News of the Week.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 9, 22 June 1883, Page 9

News of the Week.

FfiIDAT. A meeting of southern settlers in Hawke's Bay is called to consider the rabbit question. The pest in not yet in this province, but has spread to the rabbit fence on the southern boundary, and it is feared it will make its way round the fence if further preventative measures be not at once taken. In the course of an address delivered the other day at Birmingham by the Right Hon. John Bright, he warmly eulogised the principles of Freetrade, The fetes which have been organised in his honour are continued, with unabated vigour. Dnring the sittings of the Supreme Court at Napier, the Chief Justice has taken occasion to express strong disapproval of sittings of the Court being held at Gisborne and other small places, on the ground that impartial juries cannot I>e obtained. A deputation of the Agente-geoeral in London is being arranged to wait upon Earl Derby in regard to the proposed annexation of the New Hebrides. There will be a difficulty in the matter, consequent upon the agreement that exists between England and France not to annex Pacific islands. Public feeling in London is opposed to a sweeping policy of annexation. The Lyttelton Times says that Mr. Foster, who has been engaged by the Southern Cross Company to conduct the boring operations at the works at Gisboine, has proceeded to Gisborne to commence boring operations immediately. The reports received from the works during the past month, before Mr. Foster's arrival, are of an encouraging character. Large quantities of paraffin mineral are found to exist on the Company's ground, containing here and there " pockets " of pure oil. Several casks of pure paraffin butter are now on their way to pChristchnrch, and arrangements have been made by the directors to " 2st it 9 value for candle-making and other purposes, for which there is much demand. The company intend most probably to start a second bore in another part of the ground as soon as possible, and the question of oil or no oil seems likely to be now very soon tested. At tbe South Canterbury coursing meeting yesterday, 14 dogs entered for the Titnaru Cup of £24, with £10 to the runner-up. It was won by Mr. B. Thompson's Belisarius, Mr. Conolly's Queen being runner-up. The girl Humphreys, who was knocked down by a runaway horse on Tuesday, at Christchurch, is still unconscious, and is in a very critical state. At a public meeting at Geraldine it has been resolved to form a cheese and dairy factory, with a capital of £5000. The Blue Ribbon movement is rapidly extending in the country districts of Canterbury. Upwards of 2000 have signed the pledge in and around Christchurcb, and the blue ribbon is now worn by fully 5000 persons. The prospectus has been issued at Timaru of a Royal Flour and Oatmeßl Mills Company, with a capital of £40,000. A very influential provisional directory has been appointed. According to tbe report of the Inspector of Lunatic Asylums, there are under treatment io the Colony 1269 lunatics, while there is accommodation only for 1150. The proportion of insane to the European population is one in 413, as against one to 353 in Great Britein, and one to 277 in Victoria. The Inspector remarks upon the bad effects of intemperance in cases where insanity exists, or there is a predisposition towards it ; but his conviction is that it (intemperance) is frequently the result rather than the cause of madness. He reports highly of the Superintendent of the Dunediu Asylum, but comments strongly on tbe confinement made necessary ty the buildings of the new High School, now being erectedin the triddle of the Asylum, and which he asserts to be of serious injury to the patients. The wonder is that, under the circumstances, they have not suffered more severely. His Excellency the Governor, in a memorandum laid before Parliament, recommends that since it is now impossible to obtain the services of Colonel Scratcblpy in connection with the defences of the Colony, application should be made to the Imperial Government for the services of a qualified engineer officer. The engagement would only last for a few months and would probably cost about £1000. His Excellency will himself, meantime, give every assistance in his power towards promoting tbe work of defence. Mr. Small, a Parnellite, has been elected unopposed for the vacancy in the representation of tbe County of Wexford. Mr. Hursthouse bas discovered a practical route foi a railway line from the north of Mokau. A man named Raby, whilst out prospecting at Kumara on Wednesday, fell down an abandoned shaft, a depth of 32 feet, but escaped with merely a sprained wrist. The Gore correspondent of the