The R.M.S. Zealandia, with the San Francisco mails, arrived in Auckland on Saturday, Sir H. Loch, Governor of Victoria, and party, arrived in Auckland by the Zealandia, and received a cordial recaption. At a "dry practice" of the Newton Fire Biigade, on Saturday, a little boy was crushed to death beneath tho hose reel. Severe shocks of earthquake have been felt in Samoa. Tamasese's fortifica tions have been abandoned, and no more fighting is likely to occur. The lecture on "Character," that was to have been delivered by the Rev. C. !.{. Garland, at the Wesleyan Church. Hamilton, last evening, has been postponed to November 4th, on account of the in clement weather. Mr J. B. Whytehas consented ' to join the Auckland Railway Reform League, but declines to support Vaile's system as he considers it impracticable, I illogical, and absurd, as it introduced a j worse system of differential rating than [ hitherto existed. The Post says Waipa is an ill omened constituency. Of tho five mem bers who have at different times repres sented it in Parliament, three have met with violent deaths. Mr M'Minn was killed by a fall, Mr F. A. Whitaker shot himself, and now Major Jackson has disappeared. As there is a probability of the writ for the Waipa election being issued shortly, wo are requested to intimate to those who have charge of the requisitions to Mr liryce to use their beat endeavonrs dur ing the current week to secure signatures, and to return the sheets to this office by Saturday next. Owing to the wet weather the Acme Rink was not open last evening, and as the renowed Frank Lincoln will be occupying the Hall next Monday thore will be no rink on that evening. On the follow ing Monday (October 28th), the manager at the request of members has decided to hold a fancy dresa carnival, full particulars of which will be advertised later on. In reply to a question, we may state that tne onun of declaring the Waipa seat vacant rests wholly with tho Speaker of the House. If he is satisfied with the tact that a vacancy has occurred, he is bound by the constitutional at usage to ordt* the Clerk of the House, within a specified period, to issue a now writ for the election of another momber. 