LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1459, 1 June 1881, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[new ZEALAND PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Christchurch, May 31. Mr Thornton, engineer, has replied to O’Connor’s report on the proposed West Coast railway (Middle Island). He asserts that the latter is wrong in several vital points, and that O’Connor’s estimate of the cost is at least £50,000 too high.

Dunedin, May 31. Prince, the bookmaker, has purchased Mata for £BOO, and intends bringing him back to New Zealand.

A crowded meeting of sympathisers with the Irish Land League was held to-night, and resolutions were carried, expressing sympathy with the movement. A subscription list opened, and a ladies’ committee formed.

Auckland, May 30. The Zealandia sailed at midnight for Sydney.

Two Sisters of Mercy arrived by the Zealandia for the Sacred Heart Convent, at fimaru; also, Chapman, advance agent for Melbourne for Madame Welching, violiniste He states she will shortly visit Auckland.

R. Stark, who contested Ciiy West, returned by the Zealandia to Auckland. He came by the new route across the American continent. It is twelve hours longer than the old one, but avoids the snow line, and is a better route. The Hawea left this morning with the southern ’Frisco mails. A boy fell overboard at starting, but a lifebuoy was thrown overboard and the lad rescued. Captain Fraser, of Auckland, who was master of the Fernglen, gives tht? following particulars concerning the desperadoes captured in Edinburgh ; James Warring Shepherd, third mate of the Fernglen, London, told the Captain he was a commercial traveller in Edinburgh two years previously. He was discharged at Wellington January 13, 1879. C iptain Fraser says he was of a sensitive dssposition, and probably committed suicide rather than be exposed to disgrace. As to James Grant, seaman, Captain Fraser says he was the greatest scoundrel and arrant coward he ever met.