LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 365, 15 October 1863, Page 3

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT. October Ist. Hugli Ross v. J. Mcßeth : debt 2U. It appeared that six or seven months ago three rams belonging to plaintiff were let to the defendant’, and that in consequence of scab breaking out in defend ant’s flock plaintiff wrote to him to say that, under the circumstances, he could not take them back, and must charge him what he himself had given for them (15Z) in Wanganui, though from the expense of taking them to Rangitikei and their subsequent growth they were worth more. Defendant in reply wrote a somewhat personal and offensive letter to plaintiff’, in consequence of which the latter claimed the full value of the rams, and on defendant’s refusing to pay instituted the present proceedings. The sheep inspector, who had inspected plaintiff’s sheep (at his request) in consequence of a passage in defendant’s letter, certified them to be clean, and that it would not be prudent to take back the rams. Verdict for plaintiff for ISZ and costs 21 3s. Oct. 2 Jane Quin v. John Quin ; assault. Plaiutiff was wife of defendant, who while in liquor had tried to strangle her and beaten her on the head with his list. He expressed regret, and pleaded ignorance of what he was doing at the time. His wife not wishing to press the case he was fined 5s and costs 6s 6d.

H. C. Field v. H. Lyon ; debt 21, rate for the construction of sewers and drains in Wicksteed-place assessed on part of Town section Ho. 71 occupied by defendant. It appeared that sr. Lyon’s holding only amounted to one-sixth of the section, but that as one of the sewers to he paid for out of the i’ate came close to his door, so that he could lead a drain directly into it, while the owners of the other parts of the section would have to cany such a drain a considerable distance past his premises in order to reach the sewer, the Town Board considered he would derive so much more benefit than the other occupiers that they charged him with one-fourth of the rate. His is also the most valuable portion of the section. Mr. Lyon attended at a meeting of the Board and objected to this assessment ; but the Board having again considered the matter came to the conclusion that the proportion charged to him was a fair one. He however refused to pay, and hence was summoned by the collector. Judgment foi [plain tiff with costs 7s.

One William Gamble alias J. C. Campbell was remanded to Wellington on the 28th ult. for breaking out of the Lyttelton gaol June 30th.

Most of the other cases were for small debts or drunkenness, and the rest for non-attendance at militia parades. Oct. 5. Begina by Charles Smith v. Hisan (Christian), a native of Ceylon, for stealing in a dwelling house. It appeared that on Friday, Oct. 2nd, Mr. Smith missed from his bedroom a cash-box containing four 51 Bank of England notes, two 1/ notes, about 71 11 sin cash, a bottle of strychnine, and various other articles of the value of 21. Mr. Smith suspecting that either the prisoner, who had been about two months in his service, or some Kaiwaiki natives who had been at the house since the box was last seen, had been the thief, applied next day to Mr. White the Native Magistrate, who sent one Wirihana, a native policeman, to investigate the matter. Wirihana first went to Aramoho to inquire among the natives there, and slept at the pa that night. About midnight Hisan, who, on Mr. Smith’s return home on Saturday had pretended illness and asked leave to go to town, arrived at the pa, and said to Wirihana, “ My Pakeha’s money is lost,” and afterwards, “ It is all nonsense ; he has no money.” Wirihana then asked him to sleepbit his wliare/and noticed that he had on him a bottle of medicine and a box of shirt studs, which he suspected to be those stolen from Mr. Smith. He then, without saying anything, searched Hisan’s clothes, but found nothing further, and therefore abstained from arresting him, hoping to discover the rest of the stolen property. About 7 on Sunday morning Hisan left the pa and went towards town, and Wirihana, who was watching him, saw him stoop down to the ground several times. Wirihana then followed, and overtook him near Mr. Martelli’s, but did not alarm him, and left him at the Hospital still on his way to town. Wirihana then went to Nr. White and told him what he had learned, and was ordered to apprehend Hisan, which he did, and took him to Mr. White. Hisan then took two 11 notes from his pocket, and Mr. White sent him to gaol in Wirihana’s custody, the latter bearing also a letter to the corporal of police. When near the gaol Hisan took from his pocket a paper parcel, containing money in notes, gold, and silver, and gave it to Wirihana, saying, “ This money is for vou ; a great deal for you and a little for me ; but let me go and Mr. Smith will know nothing about it.” Wirihana took the money, and handed over both it and bis prisoner to the corporal of police at the Wanganui gaol. Hisan told Wirihana that the cash box was in bis own box at Mr. Smith’s, and Wirihana swore to the Bank notes and other articles as being those found on the jirisoner. Mr. Smith also identified them as his property. Hisan was committed for trial.

Johannali Dossett r. G. Howe ; threatening to accuse of crime It appeared that before R. T. Dossett, wlio was recently a prisoner at Wellington, was sent thither, he placed a revolver in Howe’s hands to be raffled, the proceeds to be applied in liquidation of a debt due to Howe. After Dossett was sent to Wellington, 1 owe declined to raffle the weapon, not being able to give the winner a permit. Airs. Dossett then sent and obtained the weapon from Ali-s. Howe, whereupon Howe went and got it back under a threat to bring Airs. Dossett before the magistrates and have her put in gaol Howe pleaded that the revolver was a security for 1110x163' owing to him. Case dismissed.

