News of the week.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 45, 7 March 1884, Page 11

News of th e week.

Fbiday.

A REMARKABLY heavy storm of wind and rain occurred at Hokitika on Wednesday, causing a big fresh in tbe river, and flooding the lowlying parts of the town. The Christchurch coach, due on Wednesevening, arrived to-night. The vessels in port have been bar-bound since 1 u»sday last, through stress of weather. Mr. Ciendon, 8.M., at Whangarei, has been fined for having a horse astray m tbe street, and a J.P. had to be got to sit in judgment on the ernng magistrate, who a short time previously had commented severely on this offence when delinquents were brought before him Tbe decision of tbe Otago Land Board yesterday In tbe StrathTaien dummy cases was that the licenses should not be issued and that all improvements and moneys paid should be forfeited. The evidence taken in the Wairarapa collision inquiry bat been forwarded to tbe Marine Department at Wellington. A further inquiry will be held in Melbourne. Great interest attaches in Berlin to the warm reception accorded to the Grand Duke Michael and to General Gourka. Russia has joined Prince Bismarck's league. The South Australian gunboat Protector will make a trial trip m the middle of April, and will sail soon afterwards. Her suns nave already been tried, and proved to be excellent. It is announced that Admiral Miott has been appointed to supercede Admiral Galhber as commander of the French fleet in Malay waters. * The latest intelligence to hand from Tonqnin announces that the JOrench commander-in-chief has massed the troops which recently "Sth hi aU immedlate advttn ce will be made upon Bao Nino

Satubday.

«, *TS c nal "tetwtics of Auckland district, iust published, show a . number ot offences reported in this district last year wa ? Viz!' m conQ ection with which 3679 persons were apprehended and 1294 proceeded against by summons. This shows an increase of 98 in the cases reported, 152 in the persons apprehended, and 193 in the number summoned. The iA/ttelton Times of Friday says :— Mr. Smart, the managing director of the Premier Prospecting Company, who, for some three weeks, has been engaged in prespecting in the valley of the Bakaia returned to town yesterday. He reports that the weather durinj? his stay was beautiful until the last two or three days. He found Some 'boulders of quartz showing gold, and also came across laree deposits of sand in the river bed, precisely similar to that on the Houthbndge beach. In addition to these indications of gold Mr Smart discovered certain signs of copper, which induced him to'come to town, and secure a license to search for this metal over 260 acres of land in the Fighting Hill district. In the House of Commons on Thursday night Mr Gladstonp introduced a bill for a reform of the franchise. The measure provides for a uniform qualification throughout the three Kingdoms The Premier announced that a bill for dealing with the re-distribution of seats would be introduced next session. A. bag containing 201bs. of dynamite, with clockwork machiuerv was found on Thursday in the cloak-room at Chafing Cross railwav^ station. An infernal machine was also found at Paddington railwaystation. These discoveries indicate that a project is on foot to destroy the London termini, and considerable alarm prevails in the nublic mind. * A force, under Major-general Graham, has received orders to advance against the enemy, and a forward movement was to be made yesterday. Two battalions of Egyptian troops, under command of British officers, started for Assouan, on the Nubian frontier, at the first cataract pf the Nile, with the object of opposing the advance of the rebels m that direction.

Monday.

The infernal machines found at the Victoria, Charing Cross and Paddiiigton railway stations are identical in construction, and are shown to be of American manufacture. It is proved that the clock■work mechanism in the one found at the Paddington station failed to act. Had it acted a serious explosion would have occurred «~JF}HL 11 V r Electoral Reform Bill will, it is estimated, create 2000,000 of additional voters, and Mr. Gladstone suggests that additional representation in the shape of a limited increase in the number of members in the House of Commons should be granted He is not, however, favourable to any reduction in the number of Irish member d. The wool catalogue contains 108,000 bales. Competition is eood but merinos are easy. Crossbreds are firm. News baa been received from Kaesala, a town on the Biver Mareb, near the Abyssinian frontier, which has been in a state of siege for some time past, that the garrison of Egyptian troops recently made a sortie from the place. A strong force of rebels was encountered, and an engagement ensued, which resulted in their defeat with considerable losb. Official telegrams just received give news of the victory of the British troops under i. ajor-general Graham over the rebels near Toaki. The message states that the enemy was attacked in force and a general battle ensued. The fightiDj? was very desperate on both sides, and lasted till nightfall. The British were finally successful at every point, the reiHa being driven from all their positions. Our loss is slight, and tfas-Tdown at 10 killed and 40 wounded. The enemy suffered £»U?,ty, and are stated to have lost fully a thousand men. General Gordon, as Governor of the Soudan, has issued a proclamation stating that he has summoned the Britieh troops to Khartoum to punish the rebels. A good deal of excitement was caused over the steamship race between the Adelaide and Wairarapa. The Union boat bad the lead a « r* 8 . "t** 1 "^ but the Adelaide camo np to her, and the vessels gened along at a speed of 14 knots an h,our. The Adelaide then

