEALAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2125, 14 January 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[Per "Times” Special Wiue.] New Zealand Insurance Company. Auckland, Jan. 13.—The 38th halfyearly meeting of the New Zealand Insurance Company was held at 2 o’clock to-day. The depression in trade and the keen competition which exists have had their effects upon the Company’s business, rendering additional caution necessary in the selection and amount of risks ; and have also to some extent operated in making a reduction in its profits. The fire losses have been unprecedentedly heavy. After making allowance for ascertained losses at the date of closing the books, there remains to the credit of profit and loss a sum of £7023 17s Od from which the directors were enabled to declare a dividend of live per cent, per annum. It was decided that this should be carried forward to next year’s account, together with a balance of £253 17s Gd to profit and loss account. Attempted Suicide. Henry Dargon attempted to commit suicide this morning, while drunk. With a clasp-knife he sawed at his throat and abdomen, inflicting slight cuts on his windpipe, and thirty wounds on other parts of bis body. None were fatal. He was given in charge by two men and brought up at the Police Court and remanded for eight days. Pilots in Trouble. At the Harbor Board meeting yesterday, the report of the committee on Pilot James, recommended his dismissal. It was alleged by members of the Board that several other pilots had been to blame, and the report was referred back to the Committee for a full enquiry into the whole question of the conduct of the pilot service. Attention was also drawn to the silting up of the harbor from unprotected reclamation works, by the gale on Tuesday morning. It was agreed that the Government be communicated with. Crops in the North. Wellington, Jan. 14.—The continuous rain since Saturday night is doing serious injury to the crops. Aid for Jerusalem. At a public meeting held in the Jewish schoolroom last night, a committee was appointed to collect subscriptions to alleviate the prevalent distress in Jerusalem. Supreme Court. At two o’clock this morning the jury in the case of Bath v. Williams, an action to recover £SOO for alleged false im-

prisonment, brought in a verdict for defendant. Charge against a Commission Agent. At the Police Court, the charge of perjury against P. K. Watty, commission agent, for an alleged false declaration before the Deputy Commissioner of Stamps, was dismissed. It is believed Watty intends to prosecute those who laid the information for false prosecution. ■ -

' ifhe English Mail. -Christchurch, Jan. 14 —The s.s. Waitald left Wellington with the Southern mails to-day. The Southern portion will be forwarded by express train to-morrow morning. White Fish Ova. ' Tile Secretary of the Acclimatisation Society has received a telegram from the President of the Auckland Society, saying, the Hinemoa is only leaving there, to-night with the white fish ova fer the South. CTot the Man. ' William Connelly alias Molloy, on remand for riot, was discharged this morning at the Police Court. The case was positively shown to have been one of mistaken identity. Clearing Up. . The rain stopped at half-past twelve, and there is every appearance here of fine weather. Coursing. ’ OamarU, Jan. 14.—Entries for tlie North Otago Coursing Club’s Derby Stakes must be made to-morrow. The Weather. Pain has fallen steadily since yesterday at midday and it is now rain ing Heavily. It is feared the crops will be seriously damaged. The weather in Otago. ■ Dunedin, Jan. 14.—1 tis raining ■ heavily and floods are feared. Incendiarism. Tlie Coroner’s jury returned a verdict of incendiarism by persons unknown, in the case of the lire which destroyed Arthur O’Neil’s dwelling at Tuapcka East last month. An obstructor. At .tlie'City Police Court this morning Thomas Parker was fined £5 for obstructing the tramway, and £5 for asassaulting the engine driver. Invercargill Items. Invercargill, Jan. 14.—A requisition lias been presented to the Mayor asking him to call a meeting to originate an Irish relief fund. The opinion of tlie volunteers is unanimously in favor of Capt. Thomson for the majorship rendered vacant by the death of Major Macrorie. He at first refused, but now consents to accept the appointment if offered.