AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 988, 24 January 1883, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[IIEUTER—COPYRIGHT.] (Received Jan. 28, 12.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, Jan 28. Arrived, last evening', Steamship Hanroto, from Wellington, after a splendid passage of 4 days, 6 hours. The. Government has decided to abandon the project for the construction of a bridge from Sydney to the North shore. MELBOURNE, Jan 23. Great fears are entertained for the safety of the brig Louisa, which left Hobart on December 16 for Melbourne, and has not since been hoard of. The steam tug Despatch has been sent to the Islands in Bass Straits in search of the missing vessel. A THREATENING TELEGRAM. (per press association) NELSON, Jan, 23. A young man named T. H. Lightband was arrested here on his arrival from Wanganui, on account of a threatening telegram sent by him to his father. A loaded- revolver was found in his trunk. THE PENINSULA ELECTION. (per press association.) DUNEDIN, Jan. 22. The following are the complete returns of the Peninsula election Larnach, 667; Donnelly, 182:. Moran, 138. Majority for Larnach, 485. There was great'excitement felt over the result of the election, and several hundred persons were present at the declaration of the poll. Mr Larnach and Mr Donnelly gave addresses, but Bishop Moran was not present. Mr Larnach was afterwards driven up to Dunedin in a tonr-in hand, amid the cheers of a crowd of enthusiastic supporters. SINGULAR ACCIDENT TO MR LARNACH , M.H.R. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) DUNEDIN, this day. jVIr Larnach wns thrown ont of his buggy while returning borne last night, and was seriously injured. [lt will be remembered that the late member for the Peninsula, Mr Seaton, lost his life through being thrown from his buggy. —Ed.] KAIAPOI BOROUGH SWINDLE. (per- press association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This day. At a public meeting of ratepayers of Kaiapoi last night it was resolved to employ a thoroughly competent accountant to investigate the Council’s accounts since the date of the last Government audit. OPENING OF KAWHIA HARBOUR. (per press association.) WELLINGTON, This day. The Stella is expected to leave here for Kawhia on Wednesday next. Mr Bryce proceeds as far as New Plymouth overland ; Mr Rolleston will probably accompany the steamer. FIRE ON BOARD THE STEAMER TUI.

[special to press association.j WELLINGTON, this day. A narrow escape from fire occurred f aboard the steamer Tui early this morn- ■ ing. Several hands went to their berths shortly after midnight, and were awakened by a sensation of stifling. After a short search it was ascertained that some cotton waste and paint, which had been placed in the bottom, locker near the bow of the vessel were alight. The fire was extinguished before much damage was done. THE HAMILTON MURDER CASE. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 22. The Hamilton murder case commenced at the Supreme Court to-day, Messrs Hesketh and Williamson prosecuting, while Mr Earl appeared for Priestley and Mr Cooper for Mrs Hamilton. The Court was crowded to suffocation. Many of the jurymen were challenged. The defences ot the prisoners will be separate. The evidence, so far, is the same as tha adduced at the Police Court.