TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1325, 9 April 1885, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Millcbamp; a tradesman in George street, Dvinedin, died suddenly at Waihola while returning from a holiday trip. A man named John McCarthy, foreman for Bayliss, contractor, has been killed at Wellington by being run over by a dray. The City Council, by the Mayor's casting vote, declined to allow the Navals Band to play in the Botanical Gardens, Dunedin, on Sundays. A charge of rape on a 10-year-old giil was preferred against a navvy in the R.M. Court, Blenheim, on Tuesday. The prisoner was remanded till Friday to enable him to procure legal assistance. The Wellington Supreme Court crimi-. nal session commenced yesterday morning before the Chief Justice. In his charge to the Grand Jury His Honor remarked that the fourteen cases were very simple and involved no difficulty. The Auckland Supreme Court criminal session opened yesterday. The Judge in addressing the Grand Jury, said there were sixteen prisoners charged with nineteen offences, the most serious charge being one of murder and of attempted murder. The jury found a true bill against Maria Long charged with larceny. At the Supreme Court, Dunedin, Judge Williams's charge was brief. The following prisoners pleaded guilty and were sentenced :~George Piper, larceny, six months ; Joseph Albert Green, embezzlement, three years; Harry Bennett Willcox, postmaster at Alexandra, embezzlement, two years ; Frederick Rowe, burglary, twelve months. Carrie FlemiDg pleaded guilty to child beating, but sentence was deferred.

Bicycle races were held on Monday in connection with the Christchurch Bicycle Club, aDd passed off successfully. The best performances were the five-mile race, won by C. Reece, of the P.8.C., with 100 yards' handicap, in 14min s@sec ; and the ten-mile race, won by P. Baldwin, of Dunedin, with 30 yards' allowunce, in 32min 22stc. A serious accident occurred at the Tuhuna Park, Dunedin, on Saturday afternooii. During the leaping contest the horse which Lieutenant Mackay, of Oamaru, one of the competitors, was riding, struck a hurdle, and its rider sustained concussion of the spine. He was immediately attended to by Dr Coughtrey, who happened to be in camp at the time. Colonel Hewitt has not yet definitely accepted command of the forces, Government have had a cable message with reference to the terms of the appointment. With the view of placiDg the Militia on a proper basis Government have decided to cancel all existing commissions in the New Zealand Militia under majors, except those holding a permanent appointment in the Volunteer force. Government propose to amend the Militia Act next session. At present it is not settled whether Colonel Roberts goes to Wellington.

Captain Davidson, J.P., and Coroner for the Napier district/ committed suicide at his residence on Tuesday afternoon by blowing out his brains. The deed was done with a revolver, the bullet entering the roof of the mouth. Monetary complications are the assigned reasons for the deed. The deceased was connected with public bodies, was formerly Mayor of New Plymouth and captain of the Taranaki Cavalry, and at one time held the rank of Major-General in the American Army.. He leaves a wife and large family. From particulars it appears that deceased had been at his business all day till 3, when he returned home, after having procured a revolver from a shop in town. About i 10 minutes after his arrival he went into the shrubbery adjoining his residence and shot himself through the brain, death being instantaneous. Deceased was wellknown and much respected, having been Coroner and Mayor, and held several important offices. An inquest was held in the evening, when the following evidence was given: John Bleasdile stated he was in the same grounds with deceased a few minutes prior to the occurrence, but left, and afterwards heard the report of a pistol in the direction where he had seen|deceased sitting, and found him lying on his side quite dead. Dr Leathan stated that the bullet had passed through the upper part of the mouth, penetrating the brain and skull. Deceased, he understood, was embarrassed in money matters, and had used a threat the day previous that he would shoot himself. A verdict to the effect that he shot himself whilst in a fit of temporary insanity was returned,

White, of Nenthorn assault notoriety, got 14 diiys on bread and water for his riotoua behavior in gaol. £8,200 was put through Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin's totalisators at Ohristchurch races on Tuesday, making a total of £1(5,589 for two days. Government have accepted the tender of Messrs Donald and Edinborough for the Island steam service. The steamer Janet McOoll will be accepted. W. % Brown, the jockey, has been prohibited from riding by the C.J.O. till after the Timaru meeting, for insolence and insubordination at the start of the Selling Race. The Hon. Mr Baliance left Wellington for Lyttelton yesterday. The Minister for Defence has received over .100 applications for appointments aa officers in the Defence Force.

It is not expected that the elections to the House of Representatives to fill the vacancies occurring through tho recent appointments to the Council will take place under six weeks.

Charles Hawker was on Tuesday committed for trial at Christchnrch on a charge of aiding and abetting his brother Richard, who is accused of attempting to set fire to his house on Ferry Road. The sale of the Middle Park yearlings was held at Ohristchurch on Tuesday morniug. Six lots were offered, but the only sale effected was a colt by Apremont out of Aglia, for by Mr Walter Reeves. Titokowaru's peace party of 1600 natives reached Whitecliffs on Wednesday, and were received by the Mokau natives headed by Ti Wetere. There was some specifying, after which presents were distributed. The natives are now on their way back to Parihaka.