Zir Button, in opening _ the case defence. -W g ted t _bt the prisoner m to the Jur>' engaged as ledger-keeper Über l^^fS Zealand and in that in the Bf j nn^ed through a cheque for Srt, hadiSr had ultimately been £65. fhe WJgSEeadi of the Bank, and confronted J forged the cheque, had confesses , his confession to the officer He also wpeaj^j him Another feature was ffhobadarre^ dalbwe(i - compan i on that the pn^ d susp i c ion of having They should also comnutwa 1 duty of the prisoner had Sr_SS£Bank fr? u _ been to F uged fche know i e dge gainea Bnd _- Virion for a wrong purpose by hllr OTiO difficulty to contend with, Tbey,' _3 the cheque was not forth namely, l' H ver> secondary evidence «?_&_ willed to prove that the cheque tfOU d be SSicft-WUliam Pennyman was a ledger- Goodhue JW,_ k of N ew Zealand. In last a cheque for £65, drawn on October w» Jo] _ p at terson, was the absence of Mr Tol- Bl ed who had Sieved the prisoner. Sub har^' fi« this cheque was miseed and a eeqlTSs instituted, but the cheque could *fh_ found. The prisoner had assisted • fi search. Witness was suspended i D » short time on suspicion with {or itn the missing cheque.—By f aro'Mea,htr: They had searched I itfh all the vouchers of that date.— K°rd Cecil Mason Harington deposed Km* over the cheques on the 22nd ot MriS g fitness called from the book, 0 he prisoner had the cheques. fife! otters he called one from Mr John Ainoogsfcv T1 sonei . made no £_R obJccUon.-By PMr O'Meagher: S pSonei might have abstracted cheque without witness seeing him - a rles Taylor, one of the tellers at the tokofNevv Zealand, deposed to paying Zcbeque in question for £65 on the 21st f fti-tober, 1886. His cash was not short the 21st of October.- William Charles Woodhause produced the detail book He tered a cheque for £65, drawn by Mr T Patterson, on the 21st of October. _w had no other Patterson on the talks They had since searched for the fee! bat it could not be found.- Thecheque in question was not on one of the Bank of New Zealand forms. It was enreddish paper. Their forms were white. Alexander Young Hay, accountant at the Bank of New Zealand, deposed that the manager of the Bank called witness into the room with the prisoner, who admitted tie offence when questioned. He said ie had paid ft man £1 for cashing it Prisoner subsequently told witness tkathe had intended to repay the money.— Join Patterson, settler at Kawhia, deposed to having an account at the Bank of New Zealand." He had not drawn upon His ac count from January, 1886, to January, 1887. He had never drawn a cheque for £65. When he went to the bank in January, 1887, te found that a cheque had been drawn upon his account which he did not acknow gtre.-By the foreman : Witness asked for tke°amount of his balance, and then dis covered the mistake — Charles George Andrews, acting manager for the bank faring the absence of Mr Kisaling, deposed to the authenticity of Mr Patterson's account as shown in the copy pro dud. Witness was present in Mr Esling's room when Mr Hay Wit in the prisoner, who, when accused, „„ted having forged the cheques.— Bard Thorra3 Hill, surveyor. Chapel itieet, Auckland, deposed to cashing the cheque for the prisoner, who gave him £1 Woingso. The cheque was signed Mr Itk Patterson. It was a large amonnt, kle could not remember the exact Wit Prisoner promised witness £2, 'Maty gave him £1. The cheque was gated to the ledger-keeper and marked. feiagave the money received to the flitter, who, was waiting for him in frfim'•ftreeE1 — By Mr O'Meagher: Ifitneataew that the prisoner was in the

feit, The prisoner had once lent a level towitneas.wlio pawned it. The prisoner did not then prosecute. Witness had previously done three months in Mount Eden for motberaction.—Detective Walker deposed toarresting the accused, first on the 2nd of July, and subsequently on the 18th. The prisoner said^r" I was in want of money at lie time, and a friend had promised to lend it to me, bat he went away, and I was and so I did this. I expected t» be able to pay it back again. I'll tell Jtra who cashed the cheque forme; you bwoldffillf'-ByMr O'Meagher: The Fisonersaid-towitness, "I suppose I had taernot say much to you, us you will to to give evidence in Court," Witness fMy,"Oh, anything that yon tell me Bcoaidencel should not think of repeat X -Th_ concluded the case for the tWntion.-Mi'o'Meaghercontendedthat to evidence adduced was not sufficient "provethe offence. Only secondary evi nce had been given as to the contents of * cheque. Mr O'Meagher quoted the *» « Eegina v. Waters, heard before W Justice Prendergast, where the pcs had been put in numerals instead of ?jß*ntt*n. He contended that thoy J» evidence that the cheque was aT j luestion WAS> whether ™ J document as the prisoner JJ j? indicted upon. The evidence- P that point was not satisfactory. JJoraud-ihatthe evidence certainly S ¥ m was a cheque.-Mr J Awledged that it was a difficult ,«» prove, a document which they Wi__ ,reason t0 relieve had g destroyed; by'the accused. In g™'■!• % it had hem . held &k V E!L any docnn»ent which was *to Trt genera% USed WflS an mWi the, Pre case the docu « sev P «iPf e? trough, the bands kZIH officials, aud must HLT^i considered valid. 4 °lr? Cb there would be no Proved L k ? fficials ' Provided they a*ff,Z T(raehe»--His Honor held * •J_?*w t'B° totho iurv> as ifc *Iwb_£_v ache as described r Wth tthebank- Besses m!fl\ en Proceeded to call 4*fe«_nI ~character of the accused. *Ca„ fV and Mr . William Hi^Sl^^ in S evidence as ei-^ s «"w good character of the ac f»iledfcL ' called ■ uP°n Sllb" eO,?, tTVO "atters to the the accused.

