The New York herald., 1870-02-09
AUSTRALASIA.

The Political Condition G Conclusion OF the
Daphne Shaver Cnse-Action Against n
United Stntes ConsuI-Arrivai of the United
States Steamship Jamestown at Fceiee-
The British Flying Sqaadron-New Zea-
land Alnirs.
SYDNEY, Dec 8, 1859.
Great political agitations are going mere. Just
now, consequent upon the dissolution OF Parlia
ment Many new candidates are In the feld seeking
Parliamentary honors The chief cry In the elec-
tloneerinR speeches and addresses is "free trade"
and the feeling OF the majority OF the people is 80
decidediy Ia Its favor that the advocates for protec
tion are succumbing to the tide OF popular opinion
and remain silent upon their favorite topic.
The case OF the alleged SLAYER, Daphne, Is now
closed the last feature IN 1t requiring the judg.
ment OF the court being the granting OF certificate
to Captain Palmer. by which he is protected from all
actions and costs for the seizure detention &C, to
which ne would other wise be liable. The Judge. In
giving his decision. remarked "that there was not
evidence OF any description before him u show that
the a6orers were slaves or THAI they were ever used
or Intended 70 be disposed ef as such.n
An important action was decided in the Supreme
Court OF this city on the 10Th November. Some Two
years ago Mr.. Hall, the United States Consul nere
was accused Dy w. l.. Booker, British Consul at San
Francisco with Issuing fraudulent certificates for
labor on the Central Pacific Railroad. This was
ported TO the British Minister at Washington and
also to the government here. In consequen OF this
report Mr. Hall was requested by his government
70 EtlIdlu HOm HluuClug uIy lurtueT eInlkTH-
ton. The plaintiff in the above mentioned action
was John Kane. fireman, who lett this CITY for
san Francisco. IN December, 1857, TO be employed
pears that his arrival he did not approve OF the
work apportioned him. and, after remaining two or
three months, he returned here and commenced an
action IN the Supreme Court, setting forth the pleas
OF breach Of contract and fraud. Damages were
laid at fo00. The case occupied two days. during
when many legal techncalitles were used In re-
spect to the responsibility OF agents ana principals
The jury, after retiring few minutes, returned
with verdict for the defendant on ail issues. and
added, IN reference 70 the second ISSUE 'tnat Mr..
Hall nad never conceived any fraud much less prac.
tsed one" Not being satisfied with this decision
Kane applied for a new trial on the lst inst, winch
was refused on the ground that tile jury were per-
fectiy right IN their verdict, II being IN harmony
with the evidence adduced. The Judge before whom
the case was tried remarked that the defendant was
lustined In his whole proceeding and deserved the
thanks OF the working classes rather tnan their cen
The United States steamship jamestown arrived at
Feeee OctoDer 81 for the purpose OF settling disputes
between the whites and Feeeeans Immediately on
the receipt or her arrival, TWO Brush ships OF war
were ordered there.
The British flying squadron consisting OF ak ships
is now In Melbourne ana expected To reach here by
the l0tn instant, and make stay OF fourteen days.
The Maori difficulties III New Zealand Will soon
terminate; favorable indications are appearing.
strenuous Efforts are being made induce the
projected monthly line OF steamers between here
and san Francisco to call at Wellington Instead OF
the Bav OF ISLANDS winch was first proposed. Both
ports are In New Zealand.