TELEGRAPHIC CONNECTION WITH ENGLAND.

Colonist, Volume XIII, Issue 1285, 18 January 1870, Page 5

TELEGRAPHIC CONNECTION WITH ENGLAND.

{From Tht Australasian.)

The telegraphic connection of Australia with Europe must be an accomplished fact very soon now, for not only is the subject exciting great interest in England as weil as in these Colonies, but the Indian and the Australian wires are fast approaching each other. Indeed, at the present moment, the laying of the line may b.© said to be iv hand in all the intervening spaces, save only the sea which separates our north coast from , the Butch Islands. The Queensland Govern;mentare pushing their wires to the gulf; the Dutch authorities are busy with the line which will bring Java from its southernmost point into communication, with {Singapore; and the present Jn,dkn termini being at Eangoon an 4 Ceylon, a company has been formed; in England to lay. a cable from ; Ceylon to Singapore, with a view to the ; communication with China, Australia, and , other quarters. We see hy the last news that all the shares jo, the company are now taken up, an.d, thai; it will commence operations at once. Then, in the space still left ! unprovided for, —namely, between Java and Carpentaria—the Dutch would bear half the || expeuse of a line touching a,t their settle- . raent in Timor. ][f this portion of the work were looked to. without further procrastina- ■ tion, all the several links in the coaneetion 'would be. completed at pretty nearly the Ssame time, an(i these Cronies would be in t-he electric circle, and in daily communication with the reat of the civilised world, perhaps, before the close of 1871. Why dgea the company wo have men.

turned**— the British-Indian Extension— prefer to run the line from Ceylon to Singapore rather than from Rangoon, which ia so much closer? Because Ceylon will be the terminus of the new Anglo-Indian line, which will be open in March next, and will be a great improvement on the existing communication, as it is to be submarine from Falmouth to Bombay. The interrup tions caused by nomad tribes in Asiatic Turkey and Persia (and this last mail says that they have been repeated anew) first inspired the choice of the Eed Sea route. Afterwards the project was enlarged. As the communication now crosses Southern Europe, it is dependent on foreign powers, so it was thought better to make it submarine the whole way. The new line will run beneath the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean. It will traverse no land except the sixty miles at Gibraltar, Malta, and Aden. It will be safe from the peculiar accidents which render the present lines from England to India uncertain and unsatisfactory, and accordingly its. terminus in Ceylon is chosen by the "Extension Company" for the starting point of their enterprise.

In due time we shall have an ocean cable from King George's Sound, or some otiier port in West Australia, to Ceylon, touching midway at the islets known as the Cocos^ and that once made will be our speediest and most reliable route. The cable in the oben ocean will not be so liable to accidents as in the narrow seas and straits of the archipelago, and it will not pass through foreign hands, like a northern line through the possessions of Holland. The question then is, why not choose at once some such western and ocean route, as the Adelaide men recommend, instead of the northern one, which Queensland and New South Wales favor? The answer is simple. In process of time the Colonies will have both lines, because they will require both—even when both are in existence each will have its special usefulness; but at present we had better choose the one which we have the only present chance of getting. There is but one gap for us to fill up in a northern, line; it could be done at a trifling expense, and there is nothing to prevent its being attempted at once; whereas, in the other direction, not only has a vast expanse of ocean to be underlaid, but an immense length of telegraph must also be constructed within Australia. In other words, the Queensland Government will soon have a terminus on the Carpentarian Gulf, and from thence there will be a comparatively narrow piece of sea to eross —only to Timor. as regards the expense to these Colonies; but the rival project involves three times the amount of work—the laying of over a thousand miles of line from Port Augusta to the west coast, and more than 3000 of submarine cable from thence to Ceylon: and an ocean line of that length is, and not from the coast alone, a very serious undertaking. The estimates of the comparative expense give us little assistance in choosing the best route. The estimates of the necessary outlay must be more or less conjectural, and so they are very contradictory. The proper plan is to determine the direction which is most covenient and feasible from geographical and other circumstances, and then see what the line can be made for. In an enterprise which has been discussed for a dozen years, and of which the cost has caused the postponement, it is redieulous to compare the possibility just now of a line all the way from the neighborhood of Adelaide to Ceylon, and of one only from Carpentaria to Timor. The one can be executed at once, the other, however much may we may wish for it, must continue to stand over for some years yet. Let the members of the Adelaide Chamber of Camerce, who will only sanction a western and ocean route, consider these things. Let them observe that the expense is not the only difficulty, but also the laying and preservation of the line through unsettled and wild country. ' Since the work was first talked about the Queensland men have surmounted that difficulty, for they have pushed both settlement and the telegraph into the extreme north, while no wires stretch westward from Adelaide, and most of the West Australian coast is in its primitive state. In Queensland, nothing remains to be done on land by the joint enterprise of the Colonies, for the Government in Brisbane recently invited tenders, to be in before the close of 1869, for a line from Cardwell. their present northern terminus, to Normantown on the Gulf of Carpentaria. Supported by the New South Wales authorities, they greatly favor the proposal brought forward by Mr. Alexander Frazer of Batavia.

