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Kumara Times, Issue 1097, 6 April 1880, Page 4

The Pilot Board, Melbourne, sat on 2nd inst. to investigate into the stranding of the pilot schooner Rip, which was at the time of the casualty in charge of Pi'ot L’Oiseau. Evidence was given as to the state of the weather and the various precautions observed ; and the Board then decided, after consideration of the evidence, that the grounding of the vessel was the result of the pilot’s negligence in not more frequently obtaining soundings when approaching the west shore of Port Phillip in the vicinity of Point Cook. The Boa r d, therefore, suspended his license as a pilot for one calendar month. Changes of a very sweeping character (says the Inangahna Herald) are to be immediately effected at the Reefton Post Office. The officers hitherto stationed hete will be despatched elsewhere, and their duties will in fntnre devolve upon the officers connected with the local Telegraph Office. To facilitate the change the wing of the public bnilding in which the telegraph service is performed will be closed as soon as the instruments have been transfeired to the wing hitherto solely applied to the postal branch of the public service. The amalgamation will have been effected on and after April Ist, We understand that similar changes are being carried oat at Westport and Hokitika. Mr Horst, M.H.R., in his speech at Auckland on Tuesday, says that the vote that threw out the Gr. y Ministry was that of Mr Pyke, He disclaimed that any monetary compact was made with the Auckland members to desert the Grey party. The only stipulations were—justice to Auckland in fair proportion to the revenue, maintenance of secnlar system of education, and the passage of certain liberal measures. He painted in gloomy colors the outlook of the Colony for the next two or three years, and regretted the abolition of the leasehold qualification for electors. There was at present no political opposition as the party wai broken up.