TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1321, 31 March 1885, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

The -Ruapehu was at the Heads, Dunedin, yesterday. It is understood that Messrs Slmmski and Bathgate are to be called to the Legislative Council. Mr Shrimski, M.H.R. for Oauiaru. has forwarded his resignation to the Speaker. ■ The Home Industry Department in connection with the New Zealand Exhibition has been heartily taken up, and in consequence the time for receiving applications for space has been extended to the 30th April. The Hon Native Minister has received from Tamahana, a Eingite chief and a son of the well-known Thompson, a telegram offering to send 200 Kingiles to the Soudan.

In the Supreme Court, Wanganui,Thl case. Bank of Australasia v, WilliaraP claim £I,OOO, being the amount of two promissory notes on demand from one of the sureties of F. R, Jackson, whs decided on .Saturday in favor of the defendant. Six other cases of a similar nature have been settled in a similar way. Leave was given to the plaintiff to make an application to reverse the judgment. Government are making all the preparations in their power to place the chief ports under protection. The surroundings to the harbor are being surveyed, and immediately this has been done steps will be taken to place the heavy guns in position. The Government have made application to the authorities in charge of the Australian squadron for a man-of-war to be stationed in New Zealand waters.

The Defence Minister does not consider there is a probability of war breaking out. The firm stand taken by the English Government will, he thinks, deter the Russians from crossing the frontier. Tho Government are, however, taking all the measures in their power to have a proper defence, and it is probable that should war be declared the Militia (first-class) will ba calh-d out.

A meeting of all the Imperial army and navy officers and members of the Government was held yesterday to discuss the question of defence.- His Excellency the Governor presided, and among those present were Major hccles, Major Cautley, Colonel Reader, Commander Hewitt, RN., and Commander Horne, R.N. The departure of the Governor for the South has been postponed for a day or two. The Minister of Public Works will not leave for Napier until next Monday or Tuesday. Mrs Jane Palmer, formerly licensee of the Grovetown Hotel, was yesterday fined 40s and £7 costs for selling liquor without a license. Mr Allan, R.M., decided that the defendant’s license having been cancelled the Court had no power to review or overrule the decision of the Licensing Committee, or to decide whether the license had improperly or informally been cancelled. Notice of appeal was given. The liquors seized under the warrant were ordered to be confiscated pursuant to the Act which gives the Court no option, but the police were directed to r I in them pending nn appeal. The Wanganui divorce case, D. McLollan against Eva McLellan, on several charges of adultery, was settled on Friday. Tlie jury returned a three-fourths verdict for the petitioner, with £SO damages against the co-respondent, JohnSeabright Cowling. Toe wife’s petition, _ in which she asked for a judicial separation, on the ground of cruelty, was decided in her favor.

Ttie Colonial Secretary is drafting a Bill for presentation to Parliament next session, dealing with the reconstruction of the Legislative Council. The principle ofl the Bill, however, is not made public. ■ A meeting of the Executive Council was held at Government- House on Friday, the Governor presiding. A good deal of ordinary routine business, which had accumulated during his Excellency ■ absence from the colony, was transacted. The question of colonial defences was freely discussed, and the steps already taken by the Government were laid before his Excellency, who stated that had he been present he would himself have recommended the course taken.

It is understood that the names of several gentlemen whom the Government intend to call to the Legislative Council were submitted to the Governor, but as these gentlemen themselves have not yet been communicated with, no information has been divulged. Alexander Fleming was committed for trial in Dunedin on the charge of illtreating his son by tying him to a bedpost and whipping his naked body with a cart whip. This is the only charge against the father. The step-mother has been committed on two charges. The children have been committed to the Dunedin Industrial School. Government have decided to use Whitehead torpedoes in protecting (he principal porta of New Zealand, and Mr Smythe, Government instructor on torpedoes, is engaged making the necessary arrangements. The Surveyors are examining the sites for mounting the heavy guns at Auckland. The Tainui sailed for London from Wellington on Saturday, taking a large cargo and a fair complement of passengers. During her stay there have been several rows with her crew, and two of the disorderly seamen were taken from gaol on Saturday morning and placed on board. One of the men at once started knocking the chief officer about and loosened several of his teeth. The other man also made himself obnoxious, and, as the assault was committed in the presence of a constable, the men were brought ashore and will be charged at the Magistrate’s Court. Another petition for the release of the prisoner George Longhurst has been prepared. • An information has been laid against a grocer under (he Sales of Poison Act for selling a bottle of “ rough on rats.” One hundred applications from the unemployed were received at the Public Works Office, Christchurch, in three days. The gross receipts of the Spanish relief fMe and concert at Christchurch amount to £lB4, a very satisfactory sum considering the wretched weather. A fatal accident happened to Isaac Meyer, a minor, working near the Waikaia Bush. While boiling his billy for dinner against a bank, a fall of earth took place and buried him. He was promptly rescued by his mates, but his injuries were so serious that he died before medical assistance could be procured. The Rev. J. H. Gray of Waimate left Dunedin on Saturday morning after a fruitless search, extending over nearly three weeks, for bis son who disappeared from Oama'ru. The young man was about 20 years of age. It is feared he is dead or suffering from an attack of melancholy amounting to temporary insanity, His disappearance is quite unaccountable. The Otago Benevolent Institution is in financial straits, and Sir Julius Vogel has promised au advance of £SOO out of next year’s grant.