LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 270, 15 March 1877, Page 3

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

r.l NNIXO INTO A SCHOONER. The coasting steamer Lubra has reported to the Harbour Department that on her vovage t»> Portland on the night of Feb. 20, whilst minting down the N\est Channet, she ran into a small outward-bound schooner which sit owed no lights. The Lubra. after sheering oil", hailed the schooner, to ascertain if any assistance was required, but received the reply that tfie steamer was move damaged than the schooner. The Lubra then continued on her course. The captain of the steamer believes it probable that the steering gear of the schooner was injured. The name of the schooner could not be ascertained, as the night was a dark one, nor has she reported the occurrence at any of the outports. It is probable that a reward may be offered for the discovery of the schooner's name and destination, so that an enquiry into the affair may be held. EtKtMi STATIONS. Daniel Downey, Alfred Warburton, and Patrick Joyce, were brought tip at the Belfast Police Court on Feb. 2t>, charged with setting tire to the stations of Messrs. Baird, TurubuU, Murphy, ITrquhart, and Stewart Brothers on February <» and 7 last. The ease lasted all day. The prisoner Joyce turned Queen's evidence, and disclosed!" that the three men had systematically set about, on the date mentioned, to set tire to the whole country round about Hawkesdafe. When they had run short of matches, they rode back about a mite, and carried tire sticks from the burning fences, so as to complete the work at other places. Samuel Baud, of Kangatom,\ deposed that his loss is not less than Ltf.ooo : Stewart Brothers said theirs was LI,OOO ; Mr. TurobttU's losa was L 3,000 ; Mr. Murphy's, L.>oO, ami so on. The prisoners. Downey and Warhurtori, were committed for trial. OROSSENV sYONT.Y tlUM'.Ot/i:. Since Mr. L'Estrange. the Australian Blondirv, has publicly announced that it is his intention t» cross the Sydney Harbor, comments of all sorts have been afloat as to his incapability to perform the task, and various rumor;-' as to the likely selected ptacv have been publicly circulated. The Sydney F.rmi,ln.ij Xrtr* remark* :—'"That Sir. L'Eat ran has the nerve t > accomplish the ta.sk no one can doubt, and there is every likelihood that the performance will be accomplished, and that the rope will he stun . from the Spit across to Ctontarf. Tlu< only tear of £.uixvsa is the chance of a i'riu'hfttil onslaiu: t of small steamers* and yowttig boats, likely to Like up then; p.«sici.«u4 uu'U r the rope, but it is to by hoped that the authorities wdl take every pr c mrion t> k•< p away all annoyance. so r. !,ms a tea" in every way as m tr-v>.-liol as uariu't rous „» efo.-suig th r i m.;.y i>o aec '.upUsa.'d »y »!!(.' ;i o is in every sense oj tu.? word "a Colonial." \ str.vKt; r p I-- >;:■ trcr. n :-r r.r.vex-s^mi. Aui'-n other which a*v t«> lie in trod tic. (I ;>,t the I'txr. LX'dbUlon, a handsome cup. as '.vtll as the Society S medal, is ottered for the " farrier who shall be considered the best at his craft/' This will doubtless bring out a keen competition ; but, as a further incentive, we may mention that Mr. Ooodenotigh, the celebrated 2vew York shoer, has entered into the contest, and is on his way out with one of his best men, with a view to compete, and also to introduce his new patented process of horse-shoving, which has become popular throughout the t nion. It is said to have been adopted by the I'nited States army, as well as by stagecoach and street-car companies. No tires are used in the process ok shoeing, and the shoe is said to be of simple a construction that anyone can put it on. {for rr»tii,-intt»)» »/ .W»/n .■*" Fourth Pery.)