AUCKLAND

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2351, 29 September 1880, Page 2

AUCKLAND

[X'UOM OUlt OWX COJiKKSPOXPKXT.] SEXSATIOXS. —rOOTBALL, ASSAULTS, &C. The past week or ten chu's has been big with sensations, much to the gratification of the ’scribes of the press. First in order of sequence came the Interprovincial Football Match wherein Auckland sustained the only defeat which has ever been inflicted upon her on her own ground. The Wellington men were superior in weight, training, and discipline, and their very expert “passing” as well as the exceptionally good play of the brothers Ferry, proved the features of (ho game. The contest was decided by a gaol, which was kicked by Warbrick from a Hying drop when he had the ground clear to himself. It was a fortunate chance,and he did not miss it. No further scoring took place, although the local men narrowly missed a try towards the end of the last bout. _ A complimentary banquet to the victors concluded the day’s proceedings. Some people console themselves for the defeat with the reflection that two Auckland men were comprised in the Wellington team, and that it was one of these who kicked the goal. Following the match came a horsewhipping case, and the arrest and capture of a smuggler. The actors in the former event were a Capt. Kenneth Kerr, and a ])r Smith. The wife of the former gentleman it seems left him suddenly some time since and departed for New Ptymouth. By some unexplained process of ratiocination, be arrived at the conclusion that (lie knight of the lancet had persuaded her to this course, and being a creation of impulse he forthwith armed himself with a stout horsewhip and sallied forth on vengeful thoughts interest. In the afternoon he came across the medico sauntering along the principal street with two friends, and without any word of ’warning he immediately raised the whip and knocked off his bat : then, before the astounded Smith could recover himself, be rained a shower of blows upon his back, accompanying the exercise with

such mild objurgations as “ You d hound,” “You scoundrel,” “You miserable dog,” etc., etc. The doctor tried once to heat an undignified retreat, but the captain again pounced upon him and renewed the castigation. At length the bystanders interposed in the interests of peace) Smith at once brought an action for assault against his assailant, and had him fined £5 and costs, besides being bound over to keep the peace. The captain arrived here about Id months ago from the Cape, whore be made a

large haul at the diamond fields, just at the same time as he became the recipient of a fat legacy. He is known as “ a jolly dog,” a boon companion with all his friends, generous to prodigality, adventurous and rash. The doctor was formerly an assaycr of gold upon the Thames, but some years since lie went Home, passed the required medical examination, and obtained a diploma.

A SMUCCIEER ENTRAPPED. The smuggling, to which I have already referred, was performed by a foreigner named Jacob Scnft, who arrived from Melbourne via Christchurch. He Avas brought to earth very adroitly. At the time that he made Jus advent here the police were on the look out for an unknown thief who had committed a robbery of some extent. They fastened upon Sen ft, hut soon found out that they were not on the right scent. The discovery of a large assortment of jewellery in his possession, however, raised suspicions, and the sub-inspector resolved to sound him. In communicating to Scnft their satisfaction that ho was not the culprit, the officer with seeming candour remarked “ 'Well, you sec wo would not have bothered about you if you had paid the duty on your goods.” This was a feeler to ascertain whether duty had been paid, and as Scnft laughed softly without denying that he had escaped the duty a charge was at once laid against him. He was lined .€IOO, and the police paid themselves from money which the prisoner had with him. UNFORTUNATE HART. Hart’s “Happy Hours Entertainments” have come to an abrupt close, and the Operetta Company has burst up through the arrest and incarceration of the leading member of the family troupe. It seems that after a profitable country tour the Harts “ put up” at the Victoria Hotel in Auckland, and that here Edward started on a long carouse. One night when he was “unco fu” ho dropped sundry observations at the dinner table, which were not all appreciated by the assembled company. This was made apparent even to his befuddled apprehension, and so he proceeded to his room in high dudgeon. Some considerable time afterwards a succession of shrieks from a highly pitched female voice rang out in the same quarter, and as the startled household poured out of bedrooms, parlor, and bar Mrs Hart rushed excitedly from her room, and fell iu a fainting condition into the extended arms of the sympathetic but scantily clothed Teddy Haygarth, This dramatic tableau of course maddened the bibulous Hart with joaloiisjq’and the comedian perceiving the fact, propped his burden against the wall and incontinently fled. An altercation ensued between Hart and the indignant Boniface, and on a young man named Russell venturing to interfere in the hitter’s favor he was received with a violent blow on the forehead from a full sherry bottle. Hence arose the action for assault, the result of which is that Hart has been scut up to do a season of one month at Mount Eden gaol. In his defence the prisoner pleaded inebriety as an excuse, averred that Russell had provoked him, and declared that he had only been administering a little wholesome chastisement to his daughter, i.c. Airs Hart’s sister. The magisterial decision is looked upon as rather harsh, and some sympathy is felt in consequence for Hart.