INTERPROVINCIAL TELEGRAMS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 87, 18 May 1877, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL TELEGRAMS.

[From the Press Agency]

Auckland, May 14. The German war-ship Augusta and H.M. Sappho, are at Apai. A deputation of Samoan chiefs has gone to Fiji.to claim British protection for Samoa where all troubles are now at a n end.

The brigantine Helena arrived from Tonga and Samoa about March 20. The May Queen was at Rua, having taken on board a cargo of sheep, when the hurricane came on suddenly, and the vessel was lost sight of. Nothing has been seen or heard of her since, although the man-of-war Sappho and the King of Tonga have used every effort to trace her. The hurricane lasted 24 hours, and destroyed on Tongataboo, and Keppcl Islands over 1000 houses and 16 churches. It is generally believed that the May Queen is lost, with all hands. Captain Menzies, late chief officer of the Countess of Kintore was in command, and the following were known to be on board : —G. Bullock (salesman for Owen and Graham, of Auckland), George Owen, junr., with mate and crew of four Kanakas. Mrs. Menzies had landed at Samoa. The ketch Pearl, during the hurricane, was thrown high and dry on a reef at Tonga, but was got off with only slight injury.

The May Queen was insured in the New Zealand, open policy, £2000 ; National, £300 ; also for £100 (?) in New Zealand on specie. A quarter oi the latter was insured in the Standard, and quarter in an Australian office. During the hurricanes at Tonga, between six and seven hundred houses were blown down, and there is general ruin all over the island. The ketch Pear!left Tonga for Goa to load sheep, but determined to run back. The May Queen was seen on the lee of the island on her beam end. The schooner Favourite lost three sales. The Pearl, Prince of Wales, and William and Caroline were all blown high and dry. .',,-' Wellington, May 15. The ship Ben Ledi, from Londonjfcan in without a pilot during the heavy gale,

last night. She encountered very heavy weather running down the English Channel, and lost four men off the jib-boom, and had to put back for repairs. She brings a number of cabin passengers.

The telegraph department has to-day received intimation that the Sydney Government will co-operate with the Cable Company and the New Zealand Government in opening the office at 1.30 a.m. New Zealand time, for the distribution of English telegrams. The, •arrangement will come into "operation when the department has the necessary signal bells supplied to stations to be opened—in say about a week.

Dunedin, May 15

An inquest was held on Clarke yesterday. A verdict of " Accidental death" was returned, but the jury added a rider blaming the Government for supplying unsafe and unsuitable engines and trucks to contractors.