The Globe. TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1875. TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 233, 9 March 1875, Page 2

The Globe. TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1875. TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

{Press Telegraph Agency .) LATEST FROM EUROPE AND AUSTRALIA. * Hokitika, March 9. The Tararua has arrived and sailed. She left Melbourne on the 3rd of March, and had moderate weather throughout the passage. Passengers for Lyttelton—two steerage, and 76 tons cargo. „ , London, February 22. The Australian malls via California were delivered to-day. John Mitchell intends again to stand for Tipperary, February 23. The Colonial wool sales opened this evening. The total arrivals are upwards of two hundred thousand bales. Upwards of eight thousand were offered, consisting of 4757 hales Victorian, 2740 Adelaide, and 1000 •Cape, principally of greasy ports, The at*

tendance of both home and foreign buyers was large. Prices compared with last series show a decline of a penny to three halfpence. The death is announced of Sir Charles Lyell. London, February 27. The following appointments are announced: —Governor DiiCane and Mr McLeary, of New South Wales, to be K.C.M.G.’s, and Mr Gregory and Colonel Warburton to be Companions of the Order. William Henry Fancourt Mitchell, President of the Legislative Council of Victoria, Justice Cheeke, senior puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of Sydney, and Mr Richardson, President of the Council of New Zealand, are knighted. A New Zealand per cent loan of £4,000,000, is announced by Messrs Rothschild, at 93 net. Tenders are invited for the conveyance of the monthly mail, via California, for eight years. There was an excellent attendance at the wool sales, and competition has improved since the opening. Prices remain firm at the reported reduction, and quotations are on a par with the lowest rates of the last May series. Wheat is easier. The British Viceroy from Liverpool to Sydney was stranded on the Irish coast. Arrived—The Moravian, from Melbourne ; Darra, from Adelaide. Paris, February 22. After protracted negotiations, the Senate Bill has been framed so as to allow of departments electing 125 members, one-third retiring every three years, and the Assembly elect the remaining seventy-five for life. McMahon has waived his right to nomination. Gambetta’s warnings against Bonapartism secured the votes of the Left, and eventually the Bill was voted by 422 to 261. Berlin, February 22. A Papal Bull has been issued to the German Bishops which forbids their acceptance of benefices from the State under pain of excommunication. Paris, February 24. Notwithstanding the vigorous opposition of the Legitimists and Bonapartists, the Assembly rejected all the amendments proposed, and finally passed the Senate Bill by 448 to 241, in the form already telegraphed. Paris, February 26. The Assembly have adopted by 436 to 262 votes a Bill organising the public powers, which implies a recognition of the Republic. MacMahon nominates the councillors of State, and Buffet, the President of the Assembly, is forming a Cabinet. A note in the official journal declares that MacMahon is resolved to uphold Conservative principles. THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL. Auckland, March 8. The Cyphrenes has arrived with the English and American mails. She left San Francisco on February 7th, at eleven o’clock. The voyage was uneventful. New Zealand passengers—Mr Andrews, mail agent, and 14 steerage. GENERAL ENGLISH SUMMARY. February 6. Archbishop Manning has issued a pamphlet replying to Mr Gladstone’s book. He contradicts the statement that the Vatican decrees have estranged the civil allegiance of Catholics. The OEcumenio.aT Council did not touch the relations of Church and State. The decrees are merely on matters of faith. The spiritual authority of the church condemns such temporal laws as deviate from the laws of God. As to the supposition that the Pope might attempt to depose Queen Victoria, the writer says as the Queen has wholly withdrawn from the Catholic Church, every condition is absent to render the deposition justifiable. The Archbishop declares that the European Powers have entered into a conspiracy against the Church to their own perdition. He condemns the pamphlet as encouraging heresy and dealing schism. Six thousand shipwrights are on strike at Newcastle-on-Tyne. The coal miners’ lock-out in South Wales has began. One hundred and ‘twenty thousand men are idle.