FIRE AT BLENHEIM.

t^'-past "__ .^shhm, this day. S^ebr!l° C°ck this coming a t^Cifto^ b«fc it is difficult S.>C g J"? or of Holmes and WT$ KOtterl "i °th Places were tl^itnoU nd -very little was 3>Hri,i ieen„ for K °Pers and S^fgftMliowholo block BrWi,ni? ht was very **& n * QtoZT"?* for £10° on C^tffi" th, e buildinps, be <,>Vb?J ellswin nininto s^ jl'«0 • n^ Andrews-s build lV> Hi l0n'=? 150- Stock: Sit'^thte? nd BelFs store: ¥»/f4 ISh«J fso°; United. S&£3;.^ ol; wich Union '''•".'.■■

ELECTION NOTES.

Hours of Polling.

j The elections are now drawing very olose, the polling day being on Monday week, and the nominations on Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday next. Electors would do well to bear in mind the effect of the alterations in the law made last session with regard to the hours of polling. Inthecity of Auckland, theborough of Parnell, and the borough of Thames, the polling places will be open till 7 o'clock. All other polling places in the provincial district will close at 6 o'clock, the same as last year. There is one polling place for Newton, we understand, within the bound aries of the city, and it will be open till 7 o'clock. It is at Cox's Creek.

Manukau Electorate.

A united meeting of the Onehunga, Epsom, Remuera, and Newmarket com mittees to secure the return of Mr S. S. Osborne was held last night in the Epsom Hall. A considerable amount of business necessary to the furtherance of the work in hand was transacted. It was arranged that Mr Osborne should address meetings at Onehunga, Green Lime, and Newmarket, the dates of which will be duly advertised.

Mr John Jenkins has withdrawn his can didature for Franklin South.

Sir R. Stout states that if defeated for Dunedin East, he will not contest any con stituency, but retire into private life.

Mr McGrath has retired from the contest 'or Wcodville.

It will be seen by advertisement in another page that Mr Campbell is to ad dress the electors of Waipa a second time at Tuakau on Thursday next, when he will explain the State bank of issue theory.

Mr E. Cooper wili address the electors at the Richmond Road School on Monday evening at 8 o'clock.

Mr Reader Wood addressed a meeting, of the electors of Waitemata on Tuesday even ing at Lucas's Creek. There was a good at tendance, and a vote of confidence was un animously carreed.

Mr Connell will address the electors of Henderson in the school-house in that district to-night (Thursday) at 7 30.

A large meeting of Mr J. A. Connell's committee was held last evening in the Public Hall, Ayondale. The committee reported great success in their canvass throughout the district. A large amount of business was transacted, and the meet ing adjourned till Wednesday evening next.

The Committee of the Financial Reform Association have decided that of the 36 replies forwarded by candidates to ques tions put by them, those from 22 candidates are favourable to the cause of economy and retrenchment: —Messrs W. F. Buckland, Arthur Colbeck, Edward Cooper, John Frater, S. T. George, R. J. Gill, D Goldie, E. Hamlin, B. Harris, John Jenkins, E. Mitchelson, R. Monk, E. W. Morrison, S. S. Osborne, Jackson Palmer, .Thomas Pea cock, G. W. Russell, J. M. Shera, Thomas Thompson, Edward Withy, R. G. Wood, C. S.. Wright. Favourable replies were received from the following gentlemen out side the provincial district:—Messrs Gil bert Carson, YVanganui; George Fisher, Wellington; Oliver Samuel, New Ply mouth.

A largely attended meeting of Mr Mitchelson's Committee and supporters was held last evening in Waite's Hall, Mount Eden. Reports of a highly satisfactory nature were furnished by members of the general committee and of the various sub - committees in the country districts. Deputations from the Mount Albert, Mount Roskill, Avondale, Titi rangi, Huia, Waikomiti, Swanson and Waitakerei sub-committees attended the meeting to report progress and make ar rangements for the polling day. An Execu tive Committee was appointed, and the meeting agreed upon requesting two of Mr Mitchelson's supporters to act as proposer and seconder, to nomin ate the candidate at the hustings, which takes place on Saturday next, at noon, at Waite's Hall,MountEden.Thewholematters of detail were expeditiously arranged, and the meeting, which was of a most enthusi astic character throughout, adjourned until Wednesday evening next.

Mr Frank Lawry met the electors in the Panmure Hall yesterday evening—Mr John Connelly in the chair. The meeting was convened for the purpose of giving the electors an opportunity to ask the candidate any questions bearing on the present crisis. Mr Lawry was received with applause, and briefly stated that having delivered an ad dress to them, he proposed to give them an evening devoted to questions, which he would honestly endeavour to answer. The questions came fast and furious, but all in good humour, and in perfect good order. Many of the replies elicited loud applause, and a very pleasant evening was spent, the electors of Panmure giving hearty cheers for Mr Lawry at the close of the meeting.