Mr. Frazer proposes to lay a cable from Pam pang Bay, in East Java, to Norinantown on the Gulf, with an intermediate station afe Timor. He calculates the cost at £600;000, and requires a fixed subsidy of £34^000 a year for thirty years—the Dutch Government to pay half the subsidy and the Australian Colonies the other half. He wants a monopoly of the route for thirty years, and binds himself that within three years the telegraph'shall unite India and the shores of Carpentaria. It seems that Mr. Frazer has already obtained the concurrence of the Butch Colonial authorities, and that he is now in communication with the Hague to get the Home Government to confirm the arrangement. But the monopoly which is demanded for so long a period as thirty years must here, at any rate, be considered inadmissible. The Colonies are growing too fast to bind themfesves for such a time. After a while, in the progress of events, they might need to release themselves from the pledge, and have to pay a very large sum of money to effect it, as Mr. Macpherson remarked to the deputation from the Chamber of Commerce which waited on him in October last. Our Government and; public are anxious to co-operate in any project which will give us the advantage of this telegraphic communication without further unnecessary delay, and there can be no question that the most practicable plan at present is to connect our northern termini with the Dutch wires ; but the contract for the execution must be based on reasonable terms*

A sn! T, named Alexander M'Connell, has been killed I hcough an accident on the Karaka tramway at the Thames. The truck ran off the line, aud deceased wa.« pitched out, alighting on his head. On December 22nd, one of Mr. Doane's coal-boats whilst coming down the Grey river, struck a snag and swampsd. A miner, only known by the name of Elisha, was drowned. The Westport Times's Wellington correspondent reports—" At last a payable goldfield has been discovered in tins Province. Some claims have been pegged off not far from this city, and some cool-headed men here arc going into the matter heartily, and aro curefully ' keeping dark' the whereabouts o\ the field. A NEW Wesleyan chapel was opened at Temuka, Canterbury, during Christmas week. The edifice cost £300, of which sum £236 has been raised. The former chapel was destroyed by fire some little time ago. THE death of a well-known West Coast miner, John Chandler, is stated to have occurred on the 26th November lost, at the Result Quartz Mining Company's claim, Molesworth, in Victorm. It seems that a face fell down and crushed the poor fellow to death. Accidents at Wanganui.—A young boy, son ot Mr. Edmonds, carpenter, Wanganui, has been killed by a cart passing over hiß neck. The horse was frightened by a thunderstorm. During the same storm, a horse belonging to Mr. Lomax was killed by the lightning —A man named Michael Campbell, a sawyer, who leaves a wife and family, has been drowned in the neighborhood of the same place, while bathing.

Murder.—The other day, at the Thames, three or four drunken men, without any provocation, attacked, beat, and kicked an old man, known, as " Dusty," so severely that he died shortly after. Stackpole, a publican, has been arrested by Mr. Mackay as being concerned in the brutal assault. Dr. Carr, the mesmerist, seems never to be out of trouble. A resident in Wanganui, named William King, has just brought an action against him for £18 75., for money paid and damage sustained by the plaintiff through the improper medical treatment of his wife by the defendant. Shocking- Coach Accident. —A fatal accident occurred to Cobb's coach on the evening of the 15th December, whilst attempting to cross the Kakanui river. The river at the time was greatly swollen. The coach was smashed to pieces, and two passengers and two horses were drowned. The driver and remaining pissengers escaped with great difficulty. The persons iirownedwere —a young lady (believed to he a Miss lioss, formerly a' teacher in Dunediu) and Mr. Patterson, C.E., who surveyed the Ofcago lines of jailway. _ A malicious act was committed on the North Uoach on Sunday evening or Monday morning, to (he machinery on the claim recently purchased by .Afr. J. Wilkie, of Cobden, which was broken in •..mny places, nuts and bolts unscrewed, and sheets of iron cut to pieces. Constable Norrie proceeded i.-( the neighborhood, and, from enquiries^ made, .inprehended a man employed in the claim, on r-uapicion.— Grey River Argus, Dec. 28.

We have to report another melancholy loss of life in the Grey River on Saturday morning. The victim in this instance is James Myers, a laborer on tiio Government road, Nelson side. In returning from a ball at Coal Creek Gardens, he and his mate triod to cross the river in an old boat, which soon i.t^an to sink, and finally rolled over. Deceased tried to awim to the shore, but never reached it. At iho inquest a verdict of " accidental death" was ivtnrned.

The body of the miner (Elijah Ford) who was ilnwned a few days ago, at the Grey, above Snag l':i 1, has been recovered. At the inquest a verdict .!' "accidentally drowned" was returned, with the liler "the jury are of opinion the river should be c c.irerl of obstructions, as far as practicable." At Auckland, lately, the steward of the s.s. Taui a f^'u was fined 10a. for ropes-ending the pantry-boy, who had been putting popper up the nostrils and ii:ro the eyes of the cook's boy, when he was fast

.-: ;.-'ep in the galley. Canterbury Anniversary.—On December 16th, iii'l nineteenth anniversary of the foundation of the ■ •uiterbury Province was celebrated. There was a Volunteer Sham Fight, a Horticultural show, and iwi-al sports which were witnessed by v large :< • -einblage of people. Amongst the sports there was :: velocipede race in which there were six competitors. !! i'ldman on a tricycle, won.

