News of the Week.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 27, 24 October 1884, Page 9

News of the Week.

Friday.

In the House of Representatives v<"»rer.lay, Sir George Grov ifir r fi» nC f d ", Tne pririt ™ and New«pa^rs Kegistratioi Act 1868 Amendment Bill. On the motion for its first readin?, he that unde.r existing circumstances anyone presenting a ?? k ,° r P a P er t0 wh ich the printer's name and address had not baen attaclipfl wa*, alone with the printer himself, liable to heavy penalties, me bill was intended to remedy that hardship. He thought it was a measure Government might very properly take over. Mr. Macandrcw remarked that he hoped the bill would make provision for the writers' a? m ! S }^ lt l s *PP ended to newspaper articles. The Hon. Mr. stout added as a further suggestion that a similar provision should be made as to the names of Parliamentary newspaper correspondents. He promised Government would assist in pushing the bill through.— The following bill was also introduced and read a first time :— To J-tP J56J 560 ** 0118 4 Rnd Uof " Soufch lßlaQd Native Reserves Act 1883 " fMr. Taiaroa.)— The following were read a second time -.—West .Harbour Borough Empowering Bilt (Mr. Macandrew) ; Wanganui Harbour Bating Bill (Hon. Mr. Ballance) ; Thames Recreation Reserve Sale Bill (Colonel Fraser).— The following passed through < ommittee. were renorted, and read a third time : Thames Recreation Reserve Sale, Wanganui Harbour Board Rating and West Harbour Borough Empowering Bills.— Mr. Guinness moved the second reading of the Coroners' Juries Abolition Bill. The House divided— ayes, 37; noes, 21. The bill was read a second time.— On the motion for committal of the School Committees Election Bill, Mr. l\olleston appealed to the member in charge of the bill to withdraw it, stating as his opinion that it was a bill wholly in the interests of the enemies of our present educational system. The Hon. Mr. Stout contended that the education system as it stood did very well . He asked them •mo}?m 0 }?^ 6 the calibre °* the members of the school committees with that of the average city councillors, and he contended the comparison was in favour of the former. Such being the case, he contended the bill would not improve the results of these elections. The motion for going into Committe was put. The House divided— ayes, db ; noes, 18. In Committee on the bill, on clause 7, the Hon. Mr. btout moved that the clause read, '•' Every elector shall be entitled to distribute bis vote as he mar think fit, provided always, however, tbat he be not entitled to give more that three votfs in favour of any one candidate." The Committee divided-ayes, 14 ; noes, 22. Clause 8 was struck out on the voices. The remainder of the bill parsed through Committee with a variety of amendments, chiefly of a technical character —The False notice of Births, Marriages, and Deaths was considered in Committee. Both bills were then reported with amendments.

The Kumara Times, of the 11th inst., says :— An inquest on the body of John Dellacosta was held yesterday at the Court House, Goldsborough, before J. Giles, Esq.. Coroner. Antonio Ma«ciorini mate of deceased, was the only witnessexamined. He stated that whilst he was standing: with his feet one on each side of the tail-race, be suddenly saw deceased pass between his legs ; he was goino- down the tail-race with his head first and his face downwards. He did not clearly recognise that it was deceased until ho saw hi* feet pass him, they being more ont of the water than the rest of bis body. He then had to run round by the head of the tail-race and down Ihetramwav to {?3t to the tail : when he got there he found the tail-race was blocked and deceased was lying across the heap of tailings that blocked the tail-race. He tried to draw him out but he was fast'by one arm ;he managed to free him by bursting out the side of the* tail-race and letting the water run out that way ; deceased was insensible, and blood was flowing in al! directions from his head ; he held him till help came ; they then found he was not dead and he was carried home ; after a little time he recovered consciousness ; he knew everyone who was asking how it had happened : he was able to speak for about an hour and a.half; then be lost the power of speech, and began to sink gradually ; he died about ten minutes to two o'clock. Dr. Rossetti said deceased's skull was broken ; the tail-race is over GOO feet long. Masciorini tbousrbt deceased when he saw him busy with the stone, tried to jump over the tail-race, and fell in ; nothing came down from the face. After a short retirement, the jury found a verdict, "Death from injuries received in his claim by being washed down a tail-race." A goodly number of persons proceeded from Kumara this morning to attend the funeral, which took place this afternoon, the remains heing interred in the Stafford Cemetery. A railway accident occurred on the Auckland line on Wednesday morning. A shunting engine was standing, taking coal, the driver being engaged oiling the wheels, and the fireman being on the eneine. The truck, which was being riiunted. struck the engine rather violently, and caused the regulator to fall down, letting steam into the cylinders, and the engine started off. It had not gone many yards before the fireman became alarmed and jumped off, leaving the engine going at half-speed, uncontrolled, a] ing the the line towards the Domain tunnel. Engineer Burrett had been thrown against the water-tank and had two>fihgers cut off. Great alarm was felt, as the Onehunga train? with a large number of passengers coming up to business, and echrol children, had left Newmarket just about the time of the accident. A cl ision between the train and the loose engine occured in the tanm-1. Soon after the driver of the Onehunga train turned the bend in the tunnel he saw the other engine coming from the opposite direction. He blew the whistle sr h*rd as he could, but as the other showed no decrease in speed, he concluded that there was something wrong, and put on the break. Great excitement prevailed among the passengers on the train. The guard called to them to hold on and lie down ; but the shock did not prove so great as was expected. The passenger* were thrown in every direction, but not one of t\»em was hurt. The front of the Onehnnga engine was broken, and the cowcatcher carried away. Neither carriages nor engines were thrown off the line. A party of gangers