The British steamer Bride, from Alexandra for Hull, has been lost. Twenty of the crew and passengers were drowned. Dr Newman has issued ten chapters in answer to Mr Gladstone’s pamphlet. He declares his premises uncharitable, and his conclusions untrustworthy. He sees no inconsistency in being a good Catholic and a good Englishman, but draws a distinction between spiritual and secular allegiance. Infallibility is declared in matters of faith and thought, notin actions. There is only one oracle, God’s holy church with the Pope its bead. A tremendous gas explosion has occurred at Birmingham. It is believed that the sinking of the earth caused by the leakage of the water mains led to the tearing away of the service pipe from Birmingham and Staffordshire gas mains. The gas collected in the cavity and in the sewer, and was ignited by a match or fusee thrown in. It exploded, and cleft a chasm twenty-five feet long by eight feet deep in the street. Other explosions followed, the principal one doing great damage. Many houses and shops near were severely shaken, and four or five persons injured. The Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath has been offered to Carlyle. Tennyson is to be made a Baronet. FOREIGN SUMMARY. The committee of relief at Constantinople for the famine stricken people in Asia Minor request the English and American press to let it be known that the funds are exhausted and the distress increasing. They state it will be necessary to aid several hundred thousand persons until next June. News from Madrid states that King Alphonso will assume the command of the army of the north. Efforts are being made for the relief of Caparma. The King declares in favor of religious liberty. The merchants of Madrid have presented a beautiful crown to Alphonso, The Carlists deny that the Gustave was fired upon. It is believed that steps will be taken by Germany which will lead to vigorous action on the part of the Spanish navy against the Carlist position on the Guipuzcoan coast. Negotiations with the Madrid Government are not progressing favorably The admiralty has ordered three corvettes and three gun boats to the Car’ist part of the Spanish coast, This makes eight of the German fleet in the Bay of Biscay. The Spanish Government has paid the money indemnity. It is still feared there will be a collision between Turkey and Montenegro. Russia and Austria bare both warned the Hospodar,

of Montenegro, that if he declares war he does so on his own responsibility. The Journal de St Petersburg has an article favoring Montenegro against Turkey.

Russia has recognised Alphonso, King of Spain. The Spanish army of the north continues to advance. It has taken Montreal and Serge. The relief of Pampeluna is considered certain. The Carlists are falling back on the route.

The imprisonment of Dr Piggot, an Englishman, at Aspinwall, has caused a disturbance. A man-of-war is ordered thither to support the British Consul, who has been assaulted.

