BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3760, 12 March 1875, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

■ Wellington, March 12. Flans for the new Provincial Hospital are now being prepared. The new buildings are to cost about L 2,500, and will be 220 ft long, and extend over 600 ft square, including detached wards for fever and infectious diseases. The material will be brick. The new General Government’buildings are proceeding vigorously, and a large number of piles are already driven. The new buildings will contain 200 rooms and 150 fire-places. The material will be timber, and the cost about L 40.000, - The amount in round numbers of money in the Savings Banks of the Colony is as follows • -Auckland, L 86,661; Thames, L 21.543; New Plymouth, L 13,414; Napier, L 26.930: Wellington, L 102.401; Blenheim, L 12.762: Greymou*h, L 19.308; Hokitika, L 13,699 ; Christchurch, L 155,547; Dunedin, L 190,325 ; Invercargill, L 27.226. » It is understood that Mr Fox to-day posted his resignation as member for Rangitikei to the Speaker of the House of Representatives; The Trust, Loan, and Investment Society paid L 4,600 as dividend to-day, to the shareholders. . Auckland, March 11. At a meeting of the Auckland Steam Packet Company to-day, it was. resolved to increase the capital to L 150,000 by the issue of 10,000 shares of LlO. Chbibtohuboh, March 11. , A fire broke out at 6.30 this evening at Hulbert’s hatter’s shop, High street, in the business’ centre of the city, surrounded by large timberbuilt premises, with heavy stocks, on all sides., The Brigade mustered with great promptitude,; and the hand engine commenced playing on the building seven minutes after the first alarm, and one steam fire-engine fourteen minutes, and the other steam-engine sixteen minutes from the alarm being given. After a very hard struggle the Brigade succeeded in preventing the fire spreading; in fact, although the fire emerged many times from the walls and roof, which are of timber, and although the interior of the building was gutted, the shell of the building is left standing, and not above a few pounds’ worth of damage was done to adjacent buildings. The Brigade are loudly praised for the splendid manner in which they worked under their able superintendent, Mr Harris. If the fire had spread the loss of property must have been very great. Matheson’s large store is one of the adjacent buildings, and Morton’s large family hotel another. Some of Hulbert’s stock was saved. Hulbert estimates his loss at L 2.300, and says he is insured, for L4OO in the National and L6OO in the South British. The building is only insured for the paltry sum of LIOO, half of it being in the New Zealand Office. All the offices had heavy risks in the vicinity of the fire.

The Provincial Council is summoned to meet on the 2nd of April. A lively disoassumris. expected. The management of railways will create a great deal of discussion, many being of* opinion that greater economy could be exercised. An archery match is on the tapis between the Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland Clubs. Mr J. L. Coster resumes the management of the Bank of New Zealand here, and Mr Holt, the present manager, goes to Sydney to take charge of the branch recently established there. At a meeting of representatives of the New Zealand Shipping Company this morning, it was resolved to reduce the freight of wheat throughout the Colony* from L2 15s to L2los; Typhoid fever is more prevalent in Christchurch now than it has been for very many years. The * Times ’ this morning vigorously urges the necessity of improved sanitary measures. mu March 12. The City Council decided yesterday that consequent upon the refusal of the cabmen to abide by the Corporation scale of fares they would fight the matter out at law. In the meantime, the cabmen ha/e gained a point by getting the cabstands thrown open, which the Council was forced to do when the first lot of licenses were issued. The insurance upon the premisss ’destroyed by fire last night are Hulbert’s stock in the ? ou^™ nt £V or L4O0 > and in the National for C4IK). Hulbext estimates his loss atL2,300. The building was insured in the New Zealand Company for LSO. {From our own Correspondents.) Chmstohubgh, March 11. It has been decided by the committee of the Public Library to recommend that the reading room shall be opened from 8 a.ni. to 10 p.mT and the library from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and not closed at all during that time. The Rev Charles Clark’s third lecture last night drew a crowded audience. At a special meeting of the City Council this morning to further consider the cab cases, in consequence of the cabmen deciding not to ply under the bye-law fares, the whole question will be re-opened, and it seems impossible to know when