Saturday.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 41, 30 January 1885, Page 9

Saturday.

The murder of Mr. Anketell, manager, and Mr. Burrup, accountant of the Union Bank of Australia, at Boeburn, Western Australia, Was committed on the 12th inst. 'Both victims were asleep at the time they were killed. The cause of the crime is as yet completely a mystery, but tracks which have been discovered in the vicinity are being followed up, Mr. Parnell, speaking at Cork, nrged the labourers and farmers to pay no rent, and also advocated the protection of Irish industries. It is rumoured that the Conference respecting the Pacific will be held in London, and that it will lead to mutual intercourse between Germany and England respecting these islands. The severe weather experienced in the north of Italy has cansed aheavy avalanche at Piedmont, and in Savoy several villages have been completely destroyed. Herr Krnger recently delivered a speech to the Goshenite Boers, in which he stated that the Transvaal Government were determined to pursue severe measures to repress disorder in Bechuanaland. In reply the Goshenite leaders protested that they were anxious to live at peace with the Natives.

- tJ£— Com M mi^ of the German Reichstag have recommended the subsidising of an African-Australasian lineof steamerT irnonViS; 8 ?? I°' e i?^^^ between the rebels and the British £££ HW?f* Colone l Sur . Herbert Stewart mear aaMQ I *<>w that ISSLSF- *»■*• Wrterofamilefnmi the English- lines the Arabs cnargea m splendid line with their banners waving. Amongst those f!™* Sf * f Bmir of , E1 Metemneh. The Emir of Berber received a spear thrust. Several of the men under Colonel Burnaby, and peat many camels were speared by the Arabs. The Arabs, having formed a square, were charged by the marines, who killed every Arab composing the square. Great tactical skill and bravery were shown by the Arabs. The loss of the English included six officers and 46 men killed. A Gatling gun was disabled. The sailors, in their charge on the square, lost two officers. The country in which the engagement took place was very rocky and rugged. The rebels under the Mabdi have captured Amderman. Later information from Gakdul states that the English were enticed into a difficult position, when the Arabs charged the front line, but were repulsed. They then furiously attacked the left rear. At the onset the " heavies" broke, but quickly rallied. The guards and light infantry then opened up a ™ ?f y?* fire on the enen »y- Kis estimated that the Arab loss was 1200 killed and wounded. Colonel Sir Herbert Stewart's horse was killed under him. The enemy have retired to El Metemneh. The British lost nine officers killed, including Colonel Burnaby, and nine wounded, including Captain Viscount St. Vincent and the Earl of Airhe ; also 65 men killed. 85 were wounded. Some amusing incidents (says the Auckland Herald) occurred at the fire on Saturday night. As Mr. Holdship, the managing director of the Auckland Timber Company, was passing up and down the gangway near their factory, in the vicinity of the bucket gang, keeping an eye on the operations, a stranger, who was working like a beaver, but did not know Mr. Holdship, accosted him with, " Confound it man, take a bucket and put your hands to. Don't you see the mill is likely to catch fire ? " The " controlling nozzle," which Superintendent Hughes used for the first time on Saturday night, is a combination of branches and nozzles, and regulates the pressure and volume of water thrown to any extent required. He had it made at Branston and Forster's, for mill work especially. The full force of a jet of water from it would knock a man down. A short distance from the mouth the cover is perforated with large holes, looking like the chambers of a revolver. The lroquois* blue jackets, when they got hold of it on Saturday night, on relieving the Auckland firemen, christened it, " The Young Gatling. 1 ' In a few minutes the pressure of water caused it to get lively, and it took the Yankee branchman over the yard. Presently one of the men of the lroquois got in the line of fire— or rather water— and it struck him heavy. He made a doable somersault, and cavorted into a sawdust pit. On emerging, he managed to ejaculate, between mouthfuls of sawdust and scoria ash, " Why is this thus ? " But the only explanation vouchsafed was, " Can't help it Bill ; the 'Young Gatling' is a terror to kick ! " (shortly afterwards, a Salvage Corps' man came along, and that diabolical " controlling nozzle " accidentally got his range. He got it squarely on the " centre of gravity," and was shot as if from a catapult headfirst into a stack of timbers, his legs remaining in the air, doing a " Breakdown." The American branchman requested some of his mates to " pull the ' blooming ' fool out," and a volunteer party went in and drew him out in sections, like a telescope. It is popularly supposed that St. Bernards are gentle animals (says the Jjyttelton Times), whose sympathies lie with human beings rather than againßt them. The idea is fostered by the Alpine stories, but it is just as well to know, in view of the recent increase in the number of these dogs, that they are often very dangerous and savage brutes. Twice lately in Wellington children have been attacked and and maltreated by them. Only this week a little boy of three or four was nearly killed by a St. Bernard. Both hands were bitten through, the left ear nearly torn off, and a bad scalp wound inflicted. But for the prompt interference of a man who heard the boy's screams there would not have been much of him left.