BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 4165, 3 July 1876, Page 3

B Y ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Wbllwtgton, July 1. Madame Simonsen was presented at her benefit last night with a splendid diamond set. The weather was execrable, but the attendance was good. There has been almost incessaut rain since early on Friday afternoon. July 3.

The Government have received the following telegram from New South Wales:— " The agreement is concluded. The Simoom is to leave here on Tuesday night, proceeding via Townsville' to Port Darwin to take up the regular service between Port Darwin and Bangoewargie. The conditions and cost are that the Governments retain the power to cancel the service either at Sydney, Townsville, Port Darwin, or at any other time (by paying for the current round trip) in the event of the cable being repaired. If cancelled whilst the vessel is at Sydney Ll,ooo to be paid ; if cancelled at Townsville L 1,500 to bo paid ; if at Port Darwin L 2,250 to be paid. Should the vessel run between Port Darwin and Bangoewai'gie L 1,220 to be paid for each round trip in addition to L 1,500 fc.r the voyage to Port Darwin Twenty-four hours to be allowed, if necessary, for obtaining an answer to telegrams at Townsville and Poit Darwin, and three days at Bangoewargie. If this time be exceeded, demurrage of L 66 139 46. per day to be paid for the detention of the vessel. The officer acting for the Governments accompanying the vessel to have the power of determimng any of these cancellations.

Auckiand, July 1. The Customs duties for the half year ending 30th June amounted to LI 92,782. The Friendly Societies have resolved not to send delegates to Wellington, but to instruct the Central Committee already formed at Wellington to look after the interests of the societies.

July 3. The City of San Francisco passed Napier without calling for mails or passengers. The mail agent entered a protest, the all* ged reason for not calling, rough weather, being considered unwarranted.

In the Supreme Court the Judge, in his charge, commented strongly on the committal of Captain Morris on a charge of bribery in the East Coast election on the unsupported testimony of one witness, and directed the Grand Jury to throw oat the bill.

Greymouth, July 3. _ David Henty Harrison was drowned, last night while crossing the Hawea river. The body has been recovered. A body, supposed to be that of the second steward of the Tui, was picked up in the Canoe Creek, north of the Grey, frightfully disfigured. This morning a drunken sailor on board the ketch Sarah and Mary, named Charles Donovan, came on board and wanted a man named James Hudd, who was sober in bed, to come and drink. Hudd refused, and Donovan then dragged him out to fight, which at last he consented to do. During the tussel both men fell overboard and Hmd was drowned. The body has not been recovered. Donovan has been arrested. Hudd had a master mariner's certificate, and had lately arrived from Home.