RESIDENT MAGISTRATES COURT

FRIDAY, Got. 21. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M. ) indecent assault. James Wells was charged withl.having indecently assaulted a child named Lea li Elstoff, at Rakaia, on October 21. Mr Branson appeared for accused, who pleaded “not guilty.” The evidence which was taken at considerable length, is unfit for publication, and the prisoner was com mitted for trial. Civil CASES. Friedlander Bros. v. John Charles— claim, £l2 10s 7d. Defendant admitted the account, and judgment was given for the plaintiffs and costs. Same v. James Charles —claim. £l6 6s lid. Judgment for amount with costs. Trustees of Jameson Bros. v. David Fitzgerald—claim, £4B on a dishonored acceptance. Mr O’Reilly for plaintiff. Judgment confessed. Davidson V. Candish — claim, £6 10s. Judgment confessed. Smith v. Corsbie. Mr Branson for plaintiff, Mr Crisp for defendant. Plain tiff nonsuited with costs, as the description of the plaintiff was insufficient. Stoddart v. W. Smith. Mr Crisp for plaintiff. This was a claim for £25 on a dishonored promissory note. There was no appearance for defendant, and Mr Crisp applied to his Worship to fcompel his attendance on Tuesday next. Appli cation granted. A DISPUTED SECTION. Fitzgerald v. Gibson—claim, £4l 18s for wrongful conversion of a 20-acre paddock of wheat. Mr O’Reilly for plaintiff, Mr Branson for defendant. Mr Branson ob jected to the case being heard as defen dant was a married woman. Mr O’Reilly quoted the statute by which the argument was barred, he not having had 48 hours’ notice given as required in such cases. Mr Branson said that it was well known that Mrs Gibson was a married woman, and in fact it was notorious that her husband was living, and there fore no notice was necessary. The magis trate did not consider a notice necessary. Mr Hugo Friedlander deposed : I know Nicholas Fitzgerald. I hold a license to yocCUpy a secfioiToi land issued to him. / Cross-examined by Mr Branson : I pro duce an agricultural produce lien which covers the wheat growing on that section, dated August 1878. He never repaid me. The moneys are due under the lien. The document was registered. Mr C. 0. Fooks, surveyor, produced a map of Wakanui district. The section racked 28,773, as shown on the map, is the o n ® described in the license to occupy. Mrs Gibson occupies the adjoining section, ,24,773. Nicholas Fitzgerald owns the . , first-mentioned section. ■ Nicholas Fitzgerald, sworn : lam a farmer Section 28,773 is my property. I know Mrs Gibson ; she occupies the ad joining land on both sides. On the 26th January the defendant’s men and drays came on my land and took off the wheat after I had cut and stocked it. I had previously prevented her from cutting the crop, and offered to sell it to her, also offered to pay her for the labor she had done on the land, but she refused both offers. I also offered to rent it to her, and she would not pay the price. I have charged for the wheat at the same rate as I received for the remaining portion from my land. By Mr Branson : Mrs Gibson ploughed mil sowed the land. I don’t know that she is a married woman. I got the license to occupy in August, 1877. I knew that ahe was ploughing and sowing it. I never warned her not to do so. Mrs Gibson fenced the land before I bought it. On one occasion I dropped the license to occupy, and a man named Sweeny found it, and 1 told him not to mention I had such a document in my possession. I went to see Mrs Gibson in September. I told her the land was mine, that was after the ploughing was done. I did not know that ahe wanted to buy the land. I did not know that she had given instructions to Friedlander Bros, to purchase it for her. My farm is about chains from this section. I never told Mrs Gibson that I had planted wheat somewhere, but would not tell her where. In 1877 and 1878, saw her ploughing. About August, 1878,1 found out that I could get the land from Government, but I was satis fied previously that there were 20 acres in the section. Re-examined by Mr O’Reilly: The fences put up by Mrs Gibson were along the frontages of her other sections, but no side fend® were put up on the boun dary between her section and mine. John Moynahan, farm laborer : Saw plaintiff and defendant together when their crops were being cut. He offered payment for work done, or that he would accept rent for the land, but she would not agree to any of his offers. George Cole, farmer, estimated that there was a crop of 15 to 17 bushels of wheat on the section last year, worth 3s Id per bushel. For the defence Mr Branson submitted that, as plaintiff had given a lien to Friedlander Bros, he had no claim to sue, and that as Fitzge’-ald had acted so as to lead defendant to infer that he had no title to the land, he had acted so that the law of estoppel debarred him from taking proceedings. It was clear that the strict terms laid down in the Agricultural Liens Act, took all possession out of Fitz gerald’s hands, and thus he had no locus standi as plaintiff - Mr O’Reilly contended that Fitzgerald had acted fairly, all through. He had made very fair offers to defendant and she had refused all of them. His Worship said that under the Agri cultural Liens Act, it was evident that Fitzgerald, had parted with his right to the wheat. He recalled N. Fitzgerald who said he had given a mortgage to Mr Freidlander to secure payment of the balance due after selling the wheat. , His’ Worship continued —The crop was absolutely conveyed by the plaintiff to the Friedlander’s, and he could not then she for it. As to the question of estoppel, plyln+iff had clearly misled the defend ant. He had allowed several months to elapse after getting the license to occupy, and was aware that defendant was in the habit of working on the land and had fenced it. At the time plaintiff bought the section he could have easily found out the acreage, so that his excuse that he did not know whether his title was good or not was an ureasonable one. He would grant a non-suit on the estoppel point raised by Mr Branson, and grant costs against plaintiff, £^l9s.

