funds of tho union hnvu been satisfactorily sustained. The work of the individual churches had been great, and on the whole snccpssfnl. Only ono church has been firmed dn-ing the. year, but the work of consolidation was apparent m the established ones.
CORONER'S INQUEST.
« (By Telkoraph.) dcnbdin, d' c. 1. At the inquest on tho body of the lad I Percy Smith, who was killed by a fall | from a cliff, a companion, who was with him, said that, Smith had climbed a cliff from which he had seen two birds fir. mid that ho slipped and Ml. A verdict of | " Accidental Death " was returned. I

NEWS FROM THE ISLANDS.
» (By. Telegraph.) Auckland. Dec. J. The mission schooner, Southern Cross, reports all quiet at tho various islands visited. The whaling otations at. Norfolk Islands are reported poor. The Southern Cress wns m company with H.M.S. Dia mond, at the Santa. Cruz Islands. The Diamond was hound for Sydney via the Solomon Islands.
CRICKET.
