TELEGRAPHIC. (From the Daily Southern Cross.) LATEST SOUTHERN NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume IV, Issue 192, 2 August 1873, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC. (From the Daily Southern Cross.) LATEST SOUTHERN NEWS.

Wellington, Thursdaj 1 , 7.20 p.m. By the arrival of the Wellington at 4 o'clock to-day, intelligence was brought of the total loss of the steamer Rangitoto on her passaga from Nelson to this port. She left Nelson yesterday at one, passing through French Passage, off Jackson's Point, about hulf-an-hour behind the Wellington. Captain Maclcie, having been in charge since the arrival of the steamer at Hokitika, had turned in, and the chief officer took command off Jackson's Point, and appears to haro hugged too closely, the steamer struck a reef, bumping heavily. The sea was quito calm at the time. The bottom of the vessel was stove in. The fires were extinguished She was making water at the rate of one foot per minute. Orders were given to drive her ashore. There was barely sufficient steam to effect this. The place where she was beached is surrounded by inaccessible rocks, 800 ft high. Her bows are resting on a ledge of rocks, and her stern floating in deep water. The boats were lowered, and the greatest order prevailed. Nancarrow, second mate, with a boat's crew, started to meet the Wellington, expected on her return trip down the Sound from Picton. They succeeded in being picked up by the steamer, which proceeded to the scene of the wreck. Two boats were filled chiefly with ladies and children ; 56 all told. After lying by the ship for four hours, the boats" proceeded up the Sound, landing the passengers at Turner's Station on arrival. The Wellington's attention was drawn to the wreik by the firing of a gun and burning blue-lights on board the Rangitoto* Shortly after, two boats came off from the wreck, containing a lady, children, antt others who had not found room .in the. boats. Seeking refuge up the Sound, the Wellington approaching as closely as safety admitted of to the wreck, the bonts of both steamers were kept busy all night, saving mails, the passengers' b igjage, and a portion of the cargo. The steamer's efforts to save everything possible continurd till 8 o'clock tLis morning, at which hour, leaving men still aboard removing goods, the Wellington steamed up the Sound to Little Cove. The crew were taken on board the Wellington, which being crowded, steamed for this port about 11 o'clock. The Kangitoto's stern and hull is three- fourths submerged, clung to a ledge of rocks, witli bows still above the surface of the sea, which all around is covered with floating cargo, in consequence of the breaking up of the decks. The leading opinion here is that the Rangitoto was lost through pursuance of the ton prevalent practice of hugging the coast. Jackson Head should have had a wide berth. The captain was in bed, and the reason given is that he was four nights without rest. This suggests an idea that is held that better arrangements should exist. Captain Mackie lost a fine boat m South Australia four or five years ago belonging to the same company. The tariff question is being considerably canvassed. The balance of opinion is favorable, but possibly some modifications may be looked for in Committee. The budget is generally approved of In the House of Representatives tv-day the Auckland Mineral Leases Amendment Bill was passed. In the House of Representatives last night, in reply to Mr Thomson, the Premier stated that the assertion recently telegraphed to the effect that Mr Russell had made arrangements at Washington for the New Californian mail service was not correct, but that if other colonies liked to join New Zealand in the matter it was possible that a satisfactory contract could be arranged. The Council agreed to establish Normal Schools in the province. The Council was prorogued to-day, whpn the usual fight about the honorarium occurred. After several divisions, 20s per diem was voted for all the members of the Council. The Colonial Treasurer's Financial Statement was well received here. The Star and Onardian think that it is the best statement that has been delivered /or some years.