AUCKLAND.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3392, 5 November 1879, Page 1

AUCKLAND.

Last night.

The brigantine Progress entered out for Kaipara, and loads timber for Dunedin. The cutter Ness cleared for New CaPdonia.

a party of Jack Tars were at the North Store, mounted on horses, and indulged in a steeplechase brer the country. Fences and other obstacles was successfully negotiated, when the horse of one James Eadil, A.8,, bolted off the street, and galloped into May's shop window. The Horse's head went through the large plate glass sash, and the sailor's head was crushed against the weather* board, the board actually being smithed with the force with which the man's' head came in contact with it. The sailor fell insensible off the horse, his head bathed in blood, and as be did not show signs of consciousness was conveyed by his shipmates to a boat, and thence to the vessel.

The difficulty between the contractor and the men on the railway contract is still unsettled. Mr Stark interested himself on behalf of the men, and forwarded the following telegram to Mr Swanson, M.H.R. :—

" Auckland, November 4, 1879.— W. Swanson, House of Representatives. —Dempsey failed to pay men on Saturday ; fortDipht due. The men struck yesterday. He has taken on fresh hands. Can you bring the matter before the House that they will get their pay. Have sent petition to Resident Engineer. Also endeavour to get the Newmarket contract started at once; many men out of employment." This afternoon the Resident Engineer transmitted the appended reply to the petition that had been presented to hi m. '' Messrs William McHngh and others. Your letter relating to the non-payment of "wages due to you by James Dempsey, contractor, under the Public Works Department, is duly received, and in reply I beg to state that it shall be duly forwarded for information of Engineer in charge and Minister of Public Works." Great excitement here over the result of the Melbourne cup. Some £5000 in sweeps has been staked. c"'