litigation will cease. A letter appears in this morning’s ‘Press’ wanting to know when the present councillors will resign. Everybody, excepting those connected with the cases and the lawyers, is heartily sick of the state of squabbling which has now been going on so long. Mr John 011ivier ? one of the oldest Canterbury residents, declines the proposed testimonial, Scandal says there were out very few subscribers, and that the proposed testimonial had died a natural death. Mr Fowler, sheep fanner at Amuri, has been committed for trial for stealing sheep from M‘Arthur Bros., St. James’s station, Amn^ Captain M'Latohee was the purchaser of the barque James Hannell for thirteen thousand pounds. mi. t. ' March 12. TJe Rev. Charles Clark has been compelled to hasten his return to Melbourne to take charge of his new church. His overland trip has consequently been abandoned, and he wifi leave here by the Phoebe to morrow, for Dunedin. * , Auckland, March U. The statements about the plentifulhess of gum at Ohinemuri are exaggerated, parties who went to dig gum having returned dlsappomted. The miners are much more hopeful about the prospectors’ claim, but a number have returned to Grfihamstown. Sir George Grey‘s pension as a retired Governor is t/1,600, which is suspended while holding any official emolument. T&e salary of Superintendent is only Lsoo. y

A Juvenile Good Templar. Lodge for boys and girls from twelve to axitben yearn -old has been establij&ed here. : ' A trotting match between Mr Perkins’s bay mare Judy and Mr Dormatell’a Charlie, the owneraindlng their animals, created a good deal of interest in sporting circles. Perkins won easily. The stakes were L 240. It was reported that Mr Mackay intended to contest the Superintendenoy with Sir George Grey, but this he positively denies. Denis Dickson, the successful tenderer for the new hospital at L 15,833. forfeited LIOO de posit, rather than take up tne contract.. Fresh tenders have been called. Napier, March 12. The entries for the Napier races are: Thirteen for the Maiden Plate, ten for the Scurry, five for the Hawke’s Bay Stakes, six for the Hurdle, five for the Produce, and twenty for the Town Plate. The races being held at Pakowai will probably prevent many Napier people going, consequently when the booths were put up to auction there was no bid.: Pakojvaiis nine miles from town, and the race-course about one mile from the nearest point of. the. railway at which a temporary station can be erected. . Wellington, March 12. Judge Gillies was sworn in by Judge Johnston to-day. :■ The Australian Mutual Provident Society, having LIO,OOO to deposit for a year, invited tenders from the banks for it; and the Bmilf of Australasia’s offer of 7 pet oent. was accepted ' THE SUEZ MAIL. London, J anpary22. Mr Frere has been created a Companion of the Order of St. Mifihaal And St. George, as commissioner in the inquiry respecting the treatment of immigrants in British Guiana and Mauritius. > v - . the first steamer of thfe new Australian Steam Company, leaves London on 27 th February for Melbourne. Two of the directors Accompany her for the pUrpeeCr 6f arranging a contract-with the Victorian Obvernment for the conveyance of a fortnightly mail, to alternate with the P. and G. Company's steamers. ;

The Timaru has on board 20,000 salmon eggs, frown in an ice-box, for Otago. The Tmtern Abbey takes out 1.130 Uving birds for New Zealand, including blackbirds, thrushes, starlings, goldfinches, ropoles, linnets,. and partridges, . The Rev. T. W. Farter, formerly chaplain to the Grafton, is spoken of as tnenew Bishop of Brisbane. ; The W emigration scheme sanctioned by tne Canadian Government is in working order. The agents, acting under Mr Edward Jenkins, are visiting all parts of England, and a greal outflow is expected in the spring. Delegates .are starting to Canada and Missißsipni to Kirations for the new arrivals. Mr Taylor, e National Labor Union, -on returning from his four of inspection, gives a favorable account or tne recent emigrants.. • , . > f Returns of the Mersey Emigration for 1874 show a decline of 67,463 persons. .Wiethe view to ulterior proceedings,. Mr Wm. Cobbett still persists in his attempt to oht un from the governor of Milbank Prison a copy of the warrant committing Arthur Orton, or, failing that, bo recover LIOO penalty lor refusal . ■ • ; Mrs Pittendroigh still shows-fight Her father has summoned her . before-the Police Court for abusive and threatening language Ae having refused to relinquish the tenancy dt* house after notice was served. The landlord sent men to take away the doors, 'ihese she assaulted, and, being summoned, was sent to pnson for fourteen days. The Queen is still at Osborne. She has subscribed LIGO towards the relief of the sufferers from the railway accident near Oxford, end offered to