The New Yorli World gives some results of the calculations based on the observations of the transit of Venus. It seems that the distance of the sun is now estimated at eightyeight millions four hundred and forty-three thousand, seven hundred and twenty-six miles, or three or four millions closer than last computations. At the same ratio, in fourteen hundred and forty years the earth will fall into the sun, but as the motion probably accelerates in less time likely. At Frankfort on the Maine, the police have closed all social democratic workmen’s societies and trades’ union. Nine new Cardinals will be appointed at Rome. It is expected that Archbishop Manning will be one, and two or three Americans also. Despatches at Madrid received in the beginning of February state that eight battalions of Carlists met and charged Alphonse’s troops at Orleans. They were repulsed with great loss. Other massacres of the national troops are reported. The Carlists deny holding any negotiations with Don Alphonso. Colombet intends introducing an amendment making a member of royal and imperial dynasties ineligible to the Presidency of France. The son of Prince Chun has been proclaimed Emperor of China. The wife of the late Emperor has committed suicide. An Act has been drafted authorising the French Government to grant concessions for the construction of a submarine tunnel between France and England. Copies of the Act have been distributed among members of the Assembly, AMERICAN NEWS. San Francisco, February 7, A tremendous fall has taken place in Californian mining stocks, unduly inflated by the Bonanza find. Thousands rushed, including men and women, who had mortgaged homesteads in order to visit the mines, and heartrending scenes occurred in the upcountry cities, as the telegrams announcing the fall were received. Great floods have occurred at Maryville. The water reached the roofs of the houses, and serious destruction of property was caused, and a few lives were lost. Heavy snowstorms have occurred in various parts of the States, doing damage, In Canada an avalanche fell on some houses, burying six persons. At Quebec a large rock fell on some houses. Eight persons were taken out of the ruins. Two railway accidents have happened with slight loss of life, but many were wounded. An armed mob attacked the Protestant Ohuroti Xu tUe City ur Mexico, The minister escaped aboard the American man-of-war. The commandant of the castle charged the mob. Four Mexicans and one American were killed. M, de Lesseps writes favoring the interocean canal by the Nicaragua route. Beecher’s case is continuing at great length in the American courts, and is not concluded. The magnificent steamship Payta, 2000 tons register, has been wrecked, striking a sunken rock in Manata harbor. All the passengers were saved. The insane asylum at Beaufort, Canada, has been burm d, and the bodies of eight lunatics were found among the ruins. The American ship St Nicholas, coal laden, reached Calum after having a fire burning seven days in her hold. She was scuttled to extinguish it. COMMERCIAL. Ran Francisco, February?. Wheat is quiet. It is estimated that there will be 27.000 tons in the State. Sales— Inferior, Idol 30c to Idol 40c per lOOlbs. Liverpool quotations are to the 6th, 9s 2d to 9s 5d for average wheat per cental. Oats in San Francisco are steady; feed, Idol 70c to Idol 80c per cental. Barley, feed, Ido 150 c. New York, February 6. Hides are quiet ; wool is steady ; spring fine, 30c to 38c ; burry, 22c to 27c ; pulled, 38c to 44c ; oil (whale) is in fair demand at 65c to 70c ; sperm, Idol 74c to Idol 75c. The Mark Lane Express, of February 2nd, says, the late floods and shipwrecks have done great damage. Dry samples of wheat unusually scarce. The downward tendency is less marked, though heavy arrivals prevent a rise in prices, THE BURNING OF THE COSPATRICK. The following is copy of the deposition of Henry McDonald before the Receiver of Wrecks. He was second mate of the ship Cospatrick. The vessel was supplied with a fixed fire engine, one forecastle head with suction pump up and down, steam moveable fire engine with rubber suction hose; also, with a considerable quantity of delivery box engines in good order, and were employed to endeavor to put out the fire. There were large quantities of water, the vessel being well supplied with fire buckets with lanyards attached to the vessel. As she proceeded on her voyage she met with fine weather. On Tuesday, the 17th November, 1874, at noon, the vessel was in lat 37deg 15min S; 12,25. The weather was fine with the wind blowing a light breeze. The deponent had charge of the first watch, and was relieved at midnight by the chief officer. The vessel was barely steering. About a quarter of an hour before midnight the deponent went carefully round the upper deck, over the poop and forecastle, and all was well. There was no smell of fire or other matter to attract attention. Deponent had been below about three-quarters of an hour when he was aroused by the cry of “ fire.” He jumped out of his berth and rushed on deck undressed. He met some one at the cuddy door in his shirt, who ordered deponent forward to inquire the cause of the alarm. Deponent rushed forward and saw dense smoke coming up the forecabin. The chief officer was getting the fire engiqe to work, and the passengers and crew were all rushing on deck, The cry was that the fire was coming up from about the boatswain's

