TELEGRAPHIC.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1820, 22 October 1884, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

(United' Press Association.) Auckland, October 21,

At a meeting of members of the N.Z. Bifle Association it was unanimously decided to repudiate the Council as an administrative body, and that at each meeting of the Association the next place of meeting be decided by lot, and that the Government be requested to place the Hinemoa and Stella at disposal of volunteers" free ot charge for their conveyance to the place of meeting. Blenheim, October 21. The half-yearly Supreme Court sittings opened to-day. Judge Richmond, in charging the .Grand. Jury, upon the charge ot infanticide against Fanny Bonnington, which is the only indictment in the calaudar, referred to the reluctance of juries to convict for child murder, even on the most convincing evidence. The law on the subject was not in accordance with public sentiment, and ought to be amended, though it was easier to complain than to suggest a satisfactory improvement. One would like that the partner of a woman's guilt should share her shame and but such a case was not practicable. Tho Grand Jury found a true bill of concealment of birth only, The trial of the prisoner is now proceeding. She was a domestic servant to Mr Dodson, and entered his employment in February, and was delivered of an infant on the night of the 3rd of July, the body being found in a closet the next morning, Later, Fanny Bonnington, for concealment birth, was acquitted, on the ground of insanty, it being Bhown that prisoner's behaviour was peculiar, and that insanity ia in the family, She was ordered to be detained during tie Colonial Secretary's pleasure,

Ctristohuroh, October 21. The second session of the thirteenth Synod of the diocese of Christchurch opened to-day before an exceptionally large attendance of clergy and laity. The Primate, in opening his address, referred to the good work done for tho Church by the late synodsmen, Messrs J. W. Hamilton, H. J. Tailored, Dr Donald, and George Bishop, He said there were ip t|ie diocese sixty-eight clergymen. This number plight lie considered sufficient for the present population, but the extensive nature of some districts required further provision for the spiritual wants of the inhabitants. Anent religious instruction in schools, ho said that out of 23,526 children on the rolls of 204 State schools, 3038 children in 52 schools are receiving some such instruction from the clergy or teachers appointed by them. He added, «It is difficult to say what more can be done at this present time, but it is impossible to resist the conviction that, besjded those children in State schools for whom the Church is responsible, there are many others in the diocese who receive from her no religious instruction,"

Dunedin, Wednesday, In the Divorce Court in the case I. W, Newman v Eliza Newman and Alfred Slodden a rule nisi was granted with costs against the co-respondent, The petitioner only was represented, An escort last night brought down ,£3OOO worth of gold, CflßfsTOitpitCH, Wednesday. The chess match between W. Hookham, champion of tho colony, and P. F. Jacobson, was conol tided yesterday in favor of the former.