In their letter from Taranaki, Pehi and his friends express great anxiety for news from the Hutt, Wairarapa and Aliuriri. The Ngatipamoana and Ngatihine (Lower Wanganui hapus) have sent the Governor a numerously signed address, accompanied by a gun, two full cartouch boxes, a bag containing 250 bullets, and an axe or large tomahawk, to which the following history is attached. It was given by Captain Cook to Manaorongo a chief at Queen Charlotte’s Sound, who gave it to one Manarunga. His wife Rawa gave it to her brother Kowha. a Wanganui native, and it is said to have been the first iron implement ever seen here. From Kowha it has come down to his son Parau and grandson Komene, the last of whom has sent it to the Co vernor. From the ancient appearance of the tool, and the broad arrow deeply stamped on both its faces, the history may not unlikely be true. Eight men of the Ngarauru tribe have also sent an address to the Governor.

Ihararra, of Pipiriki. who has been in town for the last few days, reports that, besides the Waikatos, there are at Meremere 170 i aupo men, 70 Ngatiporou* 50 Uriwera, the whole of the Tauranga Ngatiawas, 50 Apanui from the Wakatane river, and that of the seven hapus of the Ai-awa (at Rotorua) all except the Ngatiwliakaue have sent contingents of 40 or 50 men. He also states that from 50 to 70 Ngatiraukawa have gone from Waikanae, via Taupo, to Mere mere very recently,some Kingite messengers returning from thence to Wanganui having met them on the road. He says that none of the Thames natives were there. A chief of importancenamedTumulniia was killed at Meremere by a shot fired from the A von. The Kingite natives here admit that five men were killed at Kaitake on Sept 15, when also Rapana and Pelieliiana had a narrow escape 3 and four more at the attack on the supposed cart on the 25th. They say that Hainarannis injuries really arose from 0 fall from his horse, and that at the date of their last letters he was still alive, though there was little hope of his recovery, as his thigh, which was broken, would not set.

TOWN MEETING. A meeting of the town ratepayers was held at the Rutland Hotel, on the evening of the Bth inst., to consider the acts under which the Town Board is elected or derives its powers, and the new act lately before the Provincial Council. Tlios. Powell, Esq., was called to the chair, and Air. 11. C Field requested to act as secretary. After a few remarks from the chairman, ui’ging the importance of the subject they had met to consider, and requesting all present to behave in ari orderly maimer and hear every speaker fa illy, Air. G. Beaven proposed, “ That this meeting is of opinion that some of the woivks already carried out by the Town Board will prove themselves to be comparatively useless, and too expensive for the present requirements of the town. Therefore it is suggested to form a committee for the purpose of framing a requisition to the members of the said Board, I'equesting them not to enter into or proceed with any new works during their term of office.” He (Mr. Beaven) was strongly opposed to the arbitrary powers conferred on the Board by their present acts, and believed that the system of deep sewerage adopted by the Board was too expensive to be at present carried out within the town ; and that it would prove a failure from the small size at which it was compelled to construct the sewers in order to lessen the expense. He believed the people in Victoria avenue were mostly opposed to the proposed sewer there, and did not think a Board should have power to carry out any work in opposition to those who would have to pay for it. He did not wish to act unfairly by the Board. The roadway on Taupo-quay was unquestionably a great improvement to the town, and so might some other works be, though that was the only one which had come under his own immediate observation.

Mr P. McWilliam seconded the resolution. Mr. J. M. Richards thought the Board worked on too expensive a scale, judging by what he himself had been called on to pay, and which was a small rental of bis section. He objected to the deep sewerage system. As a means of mere surface drainage it was unnecessarily expensive ; and if used for sewage purposes he thought it would be injurious to the health of the town. In Melbourne similar sewers bad had to be taken up an I open drains substituted ■ and he thought this would be the case here, as the sewers would be likely to become clioked with sand, and could not be easily cleared out. Mr. W. 11. Watt considered the opposition entirely a pocket, one. For every shilling charged to most of those present he himself was rated a pound ; but he did not grudge the money as the town wanted improvements, and they could not have them without putting their hands in their pockets. Several questions were asked by persons present, with a view to ascertaining whether the sewer contract for Victoria avenue was let, and how far that work would be affected by the resolution. No one answering, the Board s clerk was appealed to by name, and replied that, “ He was riot there in his official capacity, and though personally be bad no objection to answer questions, he did not feel at liberty to do so with respect to the Board’s concerns without its sanction, particularly as there were several wardens present who could answer as well as himself. He was responsible to the Board, and not directly to the ratepayers. The wardens were so responsible, and to them therefore these questions should be addressed.”