TELEGRAPHIC.

[The Cook's Straits cables are at present under repair, and the cable steamer Agnes apparently has not yet succeeded in completing her work, for this morning, up to a very late hour, no Wellington or North Island intelligence reached us. Beyond the intelligence contained in our own correspondent’s telegram, which bears the date 2.40 p. m., and reached us at half-past eleven, we have no news to give of last night’s Parliament. The fate of the No Confidence motion was ex pected to have been settled at last night’s sitting, so that the cessation of telegraphic communication has happened at an un fortunate time.] BRITISH &, FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. (Reuter's Telegrams.) London, Oct. 21. The Cambridgeshire Stakes were run at Newmarket yesterday, with the result ; Merrille ... ... ... 1 Caxtonia ... ... ... 2 Out of Bounds ... ... 3 There were 179 entries. Arrivals—Sir William Wallace, from Adelaide, May 5 ; Trevellyan, from Port Pirie, June 16 ; Carlton Castle, from Wal laroo, April 20. Quebec, Oct. 21. H.R.H. the Marchioness of Lome has sailed for England. Vienna, Oct. 21. There is a serious famine in Hungary. The failure of the crops is general. St. Petersburg, Oct. 22. The occupation of Merv is officially denied. The Russian Press indignantly protests against the hostile language of the Secre tary of State for Foreign Affairs at Man chester, which the official “ Messenger ” denounces as not calculated to contribute to satisfactory relations between England and Russia. Paris, Oct. 22. ‘Humbert, the Communist, has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for making a seditious speech.

AUSTRALIAN.

( Reuter's Telegrams.)

Melbourne, Oct. 23. The Directors of the Provincial Bank have been committed for trial.

The Legislative Assembly will not ad journ. Sir John O’Shannassy’s motion to abolish the Land Tax was defeated by a large majority.

(Herald Special.) Sydney, Oct. 23,

Six hundred cabmen are expected to withdraw from the streets to-morrow on strike.

Melbourne, Oct. 23.

The quasi wife of Ellen Tremayne, alias Lacy Evans, resident at Sandhurst, affirms that a child was born while living with her supposed husband.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, Oct. 23.

A requisition is being signed petitioning the Mayor to convene a public meeting for the purpose of urging the Auckland members to consider the financial and general condition of the colony rather than party. It is stated that an attempt will be made to-day, to work the Minister of Marine down the channel with lumpers engaged for the purpose, and to ship the imprisoned crew, with the exception of Cole, at Rangitoto reef, to prevent them from escaping. The destination of the vessel has been altered from San Francisco to Newcastle, New South Wales. A respectable married woman who had lost her child recently, threw herself off Freeman’s Bay breakwater. She was rescued and sent to the lunatic asylum. The Bank of New Zealand meeting was held to-day, Mr Logan Campbell, Chair man presiding. There was a large atten dance of shareholders. The report showed a profit of £259,406, including £189,600 premium of new shares, and £9,700 balance brought forward ; out of which it is proposed to pay a dividend and bonus of 15 per cent (£13,500), add £IBO.OOO to the reserve, and carry forward £5,890. _ Auckland, Oct. 24.