The Provincial G-overnment of Otngo have accepted :/ ! .-rider from Mr. Proudfool;, the contractor, for the

•■•■ instruction of the Port Chalmers Railway, for the -in of £70,000. This sum is to include permanent v. ,-iy, rolling stock, and station. Vhb Boy Wilsox: — A G-overnment Gazette

i-- ifid on Saturday, contains the announcement that .i;\ nes Wilson, the boy who brought assistance to his i-iUie, mortally wounded at the Matawhero mas-

... ~,,—the, —th e Ba d story of which is too well known to i.-luire repetition—has been awarded an annuity of ■ ;y pounds a year, under the Walsh and others ■' tsion Act, 1869, and leave to select 100 acres of ( • v.vr. land in the Province of Hawke's Bay, Messrs. •>■■..i-rt Wilson, of Turakina, and Nathaniel E. ! - tmish, of Rangitikei, being appointed trustees to ■ ■ i-i in the money shall be paid, and who shall Belect i. Mercantile Law.—A piece of sharp practice (>.:<. ;s the TimaruHerald) was perpetrated the other • ;.»-, which is likely to lead to considerable litigation, .i :l which is of great interest to the trading commune-. It seems that a Dunedin firm some time ago mi. I a quantity of spirits to the value of about £50 to » J. G-. Hughes, of the Royal Hotel, who recently unde an assignment for the benefit of his creditors. T w goods in question were in bond at Timaru, and !'i.'l been made over to a third person for a debt. However, on Friday last, a representative of the )>unedin firm referred to arrived here, and on paying t-V; duty on the goods, released them from bond, and •iiipped them back to Dunedin. We may explain i liat no bond warrants are used at the bonded wareiouses at Timaru, and consequently the Customs authorities release the goods on the payment of duty, :i v\ the production of the bond key. An " indemnty" was given to the owner of the bond by the i>nned"in firm, and.now the alleged owner of the iv> jds has taken proceedings against the owner of the i.ond to recover the value of the goods released. Altogether the case is one which involves several nice I > lints of mercantile law, and the result of the proceedings will be watched with interest.

Incendiarism at Westpobt. — The Times of i h'cember 25th, says:—" The inquest held at the ftmpire Hetel as to the cause of the fire discovered 1 v Mr. Fagg, nightwatohman, in a house on the Esplanade on the morning of Saturday last was not • mcluded until Thursday evening. It thus -a-tended over three days, and as many as twentyihree witnesses were examined. Their evidence was voluminous. The verdict of the jury was as follows : —' The jury find that the premises were wilfully and maliciously set on fire, but by whom there is no .-.ridence to show.' As a rider to their verdict the jury added 'For the prevention of similar occurrences more police protection is required during the night, and the strict enforcement of the Vagrant Act.' After the inquiry, Dr. Giles communicated with the Provincial Government suggesting the propriety of a reward being offered for the discovery of i.he incendiary by whom the fire was obviously, mused, and that it will be seen that, in the name of the Provincial Secretary, a reward of £50 is now offered."

Mining at the Grey.—The Argus of December 25th, says:—" More gold has been sold this year than previously, and the banks have been excessively busy buying in. One parcel of nuggets, weighing over 400 ozs. was deposited in the Bank of New Zealand, consisting of beautiful pieces of solid gold, weighing respectively, 79 oza. 13 dwta, 50 ozs., 30 ozs., 20 ozs., 20 oza., and the balance in pieces from 13 ozs. down to 3 dwt.«. These pieces all come from the Moonlight Creek, and are a sure index of what may be found in abundance if the means of communication are provided. The quartz companies and private mining parties in the Moonlight ought either to memorialise the Nelson Government to construct a good road up the Creek,' or to do so themselves, so that machinery may be easily conveyed to its destination, and a far better opportunity given of testing the resources of the district. One Moonlight Quartz Company has had its first crushing, which is said to be payable."

At Napier, a Mr. H. Tupper has been committed for trial for making improper overtures to, and kissing a Mrs. Baker. . . Mr. John Fowler, a farmer, of North Taieri, Otago, has been killed at Green Island, through a heavily laden dray filling on him. At Otago, the Kaitangata Hotel and buildings, known as De Costa's Hotel, have been destroyed by fire. . . Cheap and " Cetera."—Ono of the principal hotels in Waipori, Otago, has the following sign painted in bold letters over the door :—" Meals, Is.: beer, 3d.; stabling, free !" According to the Tuapelca Times, great excitement prevails in consequence —everybody getting drunk, and numerous assaults

taking place. ' A. Rich Claim.—On.the Nelson South-west Goldfield there is a claim," near Brighton, known as Rochford's, which has produced £6300 worth of gold since it was discovered fifteen months asjo. Mr. Rochford got £3000 worth; Mr. Skelton, £1300 ; and Mr. J. G. Jackson, £2000.

Alpacas fob Canterbury.—The Wellington yesterday (says the Wellington Independent of 21st December), took to Canterbury five of the alpacas fchafc have been running about so long on Mr. Rhodes' land at Wade's Town. One of them is of the original lot imported, the others are bred here. We understand that they have been sent as a present to Mr. Robert Rohdes, from his brother, Mr. W. B. Rhodes.

Drowned. —A painter, named George Balfour, has been drowned in the Tokomairiro river, near Milton, Otago. He went to set lines for the purpose of catching eels, and it is supposed he was seized with a fit, to which he wa3 subject, and fell into the water.

On December 23rd, a fire broke out in the promises of Mr. Chitty, Lambton Quay, Wellington, but fortunately was extinguished before much damage was done. A Severe Accident to a Little Ctiri..—a daughter of Mr. Watson, of South Selwyn, Canterbury, the other day, put her hand into the box of a chaffcutting machine to get a piece of flax. Her brother was turning the machine, when one of the knives caught her hand and torn away portions of the fingers. Four of her fingers were afterwards amputated. Drowned. —A young man named John Steel, has been drowned in" the Clutha river, Otago, whilst engaged in rafting timber down from Hawea lake. The raft stuck on a sunken rock, and Steel in trying to swim ashore was seized with cramp, and was drowned. G-unpowder Accident. —The Otago Daily Times of December 13th, says :—" An accident, by which two boys were severely injured, occurred at Anderson's Bay on Thursday last. It appears that a quarry-man there had' left some blasting powder under a box, and that it was found by a little girl and showed by her to three boys, named respectively Stenhouse, M'Donald, and Eoss. Prom some cause the powder became ignited, and an explosion ensued, Stenhouse and Eoss being burnt—the former very badly in the face, and having one of his eyes injured." Fatal Fight.—During a fight at Redman's, in the Totara district, on Christmas eve, a miner named James Rooke was killed. Eooke struck a man named Mitchell twice ; a fight ensued, when Mitchell struck Eooke on the forehead, and the latter falling on a log fractured his skull.

