New Zealand Insurance Company. Auckland, Last Night.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1409, 14 July 1881, Page 2

New Zealand Insurance Company. Auckland, Last Night.

The New Zc.xl.ind Insurance Company's leport shows the amount for division to be C2i,723, out of which a dividend of three shillings per .shaic has been de* claierl. and £8725 canied forward.

Supreme Court. Justice Gillies hentenced the elder Bmdou to five years, aud the younger oue to two years imprisonment, for arson. In the case Hurst v. Wickham, defendant pleaded not guilty and justifica,tinn. on the ground that such rumours <is ho published übout Hurst were current. The plea was over-ruled by the judge who said it was no justification to t>ay that tumours were current. They must plead the truth of the statements. Defendant's counsel asked for time to put iv new pleas. The judge «>aid there was no leason why he should not put them in at once. Mr Heaketh, on behalf of Mr Hur.st, said he had been instructed not to interpose any obstacle in the way of a plea of truth. His client courted the fullest investigation, and he would not oppose the granting of time to put in new pleas. His Honor said that should offer all reasonable facilities for the pleading of a plea of truth, but at the &arne tune he felt bound to point out the serious conse&equences that would eniue if such a plea failed. Mr A. E. Whitaker signified his knowledge of the consequences referred to, and the case was then adjourned till to-morrow to put in a new plea. The case Rees v. Wickham was then proceeded with. Only pleas of not guilty wore odered, no evidence being ottered in justification. Messrs Rees and Reed were examined, and counsel then addressed the Court. The Judge summed up stiongly in favor of Wicldiain, and the jury, after a short retirement, brought in a veidict of not guilty. The accused was then dischaiged.

Native Land Purchases. The (Jovermnent bave instructed Mr Wilkinson, Native Agent at the Thames, to arrange for closing the ii J iako purchases commenced some time ago by 3lr Mackay. and upon which a sum of upwards of t'17,000 has been paid to various native owners. ,The block includes some 2,0,000 acies, but a largo propoition is useless s\\ amp lands. It runs from Whakatiawai on towards the Waitoa Block to Karl's land and sawing station. Theie are some excellent patches here anil there, but many of them are occupied by natives, and would be required as leserves. Mr Wilkinson has arranged to meet natives interested in sale of lands at Whakdtipi early next week.