locker. Deponent returned and assisted the master to endeavor to get the vessel about, but the vessel had no steerage way. In a few minutes the flames came up the forecastle, and the foresail was hauled up. The vessel now came up head to the wind, which drove the smoke aft, and the flames burst up the forehatchway. The master sent for the deponent and asked if it was possible to get volunteers to see where the fire was. This was impossible, as the smoke was suffocating. Deponent asked the master if he should put out the boats, and the master said, “ No, but do what you can to put the Are out.” The foremost boats by this time had caught fire, the flames now coming up the main hatchway. Deponent sent the men to clear away the boats on the starboard quarter. A boat was now lowered and about eighty, mostly women, put in, the davits being bent by their weight. As the boat touched the water she turned over and the people were all drowned. Hencoops and other moveables were thrown overboard, but this was of no avail to save the lives. He now stationed two men at the port boat to prevent anyone lowering it except by the master’s orders. The officers now made an attempt to get the longboat overboard, but there was too much confusion to get the proper help, for her bows caught fire, and she was abandoned, and there was a rush for the port lifeboat, which was lowered, and about thirty or forty people got into her. Deponent slid down and got on board by the fore tackle. The boat kept clear of the ship. The chief mate and a female jumped overboard and were picked up. By the time boat got clear of the ship mainmast fell overboard. Shortly afterwards her stern blew out, and then the mizzen-mast fell. After first speaking to the master, deponent got the signal ammunition thrown overboard. At daylight the starboard life-boat was found full of people. Deponent heard shouts from the officer to take charge of her. Got alongside, and took charge. Thomas Lewis, A. 8., Edward Cotier, 0.5., and Bentley, an emigrant, also got into the boat with deponent. The gear of the remaining boats was divided between them, deponent’s vessel getting one oar and a broken one. The two boats kept company, hovering round the burning ship the whole day until the afternoon of the 19th, when the ship sank. There were thirty people in deponent’s boat. Deponent then kept to the north-east for the Cape of Good Hope, as did the other boat. The boats kept company all the 20th and 21st of November, when it commenced to blow, when they separated. They were without provisions or water, mast or sail. Had but one oar and a half, the wind southerly, and by taking one of the foot-lines managed to rig a sail with the girls’ petticoats, and so to keep the boat in her course. The boat contained the baker, the emigrants’ cook, three A.B’s, one ordinary seaman, twenty-three passengers, the whole making thirty people ; the other boat containing the chief mate, with four A.B’s, an ordinary seaman, the butcher, six passengers, including one baby aged eleven days. The people rapidly sank from want of food arid water. By the 25th, they were reduced to eight in number, three of those were out of their mind. On the 26th, before daylight, a barque passed, which they hailed, but were unseen. On Friday the 27th were picked up by the ship British Sceptre from Liverpool, and five people then remaining alive, they were received on board and treated with every kindness. Two, however, Robert Hampton and one yaatsenger, died before they reached St Helena, leaving himself, Thomas Lewis, and Edward Cotter, so far as he knew, the only survivors. Deponent considered all the gear was regularly kept in the boat, and must have got thrown out in the confusion. The oils used for the side lights, and for the lights in the cuddy, were kept in the port quarter galley. The crew, including the deponent, had lucifers with which they used to light pipes and lamps when necessary. Boatswain was the only person having access to boatswain’s locker of which he kept the key. Nothing was kept there but the stores already enumerated, and deponent does not know whether boatswain had been there that day. There was one ordinary seaman told off to go into the coal hole ever/ day to fill baskets which were hoisted by the emigrants. No other person was allowed to go into the coal hole, and deponent, who used frequently to talk to him about the coals, heard no remark as to their having a smell. Knew of no reason as to how the fire originated. (Signed) Henry McDonald, Thomas Lewis, quartermaster, gave corroborating evidence. He said the boat in which he escaped remained two days by the burning vessel. Were much exhausted from thirst, and having no water and provisions rapidly sank. Could not account for the fire, Edward Cotter deposed that when the ship caught fire the emigrants formed a line on the deck and passed water along. The immigrants got tin dishes and everything that could hold water, but the fire burned very fast. When the deck-house caught fire they were panic-stricken and ran away. The smoke was stifling when lowering the boats. The people were sliding down, their heads falling into the water. After leaving the ship all they did was to lend each other a band. In the boat there was not much talk. The biggest, fattest, and healthiest looking went off first. It was not from them that blood was obtained, but from other men. Witness only ate twice. He drank whenever a vein was opened, and felt better. It was cold during the night, but very hot in the day; They had escaped with barely clothes to cover them. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. (Fi« Auckland.) Melbourne, February 26. The steamer Whatnpo has brought several officers and over 100 men for this station. The papers brought by this vessel contain full details of the Cospatrick disaster. A nolle prosequi has been entered in the case of Irvine, charged with wife murder at Yarraville. ( Via Hokitika.) Melbourne. March 3. The Government have intimated their willingness to join Tasmania in the erection of a second light on King’s Island. New South Wales is also favorable to the scheme. A vacancy has occurred in the Assembly by the resignation of Mr F. L. Smythe, who aspires to a county court judgeship which is likely soon to be vacant. The steamer Whampoa arrived from England after fifly-two days passage. She brought a number of officers and one hundred seamen for the squadron, Several men deserted here.

