News of the Week.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 32, 7 December 1883, Page 11

News of th e Week.

Friday.

A Fatal accident occurred yesterday at Lyttelton, at the excavation works in connection wtih the new road* to the ocean steamer's •wharf. A solid lump of eaith weighing at n struck Benjamin Giegory and H. Rider, who were wpiking with pickaxes below. It' killed the former instantaneously, and the latter's leg was broken. Deceased was a married man, with three children. He was resident in Christchurcb. A plot to blow up the Manor House at Mayo, in Ireland, has been discovered by the Irißh Constabulary. A large number of persons are believed to be implicated in the conspiracy, and 30 suspected persons were to-day arrestydon the charge of being concerned in the projected outrage,— Meantime it would be interesting to learn what manner of buildiug the " Manor House|at Majo " may be. Mayo the county is a large place, possessing many large houses^; Mayo the village is a very small place, where the only thing in the* shape of a residence worth speaking of — some years ago at least, was the Protestant rector's glebe and even that was no great things. The supplementary Bazaar in aid of the Dunedin Cathedral building f nnd was opened with a tea party yesterday evening. There was a good attendance, and a pretty brisk trade was done atterwards. The Maypole dance, by pupils of Convent school , was very much admired, and some good music was given by St. Patrick's Band, and a cumber of performers on the piano.

Satubdat.

The rain that fell so heavily yesterday evening and last night was unfavourable to the basaar in aid of the Dnnedin Cathedral Building Fund.— The attendance, however, was fair, and |the business^ pretty successful. The chief feature in the musical performances were some selections oa the chamber organ, given by Mr, C. As it commonly happens when any unusually interesting turn of events is expected to take place in Europe, the «able has been interrupted, and we are left to conjecture as to what is taking place in the Soudan and Egypt, as well as in Madagascar, France, and China. The Timaru Herald says : — '« The Government did not consider Mr. Mitchelson'd juvenile acquaintance with the carpentering a sufficient qualification for the post of Minister of Public Works ; for they have apprenticed him to Mr. C. Y. O'Connor, C.E., Undersecretary for Public Works ; and he is immediately to enter on a course of study in the outlines of engineering. Mr. Mitchelson, we are informed, has not yet seen a railway, except toys like the Auckland and Drury and the Wellington and Hutt lines ; and with his mechanical turn of mind, it will no doubt be a great treat to him to be shown the real thing, and to ride in a fast train and have the principle of the locomotive explained to him." The series of resolutions tabled by the Hon. J. Service at the Annexation Conference were in effect as follows :— l. That it is necessary to prevent New Guinea and the islands from the equator to New Hebrides falling into the hands of a Iforeign power. 2. That to preclude such a disaster, it is desirable to urge the Imperial Government to annex or establish a protectorate over those islands. 3. That the Colonies are willing to bear a reasonable proportion of the coat of such annexation^ or ' protection. 4. That the Colonies protest against the proposal of th"c French Government in regard to the recidivistes, and • to the Imperial Government to prevent such a dire calamity as is threatened. 5. That in view of the foregoing and many other important matters, the time has arrived for bindiDg the Colonies in federal union on such matters as the Convention may determine. A report from Auckland, dated yesterday, says: — The Shaw, SaviH, and Albion Company's direct steamer Triumph, which left for the South last night, was observed tbis morning hard and fast on Shearer Rock, which is about balf-a-mile east of Tiri Tiri lighthouse at the entrance to Hauraki Gulf, 20 miles from Auckland. The rock has 2ft, of water on it at low tide, is steep, aad marked by a buoy anchored in 14 fathoms of water. The Stella and other steamers have gone to render assistance. The local Star says :—": — " The disaster to the the steamer Triumph is certainly one of the most extraordinary casualities we have ever read of. By what conceivable error the vessel's head could have been pointed on a fine night straight for a large island with a lighthouse on it we cannot conjecture ; and nntil the official inquiry has thrown some light on the subject, it would be improper to make any comments. The fact, however, remains that the ordinary course of a steamer bound south should have taken it at least six miles from Tiri Tiri in a perfect open passage with no dangers anywhere. Why the vessel was driven headlong on Tiri Tiri within an hour after the pilot left her is a mystery which the officers of the vessel have as yet declined to explain to anyone who has visited the ship in her present dangerous position."

Monday.

The members of the Irish National League at Auckland applied to Bishop Luck for the use of one of tb.B Catholic schoolrooms for an evening meeting for the traneectiot) Qf business of the League. Bishop Luck replied to the request that the Society was a political organisation, and required the schoolroom for a political purpose, and that therefore he could sot gmi.i .he request. The publisher of the Tyrone LWuur has been arrested for printing and issuing placards proclaiming the views of the National League. The tiial of O'Donnell for the murder of Carey, the informer at Post Elizabeth, has commenced at the Criminal Court. A mysterious robbery is reported from Makara. William M'Eelvie, a settler there, bad 547 sovereigns, the savings of years, deposited in a wooden box under a bed, and between 4.30 and 6 o'clock on Thuxsday evening, while the family were absent looking after cows, the bouse was entered and the money abstracted. The police think they possess » clue to the discovery of the robber.

