Friday.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 43, 13 February 1885, Page 9

Friday.

Bib JtjliUß Vooxii has acceded to the request to address a public meeting at Auckland shortly. Ata half-yearlylmeeting of the Bay of Islands Coal Company the report showed tbat 15,486 tons coal was raised during the half-year, an increase of 2920 tons on the previous half-year ; but the hardness of the coal and cost of raising had absorbed the total receipts and £208 balance, leaving £5 to carry forward. A resolution was carried asking the directors to make representations to absolutely remit the royalty. A man and wife who arrived at Invercargill on Tuesday tell a singular story of hew they were duped into making the journey on . foot from Christ church — a distance of 370 miles. They state that they were .passengers per the ship Waimate, the husband being a .gardener. Shortly after their arrival in the Colony both their children died, and he could get no work, One evening he met a man, wbo said he had a place at Invercargill, and engaged him at ""to 6d a day to go down to work on it. The pair having no funds, started to walk here, thankful for a chance of work. Tney were 22 days on the road, in boisterous weather, and frequently slept out. On their arrival they found that no onoj'.of the name (Henty) was known here, and their case became desperate, the woman being near confinement. Their case wa9 brought under the notice of the Benevolent Institution, and lodging was provided, since which the ex-immigration officer (Mr. Lillicarp) has obtained a situation for them. '1 he Ouistchnrch Press states that on Tuesday a little girl, one of the pupils at the Rangiora school, died from the effects of brain fever, brought on, it is supposed, bj over zealous study. In her delirium before death supervened, she kept constantly going over sums, writing lessons, geography, and other subjects which are found in the school table. At Hawera, on Wednesday afternoon, Michael Bourke, brewer, and Harry Hughes, brewer's assistant, were charged with having knowingly conveyed Bpirits on which the full duty had not been paid ; and Thomas Lloyd, publican, was charged with having in his possession spirits on which the full duty was not paid. All three were -remanded. It is understood that distillation has been , going on in some part of this district — variously stated to be Kakaramea, Woodville, and Manutahi— for the .past-<eight or nine months, and that a large number of people are implicated. The latest information is that a still has been discovered on the Otoia-Opahu block, between Woodville and Manutahi. Further arrests are those of George Beamish (ex-publican at Patea) and John Anderson, one of the whisky-makers. One Jessop, of illicit whisky-making ' fame, will bear witness for the prosecution in this instance. A man has been arrested who it is believed is Implicated with ■Gilbeit, now in custody in connection with the dynamite outrage at the Tower. He (Cunningham), is suspected of being concerned in the explosion at King's Croas station last year. The assailant oE O'Donovan Rosda is a hospital nurse name! Dudley. It is supposed that her act was prompted by her indignation at the recent action of the riynamitards in London. Her sanity is doubted in some quarters. Rossa's wound is not a fatal one. The partisans of Rossa stigmatise the woman as a British emissary sent over to take Rossa's life. Mrs. Dudley is regarded in the United States as a heroine. Up to th c present Rossa's medical attendants have been unable to extract the bullet. It id expected that Italy will occupy Souakim. Portugal has seized the banks of the Congo. The Chinese outwork? at Kelung bave been captured by the French, with a loss of 11 killed and 53 wounded. The Hon. G. J. Goßchen, speaking at Edinburgh, said that the union of the Colonies was essential to the Empire. The Porte has sent a strong protest to Rjome against the recent annexations by Italy on the Red Sea coast. It is stated that an agreement has been concluded between the British and Italian Governments under which Italy will help England to establish Government in the Soudan, and will occupy Ma^sowah and perhaps Souakim. A second Italian expedition destined for Massowah, will leave Naples on Monday next. A force consisting of 80 British Hussars and some Egyptian troops, which was despatched to Handoub to burn it down, had •effected tbat purpose, and was returning to Souakim, when it was surrounded by a large body of rebels. Heavy fighting ensued, but •the Hussars and Egyptians succeeded in effecting their escape with thelosßof eight men killed, five of whom were Hussars. Colonel Freemantle, commanding the troops at Souakim, telegraphs to headcfr««ters tbat the officer in command of the force. of .Hussars and i^iptianß exceeded his instructions.