Otago Daily Times telegraphs that Mr. Fetcber, a butcher, there met with a strange and very serious accident while riding to his slaughteryards yesterday. When leaning over from the saddle to open a gate, a butcher's knife pierced his side to the depth of about four inches. It is not known yet whether the injury may or may not prove fatal. Mr. Fletcher, who is very weak from loss of blood, is being attended to by Drs. Macaffer and Donaldson. The second session of the eighth Parliament of New Zealand was opened yesterday by His Excellency the Governor. In his speech the Governor referred to his visits to a considerable portion of the Colony, and the favourable impression made upon him by tbe evidences of prosperity he had witnessed. In connection with the proposal of the Victorian Government that New Zealand Bhould join in promoting the annexation of the New Hebrides, His Excellency had telegraphed to the Agent-General, instructing him to co-operate with the Agent-General of Victoria in urging the matter on tbe Colonial Office, and a reply had been received to the effect that Lord Derby would be willing to promote the object in question if he were assured that tbe colonies would bear the expense. His Excellency next referred to the more favourable aspect of Native affairs — espe-

dally as brought about by the West Coatt Commission for which the thanks of the Colony were due to Sir William Fox. His Excellency had also found it most gratifying that important chiefs had volun- . turily come to Auckland and giren evidence against a number of their own people. The re-openu»g of the harbour of KLawhia, and the laying out of an adjacent township, as well as the exploration tot railway purposes of a long-forbidden country, warranted the belief that the Natives realised that they won'd to benefited by the develop* ment of the country's resources. The amnesty had also produced an excellent effect. Changes in the land laws were needed to promote tbe settlement on the land. The leasing of agricultural lands had been attended, on the whole, with satisfactory results. Assisted immigration would necessarily be coutinned. His Excellency's advisers had come to the conclusion that the establishment in London of a permanent exhibition of Australian products and industries would be beneficial. The views of the Ministry as to the substitution of an elective for a nominated Legislative Council would be laid before Parliament, and several consolidating Bills of importance would be brought forward without delay. Notices of motion and new Bills were given as follows :— Mr. Montgomery : To ask the Colonial Treasurer on what day the Financial Statement will be made. Mr.J. Bd'Kenzie : To ask the Minister of Public Works on what day the Public Works Statement would be made and the Public Works Estimates be brought down. Sir Gvorge Grey, on the first motion to go into Supply, to move : " That in the opinion of this House a land tax should be imposed." Mr. Montgomery : To introduce a Bill to I repeal the Property Tax Assessment Act and the Property Tax Act. | Sir George Grey : To introduce a Bill to facilitate the annexation to New Zealand of other Islands in the Pacific which may intimate' a desire to be so annexed ; also a Bill to enable the people of New Zealand, to make changes in their Constitution. Mr. M. W. Green : To introduce a Local Option Extension Bill. Mr. W. J. Steward : To | introduce a School Committees Election Bill. Mr. Hutchison : To propose a motion condemning the teaching of skilled trades in gaols. Sir G. Grey : To introduce a Bill to provide that the General Assembly of New Zealand shall consist of the Governor and the House of Representatives ; also an Affirmation in Lieu of Oaths Bill, a Law Practitioners Act Amendment Bill, and a Bill to further secure the rights and privileges of members of the House of Representatives ; also to propose a motion for the establishment of an Agricultural College in Auckland, and for a vote for the erection of a suitable Custom-house in Auckland City. Mr. Macandrew : To move for returns of revenue and expenditure of various kinds in the several provinces. — The New Zealand University Act Amendment Bill was read a first time. Tbe notices of motion given by Sir George Grey and Mr. Mont* gomery respectively, for the imposition of a li\nd tax and the abolition of tbe Property Tax, are looked upon as "/no-confidence " proceedings. Satckdat. In the' House of Representatives yesteiday the Minister of Justice five notice to ask for leave to introduce tbe Prisons Bill, Bankruptcy ill, Tenants' Fixtures Bill, and Local Courts Bill. — The Hon. Mr. Rolleston said proof of payable gold at Terawhiti was awaited before roads would be made in the locality. — In