TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4548, 18 October 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(per press agency.) Auckland, Saturday.

. A woman named Mrs. Wall, residing at the Thames, killed two of her children this afternoon, a boy nine years of age and a girl of seven. It appears that the woman was given to drink, and in a sudden outburst of insanity she took up an axe and inflicted dreadful wounds about the heads and necks of her children. The boy died immediately, and the girl survived a couple of hours. The children were in the yard of their home, and the murderess attacked them without any previous remonstrance. The husband is a miner, and returned from his work just after. The affair has created a profound sensation in Grahamstown.

The Crown Prosecutor has received instructions from Wellington to take action in the case of Kirby, acquitted by the justices on a charge of assault with intent. Kirby was re-arrested.

A cutter has been passed, floating on her beam-ends, believed to be the Blonde, a new vessel launched at Mercury Bay about a month ago. The fate of the crew of two men is uncertain. She had left Tauranga a week ago for Auckland. ' Fort Chalmebs, Saturday. :

Just landed from visiting .the wreck of the steamer Bruce, which struck on a ledge of rocks between-Wickliff and Taiaroa Heads at 3.40 a.m:, a quarter Of a mile from Heads. She left Timaru at 6 p.m. yesterday, and came along under easy steam. At 3.30 a.m. hove-' to, and got soundings in sixteen fathoms of water, and shortly afterwards struck stem on about six feet below the water line. The weather being extremely foggy, the outline of the land was not discerned. The passengers were all landed. on the rocks, and walked to the pilot station. The ship heeled over on her starboard broadside, fracturing about two feet of the bow. She now lies submerged, and should a N.E. breeze set in, little hopes of saving any part of her can be entertained. The steamers Geelong and Jane are tenderingher.,

She is insured for £15,000 as follows : National, £IOOO ; New Zealand, £IOOO ; South British, £IOOO ; Victoria, £IOOO ; Standard, £SOO ; National of South Australia, £500; Home offices, £IO,OOO. The luggage and crew's effects are partially recovered.