ACTION FOR DAMAGES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4751, 23 July 1883, Page 3

ACT ION FOR DAMAGES.

A DISASTROUS VOYAGE. Mblbotjbnb, July 18. The proprietor* of the Argut and Avitralasian have sent Mr Julian Thomas (the Vagabond) as special correspondent; to the New Hebrides to make a tour of the islands, to report on French projects of annexation, and to examine into the condition of the labour trade. . The news of the arriral of the ship Poonah At Fiji, baring cholera, measles, and small pox on board, induced the Central Board of Health to declare Fiji an infeoted port. The Hawthorn Inquiry Board has concluded its sittings, It cwmments very BtroDgly on the disorganisation in the department. The Pilot Boerd has suspended the certificate of Pilot Gafford for two years, in consequence of his bringing in the George Boper and causing her wreck. Messrs Godfrey and Buller, solicitors, have commenced proceedings against the New Australian Company on behalf of Mrs O'Shea, widow of ona of the victims of the Creswick disaster, for £1000. A well attended public meeting, convened by the Mayor, in obedience to a requisition, took place on Monday night, in support of the annexation of the Paoifio Islands. Mr Justice Higgiabotham, in an able speech, advocated the annexation, in order to prevent the islands being peopled by the French criminals, and to properly regulate tha labour traffic. An accusation of favouritism has been made against Mr Ferris, the Government printer. The Treasurer has deoided to appoint a board of inquiry. At the criminal sessions a man named Thomas, charged with embezzling £1600 from J. and A. Brows, his employers, was Bentenced to three years' hard labour. Not muoh has been done by the syndicate who purckased the George Boper, on acoount of the prevalence of bad weather. Stdkbt. The Engineers' Exhibition, which has been remarkably successful, was brought, to a clobb on Saturday. A profit o£ £LCOO h&s been realised. Mr Bobert iTervoig, said to be a brother of the i Governor of Now Zealand, broke his leg when going ashore from a steamer at Newcastle He was taken to the Hospital. Mr Charles Packer, 8.A.M., a wfll-known musician, died on Friday, nged 73. His ■ funeral -was attended bj 6000 people, and a chorai eervioe waß held. The annual sales of stud sheep are now proceeding. Some of the yams fotched up to 325 guineas. Adelaide. During the voyage of the Sorata from Melbourne a heavy sea broke on board, washing overboard M'Callum, the boatswain's mate, breaking both legs of Woodman, the carpenter, and breaking a leg and arm of Davies, a seaman. Woodman and Davies were taken to the Hospital. Woodman had both legs amputated at the knees, and Davies lost one foot. No sign of M'Callum could bo found, although the ship was put back. In the Assembly the Bill to repeal the use of the totaKsator was read a second time. A j motion is before the House to render betting of any kind illegal, and also tho publishing of odds by newspapers.