TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

West Coast Times, Issue 3221, 21 January 1876, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[rEB PREBB TBIiEGBAPH AGENCY.]

Wellington, Jan. 20.

On board the Luna— Several casts were made, but they were all unsuccessful. The bottom was very rocky and irregular iv depth. The work of grappling was therefore exceedingly difficult and uncertain, and the day's work was very unsatisfactory. The broken piece of cable (about one and a-half mile) the securiug of which occupied Tuesday, Was paid out in Worser's Bay, near the pilot station, the end beiag buoyed. An early start was made this morning, and by five o'clock we were dragging for the cable. The bottom was very rocky ; the grapnel slipped time after time, as soon as the rope became straight under the bow. About breakfast time, something was hooked, which was very heavy, and we succeeded in raising it about halfway up (the depth being 64 fathoms) when the strain became something enormous. The rope strained and creaked, ami tlie machinery was under considerable pressure, and very aaou one

tooth after another flew out of the drawing wheel. It was thought possible to gq on so long as sound teeth intervened between the broken ones, but the next mishap tj^at occurred, was four cogs close together, breaking off at * once." To make another revolution might be dangerous to life, as the whole of the cogs might strip and fly in all directions. Another grapnel was then dropped down attached to a large Europe rope, and made fast to what was supposed to be the cable. A couple of turns were taken round the steamer's shaft, but that soon snappeoT A third grapnel, bent to a new five-inch Manilla hawser,

was then hooked on to the object, and also passed round the shaft, and though the rope did not part, it was seen that something must soon go if the strain was kept up. The cable was accordingly lowered to the bottom and buoyed. The bearings of the buoy are from Sinclair's Head, S. 40., \V. distance two miles and sevenetghths; and from Karori Rock, S. 20., E. distant two and a-half miles. The machinery will have to be repaired before another start is made.

Dunedin, Jan. 20. In the Inter-Provincial Cricket match, the total Otago score was 175, or 26 over Canterbury for the first innings. In Canterbury's second innings, the score now stands at 138, with Ollivier and J. Fowler both not out.

The cisc of Alexander Webb, trustee, National Bank of New Zealand, an action to recover £7000 for alleged wrongful seizure and sale of goods, was brought to a close last evening. The jury returned answers to all the issues in favor of the plaintiff, and awarded £3000 damages.

The breach of promise case, Hughes v. Shimd, about which there has been so much talk of late, was commenced at noon today, before Mi- Justice Williams and a special jury. Mr Smith appeared for the plaintiff and put her into the witness box. The court was crowded during the whole of the day, and a considerable portion -of the spectators were ladies who appeared to take great interest in the proceedings. A number of them hailing principally from the Taieri and' Green Island are summoned as witnesses on behalf of the defendant. It is not expected that the trial will be concluded in less than three days.

Auckland, Jan. 20.

The following is the present state of the poll at the election for the Waitamata district — Macfarlane, 144? Hurdt, 131 ; Lee, 126 ; Henderson, 65: There are three returns yet to come in, but Macfarlane's election is considered certain.

The Mikado arrived from Sydney to take the outward San Francisco mail. She left under contract with the Pacific Mail Company on the 12th, and is expected to be able to leave Auckland to contract time, but the voyage was protracted by continual easterly winds. For the February service the City of San Francisco will leave Port Chalmers, and either the Zealandia or the Cana from Sydney, so that it is hoped further mail arrangements will be more satisfactory. The Mikado remains in the service till all other vessels are on the station, and probably will then be kept at Sydney as a spare vessel in case of accident. Blondin is a passenger by the Mikado.

London, Jan. 11.

The Times was premature in announcing that France adhered to the Austrian scheme for reform in Turkey, Zichy informally announced the scheme to the Vizier, who objected to foreign mediation. A Cabinet crisis occurred in France. Viscount Araberley, son of Earl Russell is dead.

The Australian mail via San Francisco was delivered in London on January 10. Sydney, Jan. 12.

In consequence of the departure of the Ringarooma for New Zealand yesterday, i there is only one, day's later news. ' The Secretary to the Philadelphia Commission leaves on Friday by the City of Francisco for Philadelphia.

The drought continues, and there is mach distress anticipated. Maize and flour is rising.

Melbourne.

Elizabeth Bews, a married woma.i, committed suicide by cutting; her throat at Hotham. She was of unsound mind.

Captain Ferinsir returned from the Strait?, bringing a portion of wreck of the Esssie Black, found on Deal Island. A search for the crew was made without success. All have perished.

Brisbane.

A fearful gale took place at Gympie. The local Court-house and the Varities were levelled with the ground, Ssveral other buildings were damaged.