(From our own Correspondent). AUCKLAND. Monday.

Waikato Times, Volume 459, Issue VIII, 27 April 1875, Page 2

(From our own Correspondent). AUCKLAND. Monday.

Mr Carruthers, Engineer-in-Chief, accompanied by Messrs Knorpp, C.E., and Stewart, C.E., started by special train for Mercer this morning en route for Waikato for the purpose of inspecting the railway works at present in progress in the district. The Rev Charles Clarkes sermon in aid of the Ladies' Benevolent Society realised £40. The house was packed notwithstanding the drenching rain. Capt McKenzie, of the steamer Southern Cross, whilst making experiments in killing fish under water the charge exploded in his hand and blew his fingers off. The cricketers convened a meeting to co-operate with Dunedin and Canterbury in bringing orer an Australian team. The papers by the mail contain judgment of Cospatrick Court of Inquiry. The Court was unanimously of opinion that the fire originated in the forehold which was accessible from the fore-peak by removing twD boards in the bulk-head. The Court could come to no other conclusion than that some of the crew A jamigrants must have taken advantage of this means v o{: access to the forehold for the purpose of plundering cargo, aud that by using naked lights must have set fire to the straw or other Vmknfrnable matter which extended to the pitch aVI" i^rnish stowed near. The Court was satisfied \hat"the Cospatrick had the number of boats required by law, but regretted that when the first alarm was given no steps were taken to have the boats in readiness. The Court recommended that all passenger vessels should have a strong bulkhead between the forepeak and main hold to prevent access to cargo. They also considered the practice of stowing boats keels uppermost as objectionable. Mr Vesey St^wa^writes specially to the Echo that thirty-five^taj^es, and one hundred single girls leave Belfasfc^antthe end of April for Katikati, each family Ringing from £1,000 to £4,000. They have re\givj<Qittle aid from the Government. The Queensland (jbvernments are beating ours, they send orit thirteen small capitalists families from Belfast, about September. The s.s. Hero arrived from Sydney to-day.