arrived, but their services were not needed, and both engines came safely into town. The escape was miraculous. If the loose engine had been two minutes earlier, the collision would have occurred near the bend, and the driver of the passenger train coul.l not have seen it in time to slow down. If two minutes later, the train would have been going down the heavy Parnell incline, coming up which had exhausted the power of the loose engine and reduced its momentum. An enquiry is to be held this week. Gibson, the lunatic, who escaped from the Nelson Asylum, has been at large for three weeks, and the Asylum attendants were out for a fortnight searching for fche mm, but could hear o£ no clue. Many settlers' houses have been entered and food taken, whilst in two cases a gun has been Rtolen. but no clue could be found to the perpetrator, who was never seen since Monday. Two constables have been out, being accompanied by a man named Busch, and a settler named Palmer. They pcourpd the bush, but the constables had to return to town on Wednesday morning to attend at the District Conrt. Busch then appears to have followed up the scent; and at half past 6 a settler in the Wairoa Gorge named Kerr heard the report of a gun, and looking, saw Busch staggering. Busch said that Gibson lud fired at him from behind a fence. The telegram just received says that Bunch has been at'ended by Dr Satchell. who reports that the man'd injuries consist of gunshot wounds in the lungs, face, and arm. Settlers have turned out with guns to hunt down the lunatic, but fears are entertained that othars may be shot.

During the passage of the Rowena from Mercury Bay to Auckland on Wednesday night, four drunken bush men, enraged afc the refusal of the captain to give them liquor, assaulted, him and several of the crew who tried io arrest them, and ihen they wrecked the saloon. The captain succeeded in confining them in the saloon, and returned to Mercury Bay for police assistance. Herd the men were put in irons and brought on to Auckland. Yesterday they were fined for drunkenness, and ordered to pay damages amounting to £20. ' •

The Lyttelton Times contains the following paragraph :— " The Ashburton ' dog fiend ' b\s tiktsn another of his periodical • outings,' and the result is that vast numbers of dogs are departing for the happy hunting grounds. Dogs are dying from poison administered to them by some means or other while the animals werj actually on the chain at their own kennels, and yesterday and the day previous dying doyjs were to be encountered all over the town. The inspector of nuisances for the boroush had no less than 18 carcases of poisoned d»js buried yesterday. So long as the slaughter was confined to mongrels, useful only for devouring food, keeping neighb urs awake on|moonlight nights and occasionally making a tilting snap at a passing horse's heels, there was no great harm done ; but the majority of the animals destroyed, unfortunately, were valuable sheep -doga, and their destrucion means 'a considerable loss to the shepherds and cattle men who owned them.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) held their second wool sale of the season in Melbourne yesterday. There was an excellent attendance of buyers, being larger than at the opening sale* of the season last Thursday. The catalogue submittted was of a purely representative character, and comprised 1.370 bales. Competition was animated, and 1,340 bales were sold. The mtrket for grfiaay me'inos was decidedly firm, and parcels offered to-day realised up to HM-d. Seoired wools brought to 20id., and firm and active demand was experienced. At nexb week's sale a catalogue of au important character will be pubmitted. and about 8.300 bales will be hrought to the hammer. The prospects of future sales continue good, and Melbourne is steadily assuming the position of the central wool market for the Australasian colonies. The French claim to have obtained a great victory over th« Chiuese near Lang-son, Tonqain, on the 10th inst. The accounts state that the Chinee general and 3,000 of his officers and men were killed. The French loss is set down at 20 killed and 90 wounde 1.

The Egyptian Government has decided to cancel the proclamation by which the suspension of the Caisse de la Dette Publique was announced on September 17, and ordered that the revenues assigned to the Caisse shall continue to be paid as in the past. The Internal Commission will, therefore, continue its control, as provided by the law of liquidation.

The Republicans have caivied the day in Ohio in the choice of electors for election of President and Vic?-presldenfc next month Sir P. D. Pell U urging Lord Darby to sanction Sir G. Grey'-J Pacific Annexation Bill.

SATURDAY.

