ADDITIONAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1645, 2 June 1883, Page 9

ADDITIONAL NEWS.

(fbom oub own correspondent.) Auckland, May 2Sfch. The Herald's London correspondent's letter, under date April 19th, contains the following items : — The Agent-general a few days ago visited the works of Messrs Thorneycrof fc at Chiswick, and inspected four torpedo-boats which are being built for the New Zealand Government. The first will be completed about the Ist of Juno. They will be 60ft in length, capable of steaming 18 knots an hour, and will be fitted with spare torpedoes. Sir Dillon Bell witnessed a trial of a torpedo-boat of the same type as those for New Zealand, which had just been completed for the Italian Government. It waa a perfect success. Messrs Thorneycroft are building a large torpedo-boat for Victoria. She will be 113 ft in length, and will cost £10,000. Sir D. Bell, whose health has been unsatisfactory for some months, is now much better than he was. He will shortly issue a second edition of his paper on "The Public Debt of Australasia," and will take the opportunity to reply to some of the attacks made upou his statistics. He will probably read another piper before the Royal Colonial Institution this autumn.

An influential syndicate is, I believe, prep\red to introduce the Maxim- Weston electric patent into New Zealand and Australia. The parent Company offer to receive £17,000 for the concessions granted. Mr H. B. Guppy, M.8., of H.M.S. Lark, writing from Auckland on February 12th, supplies to The Times some interesting descriptive notes made by him during an eight months' b >journ amongst the Solomon Islands. He appears to attach great value to the group, and Btrongly advocates its systematic exploration. St. Chiistoval, and probably other islands, are, he believes, rich in mineral wealth. The island of Guadalcanar, which is some 80 miles long and 25 wide, contains mountain scenery on the grandest scale. The higher regions of the interior are, he believes, unpopulated, while the bases of the mountain slopes are thickly populated by a puny race. A dozen determined men could traverse the length and breadth of Guadalcanar in three or four months without difficulty if they could evade the warlike tribes which inhabit the coast.

The unfortunate emigrants by the Oxford hope to Bee the last of Plymouth on the 25th mat. Their detention has been protracted for nearly a month longer than was at first contemplated, by a fresh outbreak of typhoid fever. The Board of Trade, as a measure of precaution, insists on an interval of three weeks elapsing between the last case of disease and the embarkation of the emigrants; hence the delay. Inquiries instituted by Sir D. Bell and by the Board of Trade agree in traciug the outbreak to impurities in the water served out to the emigrants. All the customary tests were applied to the water, which was procured from the same spot at which numbers of other ships had been supplied. r Nothing objectionable was detpcted until the 'water was subjected to a most searching analysis, which disclosed the ex atence of impurities which are most certainly thrt cause of the outbreak of the fever.

The steamer lonic will be dispatched with 250 emigrants, chiefly nominated, for Wellington and Canterbury, on April 28th, 150 of them c nsisting of single women. There will then b no more emigrant vessels until the beginning of July. The London Press is decidedly hostile to the annexation of New Guinea. The Times, it is true, cannot withhold its admiration at thidecision of the Quep.nslanders, and hopes for the best results from so much energy. The act of annexation is one which it feels sure will provoke discussion, and which may be viewed in many different aspects. The Morning Post is disposed to think the impatience of the Queenslanders will react to their own disadvantage. They ought to have been aware, it says, that the Government seems desirous to minimise rather than to extend the responsibilities of the Empire ; and the Secretary of State for the Colonies, who has bluntly declared that the Queen already possesses enough "black subjects," would view with scant approval, if not actual disgust, the proposal to saddle her Majesty's Ministers with the duty of governing upon paternal principles Reveral millions of the warlike cannibals inhabiting New Guinea. It must also be borne in mind that if Queensland desires to possess Papua, New Zealand is equally anxious to acquire the Navigator group ; New South Wales would probably put in a claim for the New Hebrides ; while Victoria might undertake the lighter conquest of the Solomon Islands. Under the auspices of the Society for tho Propagation of the Gospel, the Rev. W. 11. Coope, who is wJI known in New Zealand, is about to proceed on a tour through Canada, extending to Manitoba and the Saskatchawan a j°k '^ ne Dominion Government will afford him every facility for observing the country.