The united states sloop of war Swatara has sailed direct for New York.

The volunteer embroglio has resulted in the Government remitting the censure passed on Sergeant Empson for breaches of discipline. They intend to appoint a commission to inquire into the whole state of the volunteer force.

Annie Morgan, a young woman, committed suicide by jumping from a window of the Lying in Hospital a distance of 20ft from the ground. No'hing has yet been decided by the Executive in reference to Busier. The Banks have raised the rate of interest forsix months deposits to 6 per cent, and for three months deposits to 5 per cent. There was a sharp shock of earthquake felt in the north-eastern portion of the colony early on the morning of the 2nd. It was distinctly felt in several localities. The autumn race meeting commenced on Saturday. Diver and Melbourne are the best favourites for the Australian Cup, and odds are laid on Melbourne for the St Leger. Sydney, Very heavy floods have been experienced in New South Wales and Queensland. Incessant rain fell from Saturday morning to Monday night accompanied by an easterly gale. The town of Maitland was partially submerged. Hundreds were rendered homeless, and occupy the Government buildings. All the rivers have risen considerably, the Patterson being 59 feet above the ordinary level. Vessels were unable to leave port for days, and inland communication was interrupted, The floods everywhere were higher than had been previously known, and the loss to property is frightful. In Queensland nine inches of rain are reported to have fallen on Wednesday night, and twentythree inches in twenty-four days. All communication has been stopped with the Northern ports. The Government intend to oppose Norfolk Island, being placed under the Government of New Zealand. The prohibition on the importation of stock is extended for another year. The Bank of New Zealand has taken premises in Pitt street, at a cost of £BOOO. Judgment has been given against the barque Sierra Nevada for sinking the brig G. H. Peake, Sydney, March 2. Mr Arnold, the Speaker of the Assembly, was drowned during the floods through the capsizing of a boat near his residence on the Patterson river. A letter from Noumea says that two Communists were supposed to have escaped from Ducos Peninsula because they were asleep at muster time. The Government sent out war steamers and towed back all vessels to port, and unceremoniously searched them. These vessels were more than three miles from the hwd when they were boarded, SHIPPING. Melbourne. Arrived, February 23rd—Glqaner, from Grey mouth. 26 th. Eliza Firtji, from Hokitika. March 2nd. Amur, from Moeraki, Sailed, March 2nd—Falcon, for Auckland. Sydney. Arrived, February 25th—H.H.R. Rosario. Sailed, February 24th Sydney, for Auckland. Newcastle. Arrived, February 24th—Emperor, from Lyttelton; Wildwood, from Dunedin; Drover, from Auckland, 25th. Febe. from Lyttelton: impress, from Auckland; Wm. Ackers, from Wellington. Sailed, February 25th —Tasso, for Nelson (put into Sydney through stress of weather). COMMERCIAL. Wheat, 4s 8s to 4s 9d, with less demand. New Zealand oats sold at 4s 6d; Californian, 3s 2d; Tasmanian, 4s. Victorian woolpacks are in the market from the Footscray jute factory. A private telegram from New York reports that kerosene is in strong demand, and advancing. Large speculative purchases have been made for New Zealand. Four per cents are offered at £B7, UNPUBLISHED. Adelaide, Wednesday. The steamer Gothenburg was wrecked during a cyclone on Flinders Island, on February 25th. The steamer Leichaidt picked up, near Port Denison, two boats containing passengers, but three boats, with ninety passengers are still adrift. The passengers include Judge Wearing and the Hon Thomas Reynolds. INTERPROVINCIAL. Auckland, March 8. The schooner Tawera caught fire lying at Mechanics’ Bay early this morning. The captain and his wife were aboard. The fire brigade at first refused to go, the craft being just beyond the city boundary; but the cost of the horses being guaranteed, they proceeded after a lapse of over an hour, and succeeded in extinguishing the fire after the inside of the vessel at the fore part was nearly burned out. A hole was bored to scuttle the vessel, but there was not sufficient water where she was lying. She is owned by Mr Richards, and is believed to be insured for £7OO. The barque Ada had a pleasant passage of a hundred days from London. She brings a few saloon passengers, but no immigrants. Mr Dargaville has issued an address stating that, as Sir George Grey’s views coincide with his own, he has decided to withdraw from his candidature. Grahamstown, March 8. Correspondence from Ohinemuri reports that little work is doing, and that there is great dissatisfaction amongst those on the field. A meeting was held to-day, and the turbulent spirits talk of shaving somebody. The fact appears to be that a great deal more was expected of the prospectors, as the latter were extremely reticent until the difficulty in connection with their claim was settled. Very little work has been done. The opinion of the experienced seems to be that the country is well deserving of a thorough prospecting, gold having been found at three different points nearly or quite ten miles apart. A number of diggers came down on Friday and Saturday, many of whom have not returned. The general impression is one of disatisfaction. Only persons who are prepared to spend time and money in prospecting should come here. A good sample of alluvial gold has been shown to-day from Waikiau, nearer Cape Colville than the Thames ; but how long it took to get the same, the information does not state. It appears that the party of miners have been working in that district for over two years. A memorial to the Government, asking that Mr Mackay’s resignation be not accepted, is being numerously signed.