In the House of Representatives yesterday, the following bills were introduced and read a first time :— To abolish the export duty on goldby reducing that duty to Is an ounce from and after March 31, 18S5, and by taking off the remaining duty of Is per ounce from and after Maich 31, 1886 (Sir G. GreY); a bill to amend "The Municipal Corporations Act, 1876" (Mr. White). The Imprest Supply Bill for £200.000 was passed through all its stages. The Kast and West Coast (Middle Island) and Nelson Railway Bill wasfurcher considered io Committee. A new clause was aided to the bill to the effect that the railway connecting Nelson with the East and West Coast railway should not exceed a cost of £1.010.000. The warden (says the TMmes Adcert'wr) lias just completed the purchase, on behalf the Government, of one- third interest in the Parareka No. 2 Block, Waiotahi district, hitherto owned by a native named Hori More. The consideration agreed upon was £500, which sum has been received, and is now ready for payment to the native on his signature of the deed-?. 7'he blcck comprises 302 aercs, and extends northwards from the boundary of the Cambiia mine, beyond the Bright Smile Company's holding. The annual revenue denved from it averages about £200, so that the County Council will be benefited to the extent of ahout £70 a year by the transition. Now that Government has 'affirmed the principle that the Thames goldfields' lands should thus be acquired, we hope to see it applied to its fullest extent, so that the mining area shall not be permitted to fall into the hands of private individuals,

The search for Gibson, the Nelson lunatic, has so far proved unsuccessful. On Thursday night the volunteer patrols were on the gui vive, but someone entered the larder of a house near Brightwater. Butch, the injured man, has rallied considerably. His cough, owing to the injury to his lungs, is a distressing symptom, but this is lessening.

Mr. Jones, for over 20 years foreman of works inLyttelton Gaol, died yesterday, aged 60. He was one of the oldest gaol officials in. the Colony. His death is supposed to have been hastened by grief for the loss of a son drowned 18 months ago. Kingswell's fellmongery at Waikiwi, Invercargill, burnt down on Thursday night, was insured as follows :— Buildings and plant : In the Standard Office for £500, in the Colonial Office for £500, in the Fire Association for £250, in the Australian Mercantile Union for £250, in the National for £500. The stock was insured for £150 in the Victoria and for £250 in the New Zealand Office. Nothing is known as to the origin of the fire.

Colonel Warren, with a detachment of infantry, has been ordered to proceed to the Cape for the purpose of restoring British authority in Bechuanaland. °

An attempt was made to blow up the grand stand on Houghton racecourse. A tin containing dynamite was found on the spot with a burnt fuse attached, but it had failed to ignite the explosive and the^atiempt therefore failed.

An impression prevails that England has agresd with Germany end France for a division of the Pacific islands. Lord Derby will ahortly grant the interview requested by the various Agents-general. The New South Wales Government, in reply to Mr. Service' decline to join in a protest to the Imperial Government against the arrangement with Germany as to Pacific annexation, on the ground that it would be considered impertinent for the colonies to interfere with the Foreign Policy of England. The Tasmanian Government have agreed to Mr. Service's proposal ; the South Australian Government have refused to do so, pending the receipt of further information as to the alleged Convention.

Her Majesty's ships Nelson, Diamond, and Espiegle have left Sydney for New Guinea, where Commodore Erskine will finally declare a British protectorate over the island. The German warship Elizabeth left Port Jackson on Thursday, and it is believed that she also is bound for New Guinea. At present the protectorate established over New Guinea will extend along the coast and adjacent country from the 141 st meridian to the East Cape, and also to the islands in Goschen Strait, including Rosman Island. Commodore Erajrine will hoist the English flag at all points where it may be considered best. Instructions have been given for two men-of-war to cruise on the New Guinea coast for the remainder of this year.

Monday.

That diphtheria case which Doctor Nedwill ha* made public (says the Lyttelton Times) is not a pleasant thing to think about. A poor girl is taken ill with diphtheria. She has to leave her service and go into lodgings. The Idging-honse people naturally object, and order her out. She goes to the hospital, and is refused admittance. Fever-stricken, the poor, homeless creature finds herself in the Btreets, with the alternative of dying out in the open, or being sent to gaol as a vagrant, the latter alternative, perhaps, soon to lead to another refusal of admittance, for obvious reasons. Such treatment of a fellow-creature in dire distress is inexpressibly disgraceful to our civilisation; We have Boards of Health, a Charitable Aid Board, a Hospital, and asylums galore, all costing money, and all supervised in some way more or less expensive. Yet we turn a homelesq, sick creature into the streets to die. simply because no place has been set apart for the treatment of infection.

Gold nrospecting is to be undertaken in the Hokianga district by Thames miners.

The Gap Road Hotel, near Winton, was burnt down on Saturday night. Nothing was saved. The landlord (Mr. R. was absent in Winton at the time. The insurances are : £200 in the Colonial on the house, and £150 on the stock and furniture in the Equitable-

Although the East and West Coast Railway Bill has passed through Committee (writes the Wellington correspondent of the Daily Times) the opposition to it is not extinct. It is said that Messrs. Fergus, Fulton, and others intend to get it recommitted if possible, and make another determined attack on the measure, especially in regard to the? concessions of land.