reference to the warniag given to the railway employees that they wou'd be dismissed if they complained of their grievances to members of Parliament or others, tbe Hon. Mr. Johnston said circumstances had made it necessary to recall to the memory of the employees in question the rule of the civil service, forbidding communication with outside people on official matters. But the Speaker said that no restriction could be. placed upon the right of approaching the House by petition. — On Major Atkinson's replying to Sir George Grey that when the Address-in-reply had been carried, lie would move the House into Supply, bo that the land tax resolution should be Jproceded with, Sir George said that his motion had stood on the order-paper for two months last session without causing any excitement. The Colonial Treasurer could move the House into Supply if he liked, but he (Sir George Grey) intended to take his own time to collect his facts and to bring his motion forward. — The following new bills were introduced and read a first time :— Eight Hours Bill (Mr. M. W. Green), Local Option Extension Bill (Mr. M. W. Green), Election of Bchool Committees Bill (Mr. Steward), Pacific Annexation Bill (Sir George Grey), Moral Training in Public Schools Bill (fllr. M. W. Green), Workmen's Lien Bill (Mr. Feldwick), Members' Privileges Bill (Sir G. Grey). Affirmations in Lieu of Oaths Bill (Sir G. Grey), Changes in Constitution Bill (Sir O. Grey), Law Practitioners Bill (Sir G. Grey).— The Speaker warned Sir George Grey that his Bill to the effect that the General Assembly of New Zealand shall consist of the Governor and a House of Representatives appeared to aim at a repeal of the 32nd clause of the Constitution Act, which the Assembly could not alter. Sir George Grey's Bill for the abolition of the Legislative Council, and his motion for a land tax are considered as undertaken by him in the character of leader of the Opposition. As to Mr. Montgomery's proposal to repeat the Property Tax Act, the correspondent of the Lyttelton Times speaks as follows :— " It had, I am given to understand, been the object of the Opposition chiefs to make the Ministry disclose their measures, and then traverse them, the meaning of the repeal of the Act above mentioned being the ultimate repeal of the property tax, and the substitution of a land tax in its place. All this, it had been arranged, should proceed in an ordinary manner ; but Sir George Grey rather upset this neat scheme by giving notice that on the very next sitting day he would move for leave to bring in a Bill establishing a land tax. This he appears to have done without previous consultation with any of his usual following \. . \ indeed very few, only three or four of them, have as yet reached ' Wellington. The effect of his action, unless Government bring dowtt s their Estimates immediately, will be to precipitate a trial' of strength > before the Ministry have had time to disclose their intentions at all." . Mr. T. M. Healey, M.P. for Wexford, has resigned his seat in the s Houae of Commons, and announced his intention of contesting the ' vacancy jor Monaghan constituency. It is expected that a sever© - straggle will ensue between the candidates.

At the London- wool sale on Thursday 9.200 bales were offered. The tone of the market was steady, but the demand not active. 24,000 bales have been withdrawn from the sale since the opening. the fourth series of auctions has been fixed to open on November 20. Bides are dull and slow of sale, with a downward tendency. The executors of Costley's trust have estimated the value of the properties as follows :— Real estate, £18,000 ;. mortgage?, £37,300 ; fixed deposits, £12-,000 ; shares, £I,93o;— total, £79,330. The present annual income is £4,858. Tke executors are resolved to realise the freehold estate, notwithstanding the expression of opinion from the charities interested and the public being in favour of retaining them. The trial of the. dynamite conspirators, at the Old Bailey was con p eluded on Thursday. Four of the prisoners — Dr k Gallagher, Whitehead, Wilson, and Curtin — were found guilty, and were sentenced to penal servitude for life. Bernard Gallagher and Arßburghe were acquitted. The Taieri County Council decided yesterday to apply to Government for £31,400 to ca,rry out works under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act. Constable Porter has been transferred to Port Chalmers from Mornington, where ha isreplaced by Constable O'Sullivan, of Dunedin. Edward Davis, chemist, has been fined at the B.M. Court, Palmerston, the minimum penalty, £5 ss, with £4 4s costs, for having kept an unregistered printing-press. The Radical party are making use of the proposal to annex the New