42 LIVES LOST.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1040, 22 February 1879, Page 2

42 LIVES LOST.

To-day an explosion took place m tho Kaitangata coal mine near Dv iedin. 12 men were below. The bodies of twelve only have as yet been recovered. A dreadful explosion, from fire damp, occurred m the Kaitangata mine, near Balclutha, eiafht bodies recovered, still twenty-five are m (he miue. No hopes are entertained -Tjf-Troy-botng-aliTer- "~" ~ Later. Twelve dead bodies are recovered, some others are likely to be got out alive. Most of the men are heads of families, with from two to ten children. Some are arrivals by the Wellington, who only went to work yesterday. The boy killed iv the mine was blown a distauce of fifty yards from the entrance. It will be some hours before the men m the pit can be got at., It is feared that all will be suffocated, Mr Smith, of Balclutha, is m attendance. OAMA.RU, last night. The grain is nearly all cat, and of splendid quality. Wheat is quoted at tho low figure of 3d. An advance is not expected j oats, 2a 6d to 2a Bd. NAPIER, Thursday. The ' Telegraph' iv an article on the discourtesy shewn by Ministers to Lord Norinunby, says it is gratifying to know that the demonstrations of loyalty au<il personal respect springing unbidden from the people of every class an_d belonging to all shades of political bearing at Wellington, and CJhuistclmroh proved to the Governor that Ministers m their rudeness to tho representative of the Queen do not m any way reflect the opinion^ of the colonists ol [ New Zealand. | WELLINGTON, Thursday. It has been decided by a large majority of members of the Atheueuin, to open that institution on Sunday afternoons. THE GOVERNOR AND MINISTERS. The * Times' this morning says that on reliable authority it is informed that the Ministers not having intimated to the Government that it was proposed to arrange for a guard of honor cm tljo qccaaion. of his Excellency leaving Wellington, the Governor himself sent a direct order for a parade of armed constabulary •as a guard, which of course was formed. Tlje { Times' says another rumour is that Ministers endeavored to prevent the firing a aahite by the Volunteer Artillery, but as the ' Clnonicle' said last night, better councils prevailed. The statement that Ministers rerekised to order a guard of honor to Lord HoLHUciuby qu his departure ia i absolutely contradicted. SIR GEORGE GRZY AND THE GOVERNOR. The ' Post' last ev6uiug says : — '•' It is not going too far to say that the attiindp asyutned by tho Premier towards tho Gfoycrnor huti b,ueu viewed with deep regret even by tho Premier's warmest friends and admirers, while tho general feeling on the subject has been uue of grave

