SECOND EDITION. BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3680, 8 December 1874, Page 3

SECOND EDITION. BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Queenstown, December 8. Since noon, the prospects of observing the transit have wondei fully improved. The clouds are passing away, but the glass is falling. Mr Grace reports that he is engaged prospecting the Shotover Co.’s mine. This news damps the feeling here. Christchurch, December 8. Ram fell last night, and the sky looked bad this morning ; but it is now clearing, and the barometer has slightly an upward tendency. thus good hopes are entertained of fine weather for observing the transit of Venus -to-rftorrow. In addition to the English party at Burnham, a large number of local amateurs have made arrangements for observing the transit. _ A narrow escape from fire, under singular circumstances, occurred at Warner’s ilotel yesterday. Rays of sun shining through a bedroom window were localised by a glass waterbottle on to a towel with such effect that it caused ignition, and the table was just commencing to burn when the fire was discovered. [Sent 2.10 p.m. ; received 4.10 p.m.j Wellington, December 8. The weather has been overcast afi tin- morning. A drizzling min is now falling, and it looks threatening for the success of to-mor-row’s observers. The weather record at the telegraph stations shows overcast and gloomy weather at most of the stations in the Colony. , . Aucklind, Decembers. The citizens’ hall in honor of the Governor last night was attended by 200 ladies and gentlemen, and was of u very enjoyable character. In replying to the toast of his health, the Marquis of Normanby said that the English form of government was the best system of republic. He entertained no fear of difficulty arising between the Colonies and Great Britain. He would take the first opportunity of travelling through the Colony from end to end. Sir George Arney made an excellent speech on the toast. Referring to ex-Governor Grey, he said Governor Browne was succeeded by a man indeed of loftier genius—a man who hail devoted a larger portion of his life than perhaps any other gentleman to the governtraining, and, as far as in him lay conciliating the Native race to tfye Government qf theCpnvp of England. He still lives amongst us. JAiO man probably met with mure opposition in the course of his career. No one had to deal with subjects which culled for greater debate and wider expression of public opinion ; and yet he was quite sure that when we think o* h™ UOW livi “S amongst us, and taking delight m the beautiful island which it charmed him to cultivate, and manifesting a strong interest in the affairs of the Colony, which be loved so dearly, we should look back with pride upon the name of Sir George Grey.