TELEGRAMS.

Inangahua Times, Volume XI, Issue 1692, 16 April 1886, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

♦ (from our own coiuießpondbnt. ) Invercargill, 14. A memorial to the Minister of Lands, protesting against the Government proposal to lease the seal fisheries for 21 years is now in circulation for signature The monopoly is objected to on the groand that the leasing would cause serious ahnscs, and inflict great injury on the fur — seal trade. It is pointed out that the monopoly protested against would curtail the means of employment of a number of residents of Stewart's Island, Riverton, and Bluff, who for years past have been accustomed to join in for — seal expeditions. The memoralists intend that the seal fishing should he an open fishery, under proper restrictions and supervision. In reply to a telegram from the members for Mataiira and Awarna asking that the mutter be held over till after the meeting of PiwHament, a reply has been received from the Under Secretary, stating that it is proposed to extend the time for receiving tenders till the 17th May. Auckland 14. No interim dividend in the South British Insurance Company will be declared. The premiums for the half year amount to £122,690, interest and balance to £4,970, total £127,060; losses and expenses £133,010 ; balance to debit of working account £5,950. Cjjkihtchurcb, -14. Mrs Selina Baker, a storekeeper, near Chrintohurch, committed suicide to day, by hanging herself by a strap to a hook behind her bed room door. Upon her was found a note worded as follows: •• H»ive taken my own lifo, if j it would save others it would be well given." At the Supreme Court to day a libel case James Pettengell against Selin« and Bird, proprietors of the New Zealand Refercp. The libel was contained in an article published in the Referee,

to the effect tha.t iv a boxing match between Dunn and Pettengell it had ; been arranged that the loser wia to have 25 per cent of the takings, the . expenses to he shared between both, i but that Pettengell suddenly dissappeared with all the tak : n<rs, leaving Dunn, who lost the match, to pay all the expenses. A remark that such proceedings brought boxing matches into disrepute was contended to mean that Pettongell was disreputable. The defence was that the words did not bear the meaning imputed, and that they were true in substance, and in fact. No witnesses wei'H called for the defence, but the jury returned a verdict for the defendants, that there was no libe.l, and judgment was given accordingly, with costs on the lowest .scale.