In our Transvaal news this morning will be found an ultimatum sent by the Repub ic to the British Government, which, miking certain demauds that cannot be complied wi h, declares that in the event of an nffir mitive answer not being received by Wed nesday (yesterday) afternoon ab 5 o'clock, the circumatiice would ba accepted as a. de claration of war. Fighting m>y therefore take place ab any moment. The Hon. 8. E. and Mrs Shrimski have returned to Oamara from Wellington, 'J he New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company announce their nexb T*t tersall'a horse, sale for Saturday the 14Lh iaab, Maila for the United Kingdom and Con tinent; of Europe, per Indrarmy.i, close at Wellington on Friday, the 13 h instant, at 3 pm: At the Courthouse, yesterday, before Mr Cagney, J.P., John Wood was charged that on or about the 6th October lait he did un lawfully break and enter the warehouse of Herimn House, with intent to commit a crime therein. Accused was reminded till Monday nexb on the application of Sergeant) O'Grady. The results of the first shorthand theory examination, held for Miss Digby'a pupils, arrived last mail from Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Bath, England, 1 he examination was hsld ab the rcbool of Shorthand and Typewriting, A.M. P. Building?, in June last, and Mr Ear), headmisotr of the Middle School, acted as supervisor. Ten of Miss Digby'd pupils aab for the examina tion, all of whom were successful in obtain ing certificates. The following are the names of the successful candidates : Misse3 M. Blackmore, Netta Morton, L'l'ian B3U net, Mary Vincent, Messrs U. Jones, H. Fdmilton, A. Hay, C. Donoran, B. Robert sod, and W. Amie3. The Oamaru Riflis bnld their annual grand military ball in the Theatre Royal on Thursday laBt, when over 130 couples were present. The grand lrnrch w»8 led off by Lieutenant Brown (Qaeen'a Rifhs) and Mra Mahan. 1 he dre«sea of the ladies looked well in contrast with the uniforms woru by the men. There were over 50 members of the Oamaru Rifles present, besides members of the Queen's Bines and the Bitalhon Band. The catering was :a tli3 hinds of Messrs Milhgan and Bond, who surpassed themselves in the display of eatables and in the way the tab'ea were decorated, bongs were sung during the evemng by Mr G. 