Hebrides and other Pacific Islands as a weapon for argument against sanctioning tbe annexation of New Guinea. Mr. Murray Smith, the Agent-general for Victoria, is arranging for a-deputation to Lord Derby in support of the Pacific annexation scheme. Messrs. Cargill and Anderson have turned loose a number of on their Roxburgh ran. . The House of Assembly, at Melbourne, has been fuccessfully lighted with Lane incandescent electric lamps. The Right Hon. John Bright, in addressing a meeting of 30,000 people, appealed to America to abandon her polioy of Protection. The Chinese Government are making large purchases of munitions of war in America. The Chinese troops are also massing at Shanghai, and the foreign residents there are becoming alarmed at the prospect of affairs. - A boy named Riddiford, aged 11, who was looking for cows near Kanieri the other day, climbed up on a hollow stump about seven or eight feet high, and, falling down into the inside, was unable to get out until some three or four hours afterwards when a digger who was passing heard his cries and rescued him. At the land sale at Hawera yesterday, seven sections of bush, 885 acres, were sold at £2 to £3 Is. Four more leaseholds have been taken up at 2s to 2s 6d per acre. What appears to have been a deliberate attempt at incendiarism occurred in Timaru early yesterday morning, when a three-roomed unoccupied wooden house was found to be on fire. The flames broke out in two places, bat were soon subdued. The passage and walls were found to have been literally dosed with kerosene and tar, while an old sack, saturated with kerosene, was found on the doorstep. The building was insured for £200 in the Liverpool and London and Globe Office. When the train from Invercargill to Riverton -was approaching the latter place on Thursday night, the driver noticed a dark object in front of the engine, and then saw a hat blown across the track. The engine was stopped, and it was found that Jeremiah Regan had been caught by the cow-catcher and carried 200 yards. On being taken to the Riverton Hospital, Regan's Bkull was found to be severely lacerated, his left arm broken in two places, his back bruised, and he had also sustained concussion of the* brain. Regan was insensible when admitted, and continues in that state. It is considered possible he may recover. The out-going mail takes applications from Dunedin for immigrants under the nominated system as follows : — English, 19 ; Irish, 26 ; Scotch, 45 ; of whom 35 are single men, and 30 single women. At the Timaru Harbour Board on Thursday, the report of the Engineer showed that the Priestman's crane dredge was lifting sand at the rate of 240 tons per day, and rapidly increasing the depth of water alongside the wharf. The progress made during the month with the breakwater was slow, owing to continued heavy «eas. It has been discovered in Dublin that a society has been formed of members sworn to kill the Invincible informers. The French forces in Anam refuse quarter to all Chinese found joining the Anamites. The Press says :— " The agricultural statistics for most of the Australasian colonies have now been made public, and ia the case of those not completed, estimates from reliable sources have been made, so that we are now in a position to give a statement of tbe probable yield of wheat last year from tbe whole of Australasia. New Zealand heads the list with 10,270,591 bushels ; Victoria follows with 8,735,440 bushels ; South Australia occupies third place with a yield of 7,356,000 bushels. For New South Wales we have only an estimate before us, according to which the yield was about 5,000,000 bushels. Tasmania, it is calculated, has produced 900,000 bushels ; Western Australia, 350,000 bushels ; and Queensland 150,000 bushels. Not only does New Zealand head tbe list as regards the total quantity ; our average yield of wheat is also very much higher than that of any of the other colonies. The total number of acreß in wheat was 390,818, which gives an average of over 26 bushels to the acre. In Victoria there were 969,362 acres under wheat, giving an average of. 9.01 per acre. South Australia heads the list as far as acreage is concerned, the area under wheat being 1,746,864 acres ; but the average-was only 4 bushels 131 b. The Government returns for New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia are not before us, and we are indebted for the figures we have quoted to the last monthly circular of the Adelaide Milling .and Mercantile Company. As regards New South Wales, the figures are arrived at by adding one-third to the highest recorded production. In 1882 the yield of that colony was 3,106,000 bushels from 221,888 acres,, showing an average of 15.35 bushels per acre.

