AUCKLAND.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3476, 14 February 1880, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

Last night. The Rape Case. Mr Pardy, in explaining the reason the case against S. Hughes was not brought on earlier, said the piteous pleading of the prisoner and his wife was the only reason. The prosecutrix gave her evidence in a clear, connected, but modest manner. In cross-examination she said that Mr Hughes had never before, by deed or word, insulted or been guilty of improper conduct towards her; but, about a month before she had complained to her mistress that a man who was working in the garden had put his arms round her waist. Mr Hughes discharged the man next evening, after giving him a talking to. . She heard Mr Hughes say to him, " You must clear off these premises, or I'll put you off. v I'll not have any behaviour like that in my house." During her cross examination the girl fainted, and had to be carried out of Court. The evidence was, continued after the adjournment under the crossexamination of Mr Hesketh. The witness was accommodated with a seat in front of the witness-box. After the crossexamination the witness again fainted, and was removed from the Court, but returned in a few minutes.

Mrs Saxon, mother of the prosecutrix, then gave evidence, and said my daughter made a complaint to me. I immediately got my hat and went with her to Mr Hughes' house. He was not at home and Mrs Hughes came. I said, " I want to see about this girl." I spoke to her on on the subject. Mrs Hughes wished me to leave my daughter .with her. , I objected and took her home. My husband came home a little before six o'clock. I told him what had happened. He got his hat and said, " Come along with me," meaning me and my daughter. We went to see Mr Hughes. Saw both Mr and Mrs Hughes. My husband followed Mr Hughes into the front room. Mary Jane, myself, and Mrs Hughes went in after. My husband said to Mr Hughes, " What have you been doing to this girl ?" He made'no answer. Mr Hughes told her that she had told a different story to Mrs Hughes. Mary then repeated her former statement. Mr Hughes interrupted, and said " No, no, Mary. I did not." She replied, " Yes, Mr Hughes, you did." My husband said, " Let us hear Mrs Hughes," who said, " These are the very words she made use of to me." My husband said, " I will have you arrested," and he made for the door. Mr Hughes caught him by the arm, held him back, and closed the door. My husband said, " You hear what the girl says. Did you not carry her into the room?" Mr Hughes replied, " I own that I carried her into the room, but nothing more." My husband said, " Why did you meddle with her at all?" The accused was committed for trial, but bailed in himself for £400, and two sureties, each £200. A Criminal Assault, Elizabeth McKay, a girl aged 12, was criminally assaulted on the Whau block house road, by a. young man who was riding along at a lonely place where no houses were near. From the description given by the girl, the police arrested a young man named Michael JBreen, a stock-driver, who was brought up and charged with attempted"" rape, and remanded till Wedneeday. Csmmersial. >■ Considerable business was transacted during the present week, chiefly speculative. ,'Prater Bros, report fewer transactions in mining shares, and the prices are lower than last week. , This day. At five, o'clock this morning one of the chimneys of a large detached wooden building, situated at the rear of Phillips' Foresters Arms Hotel, Albert St,,- caught fire, but was speedily put out by two servant girls by putting in the damper of

the stove, but by 8 o'clock the fire was observed breaking out through the corner of the upper storey, and the alarm was given. The Brigade promptly arrived, but before the fire was extinguished, the building was completely gutted. It was used as a kitchen and dining voom by the landlord of the hotel, and the servant girls slept there. Martin and Watson are (.he lessees, and Sadgrove the owner. Their insurance is unknown, but the landlord had no policy. ' The building destroyed by fire this morning was insured in the National Company for two hundred pounds. The New Zealand Accident Insurance Company has commenced business, and shares are at a premium. The Board Directors accepted one hundred and fifty proposals for large sums at the last ingThe single people have been landed from the quarantine to-day, the married on Monday or Tuesday. Mr Sheehan has gone to Kihikihi to visit Bewi. A gum digger named Kobert Reid died suddenly at Ohaewai.