came up, and the speed was increased to 16 knots. All was excitement aboard both-vessels, and a good deal of alarmwas exhibited by aLSTW?^ £ the westchana ei lightship was passed, the Adelaide had been in the proper or eastern channel, and was driving ahead, when the Wairarapa suddenly shifted her course, and by co doing canted her quitter on to the Adelaide's starboard side with such seventy that some passengers below were thrown out of their berths, and Borne of the bnlwarks were bent. The position was co cutical that the vessel had to go full speed astern, bat subWuenU? again steamed ahead. The Wairarap£ stopped, and almost attbJ K^J" ** obscured all lights. The Wairarapa sent a i *£ «* Adelaid« t0 asc ertain the extent of damage. It is underi sood that the Steam Navigation Board will hold an inquiry ' i * Har * ce ' operations in the Wairau district are now almost comi pleted. It is expected that by the end of next week the whole of the crops wih be gathered. From all accounts the harvest will be satinSnSL S u T f c 1 h ? a)t oate >. barley, »nd potatoes are in splendid condition, the barley being especially good. It has been stated at the Auckland City Schools Committee that • , JS i y ABOA 80 S oI Vr ere . now crowded . and hundreds of children rejected. As the Education Board has no funds to build fresh schools, it was suggested to rent buildings. «a A Ve l^°« e of de *J in S wi^ *ne rabbit nuisance has just been adopted by the Parsons Brothers in the Awatere district. Eaily last ti n flof 8y # xn ,°5 niD &' before daylight, when tbe rabbits were down on the flats feeding, about 1000 yards of string netting was hung loosely ™ v Ten l ? t £* l } e ß round at d^tance» of about a chain apart J*E*?°S& HlU< Soon ***** da y )i g ht d °g» were employed to start the Rabbits np towards their burrows, and the efforts of those engaged in the operation were successful beyond anticipation. Started by the dogs, the rabbits made for their holes in large numbers, and rushing at the loose netting they became entangled in the meshes and were then easily caught. At two o'clock 1700 had been *mcd, and it was expected that another 600 would be obtained before dark. Very heavy floods have occurred in Northern Queensland. Over llin, of ram fell at Townsville in one night. The Endeavour bridge, near Cooktown, was washed away. Great disasters and loss of property hare been occasioned amongst the settlers. The bodies of three Chinese were found. A man named Galloway and a Kanaka aro iS 18 * A m A if *? hoon i* Exchange, which sank. The Bardekin *2L ™ d , l \ e G ? cat Northe " railway, which waa considerably damaged. Floods also occurred at Port Darwin, in the Northern lerntory, where a trooper was drowned.

Tdesday.

