TELEGRAMS.

Inangahua Times, Volume IX, Issue 1346, 9 January 1884, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

♦ (from our own correspondent. ) DtTtVEDIN, 7The only case of interest in the Supreme Court to-day was the charge against Whitley, of manslaughter, in having overlaid her child while drunk. She pleaded " Not Guilty," because, she loved her child, and never intended to hurt it. On being found guilty she asked for mercy, and while being sen tenced said she would reform. The Judge said he thought the blame fell also upon the shoulders of her husband, who should have kept her from drink, and a share of guilt was attributable to those who had supplied her. He would give her such a sentence as might wean her from the craving for drink, viz., 18 months. James Smith, for stealing a horse and saddle,, was sentenced to 12 months. Henry Dunstan, for fo gery, to nine months, and Eobert Galbraith, indicted for obtaining money by a valueless cheque, was acquitted. W. J. Spiers, of.Dargaville, Auckland, (formerly a first-prize taker for dancing at the Dunedin games), telegraphs his willingness to dance a highland fling with Donald Dinnie for £100. Dinnie has agreed to dance young Murray "if judges who understand the Highland fling can be found." W. Matheson, of local hammer-throwing fame, has also accepted Dinnie's challenge to him in that feat. '■■'•■ 8. On Pearce being arrainged in the Supreme Court to-day for the murder of a woman with whom he lived, he asked the Court to provide him with counsel, as he had no fuods. The Judge said he had no power, though he thought the Government had done so in previous cases. If the Government will not assign counsel, probably some member, of the bar would probably volunteer to defend him gratuitously. He would communicate with the Government to provide funds for counsel. The case was adjourned. Christchttrch, 7. A. peculiar accident happened in the Supreme Court to-day. A man by some extraordinary blunder took his seat in the jury-box in place of another bearing a somewhat similar name, the proper juryman being under the impression that his -namp had not been j called. After luncheon the presence of the wrong man was discovered, but not till one trial had resulted in a conviction, and the whole of the evidence in another trial had been taken, and the Judge had summed up. It was somewhat curious that in the case in which a conviction had been recorded sentence had not been passed. His Honor took a note of the irregularity, and announced his intention to consult his brother Judges as to the best course to be pursued. Auckland, 7. In the Supreme Court to-day Annie Whitely, convicted of the manslaughter of her child, which was run over by a tram car, was sentenced to twelve months. Harry Dunstan, for forgery, to 9 months. Alf. Hayde. forgery, 8 years. Toina, a Native, wholesale sheep stealing, 3 years. Paraheni, a Native, breaking and entering, 5 years. The Grand Jury found true bills in all oases, 8. At the police court this morning Edwards, the pedestrian, was charged with committing wilful and corrupt perjury, by swearing in the R.M. Court yesterday that his signature to a cheque was a forgory. It was stated a warrant had been issued at Wellington for his arrest. The Court, however, decided that in the absence of a warrant they could not take action on a telegram, and so dismissed the case. Edwards sailed by the mail st-amer for Frisco in the afternoon. Pate a, 8. The "West Coast Meat and Produce Export Company have decided to order a Haslam refrigerator, with a capacity for 900 sheep per week. Wellington, 8. The Premier is expected to return to; Wellington, by the Takapuna tomorrow. The total amount of property tax receiued up to date is £64,000. This is £14,000 above the estimate for the yeai\ The Union Company's steamer Eotomabana, which left Sydney two hours p-fier the mail steamship City of Sydney, arrived at Auckland last j 1 night. The City of Sydney did not i reach Auckland until 6 o'clock this ' <

morning. There had been considerable betting on the passages of the steamers. ■ i