TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 999, 2 July 1879, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(pep. rr.Ess association.)

WELLINGTON. July 1. • The reduction of wages determined on by ihe owners cf steamers belonging to this port has created groat discontent among the employed. After much discussion and some ineffectual attempts to obtain a reversal of the decision come to by employers, a strike was resolved on, aiid to-dny was carried into effect. All hands on board the steamers Rangatira, Iluia, and Tui, now in port, have struck work. Those on board the Jane Douglas wiil follow their example so soon as they have finished discharging that vessel, and it is understood iliac those belonging to the Manawatu, now away at Wanganui,

.till strike directly the streamer returns in this port. An amicable settlement is, however, probable. Julv 2.

The ironworkers met last evening, and agreed to work until Saturday, when they will be paid at a reduced rate. A meeting wi!i be held on the same evening to confer as ro the extent of reduction to be made in individual cases.

AUCKLAND. July 1. At the inquest, at Tauranga, on the body of George Noble Gair, late manager ot the National Bank, the verdict was— That ihe deceased Had died by his own h.M-id whilst in a stato of temporary in.viiiiiv, caused by the effects of excessive drinkin"' and great mental depression. July 2.

Great anxiety is felt regarding the safety of the brigantine Oamaru and the brig Transport that left Auckland for Wiiangaroa three weeks ago, and have not yet arrived. The San Francisco mail steamer is signalled. It has transpired that the ob ject of the Catholic meeting was to consider about sending delegates to an aggregate meetin.: at Duncdin : but it was agreed that this should not be done. Those present were willing to endeavor to have the Education Act altered, but would like to take such action as they thought proper, some of them not caring about the device of a block vote, which has virtually disfranchised the Catholics for years. His Excellency the Governor, Lady Robinson, and suite left at 2 p.m. by special train. The Mayor and a number ot citi/.ens assembled at the station, and three cheers were given for the Governor, ivho expressed the pleasure he had received during his visit, and hoped soon to return. A guard of honor was formed by the Armed Constabulary. § The City of New York arrived at 2.30 p. in. Site brings G4 cabin and 32 steerage passengers. A passenger, formerly a surgeon in South .ustralia, died, on board.

CIIRISTC HURCH. July 1. A terrific easterly gale was experienced here last night, but fortunately no particular damage was done. Telegrams from all parts of the country show a deplorable state of affairs. The rain has begun again all over the province. Railway communication is interrupted everywhere, and heavier floods than yesterday are expected. To add to the diflicuhy, the weather was so warm yesterday that ihe snow on the ranges is melting," and in the Vv'aimakiriri particularly a terrible flood is threatening. TIMARU. July 1.

The correct names of those drowned in she brigantinc Akbar 011 Sunday arc— Captain John Warts and Mrs. Margaret Watts, his wife, Edward Brissim (boatswain), John Thomson (the cook), and .James Shea (ship's boy). The bodies of all but Shea were recovered yesterday, and an inquest was held on them to-day, but 110 further particulars were elicited, and a verdict to the effect that they were drowned at the time of the vessel's wreck was returned. Mrs. Watts has a brother in one of the Auckland banks. John Thompson (the cook) leaves a wife and family in London. About ten o'clock this morning the harbormaster received a telegram to the effect that a vessel was in danger near the mouth of the Temuka river. He at once signalled to the steamer Beautiful Star to tluit effect, and then started with a party of the Rocket Brigade. The Brigade had to travel a distance of 11 miles, partly by road and partly by lagoon, and four miles along the beach. As they neared the vessel, she was found to be the brigantine James A. Stewart, which left Lyttelton for this port on Wednesday last. She was within 200 yards from the shore, but was kedging herself our. The steamer Beautiful Star shortly after arrived, and towed the vessel to Timaru, where she now lies in safety. The Brigade then started back. They deserve the very warmest praise for the gallant and untiring exertions during the last week, having been on duty almost incessantly. Captain Jones, of the Beautiful Star, has also earned the gratitude of the community for the noble manner in which he has run to the assistance of this vessel and of the George Noble on Sunday. . The captain of the James A. Stewart says he was 20 miles from Timaru last night, and ■more than 4.0 from Temuka river mouth, and cannot understand how he got down there.

The Customs revenue at the port of Tiinaru for the last quarter was L 6215, as against LSSO2 for tlie corresponding quarter of last year. The weather. is again beautifully calm and frosty. The barquentine George Noble, and two brigantines, supposed to be the Oceola and Seabird, are returning to the roadstead.

The floods are rapidly subsiding, and mail communication with Christchurch and Oamaru is expected to be re-opened to-morrow. Trains will not run for a day or two. Communication with up-country districts is almost entirely suspended. INVEKCAB.GILL. July 1. The vital statistics for Invercargill for the last month are :—Births, 35 ; deaths, 15 ; marriages, 15.