A Canterbury Building Society is resolved to resist tho payment of Properly Tax on the monthly instalments ot investors The Irish Land League proceedings arc discountenanced by the French Govern ment.
Caplaiu and Mrs Ashby aro expected in Auckland in about four months time.
George Fawcett Rowe is acting success fully iv Canada in a new comedy of his own.
Mr Whitohorn, 11 M. for Kaipara, was brought down yesterday ill with typhoid fever.
The lad Gardner, over whose stomach a cart load of firewood passed, in Parucll, is running about all right again.
CABLEGRAMS.
[ItEUTGHS TIE L KCHt A MS,

DEFEAT AN D DEATH OF GENERAL COLLEY.
Great Disaster in the Transvaal.
$_Six Companies Cut to Pieces.
CAPE TOWN, Feb. 26. INTELLIGENCE has been received here from Natal that a severe disaster has occurred iv the Transvaal to a portion of the forces under the command of Sir Geo. Colley. The news to hand statos that he advanced from Insiogo with six companies of infantry aud occupied Spilakoko. The Uocrs, in great force, made a strong attack on the position, and desperate lighting ensued, lusting all the morning. The British troops suffered immense loss, and finally wore driven from tho place. Sir George Colley and a number of officers were killed, and of the whole six companies only 101) officers and men escaped.
LATER DESPATCHES.
Particulars of the Engagement.
CAPETOWN, February 28.
Further telegrams to hand from Natal fully confirm the previous announcement of tho disaster to British troops in Transvaal.
The lighting occurred at Spitskop (not Opitskok, as Hinted in tho lirst telegram.) It was of a dcspcralo and most sanguinary character, and lasted fur fully seven hours.