Bush tires, or rather grass fires are very prevalent of late in fclie Bendigo Gully district, Otago. Tiie Dunstan Times reports that on Dec. 21st, while the rain was pouring in torrents on the south side of the Dunstau range, a very large fire occurred on the ethov side, which not only eonsumraed an immense quantity of grass, but also several diggers' tents, and nearly Logantown, which would have succumbed to the flames, but. for the exertions of the reefers. Wine prom the Tutu Berry.— Excellent wine has been made in Otago from the tutu berry. Mr. F. Richardson, the maker, considers it should become a regular colonial industry. He considers the tutu the " grape of the country." Female Jockeys.—At New Ahaura races, at the Grey, on Dec. 27, there wasa"ladies' race" forlssovs. There were two entries, of horses ridden by Mrs. Horn and Mrs. Black. The race caused groat excitement. It was run three times, and caused a fracas in which one young ir.an was nearly killed. Mrs. Black was declared the winner.

Drowned.—On Dec. 29, Mr. Hamilton Cuming, a well-known storekeeper at Ross, was drowned when attempting to cros* the Totara river, Westland. A miner, named Hugh Fitzsimmons, died on Deo. 26th, at Liverpool Creek, New River, from the effects of injuries received by falling from a terrace into the creek. He was mate of a miner named Rooney, who was killed at the same place in November last.

Another Death by Drowning at the Grey.— Mr. John Bryne, storekeeper, of Duffer's Grully, has been drowned in a tributary of the Grey river, near Langdon's ferry. In trying to cross the stream, the deceased and his horse were swept away by the current. Deceased had eighty ounces of gold on his saddle which was recovered.

Fatal Accident. —A melancholy and fatal accident occurred at Cheviot Hills on Sunday, Dec. 26. A native of the South Sea Islands named John Auckland, engaged as manager at the shipping port, Gore's Bay, was returning home from Cheviot House, riding a spirited horse, when he was thrown and killed. The district constable, upon hearing of the accident, immediately attended and summoned a jury, presided over by S. Robinson, Esq., J.P., when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

The Rev. J. Deane, whilst standing talking to Mi\ Hanson, at the door of the latter's workshop, adjointhe Array and Navy Hotel, in Auckland, was lately struck by lightning on the first joint of the fore-finger of the right hand. The joint has been paralysed ever since. Mr. Hanson felt the shock, and a safu and a bell, hanging contiguous to them, affected by the same power, gave out a succession of ringing vibrations. G-as Company at Wellington.—A gas company has been formed in Wellington, which gives every assurance of success. The whole of the required capital (£10,000) was quickly subscribed. The directors have been elected, and the plant has been ordered from England. Mb. Fitzherbert, M.H.R.—Our Wellington contemporaries state that it is probable that Mr. Fitzherbert will be compelled by private business to pay a lengthened visit to England. Three Persons Drowned. —The New Zealand Herald gives the following account of a fatal accident at Kaipara, Auckland. It appears that >i gentleman of the name of Whitely had gone to Munu^aturoto to inspect a farm which he thought of purchasing, and on his return up the Kawhaka river, a squall struck the boat he was in aud upset it, precipitating the whole party, four in number, into the water. Mr. Wtiitley and two others were drowned. The fourth, Mr. Rosser, succeeded in clinging to the boat until rescued by some neighboring guttlers. Otago Escort.—During the month of December, the following quantities of gold reached Dunedin by escort, from the undermentioned places : — Diggings. Dec. 14. Diggings. Dec. 28. ozs. ozs. Queenstown 1305 Lawrence 1622 Arrow 503 Clyde 354 Cromwell 820 Cromwell 1430 Dunstan 404 Dunstan Creek. 1008 Manuherikia 314 Alexandra 302 Mount Ida 978 Mount Ida 2091 St. Bathan's 228 Blacks 856 Tuapeka 908 Switaers 704 Waipori 401 Waipori 302 Waitahuna 291 Waituhuna 195 Woolshed 180 Ida Valley 13 Teviot Teviot 484 Total 6335 Total 9365 Grand total, 15,700 ounces. The Kaikoura. Mystery.—Constable Paap has returned from his search after a supposed insane woman wandering about in the bush beyond Kaikotira, in a nude state, with an infant under one arm, .and a variety of firearms under the other. He has not found the woman, and believes the whole affair to bn a shameful houx. Mr. Caverhill, ranholder, endoraue the same opinion, and remarks upon the singular circumstance that two men should leave a woman and ii.number of children alone and unprotected day after day if they believed the story themselves.

