[Pbess Association.]

Wellington. This day. Capt. Edwin stales that the barometer is extraordinarily high all over the country, especially in tha South, where the highest reading recorded for some years past, viz., 30*74 at tbe sea level, was recorded at the Bluff at 9 am. to day. The weather will continue cold, and as the baromeier falls there wiil ba high winds from tho northward. In about 48 hours there are very strong evidences of heavy easterly gales between this country, Fji, and New Caledonia ; also easterly gales and heavy s?a on the Queensland and New South Wales cossts-

Arthur McDonald's Bank ruptcy.
[^Bess Association-]

Duhevxn, This day.
Arthur McDonald, bankrupt, asks tho public to suspend their judgment until his side of the stoiy ia told lie points out that oat of 8000 bales of wool packed under the sstne .instructions, only 264 were complained of, and out of 200 bales of rabbit skins, of a value of £25,000, only £400 was complained of.
The Eketahuna Murder.
[Pbb Pbess Association.]

Wellington, Last night.
The evidence in the murder trial was concluded this evening, and the address by counsel will begin in the morning. These are expected to be lengthy, as well as the summing up of the Chief Justice, This day. The Crown Prosecutor's eddress in the murder charge egaiost Charles Smith OC' cupied an hour and a quarter. Mr Jellicoe, for the defence, was speaking when the Court adjourned for lunch. It is expected that the case will finish about 5 o'clock this evening.
Employing Lads on Satur day Afternoon.
(Press Association.)

Dttnedin, Tim day.
