(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. J-he criminal sittings, wfiicfe-have run into the fourth week, concluded yester day with the acqnittal of Mary McGre gor, a barmaid at Searl's Hotel, who was charged with the theft of £6 15s from the proprietor's till. Some feeling was displayed m Court, and after one warn ing a man who applauded again was sent Court S f ° r contem P t of The employees of the Post and Tele graph Department are subscribing to a penny fund to present the Hon J. G. Ward with a gold medallion commemorat ing penny postage. .The Crown have decided to co no further with the Stoke cases, which have all ended m the acquittal of accused. Colonel Francis has left Home for £ew Zealand, accompanied by Trooper Wilkinson, of the Fourth Contingent. With regard to the inquiries recently made by the Department of Agriculture as to jam for shipment to South Africa, advice has now been received from the War Office to the effect that its present requirements in the matter of jam have been met from other sources. The Moana, with returning troopers, did not pass Farewell Spit till 850 a.m., and so will not reach the harbor till about 4 o'clock. AUCKLAND, this day • curred m the suburbs. A young man was suddenly attacked by a tall CJk struck him a fierce Slow on the ' hTad He was then attacked by means of a, sharp instrument, possibly a Docket knife which infli/ed a Severe upon his wrist. The young man es caped but not without the loss of a considerable amount of Wood. Wilkam Black, employed in the Oolo nia Sugar Kefining Company's Works, met with a very painful accident. He was engaged in making alterations in the works, and, with others, had wedged up a heavy girder, which slipped balk. He had previously lost a. second and part of the third finger of. the left, hand, and now the girder fell on his hand and cut the remaining fingers right off. 