The death is announced of Mr. Timothy D. Sullivan, the wellknowa Home Rule representative for Westmeath in the House of Commonp.

Six officers and two women who were sentenced to death for complicity in Nihilistic conspiracies have been executed at St. Petersburg.

The retail butchers in London are paying a higher price for New Zealand than for English mutton.

In an- article on Colonial defences, the Times says England ought to take the initiative in respect to the defence of the Australian ports, and with a little assistance the Colonial navy couldJbe converted into a powerful auxiliary. Intelligence bas be°n received frcm the Soudan that many tribes are deserting the Mahdi. but that, at the same time, others hitherto loyal are joining his ranks. General Gordon is sending a considerable force to occupy Berber, recently re-taken from the rebels. A great labour demonstration and mass meeting was announced to be held at Hamilton, Ontario, on October 1. Working men from all parts of the province were to take part. Resolutions were to be offered demanding the immediate stoppage of Chinese immigration, and the expulsion of all Chinamen who refuse io accept civilisation and citizenship immediately ; to recall all immigrant agents in Europe and elsewhere, and the expenditure of money thus saved to be used on public works, so as to give the Canadians employment in their own country.

The remains of a party of American miners, massacred by the Alpaches, were recently discovered in the Sierra Madre Mountains, Mexico. Among the party killed were Bob, Henry and. Edward B,

Carroll, old prospectore, who discovered the celebrated Pilgrim'i Rest placer mines in South America, and also were the first to discover silver (in 1877) on the borders of New South Wales and Queensland.

The Imperial Parliament will be asked at the coming session to make provision for the eldest son of the Prince of Wales. A feature of the present campaign is the nomination by the equal-rights party of a woman, Mrs. Belva Lockwood, for the presidency of the United States. F An English Church paper savagely attacked General Wolseley and Lord Northbrook for starting on their mission to Egypt on a

The latest return of the wheat crop of the United States is now estimated at 350,000,000 bushels, of which California is credited with 45,000,000 bushels.

« « T fa e lawless miners of the coal district of Pennsylvania known as Molly Maguire s have reorganised, and are now waging a quiet but deadly war against the Hungarian and other European operatives recently taken on. A number of the latter were found stabbed to death. The grey nuns of Montreal have sued to recover 100 000 dole, paid as taxes, claiming that by terms of the cession of Canada by France to England they were exempted from taxation and that the money was obtained under false pretences. The laying of the last deep-sea section at the Irish shore end of the new Bennett- Mackay cable was to be completed about October 5 Bennett was in San Fianchco consulting with J. W. Mackay about the business.

The British gunboat Wasp foundered off Tory Island, on the north-west coast of Ireland, on September 23. Fifty. two men including all the officers, were drowned. Only six persons were saved by clinging to the wreckage. The vessel struck at 3 o'clock in the morning, during a haze. Over 300 people at Leicester were recently summoned for defying the vaccination laws, the feeling against which is incredibly bitter all over England.

Admiral Courbet, commanding the French naval force in China, is claimed to be an Irishman, his father being a Cork man, who on emigrating to France, added a U to the original name of Corbet. ' A rumour was in circulation on the 22nd Sept. that the Prince of Wales and Duke of Edinburgh had announced their intention to vote for the Franchise Bill at the autumn session.

Bismarck is about to visit the Prince of Wales at Abergeldie Castle. °

Late dispatches say the price of bread is much discussed in England and Ireland, the public being wroth that, though wheat never reaches 40s per quarter, and barley is not above 3o\, the price of bread remains exactly the same as when the price of wheat was 10 per cent, higher.

The authorities have ordered increase 1 precautions at Dover to prevent the landing of dynaraitards encieavouiing to reach London from^ the Continent. English detectives accompany each steamer crossing the Channel, subjecting each passenger and all luggage to the closest scrutiny.

A dispatch from London says the Cabinet is greatly impressed by the attitude of the. country, and has resolved to create fresh Peers if a small majority reject the Franchise Bill a second time.