provide for Mrs Budden, the widow of the captain of the La Plata, lost in the Bay of Biscay. ■ * _ Prince Leopold is recovering from a rwfld attack of typhoid fever attributed to bad water and drainage at Oxford, but a fresh attack Of hemorrhage creates alarm. Mr Gladstone’s announcement of his intention to retire from the leadership has created great consternation in the Liberal party. After forty-two years of a laborious public life, the ex-Brenner thinks he is entitled to repose, ahd intends to devote himself to favorite literary pursuits. Efforts were made to dissuade him from his decision, but in vain. No possible successor will command the support of all sections of the Liberal party. The Queen offeredto confer a mark of Royal favor on Mrs Gladstone, ha on the late Mrs Disraeli , .The first Cabinet meeting of 1876 was held on I2tn inst. The Premier was sufficiently recovered to be present. - Mr Justice Keating is about to retire. Dr Ball has been sworn in Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Alderman M‘Swiney has been elected Lord Mayor of Dublin. The new Admiralty Board consists of Mr Ward Hunt, Admirals Milne and Hornby, Captain Lord Gifford, and Sir Massey Lopes. The distinction of 0.8. has been conferred upon Mr Cunhffe Owen for his services as secretary of theßoyal Commission for the Vienna Exhibition. T^Ai£ d S^* nfc x hl f be . en PT wed against Mr Albert Grant, charging him with misdemeanor in connection with .the Kidderminster election. ' A grand juvenile ball was riven at the Mansion House on New Year’s .Eve. About L2OO invitations were issued. Mr Disraeli in reply to a memorial fro® the members of the Evangelical party, forwarded by Lari Shaftesbury, on various matters connected with the condition of the Church, expresses a hope that the Public Worship Bill will remedy the insubordination and lawlessness of some of the clergy, agrees with the memorialists that it is desirable to cultivate an intimate relation between the clergy and lai.y, and believes that under existing legislation a further expansion of the ecclesiastical Wchmery may be accomplished. Assured by this vague letter, the committee of the Evangelical Union advise suspension ef all active efforts at Ohurch reformation. In compliance with the request of the Manchester Conference, the executive of the Liberation Society has appointed a special committee to prepare a scheme of disestablishment and disendowment. ' The leading Nonconformists of Glasgow have resolved to found a National Association to pro* mote the abolition of the State Church of Scotland. Ample funds are forthcoming. Lord Lyttelton has announced his intention to a introduce a Bill for an increase of the episcopate. It is stated that Mr Baird, who lately gave half a million to the Church of Scotland, will receive a baronetcy. Lord Carnarvon has effected a final arrangement between Canada and British Columbia. The latter Colony would consent to federation only on the pledge that the Dominion Government should construct a railway from the head of the chain of the Great Lakes to the Pacific. That contract they could not perform, capitalists shunning so unprofitable a contract. Through the mediation of Lord Carnarvon, sixteen .years is to be allowed for the completion of this great work, but in the interim the Dominion Minister is bound to open a local line into the Pacific Colony, and to clear a road for ordinary wheel and baggage traffic from the head of the I.Vbh to the coast. The annual expenditure will "b® two million dollars. ...... The revenue returns to 31st December juitifv the Chancellor’s favorable views that the estimates will be exceeded, probably yielding a surplus of a million. J ° Exasperated by the criticism of Post Office affairs m the Press, Lord John Manners, suspecting the inforriiation to be given by employes in the Savings Bank department, haa visited numbers with suspension or Handsome testimonials have been publicly presented to Mr Curwen, the originator of .the Tome Sol-fa system of Binging In the libel case between Riibeiry and Samnson, and Albert Grant, the jury found that the Tunes articles were ÜbeUous, that the charges Rubery were not proved, awarded LSOO damages against Sampadn, atid acquitted havw * “Btigatefi “the KrtwS The reßolve . d at a public meeting at GlaaMission settlement at I w e x d kake Nyaasa, as a memorial to Dr Livingstone. LlO.Ofo iTto be the k J

The Great Western excepted, the rival railways have yielded to the pressure of the Midland Company, and reduced their fares at all competing points. The Midland receipts show a largo increase, while the returns of other leading lines are unfavorable. The new returnticket system proves a mockery and a snare and excites loud complaints. ’ The paper on Bishop Pattersorj, in the * Quarterly Review,’ was written by Mr Gladstone.

