WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3011, 9 October 1878, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

, Tuesday. A letter from Judge Richmond io the Colonial Secretary was tabted last night His Honor says:—" In the recent debate on,the Judicial Comminion Bill several members of the House of Represent?'ives appear to have founded their opinions upon a report contained in tbe JSew Zealand Jurist for February last, of the. cases of SpenciQ v. Pearson and others, and,Grillori. v.;McDonald...and. othera. This hai for the first time called my attention to Ihe report in question, and I feel it to be my duty to point out 'o ihe Government certain . misiJatements, therein which mate-' rially affect the merits of Mr G. E. Barton's case." He then enters fully into the true bearings of the case, after which he says : —" It does not to have occurred to anyone, who relied' upq.i the report in the Jurist to enquire into the origin of that report. I declare it to be quite untrustworthy' so far as it is original.l pi havereason to belie re that it was not furnished to the Jurist by either: of the barristers who are announced as the'reporters for this district. Without some apprehension of these questions, it is hot • possible for anyone to understand how thoroughly without ground of complaint Mr Barton has been. I 'respectfully submit that it ip desirable to, lay this letter on the table of the House of Representatives. It will be understood that I huve confined myself to noting a few importint misstatements in a report which some . members have relied upon." - '

Arrived: The ship Eakaia, from London, with 161 passengers; all in good health. She experienced a fair passage of $4 days from New Plymouth. Several births occurred on the voyage, but no deaths." '

At the Supreme Court, Henry Aldridge, for indecent assault, was acquitced ; A. W. Thompson, for receiving stolen property, was sentenced to six months; W. T. Arnold, charged with shooting James "Ward, was shown to be a dangerous lunatic, and handed over' to the gaoler as such 4 G. Lorimer, for stealing a diamond ring and other jewellery from Schwalie, was found guilty and sentence deferred ; Nepia Tokitahi, for perjury,l trial not finished. . ' : '

The first annual session of the Diocesan Synod was opened by Bishop Hadfield with the usual solemnities to-day. The Bishop delivered an address.

The first meeting of delegates appointed by the Volunteers. in various districts of the colony was held this evening. Present: Captains Baillie (Marlborough), Mclntosh (Wellington), Lean (Canterbury), Feldwick (Southland); Bonar (Westland), W. E. Ara (Greytown), Morris {Oamaru), Walkington (Wanganui), Ramlin (Auckland), Mr Shrimski (Oamaru Eifle Association), Major Pitt (JNelson), Mr Stevens (Thames). Captain Baillie was elected Chairman. Mr Stevens gave v sketch of the proposals for forming the Association, and submitted a brief code of rules, modelled? as far as they would apply, frpm'those of the National liifle Association of, England. The discussion on these was held over, it being felt desirable that before this was done an opportunity should be afforded to Dunedin and other districts to send representatives. Mr Leary, of Dunedin, who was to havo represented that- district, had to return home.- It was resolved that the,clnii 1. man be requested to communicate 'with Colonel Stanley on the subject, and re-

gentlemen in Wellington who would be willing to act; It was decided to communicate to the same effect with officers commanding the. Waikato, Taranaki, Opotiki, and Lake districts.