NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2134, 27 December 1880, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[PBB PBBSB ASSOCIATION. | AUCKLAND, December 24. A Captain in TroubleAt a Court of Inquiry Captain Hedges, of the s.s. Kina, had_ his certificate suspended for six months for not avoiding a collision •the cutter Ellen Curran. December 26. Fatal Accidents. Frank Hilton, mate of the Darcy Pratt, was killed yesterday at Helensville while loading baulk timber. The tackle slipped and a log crushed him against the side of the vessel. He did not speak after the accident. The verdict at the inquest was “ Accidental death.” Jane Wilson, aged two years, a daughter of Mr Wilson, Victoria Quadrant, fell down a flight of steps loading to Barrack Hill, and received concussion of the brain, from which she has since died. Choral Society. The Choral Society gave a free performance of selections from the “ Messiah ” at the Choral Hall this afternoon. There was a crowded audience. WANGANUI, December 26. Fatal Boat Accident. A fatal boat accident occurred yesterday, Four young men were sailing on the river when a sudden gust of wind upset the boat and two occupants, named Famie and Wilkinson, were drowned. The others were saved, one swimming ashore and the other being picked up by a boat. DUNEDIN, December 24. MiningThe Cromwell Company’s crushing gave 3670za from 500 tons of stone. fFBOM THE OWN COBBEBPONHENT OP THE “PEE3B.”I WELLINGTON, December 24. Off to Parihaka. The Stella, which went to Opunake yesterdays conveyed thither Captain Knollye, the Governor’s aide-de-camp, but he did not return to-day in the steamer, and it is now understood that he has gone on a special mission to Parihaka, the nature of which has not been disclosed, and regarding which the Government preserve reticence, although it is understood that .'Captain Knollys’ mission, whatever it may be, is with the full concurrence and approval of Ministers. The Chathams. I hear that the Government Insurance Department intend to take advantage of the steamship to the Chatham Islands to send a doctor and an officer of the department, with -a view of pushing a little business if possible and taking some lives. Dr. Johnston, of this city, is going as medical officer. I understand that Mr MoKerrow, SurveyorGeneral, will also go, with one or two of the staff to arrange various unsettled matters relating to survey and boundaries of certain lands in the island. The Stella will remain there about a week, leaving in time to land the witnesses in the Wharepa murder case at Lyttelton, on the 2nd or 3rd of January in time for the trial. At it AgainMy attention has just been directed to a statement by the “Lyttelton Times,” to the effect that that the Civil Service Commissioners, in addition to their regular report, which has been published, furnished also a confidential memorandum to the Government, indicating the departmental changes which they deemed moat desirable, and that the subsequent dismissals of officers and reorganisation of the departments by the Government were made wholly in pursuance of these suggestions. I have made searching inquiry into this allegation, and have positive assurance that no such confidential communication was made at all to the Government, or indeed any beside the report which attained such wide notoriety.