(PER CITY OF NEW YORK AT AUCKLAND.)

Wanganui Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 4955, 5 January 1883, Page 3

(PER CITY OF NEW YORK AT AUCKLAND.)

(per united press association.) Sydney, Dec. 28. Another appalling wreck occurred yesterday evening The New England, a steamer engaged in fte Clarence river trade, left the Grafton wharf on Wednesday afternoon for Sydney, having on board 53 people all told, including a number of passengers. She proceeded down the Clarence river, and passng outwards struck the bar with,tiemendons force, and subsequently drifted to the North Spit, where the seas completely washed over her, and rendered the vessel a total wreck. The passengers were panic-stricken. Bth they and the crew sought every available means of escape ; some took refuge in the rigging and others in different parts of the steamer, but many were washed overboard by the waves,which from time to time swept over the vessel. Two boatloads of people were landed, but it was found that a large number of those on board the steamer bad been washed overboard. The schooner C. Walker made two trips to the wreck, and saved several of the passengers. The pilotboat also went out, but did not venture near the wreck on account of the tremendous sea that was running. The disaster caused the greatest consternation in Grafton. The coming parliamentary session is likely to be short. Only the Estimates vrill be passed, nn , _ Melbourne, 28th Dec. Mr H. H. Wethenhall has been elected unopposed to the Legislative Council, vice WrSladen. Cosen Brothers' furniture warehouse at the cornor of Stephens and Lonsdale-streets has been burnt. The stock was insured for £3500 in several offices. The Harbour Trust propose increasing the pier accommodation in Hobsou's Bay. Brisbane, 2Sth Dec. A contract ior the construction of the Trans-Continentalßailway, from Charlesville to Point Packer, with a branch westward to Cloncurry, ha* been concluded with Mr Henry Kinsber, acting for the Australian Eailway Syndicate. The agreement provides for the line to be finished yiithin seven and a-half years. #