The Emperor of Germany states that the relation* betwetfa Uermaoy and Russia are of a perfectly cordial nature. While standing in the yard in the railway-station at Timaru oa Saturday, the dome, with safety-valve, of one of the ocomotives blew np with a terrific noise. The driver aad stoker escaped without any injury whatever, and the only damage done was by the dome, in descending-, smashing several planks of the platform. Prince Bismarck is seriously ill with jaundice. One half of a large body of Egyptian gendarmes recently despatched to Souakitn, deserted when only half-way on their journey. The news has caused some alarm for the safety of the people in Upper Kgypt, who are menaced by the rebels. Th> Time t advises that the surrender of Mossowah should be offered to Abyssinia 00 C m Q fI° Q Of that Power checking tSI Mahdi's career in the south. Mr. Dawson, town engineer of luvercajgiil for many years, and an old resident in the district, fell down .in bis office at the Council Chambers on Saturday forenoon. He sp.-edily became insensible. Medical aid was secured, bat he never rallied, and died during the afternoon. ° It is expected that the French Chamber of Depnties will approve of the amendments made by the Senate in the Hecidivistes Bill, and that xt will consequently become law. Mr. Bryce had an interview with Wahanui, Rewi, Taonui, and other leading Ngatimaniapoto chiefs on Friday at Rewi's house. Kihikihi urged them to have their titles investigated in the Native Lands Court, and they agreed generally to do this, but when asked to sign an application for a hearing they asked further time to consider. It is believed that these negotiations will result in the opening up of the King country for settlement. Mr. Bryce has told the Kmgites that to facilitate the investigation of titles of blocks of land they bring before the Native Lands Court, he will undertake to send two judges to the Waikato district, to remain two years, if necessary, and move about from place to place. Messrs. Hamilton and Chapman, Dunedin, supply the following gold returns for the week :— Keep-it-Dark Co.: 2050e. of amalgam from 160 tons of quarts. — Premier Co. crushed 486 tons of quarto, which yielded 5170t. of retorted gold.— United Alpine Co.(Lyell): The reef in the new low level (No. 6) is 4ft. thick, showing gold.— Messrs. J. and W. Gage report:~Hopeful Extended cleaned up, result 2400z. retorted gold from 194 ton 6 stone. The Lake WahaMp Mail says : — Reports to hand from the Maoetown reefs continue favourable. The yield of gold in the aggregate may not come up quite to that of last year, but there is every probability of its being more equally distributed. The Keep-it-Dark bat now a good-looking reef, fully 3ft. wide, between two solid walls, and showing gold freely. This fact removes the doubt that once existed as to there being a regularly-defined lode in this mine. The Premier Company have finished crushing a considerable quantity of stone at the Maryborough battery. The Gladstone, who had been crushing at the Public Battery for some time past, will cease crushing for a time, to enable the All Nations to put about 200 tons through the mill. The contractors who are engaged in driving a cross tunnel in the United, have made capital progress, and expect to strike the reef soon. I am also happy to hear that matters in the Homeward Bound look more promising than they have done fcr a loDg time. This plucky company deserve great praise and success for the courageous manner in which they pei severed under go many reverses and difficulties. — Messrs. Hazlett and Baxter, two well-known Dunediu business men, have just paid a vißit to the Macetown reefs in some of which they have an interest. They were kindly shown through the Garibaldi, Tipperary, and other workirjgs, and express themselves highly pleased at the prospect of the mines generally, and with the very satisfactory progret6 made by many of tha companies there.

Tuesday.

The Government have received a very satisfactory telegram from Mr. Bryce of bis interview with the chiefs belonging to the Ngatimaniapoto tribe. He says that the whole of them are willing to allow their lands to be brought under the Native Lands Court, The principal gold returns of the Thames district for the month of November are as follows :— New Prince. Imperial. 15960z j Deep Level Cross, 400oz. ; Moanatairi, 1390z. 13dwt. ; Thames Golden Crown, 2140z. France having asserted claims in the Pacific beyond the recognised area, Sir F. D. Bell has asked Lord Derby to state how far the English Government agrees with those claims. Further information from the Soudan Etates that General Hicka was killed by a lancer on the third day of the battle, aft«r all hie cartridges bad been expended. Soldiers were offering four dollars for a drink from their comrades' flasks. The trial of Michael O Donnell for the murder of Jamea Carey at Port Elizabeth was finished on Saturday. The prisoner waß found guilty, sentenced to deatb, and was removed from the dock shouting " Hurrah for Ireland 1 " and " Down with Queen Victoiia 1" At the Rakaia Gorge a gold-bearing reef has been traced cropping out along the west bank of the North Creek — a stream flowing into the Moa Creek, a tributary of the Wilberforce, across a saddle 4200 ft. up the ranges, and to what is called Unknown Creek, covering a distance of about three or four miles. Samples of the quartz, showing gold, have been obtained from the hills near the North Creek, and are on view in Christchurch. The Glacier Quarlß-mining C0., -which has been formed to "work thie reef, has applied for the lease of 13£ acres near Browning's Pass. The ill-feeling which has prevailed for some months past in the the north of Ireland between the Orange and the National parties continues to increase, 1 and especially in the province of Ulster, where the tension is now very severely manifesting itself. In consequence of fears being entertained that serious disturbances may occur, a proclamation has been issued by ihe Executive forbidding the meetings which were announced to be held at Newry, County Duwn, by the Orangemen and Nationalists. The Christchurch Pi'ets cays:— Gold prospecting is being vigorously carried on in the Canterbury district, and it is satisfactory to know thai there is every probability of euccesßfnl results being

