SOUTHERN NEWS.

Daily Southern Cross, 11 April 1868, Page 3

SOUTHERN NEWS.

By the arrival of the s.s. *Kangatira» yeiterday, we are in possession of Southern files up to a late date. We give below the mo»t important items.

WELLINGTON. The Independent ot the 31st says :—" A strange story, -which wants corroboration, has reached town from the West Coait to the effect that several carcases of sheep and debris of wreck have been washed on shore. No vessel has been seen, bat from the drift wood and the numbers of dead sheep cast on to the beach it is feared some cattle vessel must have either foundered or taken the ground not far from Manawatu." The same paper lays :— " We hear that Numa and Orlando, two Auckland cracks, and Recruit, a Napier nag, have been entered for several of the events at the forthcoming race meeting. The trio are said to be racers all over, and will carry * pot of Northern money." The Independent of the 2nd has the following, from which it will be aeen that the price of sheep in Wellington does not offer much encouragement to the breeder: — " There was a large attendance at the Hutt market yesterday, and several valuable lots of cattle, sheep, and horses were submitted to competition. The prices realised for cattle were average, but sheep were decidedly at a discount, some lots being knocked down at 3s. a head." The same paper of the 4th gives an account of an inquest on the body of Henry Woodward, who died from the effect! of an overdose of laudanum administered by himself. As to the state of bis mind at the time no evidence was adduced. The Independent of the 7th Bays :— "Shortly after one o'clock yesterday morning, constable MoDermott, when on duty, saw flames issuing from the premises occupied by Mr. Wentzell, tobacconist, Willis-street. He at once gave the alarm, and the fire-bells were rung. The Central Volunteer Fire Brigade were soon on the spot, and were followed shortly afterwards by the Wellington Brigade. Owing to the exertions of the firemen, especially to those of two honorary members of the Central Brigade, the flames were got under before the houses on either side oaught fire. The escape of the whole block of buildings was solely attributable to the exertions of the police and the fire brigades, for the flames bad gained, full force, and were streaming through every roof and window. The proprietor of the establishment is at present in the country, but received the intelligence of the calamity yesterday. It is presumed that the fire originated from some boxes of matches which must have become ignited — how, no one seems to know. The stock and premises are insured in the office of which Mr. Krull is the agent." The Hon. J. C. Richmond having leffc for the North, the only representatives of the Ministry at present in town are the Hon. Major Richardson and the Bon. Colonel JLaalttan.— lndependent. We hear it is certain that the Hon. Major Richardson will be appointed Speaker of the Upper House, in the place of the Hon. Mr. Bartley, who, it will be remembered, has retired on a pension.— lbid. On Saturday evening, March 28, a monster meeting was held in the Odd fellows' Hall', Whanganui, for the purpose of giving expression to the feeling of indignation which pervades the whole population at the dastardly attempt to assassinate the Duke of Edinburgh. — Ibid. A detachment of armed constabulary, to'the number of sixty, left Whanganui for Hokitika on the Ist instant in t the 'St. Kild».' — Ibid. The date upon which the firing for the Championship and General Government prizes is to take place has not yet, we believe, been fixed, the uncertainty as to the movements of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh having caused the annual competition to be delayed. Possibly the 'Rakaia,'due from Sydney ! direct on Monday, will bring bis Excellency the | Governor definite intelligence of the Prince's intentions, and this information is looked for before any arrangements for the firing can be made. — Ibid. Our readers will be^lad to bear that the New Zealand Directory, hitherto published by a Melbourne firm, is now to be published in Wellington. Messrs. Stevens and Bartholomew being about to dissolve partnership, the work was purchased by their agent in this city, with a view of selling it, if possible, to some gentlemen resident in the colony. Mr. E. G. Smith has since re-sold it to Mr. E. Sims, who, we believe, will shortly start on his tour of compilation, commencing at Whanganui, and we trust that so useful a work will meet with every support at the hands of the public— Evening Post. We understand that the Provincial Council of Canterbury have voted the sum of £500 as the foundation of a fund for the reception of his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, and from other sources the amount is likely to be largely increased. This contrasts rather unfavourably with what Wellington has done in the matter, — Evening Post. His Excellency the Governor of .New Zealand arrived at Auckland on the 25th inst., and met with a most tindly reception. IThe news of the attempted assassination of the Duke of Edinburgh threw a great gloom over that city, feelings of horror pervading all classes. — Wellington Evening Post.