NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1473, 5 November 1878, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

[PBB PEKBB AGENCY.] Wellington, November 5. Kelly and Leon’s Minstrels opened at the Theatre Royal last night to a crammed house. The performance is considered a great success. Gbeymtown, November 5. The Hon. G. M. Waterhouse has forwarded a cheque for ■£!(! to the Greytowu Institute for the purchase of books, being a third of his honorarium, which he has always distributed in this way. The “New Zealand Times” says Superintendent Broham, of Chri tchurch, will be brought to Wellington in place of Inspector Acheson, who goes to Nelson. It is said that during the recess, efforts will bo made by the Government to extend the railway to Te Awamutu ; also, that a conference will be hold here shortly between the Minister of Public Works and heads of departments concerned in the works provided for by the Railway Construction Act. 1 FROM OUlv OWN C'OUUESI'ONDENT.] Dunedin, November 5. Kempthgrue, Prosser and Co.’s drug business has been turned into a Joint Stock Company, with a capital of .£200,001) in 100,000 shares of Jjl each. The linn takes up 25,000 shares. The subscription lists in aid of the sufferers by the recent floods arc closed. The total amount collected is <£2l (58. A company is about to be formed to establish tramway communication along the Peninsula side of the harbor. Wellington, November 5. The “ New Zealand Times” to-day, says there is bo truth in the report about the Taupe

striking on a rock. Captain Johnstone, who held a survey yesterday, informs me positively that the vessel did strike, and must be docked for repairs on arrival at Dunedin. Several o her plates are much dented, and one started The latter was temporarily repaired by caulking. No doubt the vessel had a narrow escape. An inquiry will be held. One of the passengers has given me the following particulars. Shortly after one a.m. on Saturday about an hour after Captain Andrews had turned in, the deck then being in charge of the second mate—a new chum on the coast—the watchman ran forward to the second mate, and informed him there were breakers ahead. The officer took no notice, saying he was steering the course given him by the captain. The watchman again shouted “ breakers ahead, ’ ’ at the same time rushing below, and on his own responsibility stopped the engines. Just then there was a crash, the steamer bumping twice. Lamp glasses were smashed, and several passengers thrown out of their bunks. The steamer appeared stationary for about a minute, and then slid into deep water. By this time the captain and many passengers had reached the deck. Immense excitement succeeded, though the night was calm, and the water smooth as glass. After passing over the reef, breakers were distinctly observed on each side of the ship. Immediately the vessel was over the reef the captain ordered all the boats to be got ready for lowering, in which state they remained till arrival at Wellington. The ladies displayed great coolness during the excitement, while a few of the male passengers behaved more like lunatics. When the vessel struck, four of Kelly and Leon’s troupe were in the smoking room ; two of them rushed down to assist their companions, Beaumont, Head, and another made for the boats, awaiting orders. Leon seized a lifebuoy, and has since slept with two under his head. Japanese Tommy was tossed out of his bii'.k, and collar ng in the dark another man’s coat, made for the deck. He was nearly crushed going upstairs, first knocked down by G. S. Graham, who, in the excitement, forgot his spectacles; before reaching the deck he was trodden down by four persons. Tommy then immediately jumped into the life-boat. Some most ludicrous scenes arc reported. Notwithstanding the assurance of the officers at Gisborne that the vessel had not struck a reef, but had experienced a shock of earthquake there was very little sleep done by the passengers afterwards, The ladies remained on deck till arriving at Wellington. The locality of the accident is about seven miles seuthward of Maori Point, four and a half miles north of Tologa Bay. The general opinion of the passengers is that Captain Andrews is blameless, but that the second officer did not keep the course given.