(Pbk United jfuuas Association.) The American Mining Stock Exchange, New

York, is a conceded failure, and has closed its doors. It started with the highest hopes of success.

Burglars and highwaymen are now using bicycles on their lobbing excursions in Now England. A gang so mounted raided the village of Essex on the night of the 17th, and robbed eight houses and stores, and rode out of the town without awakening anyone. Coionel Malbson has contracted for special trains of boudoir cars to be used by her Majesty's Opera Troupe during a tour of the United States next beason. One car will be devoted to Adelina Patti's sole use.

The gas in the theatre at Riex exploded, and in the panic many persons were killed. An important sale of shorthorn cattle took place at Exeter Park, There was a large attendauce of breeders. Thirty-five head were disposed of for 37,500d01 ; 25 cows and heifers averaged 1219d01, and 10 bulls averaged 702d01. One cow, Duchess of Hillsdale, brought 6000dol.

The citizens of Providence, Rhode Island, have forwarded an album to President Grevy as a souvenir of the Frenchmen who died at Yorktown fighting for American independence. Minister Morton presented it to him on May 4 th.

The great Markoldie statue of Liberty, intended for the United States, is now in a great state of forwardness. It will be three times as large as the statue of Bavaria at Munich. Its location will be Bedloe's Island, New York Harbour, where preparations are being made te receive it.

An explosion of firedamp in a coal-mine at Larches' depdt killed seven mineis and injured many more.

Lord Chief Justice Coleridge returned on April 23rd a decision in favour of Charles Bradlaugh in the action brought against him in regard to his sitting in the House of CommonK and voting without taking the oath of allegiance.

In the House of Commons, on April 18th, a motion by Mr Pell (Conservative) in favour of an immediate reform of local taxation was only negatived by a vote of 217 to 228. The close result was roundly cheered by the Tories.

M. Gascotte, Minister of Justice under Ganibetta, has been appointed president of the Court of Cassation Judicature.

A nolle pi'osequi was entered on Ist May in the case of Messrs Ramsay and Foote, proprietor and vendor respectively of the Freethinker, London, charged with publishing a libellous statement.

A wild panic was caused on the Paris Bourse by the death of one of the laigo brokers in the city. A general collapse of the market was feared, but all deceased's engagements were met.

A dispatch from New York, May Ist, says the gradual decline of the trade with' the Pacific Coast by clippers via Cape Horn is reflected in the figures of the tonnage movement for the past month of April, it being the smallest yet noted in the annals of this trade. The efforts of the railroads are still directed towards the final absorption of the whole business, except, perhaps, to give employment to about half the number of vessels annually despatched. The movement for April amounted to three vessels. The reduction in the tobacco tax of from six dollais to three dollars per 1000 on cigars, and from 16 cents to eight cents per lb on other manuf actui ed tobacco, took effect in the United States on May Ist. This has led to a general demand on the cigannakerß and other to-bacco-workers for an advance in wages. It is generally believed that secret negotiations are proceeding between the British and American Governments with a view to the extradition of the alleged Phoenix Park murderers now in the United States. The Now York Express says (May 3rd): "The necessary affidavits to secure the extradition of Peter Tynan (' Number One') have been in New Yoik nearly two weeks. The grand jury of Dublin had returned true bills for murder against Tynan, Wab-h, and Sheridan, now in the United States, and it is on this basis that the application has been made for their extradition. Tynan is reported to be on his way to San Francisco. P. J. Sheridan and John Walsh are in New York, and ha\ c been interviewed by the reporters. They deny all complicity with the murder or conspiracy to murder, and will state their whereabouts when the Phoenix Park murders occurred at the proper time.

lv the chess tournament held in London, English and Sellman played a drawn game on May Ist. Bird was beaten by Tchigorin, and Mortimer by Steinitz. Mason and Windmere played drawn games, while Rossenthal, Burket, and Blackburns beat Mackenzie and Skipway. The citizens of Wilmington, Delaware, being dissatisfied with tho performance given by O'Brien's Circus at that place, became hostile. In all, 22 of tho mob opened fire on Henderson, the manager, and his performers. The former was killed, and many of the circus people wounded. A London correspondent telegraphs to New York, under date April 29th, as follows :— " It is no exaggeration to cay that the so-called secret organisations that have been formed to carry out a conspiracy against England are honeycombed throughout with traitoi s. Thos. Devine is the latest, but by no means the least. In fact there has been, on the part of conspirators in both countries, a very general scramble to save their necks."