The row over the endorsement of candi dates by the Industrial Association delegates was terminated (as will be seen by report in another column) by the names being put to the vote at a general meeting last night, when the majority of votes favoured the following candidates :—

City Central ... Sir George Grey. City North ... Mr Yaile City West ... Mr Goldie Newton Mr Tole Ponsonby Mr Wright Parnell Mr Moss Eden Mr Mitchelson Waicemata ... Mr Monk Manukau Sir G. M. O'Rorke Franklin North ... Mr Lawry.

(by telegraph—own correspondent.) Dunedin, this day.

The Premier Will Retire Not Elected.

The Premier denies that he had any in tention of standing for any other seat should he be defeated for Dunedin East. In that event, he will retire into private life.

Major Atkinson at Hawera.

Hawera, this day.

Major Atkinson had a stormy meeting at Hawera last night. To a motion of thanks, an amendment to add the words, " But does not possess the confidence of this meeting," was objected to that this was not an amendment, as owing to the manner in which the Chairman proposed to put the motion, Major Atkinson's supporters must vote for no-confidence in order to carry thanks. After a long discussion, the meet ing broke up at midnight in coniusion, without either motion or amendment being carried.

FIRE AT PAPATOITOI.

The polico authorities have received infor mation that the stable and cow-house of Mr David Burnside, at Papatoitoi, were burned down early on Tuesday morning. The fire was discovered by a servant named William, Thurston, and it is said that a fire was built about eio-ht yards from the shed on the pre vious evening for the purpose of branding cattle The buildings were owned by Mr Patrick Donovan, of Onehunga, and were insured for £30. while the harness and other contents were insured for a small sum in the New Zealand Office. Mr Burnside esti mates his loss at £10 above the insurance.

THE DIRECT MAIL.

Per R.M.S. Aorangi,

English Bates to July 29,

Or/R London Correspondent, writing by the ' Aorangi' on tlie 29th July, says :—The result of the final examinations in medicine at the Edinburgh University have now been announced and are most satisfactory to New Zealanders, not one of the three competitors from that Colony having failed. The successful men are Mr Thos. Lason, of Timaru, Mr W. A. Fleming, of Balclutha, and Mr W. Allan, of East Taieri. The summer session closes this week, and as soon as the lists are out I will furnish you with fullest iufoimation regarding them. I regret to learn that reports of former examinations' which were wholly incorrect and misleading, not long ago found thei way into the Otago papers and gave great annoyance to the colonial students at Edinburgh. There are, it should be under stood, a number of schools of medicine in the Scotch capital which have compara tively elementary class examinations like tho Univeisity's, but which must not, on any account, be confused with the latter. Emigration of Pensioners to New Zealand.

An interesting and somewhat lengthy debate took place in the House last Thurs day evening on the desirability of assist ing pensioners to emigrate to New Zea land. Lord Sandhursi, in moving for papers on the subject, referred to the success of Sir George Grey's settlements, and read letters frqm that gentleman, from Capt. Daveney (whom he de.-cribed as a man of great experience andknowleclge),and from Sir G. M. O'Rorke approving the further emigration of pen-uoners, especially when married men. Hie suggestion was that for the purpose of enabling pensioners with their families to get to the colony and start work there, they should bo ablu to commute a portion of their pensions, or trjat a sum of money should be advanced to them by way of loan, the repayment being spread over a fixtd number of years. Be would make them liable to serve in the colonial defence in the same way they were liable to be called upon by the War Office here.

Lord Napier of Magdala warmly approved the proposition of Lor J Sandhurst, and so did Lord Harris. The latter, however, pointed out some serious difficulties in the way. Up to the age of 50 every pensioner was liable to serve at home or in the colony in which he was settled, and that which was called a pension was in reality a re taining fee. After that age the pensioner might go where he pleased. The Board of Commissioners at Cbelsea had mora than once fruitlessly endeavoured to induce the Treasury to allow advances of pensions in lump sums to provide pensioners with means of emigrating. A change in the commutations could only be effected by Act of Parliament, and would have to be dealt with by the House of Commons, as it was a money question. He thanked Lord Sandhurst for bringing the matter forward but assured him it had not escaped the at tention of the Secretary of State.

Lord Rosebery thought the subject ought to have been discussed by the Colonial Conference. Ho thought tho Treasury took a somewhat pettifogging view of the matter. It was really a question of providing for the defence of our colonies, and settling in them a number of deserving men who couldn't find employment here. He . felt sure the question would have to be faced soon by the Government, and he regretted they couldn't, see their way to face it even in this smail connexion on the present occasion. The countiy just now took a great interest in emigration. In the present instance the colony was willing to receive the emigrants if the Imperial Government would facilitate the sending of them out, In conclusion he hoped that the Colonial Office and the War Office would endeavour to force a more statesmanlike view of this question on the Tieasury. Lord Onslow explained that the question of emigration did not come within the scope of the subjects laid down for discus sion at the Colonial Conference. He suggested that Lord Sandhurst (who ap peared to have been in communication with various influential persons in New Zealand upon the pensioners' settlement question) should exercise his influence with the representatives of the colonies in order to induce them to do something to get over the difficulty connected with the payment of passage?. The pensioners were emi nently eligible emigrants whom any colony should be glad to receive.

Lord Sandhurst then withdrew his motion.

From the speeches of the members of the Government (Lords Harris and Onslow) it will be quite clear to your readers that if the co'ony desires the pensioners as settlers it will have to either wholly or partially provide them with passages cut.