The Mount Ida (Otago) paper writes that a novel and interesting spectacle was presented at Naseby on Saturday week, at the interment of the remains of the deceased child of Mr. W. J. Millar, found drowned in a water-hole in that town. The coffin containing the remains of the deceased child was borne to its last resting place by young boys, children of gentlemen in the township. Much interest attached itself to this unusual spectacle. In December, 1868, there were 108 public houses in Hokitika, and on the 16th of the present month there were 100. These figures, remarks a contemporary, show that the decrease in trade is more apparent than real. Mr. Patrick Coyle, an hotelkeeper at .Karaka, the Thames, was attacked on a recent date by three men, while he was proceeding homeward between the Thames hospital and the Karaka Creek. One of the scoundrels struck him on the head, and caused him to stumble into n drain, where he fell and broke his leg just above the ankle. Mr. Coyle called out, but the men ran away, and left him to his fate.

At RariL'itikei, Wellington, Messrs. Ross and Gibson have got their steam flax mills in full working order, and producing some flax of very superior quality. Accident.—The other afternoon, Mr. Longhurst, his wife and child, and female friend, were going along the Karori-road, Wellington. When opposite Toomath's by some means the wheel of the vehicle they were riding in got over the edge of the road, and a spill was the consequence. Mrs. Longhurst and the child were both severely injured. Removal oe the Troops.—The Southern Cross. of December 17th, says:—" We learn that by the s.s. Auckland, orders have been received by the military authorities to carry out the original instructions of the Home Government, in reference to the removal of the 2-18 th Royal Irish, the various detachments of which will consequently be concentrated in Auckland at the earliest opportunity, previously to finally quitting these shores." The first escape from Shortland gaol took place on Monday morning, 6th instant, when a man named Moore, alias De Lacy, managed to get away. This is the same person who was connected with the Burgess and Sullivan gang. Actite search for the missing child of Mr. Jeflbrd, Greymouth, has been made by the inhabitants, but without result.

Annie Bates, charged with concealing the birth of her child, whose body was recently found in a watercloset in Greymouth, has been committed for trial before the next Supreme Court in Hokitika.

The New Zealand Insurance Company at its halfyearly meeting the other day, declared a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum, and carried a balance to credit of profit and loss of £6793 2s. Id. The ship Memta, 914 tons, arrived at Wellington, from London, on December 15, after a passage of 112 days. She brought several passengers and a large cargo. The ship Chile, 768 tons, arrived at Auckland, from London, on December 13. She brought a number of passengers. New Steam Company foe New Zealand. — The Wellington Independent says:—" There is every prospect that the local steam navigation company will not be allowed entirely to lapse, a provisional committee having been formed, whose object is to start a new company, offering, in the first place, topurchnse the plant of the N.Z.S.N Company at an equitable price, or failing that, to purchase entirely new vessels, with all the latest improvements. Should the offer for the purchase of the plant of the N.Z.S.N. Company be accepted, shareholders will be invited to exchange their shares on favorable terms. With the experience gained in the working of the present company it may fairly be concluded that there is every prospect of the new company being a success, and with the example of the Wanganui Company, whose last report shows a favorable state of affairs, it is not too much to augur, under an energetic management, a similar success. The Celestial Queen, 841 tons, from Liverpool, arrived at Auckland on January 3rd, after a passage of 114 days from port to port. She brought 12 passengers. : Ihe ship HaIiCIONE cleared out nt Wellington, for London, on January 6th. She took 20 passengers, and the following cargo:—36sß bales wool, 20 bales skins, 107 bales flax, 92 casks tallow, 8 tanks and 4 casks whale oil, 33 kess butter (grease), 4 cases whalebone, 60 bags bones, 65 pkgs leathor, 6 cases shells ; total value, £57,296. Wreck. —The fore-and-aft schooner Eose Ann drifted ashore at Waogapoa, Auckland, on Christmas Eve, and became a total wreck. Her cargo of timber was saved. The vessel was insured for £250 in the New Zealand Insurance Company. Cast AsnoßE. —At Napier, on January 2nd, a boat washed ashore. It had the name Ada painted on the stern, and the sails and oars were on board. Some stale bread was found on the stern seat.

The barque Philip Nelson, 548 tons, arrived at Port Chalmera, from London, on Dec. 23. She left the Downs on Aug. 26. She brought two passengers.

Arrival of Immigrants at Otago.—On Dec. 24, the ship Otago, 992 tons, from Glasgow, arrived at Port Chalmers, with 7 saloon aud 113 steerage

Captain Hugh Mackie, of the s.s. Rangitoto, has been pi-esented at Melbourne with a handsome silver claret cup by the saloon passengers who arrived in that vessel from New Zealand on the 14th December, after a passugo which required an unusual display of seamanship on the part of the captain.

