BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 4125, 17 May 1876, Page 3

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Christchurch, May 18. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce waited on the Superintendent to-day, to urge the desirability of establishing a Harbor Board for Lyttelton. Tbe Superintendent replied that it was a subject for a general enactment applicable to the whole Colony, and promised if the General Government brought in a measure to establish Harbor Boards, he would support it. May 17. The land sales continue very heavy, the amount received by the Waste Lands Board yesterday being L 15,406. The ‘ Globe ’ on Monday having denounced “La Perichole,” now being played by Simonsen’s Opera Company, as “a wretched abortion such as would be hissed off the stage at the unclaasic pavilion in Whitechapel, or the Elephant m Newington,” Madame Simonsen made a speech last night, asserting that “La Perichole ” had run 200 nights at the Varieties in Paris, and over sixty nights at the Philharmonic in London ; and concluded by saying the person who wrote the notice in the ‘ Globe ’ was turned oat of the stalls at Dunedin for being noisy, when he threatened to make it hot for the company in Christchurch, where he was going to take a situation as reporter. Madame Simonsen was loudly applauded. The gentleman referred to threatens an action for libel.

Nelson, May 16. At the inquest this morning on the late Eev, P. C. Simmons, the jury returned a verdict of “Death caused by an overdose of chloral.” Wellington, May 17. In the Court of Appeal, in the case of the Queen v. Hockin, an appeal from the decision of the Supreme Court at Dunedin, the Court decided that it had no jurisdiction in the matter, and dismissed the application, without costs, because the objection that the Court had no jurisdiction should have been taken in the Court below. The Court adjourned till to-morrow. The Customs authorities have determined to held inquiries into the loss of the Egmont on Patea bar, and the collision between the steamer Tui and the schooner Sarah and Mary off Cape Campbell, but in which the damage was trifling. Owing to some objection raised by the Minister of Public Works, the proposed street tramway cannot be proceeded with at present. {From our own Correspondent. ) Napier, May 16, At the inquest held to-day on the body of a child suffocated by its mother on Monday, the medical and other evidence showed that the woman was long subject to fits of insanity. She confessed to several that she could not help murdering her child, as she thought it would be better off. Last week she had intended to commit the deed, but a better feeling got hold of her. She was afraid of herself, and spoke to a clergyman and told him she wanted someone to staywith her. Her husband levanted, leaving her in bad circumstances, with four children to support. The jury gave as a verdict “That the child came by its death at the hands of the mother while she was suffering from temporary insanity.” The three commissioners kave arrived, and received what information they required from Mr Ormond. The Press expresses its opinion that the Government could have obtained all the information it required from the Superintendent without putting the country to the expense of such a commission farce.

Auckland, May 17. Last night a brigantine arrived in distress. She proved to be the Verbilia, of Sydney, in charge of the mate, named Ratzley, who states that the captain, supercargo, boatswain, and seaman went ashore on Sunday Island and did not return, although he waited three days. A tremendous surf was running, and the boat’s crew were probably drowned. The vessel was too short-handed to send another boat ashore to look, so the mate set sail for Auckland, Nearly all her sails were blown to pieces, and the vessel is reported to be making water. She is very old. The mate professes ignorance of her destination, but believes she was on a pearl fishing cruise. The police are making a search to-day, and have found large quantities of provisions, oatmeal, potatoes, arms, powder, shot, short lengths of chain, and a large saucepan, and the belief is that she is a slaver. The mate was formerly master of the Briton’s Pride, brig, trading between Newcastle and Wellington. Everything looks very suspicious. He denies all knowledge of a large ventilator that the steward says was on board for ventilating the after-hatch. He is very indignant at the police interference, and threatens to place himself under the protection of H.M.S. Barracoota. He refuses to show the log, and says the vessel made five feet of water, but the provisions in the hold show no signs of damage. The Customs officials have placed an officer in charge, pending an investigation. The crew consists of the mate, steward, an Indian, a Malay, and an Arab.