-i.«S$ f° uthlatld .ft™* of yesterday reports that the passengers who left Invercargill by the morning train for Kingston had a novel experience. After passiag Parawai, it was thought that tbere would be no further trouble from the flood, but soon after leaving Athol another break was observed ahead. Speed was accordingly slackened tll' 9^ « ? re }* c wa £ r had «H*oacbed to within a few feet on each side of the lme. Here hundreds of rabbits had collected, and a « tbe engine aavancedthey took to the middle of the railway and ran before it hke a flock of sheep, constantly increasing in numbers as tney went. Borne of the passengers who had been bewailing their ill luck m having to retain to Lunisden for the night became excited at the prospect of the sport, and, jumping out of the train, were soon engaged in a regular rabbit battue. In some cases walkingsticks were brought into play, in others chnncks of coal did equally good execution. How long the slaughter would have continued is ft?^k ay ' for , th e hunters had rabbits to right of them, rabbits to ettof them, and rabbits in front of them, all hurrying and scurrying in mortal terror ; bat just as the train drew up at the enforced stopping-place, the bunnies, unable to go farther ahead, plunged right and left into the water and swam for dear life. The water was llv « tv • v em> Bod the Probability is that few of them lived to reach tbeir burrows on the higher country. When the train came fuAu ext ™? rmn &>jresQly-sWnned carcasses lying about indicated that the rabbiters had been on the scene in the interval, and must have made a rare haul. Telegrams are to hand from Candla reporting that a religions ferment has commenced amongst the Cretans, who have repudiated be iE iremovSr gOVernor o£ the island > aad beaten to revolt unless tt u a J e«*le «* 1^ :illi sJ I Go7ernm ent have sent a communication to the United States Government complaining of the assistance afforded in America to the dynamite plotters in England by the manufacture of Sf^u m i chm ! B - Another machine, identical with those already seized, has been found at the Ludeate Hill railway-station. vmTF^JI hand from Souakim state that after the battle on .W^S j under Major-general Graham bivouacked at JH leb, and on Saturday advanced to Takar. Ma<>r-general urabam telegraphs that the engagement lasted fully three nourg, and that daring that time the fighting vaa most ™I? re *ii IB * roo Pß captured several gnns and a quantity of war material* The British loss was 30 killed and 142 wounded. Among the latter were Baker Pasha and Oolenels Burnaby and Barrow, all of whom suffered severe injuries. The troops under Major-general Graham comprised 3000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, and 300 artillery. The Naval Brigade, with 20 light guns, made the advance in the tortn of an oblong square upon the enemy's forts, containing two Krupp guns, and began tbe battle. The number of Arabs was estimated at 10,000, and they made rti oated charges in detached Doaies, and the marvellous bravery of Ulumli was i.<pcated. The forts were defended with great tenacifv, hut were filially stormed, jne&rapp and Gatling guns created feaiful havoc. Finally the Arabs, who had made a stand at El Teb, retired after four hours' fighting, the cavalry pnrsuing them. Latest reports say that 1500 rebels were killed in the late engagement. The British troops left • Ha °? Sat " rda » morning and marched to Tokar, which they occupied during the afternoon without opposition Tbe Arab rebels who bad invested the places withdrew before the British arrived, and oHwea no check to tbeir advance. Intelligence has been receired

from Colonel Stewart, who was despatched some weeks ago to the White Nile districts, in the extreme south of Nubia, with the object of endeavouring to pacify the native tribes who were joining the Mahdi's rankf . Colonel Stewart .reports that his mission, has proved a failure, all efforts to pacify the rebellious tribes having been futile. The enthusiasm at Kbartcum is subsiding, and the native troops beyond that ridicule General Gordon's proclamation. A shocking accident occurred at Wanganui on Monday, by which a boy named Hall nearly lost his life. He was walking beside a boy on horseback, with another lad on the other side, when the latter touched the horse's leg with a stick. The auiraal kicked out with the start, and caught Hall just above the eye, inflicting a terrible gasb, from which the brains protruded in a sickening manner. He was found by some men, nearly suffocated from the blood clotting in the mouth, and taken to an adjacent hotel. An operation was performed by Drs Connelly and Barle, and Dine pieces of bone taken from the wound, which was coverpd up. This morning the boy was sufficiently rational to detail the circumstances (the other boys having run away after the occurrence), and this morning was sufficiently recovered to be removed to the Hospital, where he is making satisfactory progress. But slight hopes are entertained of his recovery. An accident happened to the goods train from Waikato near to Papatoitoi on Sunday. Seven trucks in the centre of the train ran off the line, and were badly damaged before the engine could be stopped. The accident blocked the line and damaged the rails to such an extent that traffic was suspended for some hours. The engine and passenger carriages were not injured. The cause of the occurrence is unknown, but an investigation will be made.

Wednesday.