disapproval and even strong indignation. It is not our inteutien on the present occasion to enter into minute details of the studied discourtesy with whicli it has been patent to al[ that the Premier has treated His Excellency the Governor almost since taking office. These have been matters of public notoriety and uni versal comment outside this colony as well as within. Whether, aa has been publicly stated, the Premier did endeavor to prevent a guard of honor attending the Marquis of Normanby on his departure, and prohibited m the first instance ths firing of the usual salute by Volnnteers on that occasion. Whether as has been freely rumoured, Sir George Grey habitually failed m respect to Her Majesty's representative so glaringly as to elicit a remark from His Excellency that he had not been treated with the ordinary courtesy of a gentleman ; whether tho Premier did, as alleged, countermand the permission aooorded by his colleagues for the use of the Government steamer Hinemo* to. con\ey the Governor and Lady Normanby to Melbourae, her Ladyship's health being known to be m so precarious a state as to need eveiy available comfort being placed at her disposal during the compulsory voyage. Into all these aud other similar allegations, we do nob intend to enter now. It is sufficient for our present purpose to remark that the studied neglect shown by tho Premier to the Governor on the occasion of his departure has baen a matter of general notoriety and unfavorable ' and even indignant comment. Apart from thr personal popularity of the Marquis, justly earned by the kindly and active interest ever manifested by him m all subjects affecting the general or social welfare of the people, the citizens of Wellington do not at all relish the discredit reflected upon their city as the vice-regal place of abode, by the subjection of the Governor to the marked and uncalled for slights during his residence therein, and particularly on his fiaal departure from the place. They feel that some share of odium attaching to these unpleasant circumstances unavoidably reflects on the place m which they are offered, and, naturally, they are indignant accordingly. Sir Geo Grey may rest assured that so far from enhancing his popularity by his behaviour to Lord Normanby, lie has impaired it most materially ; and that if it should be found that Sir Hercules Robinson is exposed to similar treatment from him he will become as signally unpopular as he once was the reverse. Whatever political difference may appear to divide the people of New Zealand into paitie3 and cliques these are but superficial divisions, and do not at all affect theearnestand staunch loyalty which has so deeply ruled m the hearts of _the British — nafcion> and we are assured we give utterance to a sentiment all bub universal when we express our hope that Sir George Grey will not think it essential m tho interest of posterity and the human raoe, that he should continue towards Sir Hercules Robiuson the line of conduct he thought fit to adopt ill bis relations with the Marquis of Normanby. The ballance-sheat of the <New Zealand Times' has been issued. The year's income is £14,208 4s 91; overdraft and debts due, £12,734 6s 4d ; expenditure for year, £14;669 17s; leaving a loss for the year of £461 12a 6d. The estate liabilities a x ! e set down at £22,034 6s 4d ; and the assets, inducing £2000 for goodwill, £3043 4a 2d ; for premises, -£3036 17s Id; for, plant and material and book-debts, £7581 Is 6d, whicli comes to a total £2893 17s 7d less thau the liabilities. The advance from the Colonial Bank is £3004 19s 3d; and from the Wellington Trust and Loau, £4604 3s 9J. The annual meetingis on the 28th instant. BLENHEIM, Thursday. The races took place yesterday. Grey Momus was scratched for the hurdles, whicli resulted as follows : — Loch Lomond, 1 ; Bluebell, 2 j Kikiki, 3. The Maiden. Piate was won by Grey Momus. For the Marlborouorh Cup, Rata, 1 ; Momus, 2 ; Treason, 3. Piufire was scratched. Shearer's Purse, (first heat) : Clarence, 1 j Hero, 2 ; Seringa, 3. Clarence and Hero van neck and neck for the first three-quarters of a mile. Clarence then took the lead, and came m a winner by a length, hard held. In the second heat ; Olarence, 1 ; Hera, 2 j Seringa, Q. Clarence was first away, Hero close after. Seringa bolted off the course. The other two went together tothebottom of the course, when Clarence drew away, and oame m a winner, hard hold. Marlbovough Gup Handicap ; £100 j nomination, £1 ; acceptances, £5 ; distance, 2 miles. For this race, five came to the post. It was a grand raoe. The betting vvas even on Qmy Momus, 3 to 1 against the others. Rata jumped olf with a slight lead, Grey Momus aud Treason close after. They ran m this order for the titst mile and a half, when Treason fell away. The other two raced neck-aud-neok round the lower turn, when Rata drew a-head a I length, which he trje<l to maintain, ! but cainc \u wiuuer by halta- length,! Time : 1 mill. 32sec. Rata (A Redwood), I ; Grey Momus (Ciiffjrd), U ; Treason (Kreeth), 3 ; Douuaster, 0; 1 j-uly Grey, 0, Sapling Stakes : Introduction (Holmes), 1 ; ftfaguolui j- Redwoqd), 3 : JVfarie J^tuart' (Clif-(oi-cl), 3 j Nikau. 1 ; GjriuUer, 5. T is was a capital race. There was a good start, Introduction being the £ksl to sli-jw m iVoufc, with. ftjagnulia

and Nikau m close attendance. The latter soon gave place to Morie Stuart. The three then raced up tho straight neck-and-neck, Introduction winning by a neck. Blenheim Plate : Pinfire, 1 ; Rata, 2. It was a close race betweeu the two. The Oup and Sapling were a boil-over for the talent. CHRISTOHURCH, Wednesday. There was a large attendance of Roman Catholics last night to bid farewell to the Rev. Father MioNauiara. and proaent him with an address and purse of sovereigns! The proceedings were of a deeplyinteresting character. CHaiSTCHCJRCH, Thuraday. The ' Press ' this morning contains an article commenting m very forcible language on the conduct of Sir George Grey m refrence to the Governor's departure. The leader concludes as follows , — " It niu>b afc any rate be satisfactory t$ the Marquis of Normanby to know t!hat m this studied discourtesy Sir Grey must stand quite alone, and that no sach duirespeot would be Bho"<vn by anyone else m tne country. CRICKET DIFFICULTIES. At a meeting of the Cricket Association to-night, telegraphic cor. respondanoe was read to the effect that the umtch which Christchurch had fixed for the 26th and 27th had fallen through, chiefly owing to the inability of the Otago Association to put a representative team m the field. The question of way 3 and means was discussed m a general way. Ii appeared there were accounts to pay, and no funds to meet them, and an opinion was expressed that an appeal would soon have to be made to the public. Natator is ssratched for all his engagements. DUNfiDIN, Thursday. Things are getting sensational m regard to the Dunedin Cup. Following close on the scratching of Natator comes that of Maroro. Fishhook has been greatly m demand since Natator waa scratched . 2? emo came with a greac rush yesterday, and was backed for a good deal of money, and is now at 100 to 2. Horses continue to arrive. The « Times,' < Herald,' and < Star 1 all have articles strongly disapproving the conduct of Ministers by the Marquis of Normanby, and approving the remarks rmde by the Marquis on elective Governors. The ' Age' alone contends that an elective Governor does not imply severance, from the mother country.