BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 4158, 24 June 1876, Page 3

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Blenhbim, June 23

All the rivers are up, but there is no overflow of any inconvenience in town. In Grove Town district the protective embankments, which had only just been made good at considerable cost, have given way, and the country is flooded. The railway embankment is tumbling auay, and communication is stopped.

Christchurch, June 23.

Deliveries are all over till the spring. Farmers are now busy ploughing and sowing. Delegates from various Friendly Societies held a preliminery meeting last night to discuss the new Friendly Societies BUI.

Grahamstown, June 23. Another dead body was found to day at Kaueranga Creek, and identified as that of one of the men lost with Gribble from a boat three weeks ago. There will be an inquest to-morrow.

A north-east gale has been blowing all day. Grahamstown is flooded, although it wants nearly an hour of high water. There was a very high tide last night, and much damage was done, the tide having invaded the Pacific and other hotels in Albert street. To-night it threatens to be much worse. In Shortland the tide was lashing the front fences at 7 o'clock this evening.

Wellington, June 24. The following are the arrangements between the N.Z. Shipping Co. and the Union Co. The latter purchase four steamers for L 47,400 ; L 20,000 in shares, and the balance in cash. The Ladybird was taken over here, and the Phcebe at Port Chalmers to-day. The Taranaki and Wellington will be taken over on their arrival at Port Chalmers. No changes will ba made in the staff of officers of these vessels. The Union Company have also nearly closed negotiations for the purchase of Messrs M'Meckan's five steamers, the Ringarooma, Arawata, Tararua,|Otago, and Albion. It is -stated that when all these arrangements are completed* greater and more economical travelling will be afforded the public. It ia understood that Messrs M'Meckan will take part payment in shares.

One fellow we know is a three-han'led manright hand, left hand, and behind hand 'Well, Pat, Jim didn't kill you with the s.nckbat, did he?" " No, but I wish he had." «; Why so ?" "So that I could Bee him hune, the villain."

On a wet miaerable, fog&y London day in autumn. Charles Lamb was accosted by a beggar woman with, "Pray, sir, bestow a httli charity upon a poor destitute widow woman who is perishing for lack of food. Believe me, I have seen better days."—" So ha«e I." said Lamb, handing the poor creature a shilling— 'bo have I. It T 8 a miserable day. Uood-bye, good bye !"