A lad named Braddock, aged 11, was drowned in the Nelson swimming baths yesterday. He was bathing with other lads, when he was seized with cramp. He seiz3d another lad, who was also nearly drowned. When the body was recovered all efforts failed to restore life. This afternoon an old man named Moorhouse fell off a load of hay near Kaiapoi, and was killed. Mr. J. D. D. Macalister, of the Post-office, Invercargill, died sudd^nly to-day. He had been ailing for some time of nervous derange- ;. . jut to all appearance had recovered, and was in the office on Monday. It appears he had been suffering from insomnia, and was prescribed for by Dr. CJoss. The draught not having had the required effect, Mr. Macalister unfortunately fell back on an old pre* scription of 1873. This he got made up, the bottle containing 15 doses. This morning, not feeling well, he did not come down to the office, but sent his keys. He was about his house and garden during the forenoon, and it is supposed that, suffering from want of sleep he took an overdose from the bottle referred to. Mrs. Macalister noticing a change in her husband's appearance during the afternoon, sent for Dr. Hannan, but Mr. Macalister wag dead before his arrival. About two-thirds of the medicine had been taken from the bottle. Mr. Macalister had been about three and a half years money order and savings-bank clerk here, and was previously in Queenitown. He was a hearty, robust man of 33 years of age, and a general favourite. Mr. B. Fox has returned to Christchurch from prospecting in the Wilberforce district. He reports that the country is very rough and the weather fearfully severe. On one occasion he and his companions narrowly escaped drowning by a stream, which suddenly rose one night and washed away their camp. The police have obtained a clue to the perpetrators of the recent dynamite outrage, and to the depositors of infernal machines at the various metropolitan railway stations. Three Americans are believed to be the guilty parties, and the police are now endeavouring to find their whereabouts. In the House of Commons yesterday Sir W. Vernon Harcourfc made a statement regarding the dynamite plot whicn has been discovered, and announced that orders had been given that rigorous measures should be pursued against any foreign dynamite emissaries who may be arrested. Government have offered aieward of £2000 for the arrest of the criminals. In the House of Commons on Monday night, Mr. Gladstone, replying to a question, stated that General Graham had been ordered to relieve Tokar, and added that he had already successfully effected the movement. The Premier further declared that the maintenance of the security of Souakim was essential both for peace and humanity, but that the town would be abandoned when the obligations of England in connection with the Soudan had been fulfilled. Government did not propose to undertake the occupation of the Soudan by British Troops, and would not sanction any distant excursion into the interior. The Marquis of Hartington, in answer to a question, admitted that authority had been granted for the despatch ot a British contingent to Assouan, on the Nubian frontier if necessary. The Arab sheiks generally have welcomed Major-general Graham's advance, and it is reported that El Mahdi is now peacefully disposed. Majorgeneral Graham is likely to advance on Tamdamui, Osman's stronghold.

Thubsday,

Lena Smith, aged two years, daughter of George Smith, carpenter, Ponsonby, has been strangled in a child's swing while playing with it with some o her childron under five years of age. Thomas Madigan, tollbar-keeper at Kaiwarra, has met with a serious accident. He was standing on the railway-line watching the train pass, and thought that be was clear, but the cow-catcber caught and threw him some six feet in the air, his thigh being smashed and bis bead badly cut. It is not thought, however, that he is fatally injured. William Farquhar, a farmer at Amberley. was gored to death by a two-year-old bull, his own property, yesterday morning. How the affair occurred is unknown, as the deceased was alone, and when found was quite dead. His body was in a fearfully mangled condition. Mr. Mackay, Native reserves trustee, opened tenders on Tuesday for the leases of Native leserves. One hundred and sixty-one tenders were sent in, and nearly all the open land was applied for. Out of 69 sections near Opunake, 40 were applied for, The prices ranged

from Is to 6s per acre. Out of 28 sections at Stony River block, nine were taken up, the prices being from 2s 6d to 4s 6d per acre. Twelve sections out of 28 on the continuous reserve were taken up at prices from 2s to 10s per acre. The sale is considered highly successful* considering the dull times. A frightful case of the effects of drink was brought under the notice of the Wanganui police yesterday. A man named Brown, formerly engaged as clerk to a local blacksmith, some six months ago received a sum of £500 from Home, and of late, with his wife, had been spending the money in hard drinking at home. It is said that the pair have disposed of five gallons of beer every other day, the accounts for which can be produced. A person called at the house to-day and found the man lying dead on the floor, with his head under the bed, on which was his wife, raving from the effects of drink. She did not know her husband was there. The place is described as very filthy. The two haye 1 had no children, having lived ia the most degraded state. Information was given to the police, and the woman has been removed to the Hospital. An inquest will be neld on the body of the man to-morrow, when some interesting developments are expected to be made. The English Government have determined to recognise tha Portugese claims on the Congo.