News of the Day. SUPPOSED CASE OF STICKING UP.

A very considerable amount of apprehension is felt in Nelson concerning the fate of four men, who, on Tuesday last, left Canvas Town, Wakamarina, for the purpose of coming to Nelson, and who have not yet reached this town. Their names are Felix Mathews, John Kempthorne, James Dudley, and James Purchas. The three former are storekeepers at Deep Creek. The last-named is a miner, who has lately been engaged in mining in the same neighbourhood. Wo understand that some of the party had large sums of money about their persons ; and one we believe had as much as seventy ounces of gold which ho was bringing into Nelson to sell. In order to carry their swags part of the journey they hired a pack-horse, and a man was to follow them on foot in order to take the animal back when a portion of the journey was got over. This man came after them as far as Pranklyn's Flat, where he met a man and a woman who were on their way to. Havelock. In answer to a question, the man was informed that a party, corresponding with the description of those he was following, had passed them a short distance farther on the road. About two miles on the Nelson side of Franklyn's Flat, the man met a Mr. Bown, who had ridden from Nelson, and who stated that no men had passed him on the road. On coming into town it was found that the party had not. arrived, nor as yet has any one heard of them. On the morning of the day of their departure, four suspicious characters left Canvas Town without letting any one know of their intention, and these men were seen on the track, two being armed with doublebarrelled guns. These men have also not made their appearance in Nelson, nor have they been heard of elsewhere. It is supposed, certainly not without good cause, that they are in some way concerned in the mysterious disappearance of the other travellers. The police in Nelson have taken the matter in hand. Yesterday, three men of the force, and Mr. T. Mabille, who is a friend of one of the missing men, all armed with revolvers, and taking with them a pack-horse carrying three days' provisions, left to search the country in the neighbourhood of the spot where the missing men were last seen. We trust that their efforts may be successful, and that the objects of their search may be found alive ; but it appears to us to be improbable that such will be the case. The men were no strangers to the road, and it is impossible that they could have missed their way. A week in the bush without food during the severe weather lately experienced, would destroy life in the most hardy. We cannotj however, help fearing that they have met with foul play, and have either been murdered outright, or possibly secured in such a manner that escape was impossible and death by starvation inevitable. Since writing the above, we understand that one of the four suspected men — named, we believe, William Levy — was arrested last night, in Nelson. A large sum of money was found on him. He refused to disclose where he is residing, and it is therefore supposed that he has a knowledge of the whereabouts of his companions. He is to be brought up before the Resident Magistrate this morning. Pobtagke ox Newspapers. — We call attention to the necessity of affixing a penny postage-stamp to all newspapers intended for England by way of Panama. Newspapers posted without a stamp will lie in the office until the 12th of next month, and be despatched via Suez. Departure of the Kaikouba iob Panama. — We have been requested to state that this fine vessel will take her departure from Wellington on Saturday next, the 23rd, instead of the 24th, as advertised. The reason of this change is a rule established' by the company that, when the regular day of sailing of one of the- mail steamers falls on a Sunday, the vessel is to take her departure on the preceding day. Fibes IN Tabanaki. — A fire occurred in New Plymouth early on Saturday, the 9th instant, at the store of Messrs. Watty and Co., which was completely destroyed. It was first seen about 2"20, a.m., but was too far advanced to be stopped. An adjoining empty house was also destroyed, but the fire was prevented from spreading by the adjacent houses being pulled down. Messrs. Watty and Co.'s store is insured for £1,000, and the goods for £500. Another fire occurred the previous Saturday, in Taranaki, at Donnybrook farm, near the Whalers' G-ate. The house was the property of Mr. J. L. Newman, and was insured in the New Zealand Insurance Company for £200. The origin of the fire is involved in mystery.