passengers. The Taipo.—The Melbourne Herald has the following :—"Juat now there is exhibited at the Gin Palace, in Bourke-street, two most curious animals from New Zealand called Taipo, or Devil. In body it has the appearance of a pig, but the feet resemble cow'a; there are no ears, nor any aperture for the entrance of sound, and the snout ia a narrow prolongation of bone. Naturalists will find some difficulty in rightly fixing the class to which these sti'ange animals belong." At Westport the other night, an art union was drawn for the largest nugget ever found in New Zealand. The value of the nugget, £400, was divided into six prizes, the fortunate winner having the option of taking the nugget and paying the other prizes, or accepting £150 as his prize. The following were' the winners:— Ist prize, £150, "Richard Hazel; 2nd „ £100, H. Moffatt, mate of p.s. Lyttolton; 3rd „ £50, — M'Keuzie, Giles's Terrace; 4th „ £20, A. Kiug, „ „ • i, sth „ £20, John Corr; -' 6th „ £20, R. J. Tonka. j Tiie four-pound loaf is sold at Gd. in Melbourne at the present time, in consequence of the fall in the price of flour. Earthquake.—A shock of earthquake wa9 fell; throughout the Province of Wellington on the morning on December 29. j The luvercargill papers record the death, on Thursday last of Mr. J. W. Dauby, an old colonist, at the advanced age of 72. , One Captain Morgan, a violent-tempered fellow, lately challenged a Mr. Minton, in Fijis, to fight a duel. Mr1 Minton accepted the challenge, and went to pi'actise with a pistol. He fired through a doorway, and accidentally shot one of the most respected settlers, Mr. Hoyle. Public feeling was aroused, and Capt. Morgan, who was the originator, was arrested and sent to Sydney. Me. James Gray, of the White Rocks, was bathing with two other persons near the Maori ford, Kakanui, Olago, when he wa* observed suddenly to sink, arid never rose again. It is supposed he was seized with cramp. The body has since been recovered. Found Dead. —Mr. Edward Hamilton, gunsmith, of Colombo-street, Christchuroh was found the other day quite dead in the water at Sunnier Point. Ho hud a severe wound on the forehead, but whether self-inflicted, as some are of opinion, we are unable to say. In his house was found a business card with the words " Tired of life, £2 10s in the book on the table."

A nephew of Dr. Livingstone, the African traveller, is reported by the Bruce Herald to reside in the South Clutha district, Otago, in the vicinity of the lnrge bush stretching from Port Molyneux to the Mataura. He iB reported to be one of the beat bushmen in tho locality, and to manifest considerable penchant for exploration, and power of physical endurance, for which hia kinsman is celebrated.

The infant child of Mr. James Watt has been drowned in a creek, at Kereru, Hawke's Bay. On Dec. 31st 3374 ounces of gold reached Auckland from the Thames.

At Waipukurau, Hawke's Bay, a lad, named Henry Hollis, was killed by a fall from his horse. The Agricultural and Pastoral Society of Otago has " come to grief." At a meeting held recently, a motion was carried for winding-up the company. Dr. Motley, of Lyttelton, has met with a serious accident, he having sustained a compound fracture of the leg. Another Large Nugget prom the Moonlight. —The Grey River Argus. of January 6th, notices the discovery of another nugget at the Moonlight diggings weighing 79ozs. 13dwts. I7grs. A nugget, of nearly the same weight, was obtained there some short time ago. ; . The harvest in the Oamaru district this season is likely to be unusually early. The local paper reports that on Totafa and Ardgowan Stations alone there are 800 acres of barley which will be fit for cutting in a week or ten days. The Supreme Court, Duuedin, has been engaged with the trial of a case of Henninghara •». Driver— an> action for malicious prosecution. By the direction of the judge a verdict was given for the defendant. The alleged malicious prosecution was for an alleged newspaper libel some time ago. Mayors.—The elections of the following Mayors are gazetted:—A. Duncan, Christchureh; J. S. Willcox, Lyttelton ; W. T. Nownham, Kaiapoi; S. Hewlings, Timaru; J. Kilgour, Greymouth; H. Dodson, Blenheim ; and S. Boyle, Hokitika. Death of a Maoei Prisoner. —At Dunedin, on December 11, Waata Tuaioerangi, one of the Maori prisoners, died of consumption. Two Men Drowned. —On December 13, at Port Chalmers, the oyster fishing cutter Blanche Berkley capsized, and her crew-, two men, named Drake and Brown, were not seen afterwards. * The beach workings at Waikawa, Otago, are turning out well. About twenty men are employed on them, and their average earnings are stated to be £4 per week. The greater portion of the gold is sent to Invercargill, where it is sold for 4s. an ounce more than is obtained for it in Dunedin. Drowned.—John Sheen, lately a member of the Armed Constabulary, was drowned at Napier, on January 2nd, while bathing, a drawback wave having carried'him under. His body was recovered next day. At Wellington, a woman named Mary Ann Robertson, has, from the Ist October, 1867, to the 2nd October, 1869, been brought up twenty times before the Bench charged with drunkenness and vagrancy. She has, during that period, undergone 14,808 hours' imprisonment, and paid 40s. in fines!

A telegbam from Napier, dated Jan. 3rd says :— "Dr. Hector has returned from the Kaimanawa district. The heavy floods which have been experienced all over the Province prevented his making such an extensive and thorough exploration as he desired. Out of his three weeks' trip, he had only three fine days." A Wabning to Country People.—At Temuka, Canterbury, on Christmas day, the houae of Mr. Geo. Lewis 'had a narrow escape of being burnt by the intensity of the sun's rays striking on some bright tin milk dishes standing out of doors and being reflected from them on to the walls of the house. When observed the timbers were smoking, and no doubt, in a little while longer would have burst into a flame.

The Late Boat Accident at Timaru. — On December 29, the official enquiry into the cause of the boat accident, whereby Mr. Balfonr (Colonial Marine Engineer) and Mr. Smallwood were drowned. The proceedings lasted from 11 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., nine witnesses being examined at considerable length. The Court in recording their verdict said that they considered that the unfortunate occurrence which happened on the 18th December, was purely accidental, and caused by a sea striking the boat and capsizing it; that no fault was to be attached to any one ; and they considered that every available assistance was rendered by those on board the s.s. Maori.

Colonel M'Donnell, we are informed, says the Wellington Post, had a very narrow escape at the taking of Kooti's pa at Pourere. On entering the work he suddenly observed a Maori pointing a gun at him, not more than a yard distant. The Colonel rushed up and struck the barrel aside as the charge exploded, the bullet passing close to his side. He then seized the gun and knocked the Hauhau down, and an Arawa, who was close behind, polished him off.