The Auckland Oil Company have ob tained from San Francisco a quantity of castor oil beans for distribution to settlers, with the intention of establishing a local industry in connection therewith. An old man named Wilson was missing from Parnell. When discovered by the police he was found to be insane, and sent to Auckland.

A movement to convene a meet ing by the Mayor, re political crisis, is suspended, pending action of Auckland members on recent proposals. Lumpers engaged to take out the Minister of Marine intend entering an action at law for alleged breach of agree ment. Gbahamstown, Oct. 23. James Petersen, a Dane, was acci dentally killed by a tree falling on him while bush felling. He was 30 years of age, and was much respected. Gisborne, Oct. 23. At the public meeting last night 400 were present. The ar.ti-Repudiationists utterly failed in endeavoring to cast obloquy on Mr Rees, who was supported by Tucker, Webb, and others. Mr Rees’ party carried their amendment by a large majority and amid vociferous applause “ That the action of Mr Rees and party, in dealing with the natives, is not detri mental to the interests of the district. Napier, Oct. 33.

The Jockey Club Steeplechase yester day was well attended. A Maori owned horse named Sawrea, while attempting a water jump, fell and broke his neck, dying almost immediately. Subsequently at the water jump, but in a different race, a jockey named Small had his collar bone broken. Baron won the Grand National Handicap Steeplechase, Pauvre 2, Gray Momus 3. , Wellington, Oct. 23. A man, giving the name of Frederick Smith" was charged at the police court this morning with impersonating a female, and was sentenced to six hours imprison ment. When arrested he was wearing the apparel i eculiar to that sex. The case ot Richardson v. the Bank of New South Wales, claim, £9OOO, for alleged breach of agreement, was con cluded at tho Supreme Court at 11

o'clock last t. The jury awarded plaii tifFf'lTCO damages. Th > steamer Agnes left Worsers’ Bay at davli.'l t for the purpose «>f repairing the cable, but returned at 9 o’clock. She made smother start at 10.

Thn unemployed public meeting on the recla Tiled land this morning attracted about 100 persons. The deputation inter view 1(1 the Premier, Minister of Public VVor if, and the Minister of Lands. After the l risvances of the unemployed had been reprt sen ted, Ministers promised that im mediate instructions would be issued to give work on an additional mile of the West Coast Railway, that by Nov. 3 a cont ract for an additional two miles would be accepted, and that the contract for the first section and reclamation would be im mediately accepted. An arrangement has been, made with the contractor to give I employment. No men will be discharged , from the Government works through being l untried to the work, hut all round would be 'paid according to what they were worth. Legislation was proposed to allow working men to settle on the land, and free passages would be granted to other parts of the colony where there might be better prospects for any of the | met t.

Wellington, Oct. 24.

The programme of the New Zealand Rifle Association’s second meeting has been issued. It contains twenty matches, for which £I,OOO will be given in prizes, bei ig £2OO in excess of last year. A requisition is being signed, requesting Mr Charles Johnston to stand for the Mn yoraty. At the Supreme Court in the libel case Carkeek v. Williams, judgment was given for the defendent.

Dunedin, Oct. 23.

It is said that Mr B. S. Booth, of Hyde, has just put together th ■ only perfect moa skeleton in existence, the bones un doubtedly belonging to that immense bird. In Banco this morning, on the applica tion of the President of the Law Society, a rule nisi was granted by Mr Justice Williams on a motion to strike off the rolls a late member of one of the leading legal firms in this city. The affidavit of the principal member of the firm showed that th'jre had been large misappropriations of th 3 firm’s money by the solicitor in ques tion

The proposed twenty-four hours’ open walking competition has been arranged to be held at the Garrison Hall on November 27 and 28. This will prove a very good date, as the Races and Agricultural Show will come off about that time. Entries will be received from Dunedin competitors till November 7, and from other districts up till November 17. The President of the Caledonian Society has consented to act as stake-holder, and Mr Austin has already paid over to him half of the money to be given in prizes, the "Other half being payable on November 3. Already six Dunedin entries have been received, and there are sure to he several from the North. The date of the match has been extended specially at the request of pedestrians in the North Island. This contest promises to be a great success, much interest being already taken in it; and as the stakes amount to about £IOO, there should he plenty of competitors. It may be mentioned that W. J. Burke is Trilling to make a match with the West Coast mile runner, who recently issued a challenge to run an Auckland man for £3OO a-side. Burke will run him for any amount up to £SOO a-side, if the latter’s friends will come to the scratch.