Mr Mackay has also been asked to contest the Superintendency, but replied that he was opposed to provincialism. What was supposed to be a fine specimen chipped off an out-cropping reef found on Friday last, when sent down to the Thames and proved was found to be mundic. Disappointment ensued. Wellington, March 8. Forty pounds worth of promissory note stamps went astray somehow out of a Government parcel while on the way between Taranaki and Wellington. An inquiry is being held over the matter.

It is understood that Mr Fox supports Mr Watts’s candidature for the Rangitikei district. Mr Watt supports the abolition of provinces and the Permissive Bill. Mr Ludlam, of the Hutt, has sold 160 acres of his property there for £BOOO. The Eimutaka tunnel contract is progressing satisfactorily. Mr E. D. Butts, Chief Postmaster here, will, it is stated, be the mail agent in charge of the next outward San Francisco mail. Nelson, March 8 Two sharp shocks of earthquake were felt in quick succession early yesterday morning, Hokitika, March 8. A party has applied to the Warden for a prospecting claim for new ground discovered by them in the vicinity of Hauhau, about four miles from Hokitika. The Warden granted the application. The prospectors state they have been prospecting for a month, and have sunk a shaft over forty feet deep, and struck wash dirt seven feet thick, with gold throughout, which yielded one pennyweight of gold for seven dishfulls. This is considered a very good yield, and the ground is rushed by a large number of diggers. It will be a week or so before the value of the adjoining claims is known. The prospectors are sanguine of the discovery being a new lead. Dunedin, March 8. Flying Dutchman has been scratched for all engagements. The total returns of the Otago railways, including Southland, for February are £6IBB. Port Chalmers, March 9. Arrived—Wellington, s.s. [FROM OUR AUCKLAND CORRESPONDENT.] ENGLISH SUMMARY. Tremendous excitement was caused in. London by the Cospatrick news. Telegrams were received some time before the arrival of the steamer Nyanza with the survivors, and when that vessel was due at Plymouth the London journals despatched special reporters to await her arrival. These chartered a special steamer to endeavour to board the Nyanza before the Customs officer, and secure the monopoly of news. Forbes, Daily News reporter, who was the first man in Paris after the siege, succeeded in first boarding the Nyanza. When the others got on board it was found that Forbes had disappeared with the survivors. When they turned up again it was found that he had entered into a contract, giving the mate £IOO and two seamen £25 each for the monopoly of their statements for the Daily News. The sailors sold a St Helena journal with a brief account of the burning at from £5 to £l6 per copy. The Standard special offered Cotter, , one of the survivors, £IOO to act in behalf of his journal, but the Telegraph held him to their agreement. Lewis, a weather-beaten sailor, was the salvation of the party in the boat by his indomitable energy; he divided into nine portions the dreadful food which sustained them. Cotter