SIR JOHN GORST ON COLONIAL GOVERNMENT. During the week it has been lobby gossip that Sir John Gorst will,in the course of the recess, resign the Under-Secretaryship for India in favour of a snug colonial Governor ship, possibly Fiji. (

A SINGULAR DIVORCE SUIT. The proceedings in the Divorce Court, on July 2oth, will, I fancy, somewhat startle Mr Arthur Henry Linzey, erstwhile of Trowbridge, Wells., but now of New Zealand, when he comes across them in the course of perusing the home papers. The report is so short and so very much to the point that I do not think I can do better than appeal it. " Whitmarsh v, Whit marsh and Linzey" is the heading. The petitioner, as usual in such cases, pleaded for a dissolution of marriage on the ground of his wife's adultery with a third person, and that person was the "friend of the family," Mr Linzey. The latter being in New Zealand there was no defence. Mr and Mrs Whitmarsh were married in 1871. Mr Whitmarsh, a jeweller by trade, was a Baptist of strong religious views and he was in the habit of going about in the district preaching on Sundays to the Bap tist body. He lived happily with his wife until January of the present year, when to his astonishment he discovered that his wife was carrying on an improper inter course with-the co-respondent, who had been introduced to the house by his brother, an intimate friend of the petitioner's. It appeared that the intimacy had been going on for five years, and that when it com menced the co respondent was twenty-three and the respondent thirty-one years of age, and there was no doubt that he was the father of the two youngest children. She was iv the habit of going in the autumn yearly to Weymouth, and Mr. Linzey used to join her there. The co-respondent con fessed the intimacj to his brother, who had him sent to New Zealand; but before his departure a curious document was drawn up between Mrs. Whitmarsh and Mr. Linzey. It was a deed of .agreement, made on January 6, 1887, whereby the misconduct was admitted between them, and the belief was set out that he was the father of the two youngest children of the respondent. He agreed to leave England and go to New Zealand, where he would use his best endea vours, the document set out, to put himself into a position to provide " a home for all parties concerned;" and, further, he pledged himself by the deed not to en gage himself to any person or marry, but to marry the respondent when able to do so. The document concluded that, "in the

event of his failing to comply with the con ditions, through any fault or neglect of his own, he will be liable for liquidated damages in the sum of £500." (Laughter.) The husband at that time knew nothing of the deed or the intimacy, but on Sunday, Jan. 16 last, he was engaged to preach some seventeen miles from hishome,and, wanting some voice lozenges, he went to the pocket of his wife, who was asleep, for the key of the drawer where they were kept, and there he found an undated letter addressed to her from the co-respoDdent, which was couched in terms_ cf the strongest affection. It referred to "links binding us together," and concluded, "Yours till death." He showed the letter to his wife, and asked her for an explanation, when she at once made a full confession to him, immediately after which she left the house.

Evidence having been given bearing out the opening statement of counsel, the jury found for the petitioner, and assessed the damages at £450. Sir James Hannen : I pronounce a decree nisi, with costs, and order the amount, when it is got—(laughter)-to be paid into the Registry.

Personally Conducted by an Sari. The Earl of Buckinghamshire, who starts for Australia by the next P. and O. steamer, is to personally conduct the Travelling Ex hibition of Works of Fine Art which Sir Coutts Lindsay is getting together for the purpose of educating the more or less be nighted Antipodeans. Lord Buckingham shire " hopes by taking some of our best modern work to the colonies to increase amongst Australians and New Zealanders that love of pictures already implanted." Ho has so far been only moderately success ful in persuading our giants in art to trust their masterpieces on tour, but what the exhibition lacks in quality it will doubtless make up in quantity. Besides, the fact of the show being engineered by a real live lord should work Wunders.

Misleading Cablegrams. In their anxiety to provide sensational matter Reuter and other " special" pur veyors of cablegrams to the Australasian Pi ess are often, I notice, most unreliable. It is quite untruo, for oxample, that (as stated in tiles of New Zealand papers just to hand) shocking discoveries were not long ago made confirming the "Pall Mall's" maiden tribute disclosures. So far from this being true the reverse is the fact. Wi- h a lnrge and zealous following continually seeking for exemplary casus Stead has been

onablo to tiud. Moreover three separate judges have condemned the Criminal Law Amendment Act as a mischievous failure that has given ri?e to endless blackmailing. Frozen Meat.

There has been a slight improvement in the market price of frozen mutton since I last wrote. Current rates :—-New Zealand mutton, 2s 4d to 2s 8-d per stone ; New Zealand lamb, 3s to 3s Cd ; River Plate, 2s 4d ; Falkland Island, 2s 2d ; Scotch, 4s 4d to 4s 8d ; English (wethers), 4s to 4s Od ; English (ewes), 4s 2d; Dutch, 3s 4d to 3s Bd. Tho National Bank of New Zealand, Limited.

The ordinary general meeting of the shareholders of this undertaking was held at the Cannon-street Hotel on tho 14th inst., under tho presidency of Mr Edward Brodie Hoare, who, in moving the adoption of tho report, said the profits of the year ending March 31st amounted to £02,352, and there was a net available balance of £10,787, which would allow of a dividend at the rate of 5 per cent. The figures in the account showed some trifling fluctua tions in their current accounts and liabili ties, which was the mere accident of the day. There was only one thing that occurred to him, and that was that the bullion andcoinage worestilltoohigh,butthe directors had not in the past thought right to insist on its reduction. Since then he had had the opportunity of visiting the colony and talking this matter over, and now he found that all their managers in New Zealand had come to the conclusion that this account might wisely be re duced. That account stood at 4 s 2d in the pound on the whole of their indebtedness to the public. He believed they could pay almost all their colonial liabilities in ten minutes. That was a very strong position, but at the same time it was not a very profitable one. The profit and loss had been further reduced by some £1,400 in charges. They had again thought it expedient to put something away in order to meet bad or doubtful debts. But at the present time he was happy to say they had few bad debts, in fact, they were so very small that they might be disregarded. Mr Edmund C. Morgan seconded the motion, -which, after a few remarks from Mr Karslake, Q.C., was put to the meeting and carried. Personal and General.