The Queensland and. Western Australia yield are also estimates, bat as the. figures for these two colonies are, small, a alight error will not affect the total result. A blacksmith's shop at the GTeen Hills, Southland, wa saocidentally blown up by dynamite cartridge*, placed in a tin tojsof ten for use in Conyer's quarry, yesterday. A young, man named James M'Hardy was cut in the head and face by some of the splinters, and. a "?»" named Haberfield received a slight scalp wound, Miller aud Smailie!s tender of £,4131 has been accepted foe the Dunback contract, No 2, Palmerston-Waibemo branch of the WW-.taki-Bluff railway. Walton Rhodes tender has been accepted for station building contract, No. 2, Albury, Fairlie Oreek, and Burkes Pass line. A petition is being circulated, at Ohristchurch, for signature praying the General Assembly to provide for grants-in-sid being made to denominational schools, subject to their coming up to. a certain standard in attendance and instruction ; also to. provide, for religious instruction being given by ministers in tbe State schools. Monday. The Bight Hon. John Bright, in, the course of an address to the people of Birmingham the other evening, strongly advocated the formajtion of Ifte Channel tunnel, and also urged the advisability of co-operating with France in the, formation of the projected Suez canal. Judge Wilson has entered into an agreement with a Tauranga company to work the sulphur of tyhite Island. The capital is to be £10,000. It was considered that the premises already erected here would manufacture 1300 tons of acid in the year. The man Began, \eho was injured on. the Invercargill-ißiTOrton railway, shows signs of returning consciousness, and hopes of .his recovery are entertained. Nothing is known as to how tbe accident occurred ; but it is surmised that Began, who was the worse for drink, had either been lying on the line or been knocked down w>en walking on the line from Riyerton, wfhicU ha was compelled to. do through not possessing enough money to ppy his fare,. A longitudinal iron rail way -sleeper to prevent vibration has been patented by Mr. p. W.,Qtwaj, O.Bi, of. Auckland. Mr. E. Smith, of the Dunedin Savings Bank, has forwarded qn the part of the trustees £5 ss. to the sick and accident fund of the Dunedin Fire Brigade, in recognition of the services rendered by them in extinguishing the fiie last Monday night. Mr. A. W. Morns, of the Otago and Southland Investment Company, has sent £$ 55,., and Mr. Nott, of the Jo-cade, £2 2s to the Salvage Corps. Percy Smith, watchmaker, poisoned himself at Auckland; gn Saturday night, taking cyanide of potassium. He was lately from Marlborough. He had been drinking, and was embarrassed. Dr. Hooper tried the stomach-pump, but it was fruitless, Smith dying in 20 minutes. A fearful catastrophe has occured at Sunderland. A conjuring exhibition had been given in the Victoria Hall, and upwards of 1000 children, in addition to a number of adults, ' were in £be gallery. After the show they attempted to leave by a narrow winding staircase, which formed the only means of egpess. A door half-way dow,n became accidentally jammed, stopping egress, and 200. persona, chiefly children, were crushed to death. The following petition is being circulated for signature in Canterbury :— " The petition of the undersigned inhabitants of the Provincial District of Canterbury humbly showeth— (l) That your petitioners are convinced that any fully satisfactory measure for education by the State should contain a provision for grants in aid being made to schools set on foot by any religious denomination, provided that the attendance and secular instruction in such schools shall come np to the required standards, and satisfy the Government inspector. (2) Your petitioners are further of opinion tftat the Education Act should be so amended that provision may be made for the communication of religious instruction in the public schools by ministers of religion, or by persons duly authorised by them, to the children belonging to their respective communions, within .school hours. Your petitioners, therefore, pray that .effect may be given jto tire foregoing representations." Sir Vernon Harcourt, the Home Secretary, is parleying wjith the Land Leaguers regarding the protest made by the Colony of victoria < against the Invincible informers proceeding to Australia. James ' Carey absolutely refuses to leave Dublin. But the portion of .this report relating to the Land Leaguers we may take as an uavarpi^hed lie. The discovery of the crater of an extinct volcano, about U miles from Masterton, as reported the other evening by Mr. A. M'gay to 1 tbe Wellington Philosophical Society, excited much interest. Dr. Hector pronounced it of importance in reference to the existence of gold and other minerals in the district. The Tories are greatly incensed at Mr. Bright'a recent charge that they are allied with the Irish rebels who are supported, by funds subscribed by the avowed enemies of England. The Ministry are said to be sure of a majority of at least 10, and it is believed the Opposition will not bring forward .any eerious" noconfidence " motion this session. President Greey and M. Jules , Ferry (tbe French Premier) are opposing, the, conquest of Tonquin. M. CMlemel<-I<acp.ur, Minister for Foreign Affairs, will probably resign in consequence of the action of the Premier and President. In the event of M. ChallemelLacour's resignation, the former will .take the yacao portfolio. A publican in Dublin who bad rendered hiniself obnoxious to the " Invincible? ", has received a letter containing, some explosive substance. . Other cases of a similar character ate reported. , Application has been made on behalf of James Carney, ,the informer, that he should be released from custody, but the Govern* jnent have declined to agree to.it. Carey has since been offered, but has declined, a wardership in an English prison. The Mayor, of Berlin acknowledges the receipt of .61,000 marks (£4,576) from Australia in,aid of .those. who suffered by .the severe floods which occurred in the Rhine provinces during last auturap,