was some time ago in the coasting trade in New Zealand, and was working his way out again. He was six months on the Jane Anderson, of Port Chalmers, and then on the steamer Patterson. He afterwards worked ashore for Mackenzie, on the Port Chalmers and Oaniaru Railway. The Star's London correspondent says that Mr Yogel was greatly excited by the affair. He was telegraphing from Florence, like a house burning, to Shaw Savill’s office, but from Thursday till Monday the messages lay unopened, owing to the Christmas holidays. The Star’s correspondent considers that Captain Elmslie’s coolness was affected through having his wife and family on board. He was so agitated that he allowed some of the boats to burn before his eyes, and made no attempt to provision others. Since this catastrophe attention has been paid to the case of the Tintern Abbey, bound to Canterbury, of which the Times says if anything happened not half the passengers could be saved. The Lord Chamberlain has closed St James’ Theatre, for indecent dances, and is proceeding vigorously others. Bishop Selwyn has been speaking against cremation. The Grand Duke Alexis has started on an Australian tour in the frigate Swetland, and is expected to visit New Zealand. Don Alphonso, the new Spanish King, studied the military profession in England. The weather during the last ten days of December and first week of January was very severe. In North Britain, between several places, railway communication was entirely stopped. The streets of London were covered with several inches of snow; all the ornamental waters were frozen over . The Rev W. C. Harris, M.A., sometime principal of Christ’s College, New Zealand, was selected out of fifty-four candidates as Head Master for the Wimborne Minster Grammar-school. [FROM'oUR WELLINGTON CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, March 9. Dr Buller has just bought between 5000 and 6000 acres of land in the Pare Karetu block from the Provincial Government, at an upset price averaging about £1 per acre. It is supposed to lie bought on behalf of English investors. The land sales for the year have already exceeded the estimate. About £4O worth of promissory note stamps have been stolen from a registered parcel in the mail in transit between Wellington and Taranaki. A private inquiry is being held. [FROM OUR DUNEDIN CORRESPONDENT.] Dunedin, March 9, The third £IOOO Derby sweep on the Cup is filled up. There never was such speculation here before. The Dutchman’s scratch ing is a severe loss, as he had been largely backed. Traitor is firm as first favorite, only 2 to 1 being now offered. There has been a serious accident in the De Borah Bay tunnel ; in attempting to fire some unused charges William Stevens and John M'Grath were dreadfully injured ; the latter lost his left hand and sustained other serious injuries, Stevens is likely to lose his band.

A quartz reef has been discovered on the dividing range of the Shotover and the Arrow, between Rogers’ gully and the Twelve mile. There are good specimens but not showing gold. The assays give two and a half ounces to the ton. A prospecting claim has been applied for.