AUCKLAND.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4511, 20 June 1883, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

„ ... This day. The charge against Stevens, which is being investigated to-day before the Kesident Magistrate, is one that involves severe penalties and punishments. lit is the first ease of the kind tbat has occurred in the colony. The following are some of the particulars:—There is a block of land in Coromandel known as Matamata Harakeke, of about 4000 acres. It is said to be worth £3000 as timber and flax land. Stevens was anxious to get a title to this land. He and Lewis, the Secretary to the Native Department, are old friends. Stevens had been formerly in the Civil Service, and wrote to Lewis about the land, saying if anybody could effect a sale for him he would give £200, and hoped that Lewis would pat "the matter before the Government "in a favorable light if possible. The Government were supposed to be anxious to acquire the land to add it to the goldfield. The exact terms of Stevens' letter can only be proved by the document itself. It it in effect that if Lewis should influence j the Government favorably, a sale should be effected by an agent to whom £200 should be paid. The case for the prosecution is that this agent was to be appointed by Lewis. The case for the defence is that the letter does not admit any such 'construction. The trial is likely to be one of great public interest.

(Pbb Pbkbs Association.)

WELLINGTON. I This day. 1 The three men who 1 were arrested for. creating a disturbance at the opening of the Salvation Army campaign were fined £5 and costs, or in default 14 days imprisonment, and one of them for assaulting a policeman, was sentenced to seven days without the option of a fine. In the latter case notice of -appeal was given.