TELEGRAMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 436, 13 December 1876, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(from oub own correspondent.) NAPIER. December 11. An accident occurred here yesterday to a commercial traveller named St Clair ; he came with his horse in contact with a telegraph pole, and was thrown across the railway line. On being taken to the hospital, it was found bis leg was broken ; he Jay for some hours in agony, owing to want of medical altendanee, there being no doctor obtainable until late at night. The Sydney Government has agreed to make Auckland the port of callfor ’Frisco steamers.

All the gold from the wreck of the Otago steamer has been recovered. There is a great muddle over the County elections, caused through the bungling of the Central Government not forwarding proper instructions. Sutton opposes Colonel Whitmore for West Clive, and is a favorite candidate. A number of candidates came forward, but the Petane people declared they would make no election, but as the large holders are attempting to return all of their own class, a reaction has taken place, and Col. Lambert, who is a candidate for that Hiding, will now be opposed. Mr R. Stuart was re-elected to-day, for the third time, as Mayor of the Borough of Napier. The Chief Justice leaves Wellington in the Hiiiemoa for Napier to-morrow. The Wananga, on Saturday last, contained an able article on Sir D. M'Lean, supposed to emanate from the pen of M r Sheehan ; it is most caustically written, and has attracted great attention. The Southern Cross returned from Dunedin, after "landing there a cargo of fat cattle on account of Mr M'Hardy, whose speculation has turned out well. Mr John Robjohns, of the firm of Robjohns and Co., committed suicide today very deliberately. He obtained a piece of stout eord, drove a staple into a rafter in a shed at the back of Ids brother’s house, made a slipknot with the curd, put

his head therein, and swung himself off; he was quite dead when found by his brother at one o’clock to-day. Deceased has left a letter, giving a reason for the net, but it is not yet published. For a long time he has been in low spirits, occasioned through domestic matters; he was one of our early settlers. Mr H. B. Sealy and family left for England yesterday; there was no demonstration.

A large number of public houses are changing hands here just now, besides those mentioned in the papers last week ; John Ashton has taken the London Hotel at Port Ahuriri, and John Hague, Trask’s Farudon Hotel.

(From Exchanges) AUCKLAND. A frightful, accident occurred at tho Royal Chinese Theatre, in San Francisco. Two thousand men were crowded into the place, and quite a number of Chinese females were present. Some of the matting in the gallery caught fire by sparks from a cigar in the hands of some careless Chinaman. The utmost confusion prevailed, a panic ensued, and a large number of Chinese in the auditorium rushed frantically for the door. The doors "were closed, but the resistless torrent of yellow humanity poured' down the stairs. The foremost crowd, of 300 in number, were scarcely out before the massive door fell open and crushed them to the flooi’j while over them crowded a dense audience. The railing of the stairway leading from the gallery to the lower floor had given way. The tide having been checked the officers raised the prostrated door and removed the dead, and several others rapidly dying. The sight of the bodies was horrible beyond description. The Royal Chinese Theatre, or “Royal Louse Trap,” as more generally known, has become accustomed to panics. Impecunious Chinamen, who would stand at the door to solicit cheques, were called “ check grubbers.” A “check grubber” would call through the window a startling cry of “ Fire,” which would be taken up aud repeated at other windows with mote terrifying emphasis. The terror-stricken audience, would rush for the door over the benches, and in the greatest confusion men who had rushed out at the beginning of the excitement would return, anil among them would be the “ check grubbers,” who had caused all the excitement to secure free seats. CHRISTCHURCH. An article in the Lyttelton Times argues, with apparent truth, that the prorogation of the Assembly in October last, by Commissioners under Royal Commission issued and witnessed by the Governor, was not legal or in accordance with the Constitution Act. It is shewn that, if the prorogation w r as illegal, the session is not ended, and the Abolilion Act of 1875 is not in force, and therefore the provinces and the Superintendents still legally exist; also that if the Abolition Act is not in force the Counties Act is not in operation, and any steps taken under it up to the present time are null aud void. The Cricket Committee have decided to play eighteen against the English Eleven. Thirty will go into practice, and the eighteen best will be selected from them. The County elections are to take place on the 22ud. WELLINGTON. Mr Hutchinson is expected to he reelected Mayor without opposition. Mr Foxward, the architect, whose leg was broken by, the late coach accident, brings a special jury suit in the Supreme Court against Mr Hastwell for £4OOO damages. Mr Daverill, the Government Photographer, is starting on a three months' tour to photograph the scenery of the rivers, lakes, and sounds of the South Island.

The late Dr. Featherston’s daughters, arrived here by the steamer Albion. Mr Ormond has been sworn in a member of the Executive and to the offices of the Postmaster-General aud Telegraph Commissioner, Mr Whitaker having resigned the said offices ;he becomes Attorney General. Dr. Pollen will probably take charge of the Nalive office. Writs have been served on Mr Didsbury, Government printer, and Mr Grindell, editor of the Whaka Maori, at the instance of the Hon. Henry Russell, for a libellous article published in the said paper. The damages are laid at £lO,OOO. Counsel for defendants Dr. Buller, with him Mr Gordon Allan. For plaintiffs, Messrs Izard and Bell, and Mr Sheehan. The trial will probably come off here. DUNEDIN. The Surveyor’s report on the Otago recommends her immediate sale for the benefit of all concerned. Three thousand ounces of gold, shipped on board of her, were fully insured, at £4 per oz. The ship is insured in Melbourne for £lO,OOO. The elections for the County Councils in Otago are to be held on the 19th instant. At a meeting of the Jockey Club it was decided that from the year 1879 the Duuediu Derby shall be abolished, an arrangement having been come to with the Canterbury Club by which the Derby is to be called the New Zealand Derby, and increased to 250 sovs., to be run annually at the Canterbury Spring Meeting. The St. Leger iu Canterbury is to be done away with, and run at Dunedin at the March meeting, the stake being increased to 250 sovs. SYDNEY. December 7. At the cricket match to-day the weather was fine but hot. There were about 12,000 on the ground. The Englishmen won the toss and went in. There was some fine batting displayed, especially by Charlwqod, Armitage, Selby, and Emett. The innings closed for a total of 121. The bowling was good, but the fielding at times was bad. The top scores were Emmett (n-put), 27 ; Chari wood, 20. GB'AHAMSTOWN. It is reporr e( j p ere tli a t Sir George Grey has beer offered the Governorship of the Cape cok lny an j declined.