A Windfall for Auckland Provincial Government. —The /Southern Cross of January sth, Ba y S .—« We understand that a day or two ago the sum of £52,000 was paid to the Provincial Treasury by the General Government, being the amount of refund of interest and sinking fund due to this province. The sum just paid into the Treasury will be available either for roads and bridges in the country districts, or to be invested as an endowment for education. Wo believe that, out of the £52,000, at least £18,000 is cash; while, of the remaining £37,000, at least £15,000 is represented by negotiable securities.

At Coromandel (says an Auckland contemporary of January 3rd), prospects are even more promising than at the Thames. Quartz of first-rate quality is being found in many claims, and heavy shotty gold also in the creeks. Sharebrokers as yet are few, nnd there is not even a foinentor of strife in the shape of a lawyer in the locality. Captain Aalst, of the barque Elina, which arrived at Port Chalmers a few days ago, from Fo.o-ohow-foo, has several curiosities on board, including two goldfish with three tails, each representing a three-bladed screw. A cocus not quite tamed, a native of Anger, and a slug«ard, with 8 red and white tongue, a native of Mallaca.

Fatal Accident to a Jockey.—An accident occurred to a jockey at Holcitika races. A contemporary says:—Taking the hurdle on the other side of the course from the Grand Stand, Native stumbled, and his rider Norris, or Morris Cahil, was heavily thrown. He tried to get up, but before he could do so, his horse; as it seemed to the spectators, deliberately rolled over him, rendering him insensible. Immediately Drs. Mftunsell, Garland, Acheson, and Dermott, were in attendance upon him, aud everything was done that it was possible to do. But all efforts were in rain, and at the time that people left the course hope had been given up. The sad event made the otherwise pleasant meeting quite gloomy. Oiliil has since died.

Reai Sei^-Reliance. —From an article in the Taranahi News on the subject of immigration the following paragraph is extracted : —" As regards agricultural labor, although it would be doubtless much to our advantage to introduce ' foreign capital' at the same time, yet the experience of New Plymouth shows that men of the right stamp, arriving here without a penny, can sjoji accumulate capital enough to work on, from the proceeds of their labor, and the kindly returns of the soil, which in the bush at any rate might be considered as containing in itself the greater part of the capital that a working-man requires to commence with." Whaies. —Two whales were stranded in Worser's Bay, Wellington, the other day. They are expected to yield two and a-half tuns of oil.—The Westport Times of the 4th January, says:—"A large sperm whale was driven ashore on the beach last week, between the Little Wanganui river and the Kararaea river. It measures in length forty-eight feet. Some persons from Westport visited the locality, but they found the monster so far advanced in decomposition as. to be comparatively worthless. It is estimated by the initiated as an eight tun whale." Meteobs.—The TaranaU Herald of January Ist, states that " on Sunday evening [which was the same date on which one was seen between Stoke and Richmond, and was mentioned in our issue of Deo. 28] a most beautiful meteor was visible, lighting up the heavens, as brightly as moonlight. During the time it lusted, which was nearly half a minute, it appeared as if originating from a star, and as it fell, gradually became brighter until it reached it,a greatest intensity, and then faded away, leaving the gazers apparently in greater darkness than they previously were. From our Wellington files we learn that a large meteor was seen at Napier on the 11th December, about midnight in 5,8.,, at an altitnde of 40deg.; it disappeared in E. tit an altitude of lOdeg., and its light was equal to full-moonlight. Dr. Hector ib anxious to known if it was observed, elsewhere." - -

Gold is now being shipped from Westland to Lyttelton, where it is transhipped by ships for London. Gold i?rom Westpobt.—The Bank of New South Wales shipped by the Murray 3063 ounces of gold. This makes a total of 10,000 ounces for the weeck.— Westvort Times, Jan. 8. _ Heavy Damage bt Rain on Nelson Southwest GoLDFiEros.—The Westport Times of Jan. 6, states:—" The damage caused on the Northern Terraces by the heavy rain of the 29th ult. proves to have been most serious. In Ballarat, Walker's, and German creek, dams, boxes, and other mining appliances were smashed and carried away, or dams were filled up with boulders, trees, and debris. In the Orawaiti several large and expensive boxes were carried away. A great amount of injury has also been done to water-races, tramways, and washing sites, both north and south of the Orawaiti. The damage altogether, including wash-dirt, labor, &c, may be estimated at £3000, the wash-dirt lost being probably equal to half the amount. Sea Encboaohments at Westpoet.—The Times of January 6th, says:—" The last of a row of six good houses which stood at the seaward end of Moles-worth-street has now been removed. Mr. Anslow's house has been purchased by Captain Leech, and taken away piece-meal. The sea still continues to encroach, but it must now do so some distance before any more habitations of the living are interfered with. The houses of the dead are not so secure.

