Walter P. Hutchinson, a bushman, was killed by a falling tree at Mongonui. At tho half-yearly meeting of the Bay of Islands Coal Company no dividend waa de clared. There was a debit balance on the operation for the period. £678 was spont m freeing tho mine from water. WuMiINGTOIf, Aug. 9. A rumour is current here that tho Shaw, Savill and Co. and the New Zealand Shipping Company havo completed arrangements by which Wellington is to be the first port of call for their steamers direct from England, also that vessels of the two companies will make a trip to the Northern and Southern ports alternately. The weather, which Bet m wet on Friday la9t, has continued without intermission, and ' there are not yet any signs of clearing np. | The value of the steamer Pelham is said to ' havo been £10,000, and that the insurances ' amount to £4500. | The Alameda, with the London mails of 15th July, left San Francisco for Auckland on the 31st ult , time-table date. The Mari posa, with tho July colonial mails from Auck land, arrived at San Francisco on the 20th ult., a day m advance of due date. j Blenheim, Aug. 9. I There has been heavy and continuous rain since early on Friday. evening, and there are no signs of ita breaking. The weather suc ceeded the longest spell of uninterrupted. frosts known here for 25 years. I Charles Bedwood, for not taking means m ' the opinion of the inspector, necessary for the destruction of rabbits, was fined the lowest penalty, £1 and costs. Notice of appeal was given. i Baicitttha, Aug. 9. j The Town v. Country football match was played here on Saturday m the presence of a large number of spectators. The country team won by ten points to two. Cork, an old 1 Timaru schoolboy, captained the country team and played well as full-back. Dunedin, Aug. 9. There has been a continuous downpour of rain for nearly 48 hours. The weather is , now breaking. j At tho Dog Show hero, Mr Twopenny's i Belvoir Tom won tho 21 guinea cup. j. The Times says the working on Kitchener's • land near Hampden is turning out better than | was anticipated. Gold, rough and waterworn, seems to bo over many hundred acres. 