NEW ZEALAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2215, 23 April 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[Ter "Times” Seeciai. Wire.] Political. Aucklanp, April 23.—Mr Bryce arrived at the Manakau this morning. Sir (loorgo tiroy addresses the electors about Wednesday next, if in good health, if not next week. J. C. Young- Discharged. In the second case against!. C. Young, late Covernment land purchase agent, who was charged with embezzling monies, the jury at II returned a verdict of not guilty, attaching the following presentment:; —“ That the system of Native lands purchase expenditure, as disclosed by the evidence is extremely loose and reprehensible, and atfords no siillieient ebiok against fraud by persons employed as agents.” The other charges wore brought up to-day, hut at the opening of the court, the Crown Prosecutor announced their withdrawal. The Judge in discharging Young, said he had been guilty of gross neglect of duty, in j),-lying monies,and had brought the prosecution on himself, but he was satisfied the prisoner had not attempted to appropriate monies to his own use. Hotel Destroyed. Naiueii, April 23.—The Commercial Hotel at the Spit was destroyed by lire at 2 this morning. Galloys, the proprietor, was absent, being at a private party in town. His wife, child, and

servant were alone in the house, sleeping together, when they were roused by unwonted sounds, and discovered the house on fire. The flames had then such a hold that the}’- could only save a box or two of clothing. Both the Spit and Napier Brigades had been holding the annual dinner in town, but in spite ofhaving cl i n eel 11 1 ey t urn cd on t promptly and succeeded in confining the fire to the hotel. The adjoining buildings were severely scorched, the weatherboards of Bonner and Liddle’s bonded store being burned through in several places. The insurance on the building is £GOO in the South British and £1 )0 in (he Victoria ; stock and furniture, £6OO in the Transatlantic. A Paid Drive Brigade. Wkjdlingxox, April 23. —At a meeting of the City Council last night, the Fire Brigades’ Committee reported that in future there should be only one municipal Fire Brigade, and recommended that the Council advertise for a duly qualified Superintendent, at a salary of £IOO per annum, to organise and take command of such Fire Brigade, to be formed somewhat on the following basis —One Superintendent, £IOO ; two foremen, £25 each ; five branchmen, £lO ; twenty-live firemen, £5 each ; one night watchman, £IOO ; two stationkeepers, 30s per week each, £160; monthly practices, twenty-five men, at 2s each ; five men aU 3s each, £4O ; expenditure at fires say, £SO ; contingencies, £IOO. Total, £875 per annum. Accident to a Steamer. The Mamnvatn, steamer, from Wanganui to Wellington,broke down between Kapiti and Maria Islands. It is believed the boiler burst, and it is. stated that the circumstances demand a strict enquiry. The passengers of the Manawatu were brought on by the Jane Dougins. The injured steamer has returned to Kapiti. The Rangitira leaves this afternoon to tow the Manawatu to Wellington.

CHRISTCHURCH. [VBOM OTTB OWN CORRESPONDENT.] About one o’clock to-day a railway porter named Thomas Duffy at Addington, while employed shunting trucks, fell, it is believed, off the brake, and before the driver could pull up a wagon passed over the centre of bis body, nearly cutting Idm in two. The man’s remains were brought into the morgue. Duffy leaves a large family ; one son iss employed as driver on the Malvern line, and another is in charge of the railway telegraph office, Dunedin. The deceased was employed for many years on the Christchurch railway, and would have been transferred to-morrow as night porter at Christchurch station.