NEWS IN BRIEF.

Waipawa Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 782, 28 May 1885, Page 3

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Dry weather still continues in Sydney, and great inconvenience ia felt owing to tho scanty water supply. The city engineer is adopting measures to increase the quantity obtainable from the Botany reservoirs. Mr Robert Graham,formerly Superintendent of the province of Auckland, and a colonist since 1847, died in Auckland last Tuesday morning of pleurisy and bronchitis, lie had been ailing for a fortnight. The Lumpers’ Union has declined tho proposals of the Mercantile Marino Association as to working with nonUnionists. Waterhouse Nicholson, aged 20, a son of tho late Dr Nicholson, was accidentally shot last Tuesday night at tho Mount Eden railway station, Auckland, while holding his comrade’s gun. They had been out shooting together, and his comrado was getting their luggage out of tho train at the time of tho accident. At the inquest to-day tho jury returned a verdict of accidental death. The gun was a pintiro cartridge gun. Mr Kelly, of Tauranga, demanded a scrutiny on tho ground that Maori voters had personated others who were not present. The scrutiny was gone through on Tuesday, and resulted in three informal votes being struck off, leaving a majority for Mr Sheehan of 12, instead of 15. The meat by the Ruapehu and Toinui arrived in London in excellent condit ion. It is believed that Germany is willing to sell her interest in tho Western Pacific. Tho Admiralty and tho several Agents-Genoral meet on Tuesday next to discuss tho question of colonial defences. The price of wheat is receding, despite tho cold and wet weather experienced in England and tho adverse reports received from America as to tho crops in that country. Tho latest quotations are:—Ex warehouse, 36s ; offcoast cargoes, 35s lid ; cargoes on the way and to arrive in Juno, 375. It is reported at Souakitn that tho friendly Arabs arc joining tho ranks of the rebel Osman Digneh. It is announced in London that tho Hon. J. 11. Thurston, Colonial Secretary of Fiji, has been appointed Lieutenant-Governor of that colony. Sir A. E. Havelock, K.C.M.G., will probably bo appointed Governor of Fiji in succession to Sir William Des Voeux. The fleet of ironclads which lias been assembled at Portland under command of Admiral Hornby will start immediately for a cruise off the Irish coast. The cruise is said to be undertaken with the object of elaborating a number of naval manoeuvres for future use. The detachment of Guards which came from Souakim has not been landed yet, but remains on board tho transports for the present waiting orders. Complaints are made that a number of Wellington Volunteers while returning from tho review on Tuesday last discharged blank ammunition from tho railway carriages. The names of six offenders have boon taken down, and they will bo proceeded against under the 271st clause of tho Volunteer Act, and also probably they will be dismissed from tho Volunteer force. Welcome .Tack has been scratched for the Now Zealand Cup. Mr Donaldson, chief-gaoler at Addington, complained in tho R.M. Court of the difficulties tho gaol authorities had in dealing with persons who were committed to gaol when suffering from lunacy from drink. He said that ho had at present five such cases in which tho men concerned were raving mad, and in fact the gaol was transformed into a regular Bedlam, and tho enforcement of proper discipline with the present staff was almost presented. Mr Beetham, E.M., advised Mr Donaldson to telegraph to tho Government for more assistance. Tho Earl of Kimberley, Secretary of State for India, denies the statement that Russia had demauded to have an envoy at Cabul. It is probable that the lion. F. T. Sargood, Minister for Defence of Victoria, Major-General Downes, R. A. commander of tho South Australian force, Colonel C. F. Roberts, commandant of the New South Wales Artillery, and Jas. F. Carrick, AgentGeneral for Queensland, will be created Commanders of the Order of St. Michael and St. George.