Invercargill, Oct. 24.

The foundation stone of the new Law Courts was laid yesterday with Masonic honors. The weather was fine, and the proceedings passed off most successfully. The ceremony was performed by District Judge Harvey, R. W. D. M., District Grand Lodge, Scottish Constitution. Members iff the local lodges assembled in groat strength, and with representatives of lodges from Dunedin and elsewhere, formed a larger turn out of Masons than ever witnessed here. All the Volunteer companies took part in the proceedings. The day was proclaimed a half-holiday, which was closely observed by the towns people. A Masonic ball, held at the drill-shed, in the evening, was largely attended.

LATEST.

Christchurch, Oct. 24.

The new American cars used on the line are greatly admired. They are just being brought into use, and are far more convenient in every way than the old style of carriage. There is a revival at last in commercial circles. The general rise in sugar, grain, «&c., recently cabled, has had a bene ficial effect, and this week’s commercial reports are quite cheering compared with what they have been for some months past. Arrived—Rangitikei, from London, all well, after a passage of 96 days. Fine weather, and no deaths among the im migrants, and scarcely any sickness. Dr Eadson is Surgeon Superintendent. The Rangitikei left Plymouth on the 10th July, crossed the equator on August 20, passed the Cape on the 18th September, and the Snares on the 18th October. The Ethel, from Manakau, has also arrived, and the Rosanna Rose, from Kaipara. Sailed—Cleopatra, for Oamaru. Dunedin, Oct. 24.

A serious accident happened on the Castle street tramway to-day to a man named Meldium, a drayman in the em ploy of Findlay and Co. In endeavoring to stop his horse, which took fright at the tram engine, he was knocked over and both his legs wore fractured. He sus tained other injuries besides, and a fatal result is feared. Meldrum was conveyed to the hospital cn a bed-board and mat trass, carried by two Maori prisoners and a warder from the gaol.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

[by telegraph.] from our own correspondent. Wellington, Oct. 23. Government will now, without doubt, meet the no-confidence vote successfully. Mr. Reader Wood has withdrawn from Macandrew, and several Auckland votes are sure to go with him. Private members’ business was allowed to go on in the House yesterday without much party fighting, but there was a great exhibition of useless talk, chiefly on pro tection versus free trade. Just before midnight the Local Option Bill was reached on the Order Paper, and

its second reading was proposed by Mr {Saunders and seconded by Mr Sheehan, after which the debate on it was adjourned for a week.

There seems to be a lull in the political storm, which will probably leak out afresh to-day, over Mr Hall’s Ministerial statement. A way appears to open by which the Hall Government may meet the No-Confidence vote, but their party doubt the wisdom of attempting to carry on with a hare majority, the necessary though un popular measures of taxation that the credit of the colony demands, without any delay. There never was a time in the history of the colony when good government was so urgently needed, and when it seemed so utterly impossible. It is said that Mr. Shepherd is pro mised a seat in the Upper House if the Greyites over regain the power to give it him.

October 24. Sir George Grey is unseated for Christ church.

Mr E. G. Wright was very fortunate last night in getting the second reading of the Ashburton Water Works Bill passed, and showed his judgment by saying enouglvand not too much about it. After the House had been wearied with a per fect flood of talking on the reduction of the Gold Duty, Mr Adams put what he called his Licensing Bill through its second reading. It only provides for lowering the charges for licenses, putting out the lamps when the bar of the hotel is closed, and ensures that drink may be sold from 1 p.m to 2 p.m., and 8 p.m. to 9 p.iu on Sundays. The “ New Zealander ” professes to ridicule the loss of Messrs Wood, Swan son, Hurst and Colbeck, but the excessive activity of Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan, who have quite superseded their whips, and the very long faces of Messrs Montgomery, Ballance, Stewart, Pyko, and Shephard, look as if the report was not unfounded.

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, Oct. 23. The Council sat to - day for three quarters of an hour, there being little besides formal business. In reply to Sir F. D. Bell, The Attorney-General said that the Government would open no more land for sale on deferred payments till the end of the session. Captain Fraser complained of the in sane velocity of the trains between Wel lington and the Hutt, where the line was full of sharp curves, but after some dis cussion the matter dropped. A petition from the New Zealand Uni versity to make its reserves in various parts of the colony at once available for the purposes of higher education, was re ferred to a Select Committee.