obtained in some cases. We were shown on Saturday some specimens of quartz containing gold, which have been obtained by the party prospecting on account of the Premier Company, and although the locality has .not been disclosed it is stated to be in the Canterbury district. J Lord Derby having requested Sir Dillon Bell to explain the reason why the Colonial Governments are pressing renewed objections to the French Kecidivistes Bill, the latter bas replied proving it has been repeatedly officially declared in the French Chambers that tbe recidivistes are to enjoy absolute liberty on the islands ; that tbe measure expressly permits officials to authorise convicts to leave the islands, and there are no real restraints, but rather a strong temptation to facilitate escapes ; tbat a scheme of this kind would be alike ciuel to the Australian Colonies and tn the island natives, and that the Colonies have a right to protest against it. The disaster which has befallen the Egyptian troops in the boudan b<w caused the greatest excitement throughout E urope. It is feared tbat Mr. O'Donovan, the special correspondent of the Daily News, wbo was with tie forces, has been killed. The Times, in an article on the disaster, insists that England shall send troops to assist the Khedive in suppressing the rebellion. It is reported that gold-bearing stone has been struck in the drive and shaft at Johnson's United mine, Collingwood. m The Measure before the French Senate for the deportation of criminals to the Pacific has been adopted. It gives the judges discretionary power to bani sh criminals.

Wednesday.

««! Serious faction riots between Orangemen and Parnellites have occurred m Newry, and also at Wexford. The_ members of both societies assembled in large numbers, and continuous rioting, lasting several hoars, occurred in both towns'. Mr. Murray Smith is vigorously supporting Sir F/D. Bell's action in warning the Government that in the event of the Eecidivistes Bill becoming law, the Colonies would resort lo defensive measures It is believed in official circles that a proposal to permit convict's to leave their settlements at a period of six months is intended to facilitate labour in the New Hebrides, _ Intelligence is to hand of a serious revival of fanatical aggression among the native tribes of Central Asia. A lar°e force ofTurSnnnn^l ll^ th , reat ?"?g Meshed, a city in north Persia, containing 70,000 inhabitants. It is feared that an attack in force will shortlf be made. A disturbance has also occurred at Khakaha, wbere a party of British surveyors were attacked by the natives, who were however, driven off, six of their number being killed. Twenty of the surveyors' party lost their lives, but none of the British were injured. Letters have reached Kordofan reporting that in the recent engagmeut against El Mahdi only a third of general Hicks' army were killed, including the English officers. The remainder of the troops are said t . be encamped at Kahad awaiting reinforcements The Bruce HeraM says :— " It cannot be doubted that the labour market is considerably overstocked, and it should be regarded not only as a good thing for the men, a relief to the country when a few hundreds are able to find employment in another colony "

Thubsday.

The Tuapeka Times says :— We learn that four or five parties of miners are busy at work on the Old Man Bange, sluicing the alluvial dirt overlying the quartz, and are making good wages. Very little has been done lately towanis developing the quartz reefs. It is expected, however, that work in earnest will be commenced shortly after the Christmas holidays. Humour has it that several Roxburg gentlemen have been speculating largely in shares in some of the reefs in the neighbourhood of the Old Man Range, an 1 are not loathe to express the opinion that they have bought into a good thins. Let us hope so. • The United States Congress was formally opened on Tuesday In tbe customary message on the occasion, President Arthur announced that tbe Government had decided to extend the relations of the Union with Eastern nations, and that it might possibly become necessary to co-operate with other Powers with a view to secure liberty of trade in the Congo valley. He suggests that a policy of retaliation should be pursued towards countries levying taxes on *he importation of American products. The message announced that the Budget s-hows a surplus oi 39,000,000d015., and concludes by ur<nnnthat stei>s be taken to reconstruct the navy of the Union, and at°the same tuae to proceed with various coast 'defences which are necessary. There has been snow on Advance Peak since Sunday, and there is six icches of snow in Sawyer's Gully. An expedition, sanctioned by the Royal Geographical Society is now being organised for the purpose of exploring New Guinea and it is expected to start at an early date. Telegrams from Zanzibar report that the bombardment; of the Malagasy coast towns has been resumed by Admiral Gallibet and that the war- vessels have shelled several places in the north and south.