NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2283, 27 July 1881, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[PBB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, July 27.

Coal as Ballast.

The proprietor of the Kamo colliery has offered the captain of the ship Dunkeld good freight to take coal instead of ballast on the voyage to San Francisoo. The Late Slander Case.

Judge Gillies to-day refused the application for a new trial in the slander ceso (Crawford v Johnson) heard at the last civil sessions, when a verdict was returned for defendant. He said that, though it was proved that defendant had made a false statement affecting plaintiff’s chastity, he had done so in confidence to the girl’s late employer, and the surrounding circumstances showed that the statement was not made maliciously. NEW PLYMOUTH, July 27. The s s. Samson.

A telegram from Waitara to-day states that the steamer Samson is in a very dangerous position on the South Spit, Waitara River, and is likely to become a total wreck. The engine-room is already half-filled with sand, and, not being a new vessel, there is little hope of her withstanding the heavy straining she is at present undergoing. The steamer Samson, on being moved, hrs landed on the wreck of the Patterson, knocking a hole in her hull. The engines have shifted, and the water is flowing in and out of her. The captain has abandoned her. She is insured in the South British for £3CO. The Weather.

It is matter for surprise that whilst stormy weather of a violent character prevails on the West Coast, the weather in Taranaki has been mild in the extreme. Heavy rain fell during the night, but it cleared off early, and the sun now shines brilliantly.

WELLINGTON, July 27. Amateur Sculling Championship.

A meeting of the Star Boating Club was held last night, to consider the advisability of instituting an amatuer sculling championship for New Zealand. It was decided that the club should take initiative steps towards the accomplishment of the object, and a committee was appointed to draw up proposals, which will be submitted to all the rowing clubs throughout the colony.