PER SPECIAL WORE TO "STAR."

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3484, 24 February 1880, Page 2

PER SPECIAL WORE TO "STAR."

(Peeßß Association.)

AUCKLAND.

Last night.

At the inquest on the body of Robert Brown, di'owned on Sunday, the jury retained an open rerdict. The medical evidence showed that i:i ell probability Brown had apoplexy, and was drowned in a fit in about two feet six inches of water. John James Pook, described' as a musician, has been sentenced to one month'i imprisonment for embezzling monies belonging to the Loyal Pride of'

Newton Lodge of Oddfellows, while acting as secretary.

An inquest was held at Owhawai on the body of a gum digger named Robert Reid who died suddenly. The verdict was death from natural causes.

A singular case came on for hearing at tbe District Court to-day—Edward McLaugblin v. Sydney D. Taiwhanga. Claim, £62, on a judgment summons.

Mr Jas. Bussell appeared for the plaintiff", and the defendant having been swoin deposed that the plaintiff was a >'oacher under him at bis school at Ko.ikohe. He ■Had- obtained judgment aga'.nst witness Tor wages, but as Mr Sheehau had promised to pay the amount, he hart not discharged the Jiabi'Uy. Ibe Government owed him some money at the time. Had not Mrs Mclaughlin, the mother of the plaintiff, gone and abused Mr Sheehsa, the money would hare been paid, but it was not likely that the Minister would pay efter being scolded by an angry woman. The Government arrangement with him was that he should be paid at the rate of £2 per annum for every, child-on the average attendance at the school.' Sometimes he had as many as 45 pupils at the school. The witness here produced the certificate of his appointment as teacher. He livid in Wellington for about three months, find the expense amounted to about £30. He went down in tbe Hinemoa free of cost, otherwise the expenses would have been heavier. He thought the Government was entitled to pay the plaintiff's claim. His house was mortgaged to Mr Earl for £77, and on being put up to auction that gentleman bought it in at £195, so that there was a balance owing him. The Government should have paid off that mortgage for him too. The Government thought his system too expensive, and would have notbing further to do with -it; however, in order to give it the fullest test, he had still twelve children at his place. They supported themselves by digging gum which he sold to the storekeepers.

Mr Eusse 1!: Then yoursjstem of education consists in the employment of your pupils in digging for gum which you sell to the storekeepers for your own benefit.

Witness : Well, they dig in order that they may procure food.

The Bench in examining the defendant elicited the fact that Ir.s share of the mortgage was about £25, but that he was uaw/'lf»ig to accept the money as that might prejudice his cla;m against die Government with respect to the land or £2000 compensation. His Worship ordered the defendant to give Mr Russell an order on Mr Karl for £25 at two months, thus allowing him time to prosecute his claim .against the Government. The a'tei native was one month's imprisonment. The defendrnt said he would prefer the imprisonment, but a3 His Worship wished it he would make out the order. Tb's day. : Wm. H. Burden, a schoolmaster, is charged with cruelty, iU-treauiig a scholar, Edward G olding. Th^e case is proceeding at the Police Couci*.

Martin Bwallow,, the organist was fined 10s for using indecent language towerds Mrs Walker.

W. A. Baker was again charged at the Police Couri-with obtaining goods under false pretances..