The death is announced of Lieut. -Colonel George Leslie, who will be remembered by "old identities" as serving with the 14th Regiment in the Wanganui district in 1865-00. The deceased was present at the affair of Weraroa, and got severely wounded in the ambuscade near the redoubt.

Mary Anderson Has, I hear, formally "signed and sealed" with Williamson's agent for an Australian tour, and will open in Melbourne about twelve months hence, all being well. Sir Arthur Gordon, who is as popular in Ceylon as he was the reverse in Fiji and New Zealand, comes home shortly on fur lough. The great Sala enacted "Bottom" in Mr Labouchere's open air performance of "A Midsummer Wight's Dream," in the grounds of Pope's Villa, Twickenham, last Sunday evening. Kate Vaughan was "Titania," Miss Fortescue, "Hermia"; Miss Dorothy Dene, " Helen " ; and little Miss Norreys, "Puck." Miss Margaret Lloyd, daughter of the late Archdeacon Lloyd of Waitemata, New Zealand, Was married at Shattermill, Sur rey, on the 23rd inst., to Mr W. 0. Marshall, of Derwentwater.

At the levee on Saturday week the follow ing were present: Admiral Tryon, Mr Louis Brennan (of torpedo fame), and Sir Chas. Clifford, on being made a baronet. The Marquis and Marchioness of Drog heda arc booking to sail for Sydney on a tour of the colonies by the s.s. " Thames," on September 9. They are old people and not particularly well off. Mr Fred. Nelson, of Napier, New Zealand, was married at Wollaston (Northampton), on the 14th inst., to Miss Marian Sanders, daughter of Mr Sanders of Wollaston. "It is not," says the " Court and Society Review," " often that a bride returns to her ancestral halls bringing with her an infant heiress to the estate. This has been the un usual fortune of Mrs MacPherson of Wyiley Grove, Staffordshire. Mrs MacPherson was married nearly two years ago, and for a bridal trip she went with her husband to New Zealand, where he had affairs to settle Mr and Mrs MacPherson returned last week and met with a very warm reception indeed. The little heiress was born in 'New Zealand. Postscript. London, July 29, evening.

I have just received the following from Edinburgh University : — In the honours list of the class examinations for the summer term the following New Zealand names appear : For botany, Ist class honours, N. Lamb, Christchurch; botany, 2nd class honours, J. D. Williams, New Zealand ; practical botany, 2nd class honours, N. Lamb, Christchurch; natural history, 2nd class 'honours, J. D. Foster, Timaru; practical chemistry, 2nd class honours, J D. Foster, Timaru ; practical physiology, Ist class honours, R. M. Beattie, Dunedin ; practical physiology, 2nd class honours, J. Fitzgerald, Canterbury; practical path ology, 2nd class honours, R. M. Beattie, Dunedin. . . Mr H. V. Fulton, of West Taien, has passed his second professional examination,

THE REGENT STREET OUTRAGE.

OFFICIAL ENQUIRY.

The Case Against Miss Cass

(FROM OVJII SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT),

Loxdon", July 29,

The official enquiry into the now world notorious Regent street outrage was com menced at Scotland Yard last Thursday before Sir Charles Warren and the Recorder of Lincoln (Mr Smith), the latter sitting as legal assessor. Mr Grain represented the fair Miss Cass, Mr Abrahams, her employer, Madame Forman, and Mr Wontner, Police Constable Endacott. The public were not admitted, but with the consent of all parties several representatives of the press had seats found for them.

Miss Cass was the first witness. She told the well-known story of her arrest simply and straightforwardly enough. In cross examination Mr Wontner tried to imply that she had gone out in order to keep an appointment with a male friend, but the imputation was angrily denied. Miss Cass announced that she was shortly to be married to a young man named Langley. who belonged to her native town of Middles boro. They had been engaged some months. This fact, young Langley himself, who was present, confirmed and knew Mr and Mrs Tomkins. Miss C.'s previous employers deposed to hei being the pink of perfection and propriety. She was singularly reserved and shy, declared Mrs Tomkins, absurdly so, in fact.

Police-constable Endacott followed. He was warned that he need not answer incri minating questions or even offer himself for examination at all. Mr Wordner, however -iverred his client had nothing to conceal, and advised him to reply fully and candidly to all Mr Grain's (Miss Cass's counsel) qnoric^, I:o tlie first place lire constable admitted thai )\ years ago, when a lad of 20 and