A special from London of September 23 contains the following bo9h : — A curious political rebellion is now in progress in County Mayo. That county is now represented in the Commons by Mr. John O'Connor Power and the Rev. Isaac Nelson. Mr. Parnell desires these men to content the county again at the next general election, but a number of Mayo Nationalists object to his dictation, and propose quite a different programme, They have decided no longer to submit to Mr. Parnell's autocratic sway, and will put in nomination candidates o£ thair ov/n selection. Their choice has fallen on Captain Boycott, who was recently the most execrated m»n in Ireland, and Mr. John William Nally. The growing popularity of Boycott is one of the most curious facts in current Irish history, and moderate observers consider it a sign of the waning influence of the Irish National League. The local Parnellites ridicule the idea of any successful opposition being possible in the county. A Shanghai dispatch of Septembpr 20 to the London Times says a new complication had arisen. The blocking of the mouth of Wooshung River was orlered by the Chinese authorities, although a passage for the ships of neutral's had to be left. A veritable panic prevailed at Shanghai, and the merchants of the neutral ports had asked the commanders belonging to those ports to take some action. The British consul advised the Chinese authorities to obtain skilled English assistants to keep the traffic open. The Rusßiau consuls have offered to protect French interests whenever the French consuls leave. The Russian fleet in Chinese waters comprises one ironclad, three cruisers, and six gunboats. Tbree other ironclads are expected. Considering the smallness of the Uussian interests, this strength is considered formidable. A Shanghai dispatch, published in London on September 22, says a Franco- Russian alliance means the disintegration of China and its partition between those two countries, France taking the three southern provinces, and Russia having China as a recruiting ground for her armies, the two countries being connected by railway. The alliance also means France's and Russia's preponderance in Egypt, and therefore is fraughc with danger to Germany. It also means the extinction of China's trade, and imperils all the English possessions in the East. It is reported that the suspension of French operations in China is due to German mediation. Admiral Peyron, Minister of Marine, has reused to request both General Briere de Lisle in Tonquin and Admiral Courbet in China, to recommerce warlike operations with the view of hastening a crisis.

At a meeting of the Land League in Dublin on September 17, Mr. Redmond denied that Irishmen were becoming apathetic to national movements, and expected that in the coming winter the cause would receive as great a support as it has ever had . He stated that until the visit of himself and Mr. Sexton to Boston, the Irish Americans.

were entirely unaware that help was needed to forwara the interests of the Irish national cause.

Mr. Gladstone left Midlothian on September 26i ' On parting he thanked his constituents with much warmth of expression for the encouraging reception accorded to him throughout his tour. The many honours shown him were owing, he believed, to the great cause which he represented. He also spoke at Carlisle. Among other things of a like tenor, he said in the present crisis the Lords ought to study the best means to provide that the House of Lords shall not fall. This end can bo secured by their acting with moderation arid prudence. At the meeting of the National League at Ballinasloe, on September 21, Mr. J. M. Kenny, M.P. for Ennis, declared that Ireland would never be contented till she was free. The Irish members of the House of Commons were opposed, he said, to the Liberal Government, because they expect more from the Conservatives. Resolutions were adopted in favour of an independent Government and a peasant firoprietory. Mr. Parnell was cheered as the future premier of reland. Mr. Thomas Sexton retires from Parliament ns representative for Sligo, and will contest another seat. The municipal authorities at Limerick formally resolved not to pay the extra police tax, and to send a deputation to Earl Spencer, the Lord-lieutenant, whom they denounced as a tyrant. The voting stood at 18 to 2. The extra police were appointed by the Govern" ment on the plea that the local authorities did not furnish sufficient protection against outrages and the cost of their maintenance was assessed upon the community to which they were assigned. This is tbe-tax that Limerick refuses to pay. A dispatch from Naples of September 13 says :— The better sections of the town are deserted, and all the shops are closed at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The theatres are all shut, and many of the poorer streets are silent as death. Even the cafes are closed, and the only sign of life is joiners hammering rough coffins. In some of these streets absolutely everybody is either sick or dead. In one street, the Bia Duchessa, 30 cases occurred in a single house. The smell of burned sulphur is everywhere, and the wretched people of the poorer classes are either stupefied or frantic. Out of sheer perversity people eat more fruit and vegetables than usual. The captain of an Italian barque vhich arrived at the quarantine-grounds, Quebec, on September 13, from Marseilles, with a clean bill of health, says the cholera at that port is much worse than is made public. A death by cholera was reported in Stone bridge, Worcester, on September 16. It was reported from Toulon on the 18th that the epidemic had increased. A report from Naples on the same date was to the effect that the cholera had spread to the west end of the city, and the director of the Incurable Hospital had fallen a -victim to it. The workmen of Spezzia were not allowed to leave the city to work. On September 20 the United States consul a tj Naples telegraphed that the condition of affairs was more encouraging. There were fewer cases and deaths. The number of cases for the 24 hours preceding his telegram was 305, and of deaths 97. At the latest (oa September 23) the cholera was reported on the increase to an alarming extent in Geneva — 68 new cases were reported on that day. Since the outbreak in Naples up to September 28 there had been 10,103 cases, and 5385 deaths.

Tuesday.