Huge preparations are being made in Germany to celebrate in November next the 400 th anniversary of Martin Luther's birth.— When, by the way, does the anniversary of Lucifer's fall occur 1 It is reported that " Number One," of the Assassination Committee, has been poisoned in America, in consequence of bis having expressed bis willingness to give himßelf up to the English Government. The Boyal Commissioners appointed to inquire into the past management of the Dunedin Gaol, commence their sittings on Wednesday. At Saturday's wool sale 9,100 bales were offered. The market js steady, but the demand is not active. Alluvial mining in Queenstown district is eaid to be looking up. Two houses in Abel Smith street, Wellington, were burned down last night. Insurances on houses, £400 and £250 respectively ; on furniture, £250. r Tuesday. A meeting of members of the House of Commons will shortly be held for the purpose of considering Mr. Alexander Brogden's motion v to the expediency of England protecting the rights of the Natives of New Zealand. < : The last mail from Europe (says the Age) brought letters patent from his Holiness the Pope, dated 16th March, 1883, conferring upon Sir John O'Shanassy, K.C.M.G., K.G.G., since deceased ; Anthony Collin Brownless, M.D., K.G.G., Vice- Chancellor of the University of Melbourne ; and Mr. Nicholas Fitzgerald, M.L.C., the Knight Commandersbip of the illustrious Order of Pius. This decoration carries with it a patent of nobility. The order is a temporal one, and is conferred upon members of all religious creeds who, from their distinguished attainments, Ligh official rank, or great public services, ate considered worthy of the honour. The latest accounts of the catastrophe at Sunderland state that 190 children lost their lives, their ages being from four to 14 years. It has been ascertained that the disaster was caused by the closing of a swing door leading from the building. A telegram has been received here reporting that the natives have butchered the whole staff of the North Borneo Trading Company stationed on the island. It is rumoured that Mr. Richard O'Shanassy, M.P. for Limerick, has been appointed to the vacant Governorship of Queensland. A criminal summons has been issued against W. V. Stevens, commission agent, Auckland, who is alleged to have offered a bribe of £200 to Mr. Lewis, Under-Secretary for Native Affairs, with the object of influencing the disposition of certain Native lands. Costley's executors, at the reqaest of the bodies interested in the bequests, have withdrawn the freeholds from sale. The Gore correspondent of the Southland Times writes :— " Mr., Fletcher, who met with the accident, is now doing fairly -well, and is considered out of danger. I was slightly misinformed as to the manner in which it happened. It was even moie simply done than I reported. While driving a flock of sheep through a gate he stooped to, pick up a stone to throw at the foremost, and his knife being in his outside coat pocket, must have been pressed by his thigh while stooping, and so forced into his body. Mr. Fletcher was very ill during all the night after the accident, but now feels better, and it is sincerely hoped by his numerous friends that no relapse may occur, and that he may progress speedily towards recovery." At a meeting of wine and spirit merchants held in Dunedin yesterday, the following resolution was passed :— " That a petition be Bent to Parliament praying that the elective clause be expuDgcd from the Licensing Act, and that the old system of nominated Licensing Benches be reverted to." At the ordinary meeting of the South Dunedin Council held last night, the Mayor declared that he was resolved to put a stop to disorderly conduct among the ratepayers, to which Cr. Clarke replied that he (the Mayor) was apparently fond of washing his dirty linen in the Police Court. Cr. Thomas told Cr. Clarke that he was a "most barefaced liar," for which he afterwards apologised to the Mayor, but not to Cr. Glarke. On the Town Clerk's requesting that gentlemen would leave the hall, as the Council bad gone into committee, Mr. Mcßride objected to move, and was taken out by the constables. Cr. Stirling said he " would not be guilty of sitting at the table with the Mayor. He was a disgrace, and Cr. Moloney was worse." Finally the Mayor left the hall protected by the police, and followed by a hooting crowd. A telegram from the Elbow states that C. Palmer, mailman between that place and Mararoa, has been drowned ia Elm-tree Creek, A lad named Flynn had his right leg broken this morning by his horse's colliding with a milk-cart on the Sawyer's Bay road. A fire broke out this morning in the stables of Griffen and Sons, in Alton street, Nelson. The premises were insured in the Colonial Office for £100, but the stock was uninsured. The loss is estimated at £200 above the insurance. Catholic petitions for the amendment of the Education Act were presented in Parliament to-day by Messrs. Bracken, Batbgate, Feldwick, and Lee. Wednesday. The Mataura JEnsignsayß : " A man named John Isaacs, cook to & survey party now located near Switzers, was, with a companion, riding at a hard pace (on Saturday), and on crossing the bridge over the Waimea stream his horse slipped. Its rider fell also, and in his descent his head came in contact with the side of the bridge. The injuries caused were very severe, and despite all that could be done for him, the poor fellow gradually sank and died at tbe Mandeville Hotel about 6 o'clock on Sunday morning. He was attended by Dr. Macaffer." The dead body of a man is reported to be lying in the Biver Ashley, and Sergeant Barlow, of Bangiora, has gone to bring it in. A boy, son of Mr. T. S. West on, Christchurch, was making gunpowder, when tbe canister exploded, inflicting nasty wounds on his uco and bands,.. .