employed in Devonshire, ho had "got a giri into trouble."' The jjirl took out a bastardy summons against him, but he settled it. Witness was then, by his own wish, transferred to London. I Since that time he had always borne the highest character and risen steadily in the force. He was a married man with a family. En dacott's account of the arrest of Miss Cass seemed straightforward. It would have been such an easy way out of the difficulty to confess that ho had made a mistake in identifying Miss Cass as the street-walker he had seen on previous occasions, that his persistence in adhering to his original state ment was the more remarkable. Nothing could shake it. Everyone, in fact, could see the man honestly believed he was right. According to Endacott, Miss Cass and her companion accosted two gentleman before he interfered with them. It was not, indeed, till a third whom they had seized by the arm and . complained to him of the fact that the constable resolved to run tho pair in He swore most positively that he had seen Miss Cass soliciting in Regent Street on various occasions. Sho was usually accom panied by the fair haired person, who made off on tho night of the arrest. The latter had not been seen in Regent Street since. Endacott thus describes MissJCass's con duct when she was arrested :— Miss Cass was dressed very much as she is now. I have seen the other girl before acting as a prostitute, but I have not seen her since tho 28th. Miss Cass did not tell mo I had made a mistake, nor did she say where she was employed. I learned that from the sergeant when lie sent mo to the house of Madame Bowman. It is untrue that I said, " I want you " to the girl, and that she re plied, " I think you have made a mistake." I did not say, " No, I have not." All that is untrue. She never said in my hearing that I had made a mistake, nor that I cpuld not know her, for she had never been out before. I did not say that I had known her longer than six weeks. Nothing of the kind was said. I might have made the remark that I wished I had had the other girl, and that she was the worst of tho two. Miss Cass never men tioned the name of Madame Bowman to me, nor did she ask me to go to the house. I did not say " No, you will have to go to the inspector." All that is fiction—a lie. She asked me not to show her up, and I said I did not want to do so. She said," lam not like one of those regular girls." That I will swear. She did not nearly faint as she was crossing the threshold, nor did I see water given to her in tho dock. She took the charge like an old hand. I have not taken any steps to find the other girl whom I allege to have been with Miss Cass. I have been given to understand that she was a married woman.

Who told ? —Certain persons. 1 don't know their names. You must know.—l did not. Mr Wonter submitted that this was carry ing the matter too far, but the question was allowed.

Endacott, in reply to further questions, said he had been told about Miss Cass and her companion at the Marylebone Police station by some one who was there, but whose name he did not know.

Mr Smith. —If the person exists he should be here, in the interests of justice.

Mr Grain.—Do you say that there is an official statement in the hands of the police ? Mr Smith.—Yes.

Mr Grain.—l shall ask to have it pro duced.

Mr Wonter.—You are raising this storm yourself. Mr Grain.—Oh no ; I know what lam about.

Examination continued —I saw this per son before seeing him at the station, and ho made a complaint. Ido not know his name, but he gave me his card, and I handed it to the superintendent. This person saw me with the woman in custody, and came up and gave me his card in con sequence. He said to me that he had seen Miss Cass about with a married woman, and I replied, "If you_ know anything about it, you had better give me your card ;" and he did so. My informant gave the name of this married woman of whom he spoke, but I have forgotten it. I don't think he gave her address. I should think the girl with Miss Cass was about five or six and twenty, fair and medium figure. I have had a statement made to me by Mr J. Reeves, a jeweller's manager, in Great Portland-street. He said to me, "Your name figures up well in the paper this morning?" "I said, "Yes, it is funny, so much fuss about a small matter." He said, "It is quite right. I have known the girl for same time." Reeves further said that he knew her by name, and used words to the effect that she was a common prostitute. Reeves is manager at the shop of Mr Rolfe. He told me he had been home with the married woman whom it is alleged was Miss Cass's companion. This statement was taken down by Detective Inspector Robson. In reply to Mr Grain, Mr Smith said the Court would be glad to see any witness, but there was a difficulty about documents.

Endacott continuing, said : No other statement has been made to me, but I have had letters and telegrams. The person who told me that he had seen Miss Cass soliciting is a joiner. I have never heard or seen anything of the person whom I allege complainted to

me of Miss Cass before I arrested her. I did not tell the Magistrate that there was a witness for the defence in Court when the charge was heard, because I did not know Madam Bowman was there., When I went to her house and told her what Miss Cass was charged wihh, she did not say I must be mistaken, because the girl was different. She said. Miss Cass had gone to Sooolbred's to m«*?i a, young man. „ rp , t. nat ne vas posit 5.; c. He replied, lhis was in Regent-st eet," and Madame Bowman said, "I can't account for her being m Regent-street " On Friday the most important witness was a joiner, an independent person, who declared he had seen Miss Cass arrested and partially confirmed Endacotfc's story. James Wheatley, examined by Mr Grain, deposed.—l am a carpenter and joiner, and live at William-street, Manchester-square. Do you know Endacott ?—I know him as a constable.

Do you recollect the 28th of June ?—Yes, I do.

Well, tell us what you saw. — I was stand ing at the corner of Margaret-street, and Give us the time, please. Mr Wontner.—Had he not better give his statement in his own way ? Mr Grain.—Yes, 1 have no objection to it.

Witness.—l was standing at the corner of Margaret-street on the night of the 23th June, between half-past nine and ten. Just tells us. Did you see her arrested ? —I did not see her arrested, but I saw the constable Endacott pass me and go in the direction of two young women. I walked along and passed' the constable, and on getting up to the young women I looked them full in the face.

Do you recognise the young woman now ? —I recognised her on that evening, but I would not swear that she was the young girl I saw with a fair woman.

Mr Grain (to the Inspector).—Ask Miss Cass to come in, please.

[Miss Cass here entered the room.] Mr Grain (to the Witness).—ls that the young lady yon saw in the custody of the policeman ?- Yes.

