(Peb United Pbess Association.) . Auckland, November 17. Mr J. H. Upton has been elected unopposed as mayor of Auckland. The barque Lurline, Captain Lamb, has arrived from London after a passage of 128 days. The steward of the vessel (a negro) was given into custody on a charge of taring assaulted the cook (also a negro) by stabbing him on the hand on Sunday last. The preliminary inquiry in the wreck of the barque Flying Venus at Penhryn Island is to be held on Monday. The principal explanation of the disaster ii that the sunken reef on which the vessel struck is not marked on Pacific charts, and is 20tt below the surface of the sea. The Ngaire, an eight-ton yawl rigged pleasure yacht, built to the order of Dr Haines, has been launched by Bayley. She is described as one of the most handsome and faithfully built yachts in the colonies. Cheistchuech. November 16. By a fire at Sydenham at 3 o'clock this morn ing a double house, unoccupied and owned by Mr Downer Hill, a cottage owned by Mr John Joyce, M.H.R., and occupied by Mr Samuel Demple, and a seven-roomed house owned and occupied by Mr John E. Jones, were completely destroyed. Insurances:—On Hill's house, £250 in the New Zealand Office; Jones, £150 on the cottage and £50 on the furniture in the Union Office; Joyce, £150 in tha Standard Office. The brigades saved the adjacent buildings with the chemical engine and hand pumps. No water was procurable. Considerable dissatisfaction is expressed here by the candidates for law examinations, held on September 20, at the result of the;general know ledge examination not being forwarded yet. Timabu, November 17. At sr largely attended meeting on Saturday night, it was resolved to form a branch of the New Zealand Wharf Labourers' Union. Forty members were enrolled, and the list is to be kept open till, Tuesday, when officers are to be elected. The meeting was very enthusiastic.
