ALLEGED ATTEMPTED MURDER. A STRUGGLE FOR MASTERY. [PER PRKSS ASSOOIAIION.] Bluff, September 6. —Tbo s.b. Hauroro sailed for Melbourne to-day. Vornon, one of the steamer's quartermasters, made a dastardly attempt to throw Captain HoDonald, harbormaster, overboard early this morning. The harbormaster had arranged to haal the Haaroto off the wharf at 3 a.m. to^ enable her to get away ©ally, and on going on board he found nobody about, and therefore had to call tho mate, who asked if nobody was at the gangway ? Being answered in the nega tive, the mate reprimanded Vernon for neglecting bis daty. Tho harbormaster then went ashore to ease the hawsers, and while doing bo heard someone coming behind him, bat he tboaght it was one of the harbour staff. Next moment he was caught by the legs, oud thrown against the pile,' catting his fore head, and but for having bold of the rope he must have gone overboard an 4 been drowned, as a strong obb tide was running, and the night was very dark. McDonald, being a powerful man, got the mastery after a Bevere straggle, and gave the miscreant a severe thrashing. The man will be arrested when the vessel returns. He was let go so as not to detain the Hauroto.
THE VALUE OF GEOLOGISTS' OPINIONS.