In the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr. O'Callaghan gave notice to ask whether the Government will bring in a bifl to abolish the duty on binder twine. Mr. Macandrew gave notice to ask whether Government will grant a bonus for the first 20 or 30 tons of tinned fish, with a view to the encouragement of the industry. — The Civil List Act Amendment Bill was introduced in Committee by the Hon, Mr. Stout, and read a first time.— The Hon. Mr. Stout moved that the amendments made in Committee on the East and West Coast (.Middle Island) Railway Bill be agreed to. Mr. Rolleston moved the recommittal of the bill, with a view of inserting a clause to the effect tbat no other railways than those specified be constructed under the provisions of the Act. The Hon. Mr. Stout did not consider this course necessary, as any fresh contracts would have to obtain the sanction of the House. He hoped the bill would not be recommits d. Mr. Barron said if the bill were recommitted he would move that the words " 30 per cent, of the cost of the railways " be inserted in clause 9 instead of 50 per cent. He thought members voted on this question on Friday night under a misconception. Mr. Holmes and Mr. Richardson (Mataura) also gave notice of certain amendments if the recommittal of the bill was agreed to. Considerable discussion ensued on the proposal to recommit the bill. The motion for the recommittal of the bill was put, and lost on division — ayes, 40 ; noes, 15. The amendments were then agreed to. On the question that the bill be read a third time being put, Mr. Wakefield said a very important change had been made in the bill in Committee by causing the railway to be changed from a trunk line to a disconnected piece of railway. This change has been effected by fixing on the Arthur's Pass route, which prevented the line from being the trunk line from Nelson to the East and West Coasts. He thought, however, that the bill had been greatly improved by its passage through Committee. He merely mentioned his objection, because he thought the change that had been made had affected the continuity of the route. The Hob. Mr. Richardson comba'ed Mr. Wakefield's arguments, and pointed out that the distance "f the line would be the same whether it were constructed by Arthu 's Pass or by Cannibal Gorge. The bill was then read a third time and passed. Some little apprehension (says the Greymouth Argus'), not to say alarm, is felt in the No Town district from the fact that the notorious John White, who some months ago desecrated the Catholic Church at No Town, and who has since been confined in the Seaview Lunatic Asylum, has been liberated by the authorities, and has once more turned up in his old haunts. There is ground for apprehension that White will not be long before he is guilty of some insane act or other. Those who know him longest are strongly of opinion tbat the unfortunate man has been insane for years, and that although not always violent he should be kept under restraint in order to protect

I the community against some violent outbreak on bis part. * This opinion of the man, coupled with the fact that he threatened several of those who assisted in his arrest, form not unreasonable ground for uneasiness at seeing so eccentric a being turned- loose on the district. We should be inclined to think that if Mr. White values bis liberty of action he will eschew fighting whisky and live at peace with his neighbours. Two men are supposed to have been drowned on Saturday night while crossing the Manawatu River. One was Fitzsimmons, a married man, and the other M'Kenzie, a youth about 17. No one saw the occurrence, and no trace of the bodies has yet been found, but the horses they riding were found loose, and the men have not been seen since Saturday evening. Search is now being made. A trial shipment of bops, grown by Mr. J. Saxon, of Motueka, realised the top price, beating English hops in the London market. They fetched 150s. per cwt. The reposit received by the Brindisi mail speaks highly of the quality and condition, and states that they were admirably suited for the English market. Antonio Vassanelli, while at work in an alluvial claim at Boss yesterday, was killed by a fall of earth. The face of the claim is 200 ft. high and Bassanelli ran 40ft. along the tailrace before he was overtaken.

The lunatic Gibson was captured in Pigeon Valley, Wakefield, about 7 o'clock on Sunday night. Mr. Wadsworth waa walking with a young lacy, and when near the footbridge he saw a man barefooted walk oa the road about 15 yards distant* and feeliug sure it was Gibson be dasbed off after him. As soon as Gibson saw he was observed he made off with the intention of gaining the busb, but Wadsworth was too quick for him, and after a sharp run caught the man, who fortunately wa9 unarmed. He effected no resistance, Wadsworth obtained the assistance of some settlers, and brought Gibson to Spring Grove, whence he was shortly afterwards brought to town. Gibson bears no signs of exposure, and looks the' picture of health and strength. He was wearing a bag in place of a coat, his head and arms being thrust through holes cut in it. On being charged with shooting Busch, he replied that no one saw him doing it, and could they not prove it. He seems in no way violent. Mr. Wadsworth deserves great praise, as search parties were out in quite different directions. From the latest reports Busch is progressing satisfactorily. A proposal has been made to extend the boundaries of the city of Christcbuich, to include Sydenham, St. Albans, and other suburbs, and the City Council have invited delegates to a conference to consider the matter. The instructions issued by the British Government to Commodore Brskineto proceed to New Guinea and proclaim a British pro. tectorate over the southern coasts and adjacent islands have occasioned a great sensation in France. The Parisian Press animadverts on. England's insatiable greed for acquiring new territory, and urges the French Government to protest against a British protectorate. It is currently stated here that the British expedition into the Soudan will advance towards Khartoum early in November, by which time it is considered all preparations will have been made, and the Nile will be in a favourable condition for the passage of troops by boat. The cholera epidemic has almost ceased in France, and the reports from Italy show a great decreasi in the daily number of deaths from the disease. A committee of Catholic gentlemen has been appointed ab Napier to collect subscriptions to raise a memorial to the late Father Forrest, the estimated cost of which is £200. Wednesday. In the Legistative council yesterday, the Hon. P. A. Buckley announced that the Governor had been pleased to call Mr. William Reeves,, of Christchurch, to the Upper House. Sir. G, Whitmore moved the second reading of the Gisborne Harbour Bill. — Carried. The Greymouth and Westpoit Harbour Boards Bill was introduced and read a first time. The Otago Harbour Board Loans Consolidation Bill was read a third time and passed. The Southern Cross Oil Company are down about 400 ft, in the new bore, and the indications are considered favourable.