A fire broke out yesterday morning in Ludberg and Co.'s furniture warehouse, Patea. The upper storey was used as a workshop, and it is supposed some shavings had been ignited by a spark from a pipe. The stock, which is valued at £2000, was considerably damaged but the building is not greatly injured, owing to the promptitude of the Bxigadc. Insurances : stock, £300; building, £460. Mr. John Holmes has given the Christchurch Agricultural and Pastoral Association five guineas as a prize for boots, five for woollen clothing, and three for knitted woollen apparel. Mr. Service has received a telegram from the Government of New Zealand, intimating the letter's intention to test in Parliament the question of sharing with the other colonies the expense of the annexation of the New Hebrides and other groups in the Pacific. It will be remembered, says the Mataura Entign, about a year ago Messrs. Moffett and Sloan purchased 35,700 acres of land from the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, on the MatauraInvercargill line. It was their intention to have disposed of this in farms on easy terms, but we believe they have lately altered their minds, and have disposed of a considerable portion of their interest in the property to one London and three Melbourne gentlemen. Messrs. Moffett and 81oan have made a handsome profit out of the transaction. The property is at' present partially stocked with cattle and sheep. We understand it is the intention of the new proprietary to gradually lessen the number of cattle, and, by breaking up and generally improving the land, to run a largely increased number of sheep on the property. In view of the successful establishment of the meat-freezing industry, their prospects would seem to be very hopeful. It certainly is a most extraordinary thing, says the Timaru Herald, that, while the Ministry are resorting to all sorts of new-fangled and complicated designs for rendering land monopoly impossible in the. Middle Island, that evil is permitted te prevail unchecked in tbn North Island, in direct violation of the pledges and the ostensible policy of the Government. There must come a., day of reckoning Eooner or later, and the question is, How soon ? At the Oamaru coursing meeting a spectator named Walsh was thrown from his horse on to his head and severely injured. He was brought into town for medical attendance. A farmer named Johnston also received injuries by a fall. Mr. Wells, secretary of a county highway board, ia reported missing. The matter is not yet reported to the police, but fears are entertained for the safety of Wells by his relatives residing at Auckland. He had recently arrived in town. The statement that the staff of the North Borneo Trading Company had been massacred by natives is denied. Mr. Bright has admitted that his accusation against the Tories was too general. The breach-of-privilege motion brought forward by Sir Stafford Northcote was rejected by a majority of 34. Intelligence has been received that an engagement has taken place between the Turkish and Albanian forces, in which the latter were absolutely annihilated, three Turkish battlions capturing all their guns. Several German missionaries have been assagaied in Zululand. The cause of the accident at Sunderland is attributed to the fact that piizes were offered to the children who were first downstairs, and that the door was nearly closed by the doorkeeper to control. the rush. The inquest on the bodies'has been adjourned. Intelligence is to hand cf a further difficulty between the Transvaal Boers and border tribes. Telegrams have been received stating that the Usuta natives made a successful incursion in force into Transvaal territory, carrying off a large number of cattle. The Agents-General of the various Australasian Colonies are strongly urging the annexation of the New Hebrides group by the Imperial Government. The difficulty in the way of carrying the project into execution consists in the agreement "between England and France to refrain from the annexation of islands in the Pacific* The Court of Nautical Enquiry appointed to examine into the stranding, at the mouth of the Waitara Biver, of the s.s. Hawea, has suspended Captain Holmes' certificate for four months. George D. Alexander, chief officer, has