During a brief discussion on the subject the Hon. Dr Grace asserted that all Go vernments had treated the University un fairly, because the Institution had refused to lend its influence to party, but had steadily pursued the course for which it was formed. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, October 22. The following is the conclusion of the report:— SECOND READINGS. Considerable discussion took place on the Wanganui Endowment Schools Bill, as to whether it was a public o t a private Bill. Ultimately, Mr Ballancc’s motion for the second reading was carried, and the Bill referred to a select Committee. The following Bills were also read a second time, viz:—The Oamaru Harbor Board, Lyttelton Harbor Board, Imprison ment for Debt Abolition, Minos Act Amendment, Mining Companies Act Amendment, Masterton and Greytown Lands Management, and the Bluff Har bor Foreshore Endowment. The second reading of the Local Option Bill was moved by Mr Saunders, and the House ruse at 12 - 30. Thursday, October 23, 1879. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30. questions. Replying to Mr Pitt, The Hon W. Rolleston said that a Bill to amend the Land Act, 1877, had been prepared, and that an opportunity would be given for amending it so as to give effect to .the recommendation made by the Commisioner of Crown Lands, Nelson, in his last annual report. In reply to Mr Sutton, The Hon J. Hall said that a return would be laid before the House of all sums paid to Ministers of the House as travel ling allowances, or any payments in excess of salary since July 1, 1878. In reply to Mr Sutton, The Hon J. Bryce said that Mr John White had been employed in connection with the natives at a salary of £450 per year. Mr J. B. Fisher asked the Premier (1) Whether the Government recognised the necessity and justice of their taking over and maintaining the main lines of road on the west coast of the Middle Island. (2) If the Government are aware that the Buller County Council has not and cannot raise sufficient revenue for maintaining existing roads in the County, and that great loss is continually accruing to the colony from the inability of this County to assist in developing its resources, by making short tracts connecting new and proved goldfields with the centres of trade and population. (3) Whether the Go vernment arc aware that now, rich, and proved gold fields are lying unproductive in the Buller County for the want of a few hundred pounds to make roads to them ?

The Hon J. Hall replied that the ques tion of roads and bridges was part of the County system, and that information on the subject would be given in the Public Works Statement about to be brought down. Sums of money had been placed on the Estimates to meet the particular case referred to.

In reply to Mr J. B. Fisher, The Hon It. Oliver said a report upon the subject of the alleged great and un necessary injury done to the gold mining industry by the withdrawal of lands upon the Nelson South-West Goldfields -from occupation, notice of which was given in the Gazette of June 18, and December 18, 1878, had been ordered to be made.

. Replying to Mr Dish'p, The Hon Ft. Oliver said it had not yet been decided whether Government. intend to remove from Christchurch to Dunedin the Departments of the Commissioner, the Accountant, and Cashier of tlio Middle island railways, or any of these depart ments, and if so, when such removal may be expected to take place, in reply to Sir George Grey,

The lion J. Hall said that he would re quest the Governor to permit correspon dence with late Ministers regarding their resignations to be presented to Parlia ment.

In reply to Mr Shephard, The Hon J. Hall said information would be given on an early day as to the advis ability of making such an alteration in the mode of distributing the subsidies to the Counties and road districts, as will appor tion them according to the number of miles of road to be maintained instead of as at present, in proportion to the amount of rates collected.

In reply to Mr Bowen, The Hon. R. Oliver said he had been unable to find on the official records that the attention of the Government had been drawn to the mischief done to the north bank of the Wairnakariri river, by the works constructed by order of the Board of Conservators. Government were aware of very considerable dissatisfaction on the subject. Replying to Mr Fisher,

The lion. R. Oliver said Government would give favorable consideration to the proposal for constructing a branch line of railway from Ferrymead to Sumner. In reply to Mr Ormond, The Hon. J. Bryce said Government would arrange a return of amounts paid since Juno 30, 1877, for services rendered by permanent officers or others in connec tion with the purchase of Native Lauds vote. In reply to Mr Whyte,

The Hon. 11. Oliver said Government thought the Cambridge branch railway a lino worth consideration. THE SITUATION. The Premier said that as was briefly an nounced yesterday, he would now state the course Government proposed taking with the no-confidence motion tabled by the member for Port Chalmers. To-day being a private members’ business day, they should not interfere with that part of the Work. To-morrow, however, Govern ment would be prepared to afford the House an opportunity for bringing that question to an issue. Mr Macandrew said the Opposition did not think it would be prudent to interfere with the proposal made, although they were not without a feeling that it was their duty to allow no business to go on. Of course they would understand that no Go vernment business was to be taken.