Messrs. Bryant and Mills' flourmill at Motueka was destroyed by fire yesterday afternoon. The fire commenced ia the roof of the eugine-roona, but it is not known how it was caused. There was a heavy stock on hand, and only about 10 tons was saved. The building was insured for £600, divided between the Standard, South British, and Victoria Offices. The estimated loss on the building is £300 above the insurance, and the total loss £600, the contents being 'uninsured. There was a large quantity of wheat and flour belonging to other persons, which was also uninsured.

Mining at Macteown is about to revive (writes the Arrowtown correspondent of the Wdkabij) Mail). The Maryborough battery has commenced crushing the Premier stone, of which a goodly quantity is at grass, which, with the progressing production of. quartz, may keep the mill constantly going until Christmas. The Tipper ary Co, are also about to prepare for crashing. The stone in the mine looks well, and although the depth to which the mine is being worked is constantly increasing, there is every hope that the yield of the coming season will come up to that of former yeais. This taken together ,with the decreased cost of mining timber, since the con* struction of the Macetown dray-road, holds out a prospect to shareholders of increased dividends. It may be estimated that timber is now being delivered at Macetown at a reduced price of 50 per cent. — the redaction being entirely due to the improved means of transport, indicates the advantage of wheeled traffic over the pack system. The Arrow Teefs which were foißted (this word is intended to convey its dictionary sense) upon the share market last year about this time with such a nourish of trumpets, are now allowed to lie idle, all confidence in them having been destroyed by the unconscionable puffing of interested parties — who were also the promoters — and to whom the columns of a Dunedin evening paper, and those of the local Press were open, and were abused in the most bare-faced manner for purposes it is not difficult to guess at, The result is what we now

and it will be years before confidence is restored— and I may add that time must be assisted by "cakes" to remove the odium which has been thrown upon mining. The Enterprise Co. succeeded in their tunnel in striking a body of quartz in which gold is visible, and they have also proved some gold-bearing stone in a shaft about 100 feet higher than the tunnel. Yet, with these prospects before it, the mine is allowed to be idle ; whereas, last year, with not half the favorable chance of success, it was taken in hand with laudable energy. This shows the result of injudicious newspaper reports. The Lucknow Co. are in exactly a similar position, and it is questionable whether a start will be made in the mine this summer. The New Criterion Co. are unfavorably situated on account of the principal shareholder having left the district. Although this company has superior prospects, the expenses of opening the mine require a strong company and a well-defined system of work to he done in the mine. In alluvial mining there is a slight revival, and many parties who have resumed mining lately are on fairly payable gold. A Wanganui paper says that since the victory of the non-smokers over the smokers, afc Lords, the consumption of tobacco amongst knights of the willow has fallen off in such a marked manner that it is feared the revenue will be seriously affected. -...The Tichborne claimant, Arthur Orton, has been released from prison. * o Si! 188 be l n decided to limit the strength of the Egyptian army to 8,000 men, but at the same time to materially increase the police force.

