WELLINGTON, Last Night.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1712, 26 June 1883, Page 2

WELLINGTON, Last Night.

An inquest was held to-day into the circumstances of the recent fire at Newton. The jury returned a verdict that the premises had been wilfully set on fire, but there was no evidence to show by whom. At the inquest on James Lomas, the verdict uas that he committed suicide while suffciing fiom temporary insanity. The following is the list of oases to be tiicd at the ciiminal sessions of the Supieme Court, which commence on Monday next :— Alfied W.ike, for perjiuy; Horace Henry Clourl Preston, stfdlins; fiom the person ; Edward Dore, f.ilse pretences ; William Pnrcel, stealing from the pel son ; Edward Hughes, poses sing a diamond ring supposed to have been stolen ; Ftlwarcl Follcy, arson ; George Mackay, forging a cheque ; Julia Osborne, stealing from dwelling ; A. Watson, stealing ; f'rediick Hewlin«s, stealing from a dwelling ; Arthur Boycs, larcency fiom Samuel Diekenson's house at Petone. It is woithy of remark that five persons mentioned were committed for tiial within the past eight days. It is understood that steps are being taken by the Chinese residents of Wellington with a view to the acquisition of a large aiea of land at Hutt for the purpose of cultivating English flax. The l.uul in that di&tuct is said to be highly suitable tor flax growing. The Chinese are convinced that with proper care and attention the industiy can be made a moat profitable one. It is also understood that the Chinese contemplate the formation of a company to enter into the business of growing hops on the other side of the harbour. If sufficient inducement is offered by shareholders, an agent will be sent to make arrangements for the importation of Chinese to be employed in the industry. The New Zealand Shipping Company have received the following message from London :— Telegrams of .Saturday rcporf \\}f, sailing of the Waitara from your pqrt, and the IJuvunui from Otago to-day. We are cabled that the Waitara has been in collisipn, and has been sunk by the Hurunui. No lives were lost, The latter vessel put back to discharge and dock.