The Ceops at Timabu. —The following figures show the acreage under crop and the computed yield, for the district of Timaru, Canterbury, during the present season :—

Attempted Suicide. —Mr. Charles Jeffs, farmer, Templeton, attempted fco commit suicide in the shop of Mr. Culliford, butcher, corner of Colombo and Cashel-streets, Christchurch, on Dec. 29. Mr. Culliford and Jeffs were conversing together, when the latter suddenly seized a large knife, and essayed to cut his throat. Mr. Culliford immediately caught hold of him, but received several blows before he succeeded in taking the knife from Jeffs. It was very lucky, indeed, that Mr. Culliford did not sustain some serious wounds. A constable was attracted to the shop by the noise, and Jeffs was given into custody.— Lyttelton Times. A Tokomaibiho paper states that Mr. J. E. Brown a few days ago caught in the ponds on, his. property a trout, about the size of a small herring, and that on putting it back into the water he observed two others, both of which appeared to be lively and well grown. Fatal Accident. —A boy, named Eugene Morton, was unfortunately drowned, whilst bathing in the north branch of the Waimakariri, a little above the town of Kaiapoi, Canterbury, on Christmas day. He was between twelve and fourteen years of age, and wa9 in company with several other boys, when getting into a hole beyond his depth, he was carried away by the stream. The body was recovered the same day. A splendid young Clydesdale entire horse, Sir William Wallace, has been landed at Port Chalmers from the ship Otago, from Glasgow. The horse is imported by Mr. Kettle, and has arrived in splendid condition. Although only 2| years old, he has taken [ the first prizes at Edinburgh and Glasgow shows. The Southland papers report the sale to Mr. G. M. Bell of the Croydon Station, Hokanuis, for the sum of £24.000. The property comprises 9000 acres freehold, 15,000 sheep, 200 head of cattle, improvements, &c.

Fatal Cab Accident at Auckland.—A fatal cab accident occurred in Queen-street Auckland on Saturday night, January Ist, by which a man named Thomas Fitzpatrick was killed, and his companion, Eobert Davidson, seriously injured. At the inquest the following verdict was returned: —" That the deceased was accidentally killed by being run over by a cab, driven by Arthur Cash." The jury added the following rider: —" The jury are of opinion that Arthur Cash is not altogether free from the charge of furious driving, and, while expressing their apprehension of his conduct, the jury would earnestly call the attention of the authorities to take such proceedings with regard to riding and driving in the public streets as shall, as far as possible, prevent the recurrence of such melancholy accidents."—Arthur Cash, who had bsen brought up in custody and remained so during the investigation, was then re-arrested by the police, and will be brought up at the Police Court.

Whale Fight.—Last week (says the Wellington Independent, Dec. 30), an exciting scene was witnessed by two men working at the Ohariu Gold Mining Company's drive. The attention of oneof the men was attracted by a singular noise heard out at sea. On looking round his eye detected two black objects, which proved to be two whales, heads down, tails uppermost, lashing the water with great fur*. Ho called his mate out to see the sport, and they both concluded that it must have been a battle between two whales. It was a most terific conflict between the fwo animals, and continued as long as the men could see them.

We learn that an article of merchandise has been discovered at Vantie Levu, Fiji. The bush is found to abound with the bulei, or india-rubber tree, and the natives get the sap by stripping off the leaves, and call it drega quruquru. CapUin Barrack is trying to procure a shipment of it so as to ascertain its value as an article of export. — Southern Cross A man named Joseph Sotners, has been drowned at Hamilton, Otaeo, by the upsetting of a boat on Messrs. Brenmer Brothers large dam at that place. A Wanganui Romance.—The Wanganui Evening Herald of the 10th is responsible for the following: —One of our townsmen has suffered a severe bereavement in the loss of his only son, who, contrary to the wishes of his parent took his departure for the Fiji Islands. The erratic youtli allowed his judgement or his affections to be influenced by a Fiji girl who represented that she was entitled to a large quantity of land as a chieftainess in the Island of Bau, and by persuasion induced the youth to consent to abandon a large patrimony and accompany her. A considerable nnmber of the inhabitants appeared on the wharf to see them off, and condole with the grief-stricken parent. Miss Polly w">s"as blythe as', a mavis, and the young man was not by any means chapfallen or desponding. The amiable Polly is one of the finest specimens of Polynesian humanity, and by her many charns had become a great favorite with her master, who had taken some pains to establish the doubtful ethnological theory, that the Fijis are not inferior to the Maoris intractability and ' intellectual capacity. Wie sincerely hope the course of. true love will run 9m6oth in the tropical Bau ; and the rash young man who" has taken so important a step —in fact, assumed a self-reliant policy —may never have cause to regret his alliance with the Fijian heiress ; that he may be able to say* a$ the end of the first year after arriving at his destination-—" If there be an Elysiun on earth, it is. this." ,

Shabks, of different species, are very numerous in Timaru harbor, (Canterbury), at the present time. On Dec. 30th, a ground shark was captured there, which on being opened was found to contain the wooden handle of a hammer and thirty-four young ones. The shark and young ones were cut up and thrown into the sea, when a brown or " shovel-nose" shark, estimated from eight to ten feet in length, came close on shore and devoured the lot, besides a quantity of tainted meat which was thrown into the water. A retriever dog went into the water and caught hold of the shark by its fin, and afterwards by the tail, and was once dragged under water. By this time a large crowd had collected on the beach, and every person expected to see the dog devoured, but the shark had not sufficient water to turn over in to get at the dog, which was caught when it came to the edge of the surf and tied up. At one time a sea landed the shark quite out of the water, and it would have been secured, but the next wave released it, and it was seen swimming about until after dark. Several shots were fired at it from a rifle,: but they appeared to take no effect. The same day another shark was caught on board another vessel in the roadstead. Late Taranaki papers state that a shark, twelve feet in lengthy mi seen swimming utoufc iatlwfchMrbPirv

1869. Acres. Wheat 8708 Oats 624,1 Barley ......... 860 ■n 1868, the figures were— 1868. ' Acres. "Wheat 5450 Oats 4678 Barley 499 Bushels. 269,406 244,720, 30,609 , Bushels. 125,350 184,192 , 16,725