A Catholic mission is proceeding to New Guinea. Intelligence has been received from Tonquin that the Chinese recently attacked the French position at Tuyengugen, but were repoised with heavy loss. General De Lisle, in command of the French ;«°2JS in Ton< l vin > has ma de a demand for a further reinforcement of 10,000 men. The blockade of the island of Formosa has been notified. A few days ago we (Thames Star') mentioned that the manager had commenced sinking a winze in a likely place for gold, -viz., on the famous No. 1 reef, Kuranui Hill, seaward of the slide, at the beach level. This is now down about 15ft., and the reef in the hot. torn is 7or 8 inches wide. Gold has been seeu in each breaking since sinking was commenced, and in taking down the quartz late yesterday afternoon the manager bagged about 91b3. of stone rich enough to be classed as .specimens. The gold is course, and is mixed with the mineral, of which the quartz contains a large percentage. The discovery is the more promising as the reef has never been picked ud below the beach level seaward of the slide, althongh on the eastern side very rich returns were obtained from it. The present winze is bOft. west of the slide, and as soon as it is down deeo enough, a few feet of cross-cutting will connect it with the Albion 80ft. level drive on the cross-reef, when the work of systematically opening up the lode can be proceeded with. Another encouraging fact is that a vertical leader is showing at the beach level on the hanging wall of ° U d dr °&? to S e latt , er w * en tbe winze ha * b * en sunk another 30ft. or so. When the reef is opened up at the 80ft. level tifi^ nag iT T n a B ™? pen - out on several branch le aders which yielded well above. When it is remembered that such exceedingly "^oW was got on the east side of the , slide, and also above tbe XT'"" 11116 Btran . ge indeed if with the good prospects already obtained, a remunerative block is not opened up. We hope this may prove to be the case, and that Mr. Crawford's persevering ffiffSßf^S JSP in the dißCovery of that h °p e of al! The fifteenth annual report of the Mutual Life Association of B?,fn ra T' P res^to the members on Tuesday last (says tne Sydney Morning Herald) is indicative at once of the enterprising management and sound condition of the society, and of the prosperous andpiogressive condition of the colonies which permits such results to be obtained. Through tbe past year the Society has issued 2880 ?n7fo Sb?l V^f^V' f[ 2-°4o,producin2 -°40,producing y premiums amount, ing to £23,574 19s fid. Such business, taken by itself must he HSIXS n? -°i 8i 8 - .. PP ° hC i eS ' from wbich the annual "come is .tiM? 1 . <w» with interest on invested funds added, £126,000. .? * * ayS thechair , man » "as the net result of fifteen years work 2 Si/" 081 ??.' and tbere sce ™ ™ reason to differ withSn Se sSietv ?08fift n 8 r g-°g -°° d - Pr ° gl ? B8 ' and as * ood for the Go] ™™ •• nnmb^i o^ii v? hCl !f °?e? c lnßWanc e office implies that a large ?Wf Persons have attained a position of prosperity which enables and tWhtf?°T methm A O£ *£?* in ? Omes ' and a o&dittan of prudence whiftn/nl L egar ? f ° r bOSe de rto or dependent upon them, which induces them to make such a provision as to deprive any !SJ?\! ?°°^ d l a lt° f itS mOre crue * consequences. And if so m a l y v,« aye t bro »gb.ths one office made this provision, how many 2£s,£inV?? a advantage o£ the opportunities offered by the many SSSrtUWth? f"^ and .P ro * id ence? The question of the JnJwered Lt£ /f^ Ual P™ BBl '^ yas introduced and satisfactorily «r™ nTnn 7*7 * secretarys ecretary who, beginning with the homely proverb, ■w\-w -° m^ c an omelette without breaking eggs," proceeded to B^?nf^rv im oPOSSibo POSSibl A-° d-°d -° busi °essin life aTsurance whhout crippling obligations. The duty of lite zzswwtt lS£™hi£ the great majority of people have still to learn, and the best thanks of the community are due to the office that does most to teach it

Thubsdat. In the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr. White gave notice that he would move— " That if Wellington is to continue the seat of Government, it is detrimental to the interests of the Colony that the district embracing the city of Wellington, and the surrounding country within five miles of the boundaries of the said city should be represented in the House ; or that any person permanently resident and interested in property within such district should be a member of the Legislative Council."— Replying to Mr. Seddon, the Hon. Mr. Ballance said the measure used by Government in measuring water for mining purposes was the one nearest a correct standard that could be got, despite the fact that it did not conform to the mining regulation.— Replying to Mr. Wi Pere, the Hon. Mr. BallaDce said Government would as soon as existing difficulties could be reremoved, give effect to the recommendation of the Royal Commission re the setting apart of sections of land at Patutahi and Te Muhunga —Replying to Mr. Loche,the Hon. Mr. Stout said the correspondence between Clyde and Gisborne was not sufficient to justify the expenditure for an overland mail beine incurred at present.— The following reports were agreed to, the bills read a third time, and passed ;— Government Insurance Association and Public Works Act Amendment Bills. The following Bills were read a second time :— " Destitute Persons Act 1877" Amendment Bill, West Coast Settlement Bill, Life Assurance Policies Bill, Westland Education District Subdivision Bill. Tne following passed through Committee, were reported, read a third time, and passed :— Waikato Confiscated Land Bill, Drainage of Mines Bill, Supreme Court Registrar (Taranaki) Empowering Bill. The Po.ice Offences Bill was further considered in Committee.— Mr. Seddon moved that clause 13 be amended to prohibit the prosecution of trade and callings on Sundays. Mr. Stewart moved the addition of the words " for pay or remuneration." Mr. Bracken closed his lecturing season at the Opora-house in Auckland on Tuesday night. He proceeds to Waikato on a lecturing tour, and returns South in a week, settling permanently in Dunedin or Wellington. Among the passengers by the Wairarapa was a Christ's Hospital Bluecoat boy in full uniform, with blue coat and yellow stockings. The Auckland branch of " Old Blues" drove him in a carriage round the city in honour of being the first representative in the Colony. It is announced that the Right Hon. J. G. Dodaon has been iaised to the peerage. The Right Hon. G. O. Trevelyan, Chief Secretary for Ireland, succeeds Mr. Dodson as Chancellor of the Duchy of Laucaster, And with a seat ia the Cabinet. Mr. H. Campbell-Banner-man, Secretary to the Admiralty, is appointed to succeed Mr. Trevelyan as Chief Secretary for Ireland.