The Hon. J. Hall replied that cf course if the hon. member objected, all such business would be postponed. Ho then moved the adjournment of the Govern ment measures on the Order Paper. FIRST READING. A Bill to grant an endowment to the Harbor Board at Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, was introduced by Mr Sutton and read a first time. PUBLIC WORKS ON THE WEST COAST. On the motion of Mr Hursthouse, a re turn showing the amount of money spent on public works on the West Coast of the Middle Island from June 3', 1872, to October 1, 1877, was agreed to. GOLD DUTY. Mr Gibbs moved opinion of this House, the gold duty should be reduced by Is per oz.” Mr Seddon moved as an amendment — “ That the duty be reduced at the rate of Is per oz. until the whole duty is abolished, the first reduction to be made on Jan. 1 next.” Major Atkinson suggested the adjourn ment of the debate until Wednesday, pending further information as to the question of what revenue should he sub stituted for that proposed to be abolished. Mr Gibbs seconded, and spoke in favor of the adjournment, which was put and carried. The House then adjourned, EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. MISCELLANEOUS. The Waikuku Reserve Bill was con sidered in Committee, and reported with amendments. The Land Transfer Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. The Oamaru Waterworks Act, 1875, Amendment Bill was considered in Com mittee, and reported without amendment, read a third time, and passed. The Hawkes’ Bay and Marlborough Rivera Act, 1868, Amendment Bill was read a second time. LICENSING BILL. Mr Acton Adams moved the second reading of the Licensing Further Amend ment Bill (New Zealand). The effect was to make a uniform license throughout the colony In Otago the licensing fee was £25, whereas in Nelson it was £4O. That was only one of the many examples that could be cited to show the unfairness of the present system. The proposals con tained in the Bill had been approved of by a large section of the licensed victuallers of the colony, and before it passed through all its stages he hoped to be in a position tr> submit it to the approval of all the others. So far as the general conduct of the trade was concerned, the Bill did not propose to interfere except as regards a trifling alteration in clause 6, which he would not insist upon if objected to. lie ban stated a schedule of fees, but he would be quite prepared to make them £5 one way or other if thought advisable. The Hon. John Hall said it was high time this matter was taken in hand. It was to he regretted that the matter was not taken up before. They would not be able to deal with the whole question this session, still, that was no reason why they should not deal with the question in a partial manner. He agreed with the spirit of the Bill, although one or two details would have to be attended to in Committee.

Captain Bussell objected to the Bill, as a general measure would have to be pro vided for dealing with the whole question. He thought the matter might be left in the bonds of Government to prepare such a measure during the recess. Mr Hutchison objected to the proposal to lessen the license fee. In. Wellington alone it would reduce the Municipal re venue very considerably, and he was not

aware of any complaint bavin" boon mafic about the fees charged being too high. Mr Stewart moved—“ That the Bill bo real that day six. months,’’ and reviewed various clauses in it to wlnVh Ik* objected. Mr Murray moved,- as a further amend ment the adjournment of t.!ic debate. j 'l'lie motion for the adjournment, having j been withdrawn, the motion for read ng that day six months was put, and, on divi sion was lost. Ayes, 32 ; noes, 2'i. Tiie Hill was then read a second time. SECOXn READINGS. The following Bills wore read a second time New River Pilot Station Reserve ; Auckland Free Public Library ; Ash burton County Council Waterworks ; Re sident Magistrates’ Act, 18(37, Amend ment ; and District Courts Act, 1858, Amendment.

PRIVILEGE. Mr Reeves spoke to a breach of privi lege. He had received a letter from an ex-member of the House, Mr Woolcock, recommending him to turn over and sup port Government, fo which he replied lie had never seen so much moral turpitude in so few words. He moved that the letter he laid on the table. The motion was discussed, and then withdrawn. The second reading of the Wellington Harbor Bill was under discussion at 12.80, when this message was despatched.

SECOND EDITION.

Defection of Four Oppositionists !

Government in a Majority.

(By Special Wire at 4 a.m.)

Wellington, October 24.