Mr E. F. Sichel announces having retired from the firm of Messrs Joshua Brothers, and has become a member ef the London Stock Exchange, as a sworn brokerA medallion of the Royal Humane Society has been conferred on John Bennett, lessee of the Victoria Theatre, Sydney, for leaping overboard and saving a passenger between Sydney and Balmain. Mr Stanton, the champion bicycle rider, has undertaken to run 100 miles against four ponies for LIOO. On the 29th December, Keen, of Surbiton, backed himself against Berry’s trotting cob for LSO, but the ice prevented a proper finish of the match, the horse, though winning, being stopped by his owner. In America, after repeated failures, Mr Weston has performed the exploit of walking 400 miles in six consecutive days. Great destruction of rolling-stock has occurred at Rhyl Station, by a collison between a goods and a coal train, and bruising many passengers. Similar results arore from a colK- . son between a mineral and passenger train near Darlington. Seventeen persons were mutilated by|a similar disaster, about three miles from Glasgow, while the carriages were so smashed that the beams had to be cut to liberate the passengers; other accidents are. reported with results more or less serious, from Dartmouth, Haughley Junction, Sheffield, Newtown, Sunderland, Trentham, Batso, Albrighton, Tapten, Reading, and other places. At Brighton Station, a Crystal Palace train ran into a City tram. In America, near Washington, a train came into collision with an express, the latter took fire, and the mails, with bank notes worth 70,000 dollars, were burned. Nearly L 4,000 has been raised for the sufferers from the Thorpe railway accident. . Four men were executed on the 4th January for murder in London# and three in Liverpool. One of the miscreants, Peter Campbell, guilty of the street murder.of Richard Morgan, was; reprieved. Several'other cases of brutality have occurred at Liverpool, and the authorities, roused by the reproaches of the Press, are de- : vising measures for the suppression of street outrages. One gentleman offered Ll,ooolaa the nucleus of a fund for the object. In all our chief :towns magistrates and judges are pronouncing in favor of severer discipline and flogging. Manchester and Sheffield have been greatly stirred by the visit of Messrs Moody and Sankey,. the twb American evangelists. After visiting Liverpool and Birmingham, they have arranged to conduct a series of services in the Agricultural Hall, London, in March. The famous Bendigo, the converted prizefighter, is preaching to outcast classes in London with striking results. Mr R. L. Jones, timber merchant, offLiverpopl, has bequeathed all his property of L 25,000 to local charitable institutions. ? By the death of old Mr Attwood, formerly of Birmingham, he is discovered to be the donor of the H,OOO anonymous cheques, which, during several years, Lave been dispensed to* the extent of L 350,000. He hai left more than a million of money, and no wilL The . Bessemer, saloon steamer, has made a successful trip from Hull to Scarborough and back. A speed of eighteen miles per hour was attained. Numerous fires have occurred. Bedale and Syke’s premises, at Hull, were destroyed, with’ damages L 20.000; J. T. and N. Hill’s premises, Hull, L 30,000; R. Briercliff’s spinning mills, near Bolton, damaged te the extent of L 24,000; the Medlock Small ware Company’s mill, Manchester, with loss of L 30,000; the saw-mills of Driver, Jennings, and Capper, and an adjacent block of ten houses at Southampton, loss Ll0,000; part of the extensive premises of Messrs Mayers and Baker, manufacturing chemists at Battersea, L 60.000; the large hop warehouses of Messrs Luttre and Co., Southwark. By this fire Guy’s Kuspi tal was placed in great jeopardy. Mr Bradley’s indiarubber factory, Blackburn, the place being stored with naptha, loss L 10,000; Messrs William Thompson and Son’s worsted stores, Leicester; the biscuit factory of Messrs Gray and Dunn, Glasgow, damage L 50,000, and 300 persons thrown out of employment. A fire broke out in the coal stores of the Royal Dockyard, Bermuda, which was unsubdued after burning two days. Columns could be filled with shipping disasters. The steamer Cortes, from Cardiff, foundered in the Bay of Biscay. Of