AUCKLAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3419, 26 March 1879, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

[special.] Maech 25. Mr J. S. Blythe, the actor, who played at Grahamstown on Saturday with his wife, is reported to tho police as missing. He had beon iv a low state some time past, and expressed himself tired of life. On Sunday evening he told his wife he would take a walk round Grahamstown, and has not been seen since. It is feared fchat he has taken his life.

A walking match haa been arranged between J. Hendry and J. O'Connor for £50 a side, to take place at Ellerslie on Saturday, April 12 ; distance three miles.

The annual examination of teachers has begun. Eight ladies, fourteen gentlemen, 76 ladies in Class E, and 73 ladies for pupil teachers havo presented themselves for examination.

At Sfc. Mary's Convent this afternoon, two ladies took the veil. The ceremony was conducted by Father Fynes, V.G., and another of the clergy. The schooners Marion, and Pirate, and other vessels have been chartered to proceed to Tauranga, to aid in fcho raising of the Taupo. The Marion sailed this morning, and the others follow without delay. f The announcement that a ship had\left Wellington with telegraphic poles for tho extension of the telegraphic line to Dargaville and places on the Northern Wairoa, has created -unbounded astonishment. This is carrying coals to Newcastle with a vengeance, Northern Wairoa being ono of tho best ,wooded districts in tho Colony.

A clerical scandal at Ponsonby has caused a littlo sensation. Some time ago Miss Homo, a member of the choir of All Saint's Anglican Church, fell ill, and was likoly to dio. On a Saturday afternoon soveral calls woro made upon the incumbent to visit hei 1 . Ho declined, alleging tliat having a slight cold, ho miglit become worse by going out, and thus impair his efficiency. Noxt day tho girl died. At half-past 7 that evening, Mr Runciman, a Presbyterian, waa culled in to attend her in her last moments. It is said that Mr Breo was meanwhile comfortably amusing himself playing chess. The Vestry took the matter up and represented the facts to tho Bishop, who declined to interfere, but informed them whafc stops could be takon if they desired to carry the matter furthor. Formal steps woro taken to proceed against Mr Bree in tho Church Courts. On Saturday last a letter was received by tho Vestry from tho Bishop, covering one from Mr Bree admitting the charge, confessing to an error of judgment, and apologising for the same. Afc a meeting of the Vestry last night, a resolution was passed accepting Mr Bree's apology and staying further proceedings in tho Church Courts. Another resolution was passed by the Vestry, asking the Bishop to declare whether the district, having been recently formed into a parish, was vacant, and to request that a time ehould be fixed for tho nomination of a minister. This afternoon the heaviest rain storms occurred which havo been witnessed (or a long time. About 3 o'clock rain bogan to fall gently, and in about an hour a sharp thunderstorm broke over the cifcy. Tho rain fell for an hour and a half in a perfect deluge. The storm cleared off aboufc 5 o'clock, bufc is threatening again.

[Special to the Stab.] „.. .Tr , Maboh 26. Merlin and Varfchenopeno have arrived from Macdonald'a stable, Napier, for the autumn meeting at the Bay of Islands fco be -held on the 30th.

At tlie Commission of inquiry at Hokianga, John Lundon stated that Williams objected to the Maori claims through fear of political ™ fl " e ". oe of Williams' family; also that all Catholics were objected to notwithstanding that they held good qualifications. Lundon admitted that ia every claim sent in last year a household qualification was inserted, whether the claimant possessed ifc or nofc, in order to get a doublo chance of gotting on the roll. Kawira Whareharu stated he attached 203 claims to Tote, though he only saw 10 claimants sign. Tho forms wero handed to him by Patrick Lundon already filled* up and signed. He merely attaohed his signature as attesting witness. He took Lundon's word

it was all correot. Wiremu Katene deposed that several names which he objected to wore staunch friends of the Williams' family.