TELEGRAPHIC.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1362, 25 April 1883, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

. UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION] . New Plymouth, this:day. The Hon. John Bryce was entertained at a banquet last night, which was a great success. , Major Atkinson presided. '. Dunedin, Wednesday. . A four-roomed cottage in George-st., owned by Mrs Brooks, was totally destroyed by fire last night. Tho fire was caused by a match being thrown against the curtains of the wardrobe, The house was insured in the Norwich Union for L 250 and the furniture for L2OO. ~ Ohristohuroh, Wednesday. At Rangiora on Monday evening, Mr J. Wilson, M.H.R, for Kaiapoi, stated that his health had been so indifferent since his return from Wellington, that' if it did not improve he did not think he should be warranted in attempting another session's work. Gkeymouth, Wednesday. Mr B. Shaw held a crowded meeting at Brunnerton last night. After his address a large number of questions were answered and he received a unanimous vote of confidence. WAsaANUi, April 24. The half-yearly session of the Supreme Court opened this morning before-the Chief Justice, who, in charging the Grand- Jury, of which Mr Ballance was elected foreman, referred with regret to the numerous and serious charges in the calendar. . His honor made special allusion.to the charge of chijd-mnrder against Phcebe Yeitch, manslaughter agairiat Richard Thomas, two casesjof perjuryiand two of assaults on girls'of tender years. The Grand Jury returned true bills against all the thirteen prisoners in the calendar. His Honor discharged the jury with the thanks of the country. The Maori jury panel was called, and it out of 56 natives answered to their names, notwithstanding that this is. the first time that such procedure has been adopted. There are two Maori prisoners to be tried by Native juries, and the proceedings in connection with tho procedure excite special. interest here.. Tui Matiaha pleaded guilty to horse stealing at Peilding, and was sentenced to twelve months. ! Henri, for stealing a watch and chain'fromthe, person of a half-caste at;Foxton, was found guilty, and; sentence .was postponed. : John O'Donnell, a lad, for stealing from a dwellinghbußeinQtaki, was acquitted on the ground.of insanity. The case of manslaughter agwnst ling a fellow ;Wbrkman named Boers in a■■; be-tried;to-morrow. The criminai:session-wiil p'rdbably'last the wholkweek. 'dne'speciatahd'four common jury, civil actions V are to be tried also;;-"; -: ;: i' ,;.•'■:

, Nelson, April 24. The Bishop of Nelson returned home this morning after an absence of fifteen months. Bunting was displayed in his honor. -'To-night a public welcome was accorded him in the Provincial Hall,

where, in the presence 'of a, large assembly, an'address of welcome was presented to his Lordship, The Bishop, in his speech,'referred to a variety of subjects, and "spolce very touchingly of the late 'Archbishop,, of Canterbury. He was evidently much affected by the heartiness'of his welcome.

MORE BOEOUGH DEFALCATIONS. Christchuroh, Wednesday. At the Kaiapoi Borough Counoil last night the auditors reported a.deficiency 0f,£104 in,the accounts for the past year.' The report on special audit of accounts showed, that most of the dog tax and note books and numerous vouchers are missing, and that no petty cash account had been kept since July, 1874, Since the Stamp Act came into force not more than 25 per cent, of the vouchers have been stamped, and cheques have frequently been paid before the .vouchers were signed there had been great laxity every year in auditing the accounts, but in the absence of the books mentioned it was utterly impossible to find out deficiencies, There was a sum of £250 found in the cash book to the general account, but there was no entry in the bank pass book, and the cashier of the bank could not say what had become of it. The report was referred back to the auditor for jiFurther' information.