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New Zealand Mail, Issue 896, 3 May 1889, Page 28

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, April 29. The Star correspondent at Apia writes stating that there are very disquieting rumours afloat to the effect that a large German force will arrive here in a fortnight or three weeks to renew hostilities against Mataafa. It is generally believed that despite the Conferenoe, Germany is determined to wreak a bloody revenge on Mataafa for the deu,th of the officers and men at the clo3e of last year. Mataafa is evidently on the alert, for warriors who had returned to their homes in Savii have been summoned in view of these rumours. The non-with-drawal of the declaration of war by Germany has a deep and sinister significance. There is considerable sickness amongst the sailors on shore. Dysentery is very common, and about 50 at present are suffeiing from it. The appointment of Herr Steubel is regarded as an indication that Germany intends to resume the high-handed and violent conduct which created such conBternation some time ago. Only a small German force is left behind, and as the declaration of war against Mataafa has not been withdrawn, that chief might, if he chose, mske matters very awkward for the Germans here and be Btrictly within his rights as a belligerent. However, it is morally certain he will return good for evil. The total German foroe is 80 marines and 4 officers. The annual meeting of the Tramway Company was held to-day. The report showed a loss of £12,146 on the profit and loss account, beside £36,621 loss from the surrender of land investments to the mortgagors, or a total of £46,768. The net profit from working was £2329, which would pay about 4 per cent, to debenture-holders, who, it was stated, might close on the concern any day. Among the shipments of American produce brought from San Pranoisco by the mail steamer Zealandia for Australia was a large consignment of 12,125 sacks of wheat for Sydney. Mr E. Mitohelson and Mr McKerrow left for the.. Thames to-day. They intend to examine the country beyond Oxford, with a view to the completion of the railway within 15 miles of Rotorua, for the benefit of tourists. Christchurch, April 29. On Saturday Mr Buxton, of the Land Transfer office, discovered human remains at Godley Head. They are supposed to be those of a Maori. At a meeting of the employes of the baking trade on Saturday a letter was received from the Oamaru association congratulating the Christchurch bakers on the attempt to form an association. On account of the small attendance the meeting was adjourned till Saturday next. The Christchuroh Baseball Club opened on Saturday, when a match, President’s side v. Yice-President's side, was played. The former won by 49 to 30. A meeting held in the evening to consider the questioa of forming another olub was postponed till Saturday next on account of tbe limited attendance. Steps are being taken to form a club at Rangiora. At 3 a.m. to-day a fourteen-roomed house at Riccarton, belonging to Mrs Clogstoun, occupied by Alexander Boyle and C. J. Penfold, Secretary of the Canterbury Jockey Club, was burned down. No furniture was saved, and the occupants had just time to escape. Tbe insurances on the house are £BOO in the Sun office (re-insured for £4OO in the Union) ; Mr Boyle’s furniture, £IOSO in the Victoria (reinsured for £4OO in the National and £2OO in the Colonial) ; Mr Penfold’s effects, £3OO in the Victoria. The fire was evidently caused through a defective chimney. Blenheim, April 29. An interesting and important case, the Bank of New Zealand v. Thomas Horton, is now proceeding. The claim is one of £9248 for advances and overdraft extending over several years. The defendant pleaded a general denial. Mr Conolly and Mr John Conolly were for the plaintiff and Messrs Gully and Rogers for the defendant. Defendant consented to a judgment for the amount and costs in this case being given against him on condition of execution being stayed until the other action Horton v. the Bank had been heard. This action was then called on, and turned out to be of a singular and interesting character. On Ist January, 1887, the BanK closed the general acoount, and a No. 2 account was opened for further advances. On this account Horton deposited the deeds of two pieces of town land. Horton says it nas agreed distinctly that such deeds were deposited as security for advances on No. 2 account only. The Bank allege that it was agreed that they were to be security for Horton’s general indebtedness on the old account also. Horton alleged that there was an alteration of the date of the agreement, to which he had not consented. Mr Gully made a long and lucid opening. He argued that the bank had no right, by the terms of its articles of association, to take security for future indebtedness. The Judge reserved consideration of the point, which excited considerable interest in Court. Timaru, April 29. A labourer, aged 34, named Rayner, was received into the Hospital yesterday. His riba are broken, and he is internally hurt by a fall. He had been drinking on Saturday night, and left the hotel at a late hour, and, while wandering about in the dark, fell over the face of a 30-feet railway cutting. He lay there till next morning, when a inan passed, and, though he begged and implored him to stay and help him, he passed on. Rayner then crawled about a

quarter of s mile round the station into town. He is not expected to get over his injuries. George Robinson, second mate of the barque Ivinclune, is missing. He ltffcan hotel late on Saturday night to go aboard his vessel, which was lying at the buoy ready to sail next morning. Some difficulty is experienced here in the working of the Employment of Females and Others Act. Thursday after oon has been fixed as their legal half-holiday, and the manager of the Woollen Factory, which employs many women and boys, declares that they cannot stop work in the middle of the week. They give a half-holiday on Saturday, but this is not complying with the law. Dunedin, April 29. In the Divorce Court to-day a rule absolute was granted in the case of Williams v. Williams and Haines. The evidence is concluded in the case of Windmill v. Gallie.