In a case brought against a landlord in Christchurch, charged with supplying a drunken man with intoxicating liquor, the defence was that the drink supplied was of anon-intoxicating churacter — " ginger wine" and " ginger ale " mixed. A witness for the prosecution, howerer, having sworn differ ently, the legal gentleman for the defence rose to crois-examine:— • "Now then, Mr X.— Remember, this is a most important assertion yon are making. On your oath, was it not ginger ale that Craw iras drink ing?" "No, sir; it was whiskey." "And how did you know it was whiskey; mind you have sworn it was whiskey. Just ex plain to the Court how you are so positive ; be careful now." " Well," replied the witness, "I had no difficulty as to swearing that, for I had a drink at the same time $ I saw both drinks taken out of the same bottle, and mine was whiskey 1"

We, (Lyttelton Times) understand that a movement is on foot to form a Committee to wait on his Worship the Mayor, to request him to communicate by telegraph with Sir Julius Vo^eJ, and ascertain the date of his arrival in Christchurch, with the view to giving him a fitting welcome and a banquet. The project is being taken up with hearti ness by all classes, who recognise that Sir Julius V«g«l's public works policy has been of iacalcuable benefit to the Colony. Messrs Joubert and Twopenny were interviewed Just evening, and expresmd the pleanuro it

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(Continued.) EOABS. Exclusive of the vote taken for roads to open up landa before sale, there were votes taken last session for the construc tion of roads and road bridges in the North Island, amounting to. £116,825, and in the Middle Island to £88 539. Of these sums, the expenditure in the North Island was £69,87], and the liabilities on the 31st March last, £32,103; total, £101.974 In the Middle Island the expenditure was £28,896, and the liabilities £28,798 ; total, £57,694. North Island. — For particulars of the executed works in Inth islands, I must refer hon. members to tbe reports of the engineers in charge. Here, I will merely state generally that in the district north of Auckland consider able progress has been made in continua-. 