The remarkable occurrence of a female lawyer abusjng a judge in open Court was witnessed at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on the 20th April. Kate Kane, the practitioner named, took offence because fche judge had allotted a mala attorney instead of herself to defend a burglar. She threw a glass of water squarely in his face, saying at the same time, " Take that, you dirty dog ; you have insulted me." The judge fined her 50dol and costs for contempt, and directed the sheriff to "take that creature out of this Coait." She refused to pay the fine, preferring to " rot in gaol first." A yellow fever scare is prevalent at Lima and Callao. On April 17th, chloride of lime aud carbolic acid were scattered broadcast in the streets.

Several meetings of the Western Pacific Committee have been held in Spring Gardens, under the presidency of Sir Arthur Gordon, her Majesty's High Commissioner. Various persons interested in the inquiry have made suggestions to the Committee fur the more effectual administration of justice in the islands of the Western Pacific, as well as for the better regulation of the labour traffic. There isa report floating about that Sir H. Robinson is to succeed Lord Dnfferin at Cairo. Sir H. Robin&on is now on lite way from the Cape, and though he has been there les-y than two years, it is> known that he will not return, but it i* difficult to believe that he is to be sent to Egypt. [He is a very worthy man, but in Egypt, says tho Echo, he would be a "xound peg in the square hole." A naval pension of £iiO per annum has just fallen vacant by the death, in hi.s 80th year, of Captain D. Craigie, 0.15., R.N. The deceased veteran had seen much activo service, having been engaged in the operations in New Zealand in 1845, and in the. Crimean War.

Deputy surgeon-general W. G. N. Manley, C.8., who lately served with the expeditionary force in Egypt, has been appointed principal

medical officer to the Chatham division. Dr Manley took part in the New Zealand War of 18154 60 with the Royal Artillery, and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry in noblyrisking his own life, according to the testimony of Commander Sir J. Wiseman, 0.8., in his eudeavou- to save that officer and the late Commander Hay, R.N., and others. A native of Auckland, named William Fergusson, aged 44, attempted to commit suicide on Sunday evening, Bth inst., near Ludgate Hill station, London, in a fit of despondency resulting from destitution. The unfortunate man ascended a ladder which he happened to pass, fastened the rope, aud threw himself off. When ho was observed and rescued by a policeman, he was quite insensible. He explained to the Lord Mayor he had served both in the navy and the army, and on being discharged had tried to support himself as a labourer. The Lord Mayor promised to try and assist him in getting a ship, upon which he might work his passage back to Australia, where he said all ins friends were, aud in the meantime the prisoner was 01 dered to find one surety in £5 for his good behaviour. During the visit of the Marquis of Lome to Boston a bomb exploded in the street near him, but no harm was done. The Princess Louise has been paying a visit to Halifax, and has now returned to Canada.

A liotous meeting of the Salvation Army has taken place in Vallenee, in France, where the hall in which the Salvationists were assembled was attacked by a crowd of men and women, who forced their way into the mooting and dispersed it. At the Land Convention, Philadelphia, it was resolved that the organisation bo called the Irish Initial League of America, with Alex. Sullivan, of Maine, as president. The mother of the agitator Parnell being asked to place a wreath of laurel on a bust of George Washington, made a short speech, in which she said : The position of Ireland to-day is almost similar to that of our country (America) in the Revolutionary War, and I have inherited a drop of that old blood, which gives me an additional claim on you. That party which secures and maintains a position in an enemy's country is sure to come out ahead. 1 deny that my son has not secured that posi tion." The wreath was placed on the bust amid great enthusiasm, the banner of Ireland being waved over Mrs Parnell at the same time.

During the proceedings the dynamite clement endeavoured to be heard, but it was retired cind shelved with somo little trouble. One of the fiercest advocates of force said the policy of tho Convention was like " putting court plaster on a carbuncle." S. S. Box, M.0., from New York, Samuel J. Randall, and Colonel M'Clure, of the Philadelphia Times, were three prominent Americans who delivered speeches endorsing the object of the Convention.