NEW ZEALAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3649, 20 December 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[SPECIAL.] AUCKLAND, Dbo. Id, ; The Isles of the Pacific. Tho Melanesian Mission schooner Southern[Cross has arrived from the Islaixls, after a [passage of eight and a half months. During 1 1 hat time sho has dono a considerable amount of work. She loft Auckland on April 10, and' proceeded to Norfolk Island, where a number of Nativo clergymen were picked up. Sho then sailed to 'New Hobridos, Bunks, Santa Cruz, and Solomon Group, touching at the j different Islands. Two successive trips were made to the Solomon Group from Norfolk Island;, and three to the Banks and New Hebrides Group. She aleo p occeded U*

Sydney in August for the Bishop, who visited the various Islands with the Bchooner. On the VS&mf* WNfttfviSP were taken to. Norfolk Island for .^instruction.. r The Southern Cross left tn^flamflrplace^fbr Auckland 6ff£tatnraayla>t";~paßaSngSrT— Th6 Revs Ooddta'glon and ' CuAmTng 1 )' Mr and Mrs Headleyj Master Bice, and MrCorless. The schooner 'will 'remain at Qic anchorage until April next, I 'when slie ' will 'ledre on another im«sidn'craigo. J ' _;/ , ' ' -fceave of Absence. ■'"-,... Mr Justice Gillies has obtained. 1 leave of absence fo¥ r two- years; 'and intends visiting Shjgland; 5 --Mr Jtfs'Uoe Richmond will probablj preside during his absence. Fire Alarms. ,-: Superintendent Hughe?, of the Auckland Kre Srigade] classifies the forty-nyie: fire alarmr doring the yea jas follows :— 5 .were - false alarms, 12 chimneys oh fire, 8 calls for. fires beyond i the city boundaries, and therer mainbgfM-were classed thus— ls of slight or trifling r danger, 4 of serioua damage, and 6 TesuHang in total loss. : ■■ ' ..,. . [Increased Mortality., 7.. Tlfe Sanitary Inspedtoi' of Auckland gives. the mortality as 190 against 173 in the preTioaayear^ ;'- ' '•' '• ■-. ■ • •.■:■■-/::• The Accideilt Cqinpany. The. -Accidea^ . Insurance Company have made arransements to obtain the. servicca of the staff and the use of the officers of the New Zealand; Insurance Company, not only in New Zealand, but in Australia. . . '^■■;";_.; r "Prizes, ■_■ :: -;s\.. : :\ : ::- PiiZ6B llwar3ed to-night at the Ffee School of Art, founded by Dr Oimpbell, consisted of silver medals in commemoration of the first anniversary. The pupils presented. Dr Campbell with a souvenir. Privileges. «. TSd sale oorf r privileges at the Auckland Summer meeting realised £345. ?■• :The "Weather. BeVere; weather "[frith easterly gales and almost 1 continuous rain, has been the rule recently. • .......-■ "■**■■'•" WELLINGTON, Dec. 19. • Christmas! The schools under tbe Education Board broke up to-day for the Christmas vacation. !."' : if Found Dead. MrHaetTrell, proprietor of a line of coaches between Wellington and Palmerston. North, was -found dead at Grey town to-day. No cause is given of his death, but it is believed that he was subject to heart disease. ; Perjury. A charge of perjury against P. IC Watty, commission agent, at the instance of the Deputy Commissioner of Stamps, was partly heard to-day. The information charged him with having falsely declared the amount of cash in the estate of the late John Hood, of the Ferry.Hotel, Pororua. The caso was adjourned. . . The Stage. J. J. Wallace is doing fair business at the Theatre Boyal. NEW PLYMOUTH, Dkc. 20. <-■*'•- A Divided JuryThe jury in Hill's case, for indecent assault, were locked np last night, not being able to agree. They were brought up again this morning at 6.30, and discharged when the Court adjourned till Monday morning. James Hill will be tried again with another jury. ' . DUNEDIN.Dkc.I9. Clutha Bridge. At a meeting of the Clutha County Council, held to-day, it was decided to call for tenders immediately for the erection of the Olutha ••■ bridge. Another Show. The Wa'kouaiti show to-day was .very successful, but the exhibits were all locally owned. More Rifling. At the Rifle Association meeting, the ladies' challengo shield was won by the Clutba rifles with a scorn of 358 points, South District Bifles second with 352 points.