In the House last night Messrs Reader Wood, Swanson, Colbeck, and Hurst had gone over to the ‘ Government side on assurances that the Educational System would not be disturbed, that the liberal measures would be carried, and that re garding public works, any balance due to Auckland would be made up out of the present loan. Their conduct was strongly condemned by the Opposition.

It has not been decided whether the Christchurch seat will be declared vacant or given to Mr Richardson.

ROMANTIC DRAMA.

A Hungarian paper recounts in graphic terms a little drama which took place in a little town near Pesth in the shop of a chemist or apothecary, whose assistant had cultivated the affections of a fair maid living not far off. The course of true love encountered in this case very few ob stacles, and, indeed, seemed in a fair way of proving an exception to the general rule by running smoothly to its orthodox conclusion ; for the proprietor of the es tablishment having died, the assistant fojnd himself in a position to make a bid for the shop and the business, and was in course of negotiating the transfer of the property to himself. The two lovers were exploring the premises, and no doubt indulging in bright visions of the future, when a sudden apparition pre sented itself in the shape of a legal officer charged with the duty of affixing seals to the goods and chattels. The assistant and his fiancee, whose attachment to one another had not yet been published to the world, were struck with sudden confusion and alarm, and the latter made her escape into a wardrobe, upon which her admirer quickly turned the key. The official pro ceeded to make out liis inventory, and sealed up the door of the wardrobe, as well as those of the other rooms and recep tacles. He then departed, leaving the custody of the whole place in the charge of the young man, and specially directing his attention to tne severity of the legal penalties enacted against those who break or allow to be broken the ssals attached in the usual way. There remained now to the hero of the tale hut two courses, either to allow the lady to endure the pangs of semi-starvation in a position des cribed in the ballad of “ The Mistletoe Bough,” to incur the grievous pains and penalties of the criminal law, or to disclose all, and invoke the clemency of the testa mentary court. The latter was the course ultimately adopted ; but it was many hours before the requisite authority could be obtained, and the too rash or timid ady could be released from her uncom ortable hiding place.

A Railway Across the Sahara.

The French “Journal Official ” contains a report addressed to the President of the Republic by the Minister of Public Works on the proposed railway across the Sahara, followed by a decree appointing a coni mis sion to inquire into the question of opening railway communication between Algeria and Senegal and the interior of Soudan. The commission is to examine into the possibility of constructing such a railway, the best route to be followed, the means of protecting it from raids by na tives or animals, and from damage by rain or sand-storms, Ac, and to estimate the probable cost of construction and work ing and maintenance. M. de Les seps is said to have warmly approved the project, which is also supported by the Minister of Public Works. Now that official encouragement has been given to the idea, the question will bo thoroughly worked out. Private enterprise has for some time been directed to the scheme, and several reconnoitring expeditions have been sent out to survey the probable route and ascertain correct particulars i.s to the condition of the country. A con temporary states that two explorers, MM. Fousean and Fan, who have lately visited the country south of Algeria, re port very favorably of the capabilities of the land “ Leaving Greyville, in the province of Oran, in November, with a caravan comprising over 2000 men and 8000 camels, they started for Gourara, where the caravan was to buy dates and other native produce. Crossing a series of sandhills, they came to the village of fruits and vegetables. A comparatively high range of hills, covered with alfa, had to be crossed, advantage being takpn of two passes or defiles, when the oasis of

P.re/dna was rea lied, situated on the I banks, or rather i n mod by the waters, of the s re m known as O.ied Seggneur, which uly runs after heavy rains, and i* s -on 1 >st in tile sand. Several other 1 o uses, as the ill I Main, El Haoneta and j Taljoronna, were visited en route to Laglionst. The country generally is des cribed as a series of undulating plains— the two words are expressive, though ap parently contradictory—interspersed with clumps of tall pistachio-nut trees. During the winter season numerous flocks of sheep, camels and oxen were seen all along the route, with the tents of their owners pitched hero and there in this apparently fertile ‘ desert.’ ”

Resuscitating the Drowned.

A Frenchman has the credit of invent ing an apparatus for aiding in the resusci tation of persons apparently drowned, or who from any other cause have been tem porarily deprived of animation. It con sists of a cylinder of sheet iron large enough to contain the body of an adult person. It is closed at one end, and the inanimate individual is inserted, feet fore most, in the receptacle as far as the neck, round which there is placed a padded diaphragm, fastened to the cylinder so as to be air-tight. An air-pump, attached to an opening in the tube, creates a partial vacuum, and then the outer atmosphere, by its own pressure, forces its way into the lungs by the mouth and nostrils, which are left exposed. By a reversed action of the pump the air is allowed to re-enter the cylinder, and respiration is thereby re-established. A glass plate in serted in the iron casing enables the operator to watch the movements of the chest, which rises and falls as in life with the working of the pump. The action may be repeated, it is stated, 18 times in a minute, an exact imitation of natural breathing thus produced.