You are an independent witness ?—Yes. Are you prepared to swear that prior to that evening you had ever seen her be fore ?—1 think I have seen her. To the best of my knowledge I have seen her be fore.

But do you believe that now?—l do, but 1 will not swear it. I thought I had seen tin's young lady in company with a fair woman.

Do you think so ?—lam not certain about that.

Then you are very much in doubt as to whether you had ever seen her before ? —I really believed that it is the girl I have seen, but I would not take an oath upon it, because I might be mistaken. I really be lieve her to be the girl.

Do you believe it now?— Well I have little doubt.

Or a great doubt, have you not ?—No. But you have a great doubt, have you not? -- 1 have not a very great doubt. Well, what sort of a doubt have you? —I have a little doubt, but I believe her to be the young lady who was along with the fair woman.

Before that evening ?—On previous occa sions.

You have read what appeared in the press about this matter?—No, I have not. On the following night (the 29th) I saw Endacott, and told him that I saw him arrest Miss ('ass, and that I thought I knew her.

Where had you seen her ?—ln the neigh bourhood of Regent- street. Once I had seen her in the company of a gentleman. When might that be ?—That was about— How long before the 28th?—That was about a fortnight before. I have seen her on three occasions.

Do you mean within the fortnight ?— About three weeks before.

_You are quite positive about this fair girl ?—Yes, I am ; but I have a doubt about Miss Cass until I was asked yesterday, I had heard nothing about the matter in the interim. I have, however, made it my busi ness to try and find the fair woman, but I have not succeeded. I believe her to be a married woman, and that she lives near the Edgware-road.

Why do you believe she lives in the Edg ware-road ?—Because I have seen ,her in the Ed^*are-road walking with an elderly man with a basket (laughter). That is why you believe her to be married ?—Yes (renewed laughter). By Mr Wontner.—There was nothing to indicate that Miss Cass objected to being taken into custody. She walked along with the constable as if she was going with a young man, and looked as though she was used to it. I did not believe Miss Cass to be a prostitute then, and I don't now, Mr. Grain.—Oh.

By Mr. Won ter.—l believe the fair woman who was with her was a prostitute. I made a statement, which was reduced to writing. Mr. Wonter.—l think we may ask the witness whether that is the statement that he made at the time.

M. Smith.—l think he has already told you that what he says now is substantially what he said on the last occasion.

Mr Wonter.—l am anxious that he should see his statement.

Mr. Smith. —I think there is a great doubt about this. If persons make state ments to the police of a private and confi dential nature that may be very useful to the police, and if those statements are made public it might be a check upon other per sons.

Mr. Wontner quite agreed, but he could not see the reason for objecting to admit the statement.

Mr. Smith said there was a difficulty. Mr. Wontner said he was quite content with the course which had been taken.

Re-examined by Mr Grain.—ls that tho card of your employers ?—Yes. It was one like that I gave to the constable.

Did you call on Madame Bowman ?—No. Mr Smith. —Have you ever been in the police force yonrself ? —No. Do you know any of the police about here V— I only know two or three, through helping to take a drunken woman to the station. On one occasion I saw several women in Regent-street watching a constable, and I heard them say, " We are watching 42." "Oh," I said to myself, " 42!" and I went on to where Endacott was standing, and said, " Are you 42 ?" and he said he was, whereupon 1 told him he was being watched. Mr Wontner—That will do. You were very anxious to have him here, Mr Grain, but I think he has said too much for you. Mr Grain. —Indeed be has not. Witness. —I have told the truth. I—:— Mr Wonter. —Perhaps he had better go, we may begin to doubt (laughter).

The next witness, a voluble elderly French woman of unprepossessing appearance, called Madame Pietra,a dressmaker's assist ant, who pretended to have witnessed the arrest of Miss Cass, whilst walking home on her way from business. She created some thing of a sensation by picking out Miss Cass from the midst of several ladies brougt into Court for the purpose, and recognising her as the woman she saw arrested this morning, also swore she had seen Miss Cass on previous occasions in Regent-street, afc night, but rather mended matters by assert ing that Miss Cass seemed very saucy to the constable when he arrested her,

Mdme. Pietra occupied the Court the best part of Friday. In the course of the evidence she let out that her fellow work women considered her a meddlesome, pry ing person, and that she bore far from a nice chaiacter amongst them. Altogether, though her prompt picking out of Miss Cass was curious, she did not help Endecott's case much.

On Monday when the hearing was resumed Mr Gram requested that Madame Pietre might be recalled and commenced a teries of insulting questions implying that

the lady had passed under all sorts of abases and was a distinctly "sultry" character. Mdme. Pietra promptly osb her temper and poured forth such vol'liea of mingled remonstrance and abuse in bad English that she had more than once to be ordered to leave the court and compose herself. The Assessor and Sir Chas.. Warren did not concealthat they thought Mr Grain's questions, founded as they appeared to be on nothing better than gossip, altogether outrageous and unjustifiable; but nhey did not use their authority to stop them. Madame Pietra, it transpired, had lost her situation and been turned out of her lodg ings owing to her coming forward and giving evidence, facts which shaw how high public opinion runs in Miss Cass' favour. Madame Pietra having been disposed of a draper's assistant, named Walford, who had seen Miss Cass arrested, came forward and corroborated her account of the occur rence. He explained that he had not in tended coming forward at all, but after read ing Madam Pietra's evidence he felt bound to The witness Wheatley was also recalled, and permitted to confess that within the' last few days he had seen a girl who was very like Miss Cais, and whom he might have confused her with.

