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Evening Star, Issue 3994, 13 December 1875, Page 3

{From our own correspondent.)

Auckland, December 30. Capt. Ohlson, of the schooner Belle Brandon, from the Islands of the South Pacific, states that, at Apia or Apiang, one of the Gilbert Group, situate right on the Equator, in 173 E, long., he heard that an Englishman named Keys, a trader on the Maud, and formerly a publican at Levuka, had been murdered in cold blood a few weeks previous to his arrival. Keys had in his possession a bottle of scented hair-oil, which provoked tho euvy of several Natives. These badge: ed about this oil, so that he was compelled to part with half of it, hoping by this means to quiet them ; but his compliance had not the desired effect. A few days afterwards a big Native came into Keys’s hut, and demanded some oil for his hair. Keys refused to give it him, whereupon the native deliberately pulled a largo horse-pistol out of his clothing and shot Keys through the hj ad with it, killing him instantaneously. Captain Ohlson, on inquiry, was told that tho perpetrator of the murder is stil at large, and had suffered no pniiphment. This was the more singular, as Keys hau a protection letter from tho King of the islands. .From what Captain Ohlson says, it would appear ttuA the English authorities have shown themselves Very lax in bringing to book islanders who have L't'en guilty of many outrages upon British subjects. On several of these islands it was a common expression if anyone was hurt or killed, “ Oh, he’s only an Englishman and some would add, “ Good job he was not a Frenchman.” Lawrence, December 13. The chess match will most likely be resumed to-night. The Lawrence team is confident, and expect to defeat the expressed wish of the Dunedin journals, viz , that Dunedin will win. A number of horses aro in training for the local races. Cricketing is dull owing to tho continued rain. A tremendous body of water is still flowing down the Wolyneux, which the hot wind at present blowing is likely to augment.