twenty-nine on board twenty-five perished. The steamer Delfina struck a rook off the West Coast of South America, and nearly thirty were lost. The steamer Scorfia, from Cardiff, and the Kathleen Mary, en route from Odessa, are thought to be lost. Several wrecks are reported from the Cape of Good Hope. There have beau great floods in that IColony, and much property damaged, several bridges carried away, and Alice Town nearly submerged. The estimated loss is L 350,000. Moved by feelings of humanity, the New Forest Shakers have been befriended. Mr Auberon Herbert has afforded them temporary shelter on” his grounds. About Ll(30 has been subscribed by the benevolent; and, through the intervention of Mr Cowper Temple, steps are being taken to test the legality of the distraint. The community refuse to disperse, and Mrs Girting retains her ascendancy. Their peculiarities are ascribed to unconscious mesmerism. The projected submarine tunnel under the Channel was the subject of a conversation between the Lord Mayor and the French Minister of Public Works during the Paris visit. The two Governments have sanctioned preliminary experiments. The steamer Faraday has returned home without succeeding in laying a direct cable. The Forest of Dean strike has lasted ten ' weeks, with few signs of settlement. The last attempt at adjustment, when the masters proposed an unconditional five per cent, reduction, failed. ; At a special delegates’ meeting subsequently held, the men pledged themselves to resume work; only at the old rate of wages. Great distress prevails. The masters have large stocks of coal. On the 6th January, a large delegate meeting was held at Myrthyr, when it was decided, by an immense majority, to resist the masters in the Aberdare, Meath, and Rhonda districts, and continue the strike three months. At a separate mass meeting the same day, the Merthyr men resolved unanimously to return to work on the employers’ terms. Their example has been followed in other places. At the instigation ef reckless leaders, a stubborn resistance is projected throughout Aberdare Valley,, and threatening letters are received by the engineers and firemen, who faithfully keep at their posts, and prevent the flooding of the mines. On the 12th inst,, 250 colliers were still idle, and more than 50,000 men on strike ; while nine firms were working, sixty have been compelled to suspend operations,—The workmen employed in the ship building yards on the Wear have received notice that in February remuneration on time will be reduced ten, and by’piece fifteen per cent. This will affect 7,000 men. The platers, rivstters, and boilermakers in Hull yards have struck against ten per cent, reduction. Several hundred men employed in the engineering works on the Chatham and Dover railway have struck against a system of piecework. Hands procured from federation of Trades’ Unions connected with iron and building trades, are prepared to oppose the powerful organisations of employers. Five thousand Tyne shipwrights have received notice of a ten per cent, reduction, which the majority have resolved to resist. The Durham coal-owners have resolved on a similar step, and are combining with the ironmasters to enforce a general reduction in both trades. Obituaey.—Vice Admiral Harding, formerly commanding on the Australian station; Dr Macdonald, Professor of St. Andrew’s University • Colonel Milward, superintendent Royal Labora- • tory, Woolwich; Mr Kiernan, the eminent anatomist and surgeon. ; Dr Dempster Heming, the oldest member of the legal profession ; Viscount Hill; Charles Cobden, brother of the late Richard Cobden; Robert Bushe, cricketer, who went out with Grace’s eleven last year’ Sir Samuel Bignold, fifty-three years secretary of the Norwich Fire Office; Rev. Dr Lee, superintendent of, .the Amazon Mission’ drowned while asleep on a steam launch in

