NEW ZEALAND.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2178, 24 June 1886, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[[by telkgraph.— pkkss association.]

DUNEDIN, Tuesday. The Official Assignee brought under the notice of the Judge to-day the great laxity which prevails with regard to keeping book*, and asked that notific*. tlon be made by the Court, which might have some effect. His Honour said that commercially th»*re was scarcely anything more wicked than not keeping books properly. Regarding one case before him, he *aid an illiterate man like the bankrupt should not be in such a business as he was, but should be working for wages. He suspended for six months the discharge of William Leggie for not keeping books. It U alleged that two recent deaths in Dunedin re Milted from the dangerous style in which football is now played. The Star calls on the Rugby Union to interfere to chrck snch brutality. The house of Mrs Anderson, Qlenelg, has been destroyed by fire, the occupants barely escaping without injury. The house had been insured for £300 in the Standard, but by an oversight the policy lapsed two days before the fire. An old resident at Ophir, named Norm Ley, has mysteriously disappeared, and suspicions of unfair play are suspected. Noi ris Ley has not been seen since May 24. except by a man who was living with him, who states that Norm Ley left the house on the sth instant, but did not say w here he wni goini;. Search made has proved una\ailable.

Wednesday. Two shocks of earthquake were felt here at 0.13 this morning. The firat being rat'ier sharp and the second of slight duration, from three to ten minutes, and the direction north to south. Shocks are reported as having been felt in various parts of the district.

INVERCARGrLL, Wednesday. A slight shock of earthquake was felt here at 8.'20 am. to-day. It was alto felt at Dipon, 36 miles away, and very severely at the Bluff. A tremenrlous sea is running inFovpaux Strut*, which has compelled the Stewart Island steamer to run back to the Bluff. A an'rl two years and ten months old, daughter of Mr G. M. Mackay.haa died through eating matches.

Gl u ORNE, Tuesday. Hunia te Iri wa< this morning sen* tenced to five yeaiiT hard labour for burglary, and for escaping from custody two and a-half > ea,i>, the sentence to run concurrently ; Rnvin Karahi, released on his own reco.;nts.inres on ,1 charge of false pretence, owing to th* principal witness, Wi Pere, being at Parliament. Accused was ordered to come up next session if called on. The I'aikakarika Hotel wns burnt down thismoining. There wns no one on the premise* at the time. It was insured for £400 in the Australian Mercantile Union.

Wtdueaday. The nalive* indicted for araou wore acquitted at the .Supreme Court' to-day. The charge of murder ajrainst W. Rolands stands adjourned tilt Monday on the application of prisoner's solicitor.

CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. A telegram received from the Southern Cross petroleum works states thnt on Friday they were down BS2 feet, with a moderate show of oil. The gas was sufficient to light the works at night} giving a flame three feet high. During the afternoon the leading merchants' houses were closed, and there were also a number of Bags hanging halfmast, as a mark of respect for the late Mr R. VVilkin, who was buried to-day. The funeral was one of the largest that has been seen in Canterbury. Wednesday. A slight shock of earthquake was felt here about a quarter- past six this mornißg.

NAPIER, Wednesday. A man named William Cameron wm sentenced today at the- Resident Magistrate's Conrt to six months' imprisonment, for endeavouring to obtain £10 from the Post Office Savings Bank by false pretences. Arnted with his brother's passbook, on which he had substituted his own name, he clumsily tried to draw oat Ac money and was given in charge.