Detective Inspector Draper also made the damaging admission that no trace could be found of the " four women " alleged by Endecott to have been in Miss Cass' com pany on the night of her arrest. No further evidence being forthcoming the inquiry was wound up on Tuesday, having led to nothing.

A SUSPICIOUS FIRE.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wanganui, this day. An Inquiry as to the cause of the recent) fire here in the empty shops belonging to Jane Kells which has lasted over two days was concluded at noon to day. The Jury returned a verdict "That the place had been wilfully set on fire and grave suspicion was attached, to William Kells the father of Jane Kells.'

BANKRUPTCY NEWS.

The first meeting of the creditors of W. H. Hamley, butcher, which was to have been held to-day, lapsed for want of a quorum.

John Warner, Avondale, engineer, has been adjudged a bankrupt upon his own petition. His unsecured liabilities amount to £92 14s 3d, andjhis assets to £20 worth of property and £5 worth of furniture. The deficiency, therefore, amounts to £67 14s 3d.

Mrs Katherine Elizabeth Luckie (a bankrupt) was examined under oath to-day by the Official Assignee, and detailed the following case :—" My husband died last January, after a twelvemonths' illness, during which all our means were exhausted. The household furniture and other property was pledged to its full value to enable us to live, and therefore at his death I was left absolutely without means, with two daughters in delicate health. In May last, by the advice of friends, we removed from Mount Roskill, with the view of establishing a school. It proved a. total failure. At the time of my husband's death we had expectations of a sum of money, balance of a bequest under hia father's will, but a few months afterwards we had^n intimation that there was nothing more to come. Under the circumstances mentioned we hadnoalternative but getting the necessaries of life on credit, and this ac counts for my presentliabilityof £11214s 4d. At present I see not the slightest" prospect* of discharging my debts.

PAINFUL ACCIDENT.

(bb telegraph.—press association.)

Gretmouth, this day. About midnight Joseph Vincent, chief cook of the Koranui, got his foot badly crushed by an empty coal truck running over it. He was crossing the quay to go on board and waited for the warning gener ally given, and when he heard what he thought was, all clear he was going to cross the wharf, when he found the empty truck almost on him. He threw himself down to prevent being killed, but the wheel passed his left foot, crushing bones and sinews. He will most probably lose his foot. He was taken to the Hospital.

Mr Justice Gillies and Miss Gillies ra turned to Auckland by the Wanaka to day after a twelve months' tour in Europe. We are glad to learn that His Honor's health has been greatly benefited by tho change and rest, and he will be able to re sume his important public duties at once.

Messrs Delowry, Craydon, and 'Holland, of the Mammoth Minstrels, champion clog" dancers, take a benefit at the Opera House on Wednesday next. As a special attrac tion for the evening they have resolved to offer a silver medal for the best local clog dancer, the merits of competitors to be judged on the stage before the audience. The competition is open to all comers.

Petty officers and men of the Naval Bat talion are notified to attend to complete their position drill. This is essential, as no class firing will count previous to these drills being completed, and no capitation will be paid, only for those who have gone through these practices ; should members of any of the volunteer corps be careless, and not earn capitation, the officer com manding the corps may sue them for the amount they have lost the corps through, their inattention.

COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, &c, To-night.

Choral Hall — Herr Tutschka's Chamber Con cert, 8 Abbott's Opera House—Moore and Ashton'j Mammoth Minstrels, 8 Bell's Buildings. Wyndham-street — Industrial Association's Exhibition, 7.30 to 10 Olympia Ball. Grey-street—Skating Rink, 7.30 Howick Presbyterian Church—Evangelistic Service. 7.30 School-house, Henderson — Address to Electors of Eden by Mr J. A. Connell, 7.30 S riy_?,h!d T,A Batt«ry N.Z. Regmt. Artillery, 8 V.M.C.A. Rooms—Evangelistic Service, 7.30 Auckland Tabernacle- Service at 7.30 St. James's Hall—Address to Electors of City West by Mr J. M. Shera, 8 "">«•»- Masonic Hall, Newton—Social, Burns Club, 7 30 Mount Albert Public Hall — Committee oi Mr E. Mitchelson, 8 Christians' Meeting Hpuj». New Worth 'ftoad^ Leotnre Christianity, the Great Fac'c of 1,800 years," 7.30 ,w

Rota of Justices at Police Court.

Sept. 16—Messrs E. Isaacs and H. M, Jervia

Auction Sales To-morrow.

Arthur and Buddie-Weekly Poultry and Pro* duce Sale, 11 Hunter and Nolan, Durham Yards — Horses. etc., 11 ~ W. J. Dowden-Weekly Poultry and Produce Sale, U S. Cochrane and Son—Household Furniture and Effects; 11 Paget and Ralston — Poultry, Produce, Furni, ture, 10,30 A. Buckland, Haymarket—Horses, Buggies. Harness, etc., 12 ~ J. Leydon—Poultry, Produce, etc.. 11 B. Tonks and Co.—Merchandise, etc , 11 E. Leydon—Poultry, Produce, Furniture, etc., 11 A. Aitken—Poultry, Produce, etc., 12 T. M. Jackson — Shruhs, Fruit Trees* Plants, Furniture, Jewellery, etc., 11 A. Morton-Shrubs, Fruit Trees, etc., 11 D. F. Evans—Property, Trees, Plants. etq„ 12,30 Yaile and Douglas—Properties, etc,, 2

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1887,

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