South America; Rev. Edward Mannering, nonconformist; the Elector Frederick William of Hesse, aged (seventy-two; Emile Periere, and the founder of the Credit Mobilise ; Jas. Chadwick, anti-corn law leaguer; Robert Benson, City merchant; Hon. Garrett Smith, American philanthropist. MORE ABOUT THE GOTHENBURG. The Gothenburg was built on the Thames, London, was 500 tons register, and was con’ sideied a fast sailer. She was for many years engaged running between Melbourne and New Zealand, but recently she has been placed upon the line between Adelaide and Port Darwin, calling at Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. She left Adelaide on the 19th °f January, for Port Darwin, having on board the following ;-R. G. A. Pearce, captain; R. T. Davies, first mate ; R. Stephens, second mate; David Ross, oarpenter; Wm. Byrne, lamp-trimmer (saved): W. Griffiths (saved), F. W. Falk (saved), Jas! Mark (saved), Thomas Butler, Richard Beale (saved), A. Pevenson, John Reynolds (saved), David Will, Salve Filermanson (saved), O. Jackson, able seamen. Engineer department; David Short, chief engineer; Chas. Green, second engineer ; John Anderson, third engineer; AUdamen Hunke, fireman; John Flegg, fireman ; Jas. Tyrrell, Wm. Clarke, trimmers; Gustave Rosena, trimmer; John Delaney. Stewards : -Geo. Cheese, chief steward; Chas. Brown, second steward: Henry Nelson forecabin steward (saved); P. Bond, second cabin steward; W. C. Nock, assistant; Jas. Smith, pantryman; M. A. Robertson, stewardess; Joseph Hodnett, chief cook; W. Randle, second cook; Charles Dermott, butcher. A man named Hudson joined at Newcastle! (saved). At the time of the wreck the Gothenburg, in additaqn to the above crew of thirty five men, is said, to have had on board eighty'five passengers, principally in the steerage, being miners returnmg from the goldfields ; that is ( l2o p ereo ns. She also earned 3.0000z. of gold. She was insured, but not to her full, value She left Palmerston on the 16th of February on her return voyage, and consequently when wrecked was out only nine days. Captain Pearce, who commanded the Gothenburg, was an experienced and trusted officer, and appears to have run down _ south, inside the Barrier Reef, until on the mght of the 25th, some accounts say the 24th, she reached latitude 19, longitude 140 when she overtaken by a cyclone, -accompanied by lightning and blinding, rain, which had the effect of rendering her unmanageable, and she soon drifted on to Flinders’ Island, which is found on the map to lie near the entrance of Princess Charlotte Bay, formmg one of a group of dangerous islands surrounded by reefs and shoals, so that navigation under the most favorable circumstances is attended with risk and peril. She had four boats, and in one of these four men escaped. When the Leichardt proceeded to the scene of the wreck, the Gothenburg was found lying where sjie had struck. All the boats were gone, and there was not a soul found on board. Nothing could be seen from the masthead of the Leichardt of the missing boats. Among the passengers on board was his Honor Judge Wearing, who has been sent to Port Darwin to hold an assize there. It so happened that there was only one man for trial, and he was a who was convicted of the offence for which he was tried, and sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. The prisoner, however, escaped an d has not since been heard of. There were also on-board the hon. Thos. Reynolds and Mrs Reynolds. , that when the Gothenburg struck she did so with such force that there was only two feet of water forward, and five fathoms astern. The captain had a quantity of empty casks brought aft and filled, and he then trie J to back off the reef, but failed; at high tide he tried and failed again. The gale at this time : was increasing, and the sea was making the ship thump heavily. She commenced leaking about midnight. The water put out the fires, and the boats were got ready for lowering—biscuits and water being placed in each. At 3 a. m. the weather had become worse, and the two port boats were lowered, but failing to keep off the steamer’s side, the mate ordered the boats to round to on the starboard side. The gale was so heavy that the rescued men say that they failed to regain the ship. They heard the captain call to them, but as two oars only were left they were helpless, and drifted ashore. The next afternoon they tried for hours to effect a landing, but failed until 9 p.m., when they got under the lee of the land and sighted the Leichardt next morning, and were rescued. On returning to the wreck they found that the steamer hud slipped into deep water, and that the mainmast was just awash.