They were re captured on Tuesday morning. The Hawke's Bay Meat Export Com pany has collapsed. Part of the pro gramme of the Company was the purchase of the large works at Tomana owned by Nelson Bros, and Williams for L 35,000. Two of the partners here agreed to the sale, bnt the three partners in England •refused to ratify. Respecting cumulative votes, Truth (London) says : — " The cumulative vote at the school board elections is a mistake. It is obvious that through it a board may bo elected of members each representing a small minority, and that the candidates of the majority may be entirely excluded. All these fancy franchises are quack ros trums. The only right of a local minority that ought to be recognised is the right to convert itself into a majority." John Knowles, Under secretary for Public Works, and the oldest Civil ser vant in the Colony, who has recently been on sick leave owing to illness brought on by overwork, has applied for permission to retire on a pension, on the ground of failing health. He entered the service in 1842, and has therefore seen 40 years of service, but- has not yet attained his sixtieth year. However, the medical cer tificates amply support his title to retire ment oil a pension, and his request has accoadingly been granted. It is not yet known who will be his successor. A fatal buggy accident occurred on the Brighton road, near Saddle Hill, on Mon day morning. It appears, says the Daily Times, that Mr James Maxwell, of the firm of Messrs Reid and Maxwell, saddlers, Princes street south ; Miss Jane M'Dowall, a domestic servant ; and a little girl, a daughter of Mr Reid, were in a buggy driving from Brighton to Dunedin, between 9 and 10 o'clock, and that coming down Speight's Hill, two or three miles from Green Island, the horse, from some unexplainable cause, bolted. Mr Max well was driving, and kept hold of the reins for about a mile, but in turning a corner the vehicle capsized, and the oc cupants were thrown out. Miss M'Dowall was precipitated against a fence at the side of the road, and her head struck a post, the result being instantaneous death. Mr Maxwell, who was moment arily stunned, and the little girl escaped without injury. 