been severely reprimanded for carelessness ; and Lewis C. Noble, second officer, pronounced to have shown a want of promptitude, the Court holding, nevertheless, that if he had access to the charts and sailing directions the vessel would have been kept out of danger. A meeting of ex-members of the Engineers and Auckland Scottish is convened to initiate a movement for forming a new rifle corps, which, as a fourth company, would enable a battalion to be formed. Mr. Black's Rockwood won the All-aged Stakes of the Oamaru Farmers" Coursing Club yesterday, Mr. Stewart's Skiddaw Lass being runaer-up. In the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr. Shaw moved, and Mr. Lee seconded, the Address in Beply. Mr. Montgomery said he took exception to the speech because no reason had been given why the House did not meet in May. He thought the speech the most barren that had-ever been delivered in Parliament, Sir George 3rey alluded to the passage referring to the establishment of a township at Kawhia. He mentioned the case of a family that bad been driven from their land, which bad been put up to auction and purchased by the Government. This he characterised as a fraudulent transaction that the House should not endorse. The debate was adjourned at 11.40 p.m. till to-day. The following Bills were read a first time in the Legislative Council : — Criminal Code, Criminals Execution, Pro* perty Laws Consolidation, Trustees, Crown Grants, Sheriffs, Married Women's Property. The Hon. Mr. Whitaker said Government in* tended this session to introduce a Bill to amend the Native Land and Land Court Laws. In the Honse of Representatives, Messrs. Bracken, Batbgate, and Feldwick presented petitions from the Roman Catholics in Dunedin and Invercargill, praying for modifications of the Education Act. Mr. Fish gave notice that he would ask if Government would introduce a clause into the Licensing Act abolishing the elective Bench of Commissioners and reverting to the nominated system. Mr. Beetham gave notice of motion — "That in the opinion of this .House the

Colonies should be fairly represented in the Imperial Parliament.'* Mr. M. W. Green gave notice that he would introduce a Bill for regulating the hours of business carried on by shopkeepers. The following Bills were introduced, and read a first time : — Local Courts, Tenants' Fixtures, Prisons, Bankruptcy, Chattels Securities, and Mortgages Release, Fisheries, Impounding, to amend " The Stamp Act, 1882 " ; to provide for the Payment of Coroners' Juries, and otherwise to amend " The Coroners Act, 1867." Thursday. In the House of- Representatives yesterday, the Address iv Reply was agreed to. — Ministers in reply to questions said that a light would be erected in the French Pass, and a beacon at Jackson's Head ; that as soon as the plans were ready the land in -the Opua block at Kawakawa would be offered for sale ; that Government would not introduce a measure to alter the Licensing Act by reverting from the elective to the nominated bench system ; that Government were considering the re- erection of the Dunedin goods-sheds in stone or brick ; that provision had been made for the introduction of 500 C immigrants a year; that if locomotives and rolling stock could be manufactured in the Colony, the local manufacturer would be preferred. — Petitions for the amendment of the Education Act were presented on the part of the Catholics of Lyttelton and Totara, by Messrs. Allwright and Fitzgerald. — The following Bills were introduced, and read a first time : — To Amend the Law of Evidence; Hokitika High School; St. Peter's Church, Caversham ; To Empower Shop-keepers and Others to Regulate the Hours of Business ; Timaru Racecourse ; Murihiku Native Reserves Grants; Tanamutu Native Commonage; To Empower the Corporation of the Mayor, Councillors, and Citizens of the City of Dunedin to adopt and redeem as liabilities of the said Corporation certain instruments purporting to be Debentures of the jwfcoiporation of the City of Dunedin ; To Alter and Amend the D*neJin Southern Market Reserve Leasing Act, 1882 ; To Amend the Taranaki Iron Smelting Works Land Act, 1870; To Amend the Mining Company's Act, 1872 ; Affirmations and Declarations ; Gold Duties Abolition ; The County of Geraldine Waterworks ; Libel.