Mr. W. 11. Watt was present as a ratepayer and not as a warden If the meeting wanted information from the Board, its attendance should have been requestd. Mr. J. Davidson thought such questions ought not to be asked at that meeting. The Board’s books and papers were open to the inspection of every ratepayer at all office hours. Mr. D. Nathan said it was the first time he had heard a Board refuse information, and that in his opinion the wardens by doing so forfeited the confidence of the ratepayers. He thought the proceedings of the Board ought not to bo kept secret, but regularly published in the local paper, as the proceedings of Boards in other colonial towns were. Mr. Davidson said Mr. Nathan misrepresented him. He did not object to furnishing full information, but merely to doing so in this irregular manner. Mr. H Lyon corroborated the statements of Mr. Nathan as to the publication of other Boards’ proceedings, and also what had fallen from the Board’s clerk, who he had understood was there, not even as a ratepayer, but merely to report the meeting for a provincial paper. He thought however they had a right to information from the Board, and would mention some facts that had come under his notice as an auditor, showing that in two cases works already constructed had been modified or altered while in progress, and that the loose pumice sand in which St. Hill street covered drain is constructed, had twice found its way between the covering pieces into the drain during the late rains, and had had to be replaced with clay. The resolution was then put and carried nem. oon.

I he following resolution was then moved by Mr. D .Nathan, seconded bjr Mr. J. Hogg, and carried nem. con , —“ It is considered by this meeting that the ‘ Wanganui Streets, Sewerage, and Drain, age act ’ is not framed to meet the re quiremonts of the place ; and it is proposed that a committee be formed fertile purpose of framing one that may be applicable, and submit the same to a future meeting of the ratepayers fur their adop-

tion, before the next session of the Provincial Council.”

Mi-. Lyon moved, “That in case the members of the Town Board do not comply with the wishes of the ratepayers, as set forth in the requisition to be presented to them, that subscriptions be entered into for the purpose of legally dissolving the said Board.” Pie said, after the manner in which he had -supported the Hoard about, a year ago, the meeting might now wonder to see him come forward as its His views howeverj had greatly changed through becoming better acquainted witli the act, and with the manner in which it was carried out by the Board, and lie was manly enough to admit this change publicly. He read an opinion from a Wellington solicitor, to the effect that there was a technical flaw in the Board’s election, through which they might possibly be overthrown if the case were tried. Such a trial would, however, cost A’lso to 4:200, and he did not wish to see the Boat-d in the position described in the Independent's article (which he read) last week. He wished to see town improvements and a good act ; and objected to the present act, and the manner in which it was carried out by the present wardens. The resolution was seconded by Mr. G. Howe.

Mr. W. H. Watt moved, and Mr. J. Soulby seconded, as an amendment, — “ That in case the Town Board did not comply with the wishes of the meeting they be lynched forthwith.” After some angry remarks this was put to the meeting, and negatived with one dissentient vote. Mr. Lyon’s resolution was then carried nem. con.

It was then proposed by Mr. B. Hood, and seconded by Mr. Townsend, —“ That Yr. Watt gets a vote of censure for his insulting amendment.” Mr. Lyon considered Mr. Watt’s conduct in proposing the amendment was on a par with his taking his place on the Beuch a few days since, to try a case respecting Town Board rates. . Mr. Watt’s conduct was,the more noticeable from liis having some time ago objected to the presence of another magistrate, as a party interested indii-ectly in a case, which magistrate at once retired As the defendant in the case where Mr. Watt lmd acted thus, lie bad objected to him, and on his refusal to leave the Bench he longed to kick him. IPe did not think Mr. Watt’s chances of re-election as M.P.C. were increased by such con duct.

Mr. G. Huberts thought it so clear that there was a conspiracy against the Board that, as a warden, lie would go and look after their casli box.

Messrs. G. Beaven, Lyon, Beynolds, D. Nathan, Soulby, Gudgeon, Gaitt, G. Howe, and Johnston, were elected a committee to cany out the first tw r o resolutions, with only one dissentient vote. It was then moved by Mr. E. Howe, seconded by Mr. J. Hogg, and carried 11cm con., —“ That the proceedings of this meeting be sent for insertion in the Wellington Advertiser newspaper.”

After a vote of thanks to the chairman the meeting terminated.

The committee mot on the 12th and communicated with the Board, who sent a reply to the effect that—“ while the Board feel bound to carry out the contracts already entered into, it is not their intention to undertake any netv work without first consulting those liable to be rated for the same.” Pickets are now encamped round the Town, but merely as a precautionary measure. T U i t A KIIST A. The natives of this place started in warlike array on the 4th inst., to attend a meeting arising out of the dispute between the Ngatiajia and Ngatiraukawa. BANG-LIT KEI. The news from hence is anything but cheering, as the dispute between the tribes seeins approaching a crisis. A number oi Mr. Alexander’s cattle have been seized by one party, and the others declare their intention of releasing them. Several Ngatiraukawas, who were in town yesterday, reported that three of the cattle had been killed by the Ngatiapa, and that bloodshed was imminent.