TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1319, 26 March 1885, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

The Flemings, who aro charged with gross illtreatment of their children, got a warm reception from their neighbors at Kensington (Dunedin), on their return home on Saturday night, and their effigies were burned. Yesterday the original charges against them were withdrawn, and they are now charged with indictable offences. Mr Dennistoun prosecuted on behalf of the inhabitants of the Flat. There was quite a scene in Court. When Mrs Fleming appeared a large number of women made fierce demonstrations against her, while Fleming himself was heartily hissed.

An eight-roomed bouse belonging to Ferguson and Dundas, was burnt to the ground near Fakarika on Tuesday. The origin of the fire is unknown. At the Supreme Court, Wellington, on Monday, the suit of Littlejohn ▼. Mulligan, claim £250 damages for alleged infringement of patent rights, was heard. Mr Shaw opened the case for the plaintiff. He said the plaintiff was a well-known jeweller, watchmaker, etc., in Wellington, and sought to restrain the defendant from selling watches bearing the plaintiff’s name, which were of a vastly inferior quality to any which Mr Littlejohn would allow to go out of his shop. In the evidence the plaintiff said the result of selling such a watch bearing the name ,of his firm would ruin his business. Mr Stafford, for the defence, called no witnesses, but said he would like to be heard on the question of law in Chambers. His Honor said he did not apprehend any difficulty in dealing with the case. He expressed an opinion that the reputation of Messrs Littlejohn and Son had not been injured in the least in reference to the matter. The case was not one for heavy damages. The case was then reserved for further consideration. It is understood that considerable reductions are being made in the Audit Department, and that eight officers have received notice that their services are to be dispensed with. It is also stated that Mr Hartwright, the Audit Officer in the Agent-General’s Department, London, retires on account of age, and that he will be succeeded by an officer from Wellington. Mr Palliser’s name is mentioned as the gentleman likely to succeed Mr Hartwright. Ihe Native Minister has returned to Wellington from Napier, and Sir Julius Vogel will probably return about the 10th April, The Hon. Mr Richardson shortly leaves for Napier and Auckland on business connected with his Department,

Mr Field, jun., has just performed the journey from Nelson to Reefton on a bicycle. The distance is about 140 miles, which was accomplished in 60 hours, Mr Menteath, M.H.R. for Inangahua, has addressed the electors of Brunner at No T(?wn, Nelson Creek, and Red Jack’s, in the Grey Valley, and had large meetings jat each centre. He received a unanimous vote of confidence at each place. At an inquest on the lad Trehblecock, drowned at Sumner on Saturday, a verdict of “Accidental death” was returned. The jury highly commended the gallant conduct of Hiscoke, who attempted to save the deceased by swimming out twice against a heavy smf. . The Government have decided to reopen the works on the Main road to provide work for the most needy of the unemployed. At the inquest on the body of John Bennett, who was found dead under his dray in the Ashburton river, on Sunday, the evidence fhowpd he had mistaken his way and gone oyer a steep embankment into the river. A verdict of accidental death was returned.

Three young men were last Monday in J}uuedip ordajned to the Apglican priesthood, viz., Messrs Gibgon, Martin and Hodgson, who all formerly belonged to the Wesleyan Church, The fiev, A. E. Filchett, who performed the ceremony, was also formerly a Wesleyan clergymen. The Austrian corvette Saida, U guns, Captain Fayinz, will shortly visit Auck. land, thence going to Samoa and Fiji, The designs of all large bridges have been altered in order tc allow all necessary work in connection with them being made ia the colony.

The s.s. Manapburi arrived at Auckland from Sydney on Tuesday morning. His Excellency the Governor was a passenger by her, and returns to Wellington this evening l .

MrW. L. Rees commenced his lecturing tour through New Zealand last Tuesday night at Auckland on “Land, Labor and Capital.” Mr Roycroft, President of the Trades and Labor Council, presided. About two hundred were present, and a unanimous vote of thanks was passed. He has a plan fully drawn out of a Joint Stock Company, to be called “ The New Zealand Co-opoi'ativo Land and Labor Company.” Frederick Lintoot was drowned through the capsizing of his boat in a squall at Otamatia, Kaipara. Owing to the very unsatisfactory manner in which railway material has been shipped from Home, the Government have decided to send no further orders to England except for articles which cannot be locally manufactured. Mr Allison Smith, of the Addington Railway Workshops, is at present in Wellington conferring with the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, with reference to a large order for railway material, estimated at £22,000, which would have been sent Home, but it has now been decided to distribute the work among the various Government workshops.

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Wellington, on Tuesday, Jacob Frankel, a dealer in second-hand articles, was comraited for trial for receiving stolen articles. A few days ago Belcher, an em* ployd in the Education Department, was convicted of stealing some prize-books, the property of the Government, and were purchased by Frank?)., who made little or no enquiries regarding them, notwithstanding they bore the Government stamp. Bail was allowed. The extended time for receiving applications for space in the general branch of the New Zealand Exhibition closes on the 31st inst.

A Consolidated Land Bill will be among the Government measures of next session, It is now being drafted, and in addition to consolidating the existing land laws will give increased powers in regard to special settlement and other matters, Dr« Qrabham and Giles have conducted an enquiry into the admittance of the girl Kelly, the puerperal patient, into the Wellington Hospital, The evidence of Drs Fell, Chilton, and McKellar, and Mrs Kissling, a nurse, were taken. Their report will be forwarded to the Premier. It is expected that unless something unusual occurs, Parliament will bo called together for the despatch of business about the latter end of May, or the first week in June,

Mr E. T. Booth, leader of the Blue Ribbon movement, closed a most successful mission in Nelson City, during which 1420 new pledges were taken, including some prominent citizens and clergymen. Presentations have been made to Mr Booth by citizens and others. He speaks in the country districts and leaves' for Christchurch on April 2nd, The Otago Daily Times and Witness Company has declared a dividend of 8 per cent.