INTERPROVINCIAL.D

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2996, 10 June 1893, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.D

Auckland, June 9. The Hon Mr Mitchelson, in giving evidence before the Grum Commission, gave an emphatic contradiction- to the current rumours wich reference to the Austrians working on his firm's esteie, and absolutely denied having in anyway influenced the Austrian influx, or encouraged them in gum digging. In the Supreme Court to-day, the case of Catherine Henderson v. William Thomas Smith, a breach of promise to marry, was heard. Plaintiff claimed £500, and defendant admitted the breach of promise, bub contested the amount of damage. The evidence showed that the defendant was getting 8s per day as a fireman on the railway when he was engaged. 8.8 on]y saw plaintiff once afterwards, in consequence of her removing oat of the district;. His last letter to her expressed his affection, but gave no intimation of a change in his feelings. Some time passed without further correspondence, and plaintiff then wrote asking if defendant wanted a ring returned. Receiving no reply- she engaged a solicitor, who demanded an explanation. Defendant then wrote to plaintiff stating tint absence had caused a loss of fondness and begged her to act nobly and not take proceedings, efendant has married another woman. Prior to the action being taken, plaintiff's solicitor offered £20; defendant's solicitor asked £100 and £10 10s costs. Defendant wrote stating the engagement was not broken in consequence of the misbehavior of plaintiff, but considered he was not good enough for her. Plaintiff deposed that she was nineteen years of age and had suffered severely from the disappointment. Her father and mother corroborated this. Regarding means, defendant stated his wages were 8s per day, with occasional overtime. He had paid £3 per month towards the support of an aged father and mother, and saved £35, of which £25 was expended to furnish a house. Judge Connolly asked the jury not to give outrageous dam >.; :a nor damages insulting to the plaii-.if. The jury returned a verdict for plaintiff for £50, and costs were allowed on the lowest scale. Wellington, June 9. Mr William Sinclair, of Blenheim, whose resignation as Crown prosecutor was gazetted last night, has taken this course in order to contest the Wairau seat at next election. Mr Sinclair was appointed Crown prosecutor in Marlborough fourteen years ago. Dunedin, June 9. Mr Seddon replies to Mr Pinkerton re unemployed that he cannot do much till Parliament authorises, but will;do all he possibly cap. The Colonial Treasurer was interviewed en the subject last night when passing through to Bluff. H« said he would wire to the Premier again. Sixty men met in the Town Hall to-day and saw Mr Hutchison, who piomised to interview the labor bureau. Eight subdivisions of Ben Lomond run, which was recently resumed by Government tor settlement purposes, were thrown open for application under the small gracing runs system at the Crown Lands Office. Six of the runs under offer were applied for by fifty-five applicants, and a ballot was taken yesterday.