In Incident in the Khyyber Pass.

A correspondent of the “ Pioneer ” gives the following account of an incident on the recent return of some British officers from Afghanistan : —“ Scene ; the wildest part of the Khyber, with barren rocks towering on all sides, an English officer riding along, escorted by a motley company of maliks and tribesmen all armed to the teeth ; more armed Afre dees in the middle distance ; a weary, lonely figure toiling on the dusty road in huge black boots, face burned a brick red and fringed by a scanty sandv beard. The figure is clad in a thick wadded gar ment, and lias a bundle on its back. ‘ Halt! Who are you ? ’ ‘A Turkestani.' ‘ Where are you going V ‘To Mecca ’ ‘ How will you got there ? ’ ‘ God will help.’ ‘ Peace be with you.’ ‘And with you.’ The figure moves off, and the armed circle breaks up. This poor de votee had tramped* hundraJp" ofmiles ijj through hills and valleys, swarming with cut-throats, secure in his simple faith ,! which had led him to leave distant Turkes- ' tan in quest of the still more distant Mecca. !

Little Johnny’s Piece About the Oppossum.

If there is anything in names, this ani mal comes from Ireland, but them thats here calls themselfs jess ’Possums, like they was natif born. ’Possums has a sharp nose, and a long bald-headed tale, . which is always cold, never mind the * wether. It jes like their tales was ded, and no money for the funeral performance. The ole she ones has got a tobacco pouch; on the outside of their stummockses, and; ■ wen the little ones is afraid, they smuj®lOsfS| : in don’t care a copper wot be comes of 1 their old mother wich is outside. When a dog finds a possum, and it can’t git to a tree, it lies down and pretends lik it was dead. One time there was a dog wich dldent kno possums, found one a lik ded, and after rolling it over a wile and smellia it, the dog twinkled his ear as much as to say, “ Mity good job for you ole fellow, that you was dead fore I cum along. ” Arid then the dog he lay down and went to asleep. Wen the possum see the dog a sleep it stood up on its feet to go away but just then the dog woke up. Such a fritten possum you never see, and such a fritten dog you never see too, but the dog most. It got up, the dog did, and made for home, yellin like its heart was brek, and fore it got home it had changed with scare from a black Nn foundland pup to a ole bull dog, white like Gaffer Peterses hed !

Saturday, October 25, 1879.]

fhe Ashburton guardian

3



A Chinaman in a Passion.— A China man in a violent passion must present a singular appearance, according to a wit ness in the Police Court this morning, who described the almond-eyed stranger as pursuing a boy up Tory-street, and all the while “ hollowing out like a cat who haul lost its tail. ” We presume that the wit ness (who, as Mr Fitzgerald said, seemed to be the ‘ ‘ funny man of the district ”) intended some covert allusion to the Chinaman’s pigtail.—“ Wellington Post.” Ritualism. —We learn from Waimafce that similar charges to those brought against the Rev. Mr Carlyon formerly of Kaipara are likely to be preferred there against the t ßev. Mr Coates, Church of England curate. Meetings have already been held, at which was asserted that the ritualalistic practices upheld by the rev. gentleman were so closely lerging on Romanism that the difference was. scarcely discernable. Strong feelings on the sub ject are manifested by members of Who church. The Doings of Lightning. —Many tone the strange stories related of the curious or wonderful freaks played by lightning— suprising, perhaps, because One of these (says the “Manawatu Times ”) we heard of the other day as having occurred between here and Wan ganui. During a thuscuießstoriu which passed over the district, the electric flood struck one of the telegraph poles and damaged seven others. The pole first struck appeared as if riddled by small bid lets just below the arm which suppoitta the wires. The others were either jaggjcd, as if with a chisel, at one of the coniars, or had large splinters torn off. In the hist pule a hole about an inch in diarentair was bored clean down the centre from that arm to the foot, the portion hi being splintered to pieces. are four chains apart, the electric- fluid l , must have travelled along the wire- moret than a quarter of a mile before entering the ground.