AMERICAN SUMMARY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6886, 23 June 1890, Page 4

AMERICAN SUMMARY.

San Francisco, May 30. The Eight Rev James O'Connor, Boman Catholic Bishop of the diocese of Oinagh, died at noon on May 27. The Grand Spring Pulaee at Fort Worth, Texas, was buraed to the ground on May 30. A splendid ball was progressing at j the time. It is estimated that six persons ■were burned to death, but feara are entertained that there is a greater number. A large aerolite, of irregular shape, fell j in Dr Grough Cupple'a front yard, San I Antonio, Texaa. on the night of May 26. The ball, which was seen by several persons, was like a sphere of fire, and made a terrific noise. In colour it is white, -with a bluish tinge. The entire composition is streaked with veins and spots of vermillion rod. It is hard, round and of an unknown substance. The curiosity was visited by hundreds of people. The report of the wreck oE the ship Oneida, which occurred on April 26 at Sanak Island, Alaska, on Monday, reached San Francisco on May 26. The vessel wa3 bound to Moakan and the salmon countries at Canak with a cargo of supplies and provisions. One hundred and ten Chinese workmen, and forty-five whites and thirtythree Chinese were saved. Sixty-seven well-to-do farmers from Holland have arrived at Merced, California, where they propose to form a Colony. They brought with them horses and farm- 1 ing implements. j The Rev Stephen Barrett, pastor of ] St Stephen's Eoman Catholic Church, Chicago, was shot and mortally wounded by a maR named Pat Reidy, the latter being insane from drink at the time. ■ The Chenango (New York) poorhouse was burned on May 8. Thirty of the inmateß perished in the flames. The Chicago "World's Fair Committee have fixed to take Trent Park in that city as the site for the fair buildings. The report of the General Assembly of the Presbyterians of the United States, in session at Saratoga on May 21, states that there is a deficit of over gO.OOOdols in the finances. The Board appeals for ICO.OOOdoIs to cover this shortage, and 400,000d01a for the work of the coming year. Henrietta Girard, niece of the millionaire, Stephen Girard, and founder of the college in Philadelphia that beare his name, died in the city of brotherly lovo on May 9, penniless. "W. E. B. Dubois, a negro, carried off the first of the Boy laton prizes for declamation at Harvard College on May 9. The leading Chicago breweries have been purchased by an English syndicate and consolidated. The price paid down was 10,000,000d015. An extensive goldfield has beon die-

covered near Aurora, on the Etowak River, Dawson County, Georgia. , The Mexican Congress passed a law on May 28, abolishing tho various systems of coinage now used in the country, and establishing a decimal system.