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South Canterbury Times, Issue 2348, 25 September 1880, Page 3

John Lcishman, who was lately remanded from Timaru to Christchurch on a charge of highway robbery with violence, was yesterday committed for trial by the Christchurch Bench. The numbers of working men who left, for Australia by the Hero and Wakatipu, last week says a Wellington paper, took with them, in the aggregate a large amount, of capital. Jluring the early part of the week there was quite a “run” upon the Post-ollicc Havings Bank, and the number of ,-CJO, £lO, and £SO deposits withdrawn in so short a period was wholly unprecedented. It is estimated that a sum between £IO,OOO and £15,000 Iras been taken from Wellington in this manner and is now on its way to Australia. Cetewayo’s detention in his present confinement is, as wc (“Ball Mall Gazette”) have more than once had occasion to say, an odious iniquity, because the war which led to his capture was a piece of iniquity. The fact, however, that he is detained without legal authority is in conformity with a memorable precedent. He is exactly in the position of Napoleon before the passing of the Act of 1810, which legalised an imprisonment that was already mi fait accompli. The dilliculty of restoring G'ctewayoto Zululand is obvious enough. It means, for one thing a breach of the faith pledged to the chiefs among whom Ceiowayo's kingdom was parcelled out. They refused, including John Dunn, to have anything to do with the country if Celewayo was to be let loose upon them. The present Government are not responsible for (ho original war, nor for the settlement which followed it ; but they are bound to press for Cetewayo’s immediate release from his present condition, and from anjr narrow confinement.

A novel case of attempted, escape from custody is reported from Wairarapa. One Sarah Jane Thown, who described herself in Court as “ a young lady,” was locked up on a charge of stealing hoots ; but the arresting constable was a humane man, and instead of locking her up in a cold and lonely cell, permitted her to sit by the kitchen lire, The moment, however, that the constable’s back was turned Sarah Jane bolted, The time was night and under the twinkling stars (he man pursued the maid. The latter was soon run to earth in an adjacent building where a dance was in progress, and, with all that self-possession which is so characteristic of some of the fair sex, was being led out to dance when the officer appeared on the festive scene, and, to the consternation of those who were indulging in the “light fantastic,” claimed and bore away the fair linogenc. When the charge was investigated at the Police Court it transpired that Sarah Jane had got the boots on the pretence that they were for a mythical barmaid. She has been allowed six months’ reflection.