Telegrams.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1105, 25 July 1882, Page 2

Telegrams.

[PER UNITED mSS_ ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. July 24. Con. Scratchley’s Reply on Colonial Defence Proposals.

The Government have received a reply from Col. Scratchley to their request that he should visit New Zealand and report further on the defences of the Colony. Col. Scratchley regrets that he is unable to come earlier than September, which of course would be too late for any vote to be taken this year. He has, however, promised to write as fully as possible, reviewing his formal proposal, and reviewing the estimates of costs which he prepared in 1880.

It is also intended that the Government shall select at once a small number of the A. C. Force, who already have some knowledge of artillery work, for special training in artillery knowledge, especially in the management of heavy ordnance, so that when our big gnns are mounted they might act as instructors, whether as volunteers or paid men, to work them. DUNEDIN. July 24. Arrival of Missing Barque Lohengrin. The barque Lohengrin, which was considerably overdue, arrived off Port Chalmers Heads to-day, all well. BALCLUTHA. J uly 24. Fatal Accident. A distressing and fatal accident occurred about 8 o’clock on Sunday morning. Fergus Fergusson, teller at the Colonial Bunk, and Robert King of the National Bank, went -to bathe in the river, which was flooded. They swam across above the traffic bridge, and proceeded to return. When near the centre of the river, Fergusson, swimming strong, was all right, but King felt indications of cramp; he turned on his back and was carried by the current to the bank he had left, which he reached with great difficulty, having sunk twice. King missed Fergusson shortly after parting with him, and he was not seen after. He must have become cramped and sunk. The police with two boats have been dragging for the body ever since, but without success. After getting ashore King became insensible, but recovered in two hours, and is now all right. Fergusson was a young man, and. unmarried. His father is a clergyman in Glasgow, Temperance Hotel Burnt. Grant’s Temperance Hotel was burned down at 7 o’clock this morning. The Are is believed to have originated in the dining room, the cause being unknown. The building is insured in the Standard for £250; Norwich Union for £250; Victoria for £3OO ; and for £2OO iu the South British. The estimated loss is £2,500. The weather was dead calm, otherwise the whole block must have gone. The Crown Hotel and other buildings were saved with great difficulty. AUCKLAND. July 24. Father Luck, R.C. Bishop of Auckland. Father Luck, who has just been appointed Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, is of the Benedictine Order. Father Luck, of Waikato, is his brother. Sudden Death. Edwin Walker, bootmaker, dropped dead at Onehunga, yesterday. Offertory at St. Benedicts. The offertories at St. Benedicts Church yesterday amounted to £440.

Suicide of Capt. Johnson. Captain Johnson, committed suicide at Raglan on Thursday, by shooting himself through the heart. He has been in a low state of mind since the death of his favorite daughter two months ago, He wrote an obituary notice for the “ Star ” before committing the rash act. Arrest of a Forger. The water police, from information received, boarded the mail steamer, and arrested on warrant, James Martin Shepherd for uttering a forged promissory note for £250, purporting to be signed by Elizabeth Melton and Anthony Christopher, on the 28rd November, at Timaru. Shepherd went to San Francisco by steamer, but somehow when the steamer was leaving again, was on board chatting, and was taken to sea. In getting into the police boat here from the steamer, he fell overboard, catching hold of Constable O’Donnell, who was drag- I ged overboard also f they were rescued j in Jive mintiirw.

OPUNAKE.

July 24. A.C. Force for Artillery Service.

A detachment of Constabulary are in readiness to proceed to Wellington for Artillery service. GREYMOUTH. Juiy 24. Another Auriferous Reef. A gold bearing reef has been struck in a working miner’s claim on Langdon’s Hill, Paparoa Range. This is the third claim in which an auriferous reef has been struck, and is a different reef from any of the others, showing that there are several in the Hill. No gold was visible to the eye in the sample brought to town, but it gave a good prospect when crushed.