The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1872-09-28
New Zealand and Australia.

BIZ the arrival of the teamship Neuada. Captain
Blethen. on Tuesday morning last. we have dates
from New Zealand to September 4, and Sydney to
August 3Ist.
Just as tue Neuoda was leaving Auckland, a tel
egram was received from Wellington, stating that
the vote of want of confidence had been carried in
the Assembly. and that Mr.. Vogel had coalesced
with Mr.. Stafford, the mover Of the vote, 10 form a
new ministry.
in the former COLONY there was a ministerial
crisis pending. a vote OF want of confidence having
been introduced in the Assembly against the Vogel
Ministry. Generally. the newsi is unimportant. We
copy from the auckland Herald:
The mail steamer NeCddd arrived in port on Au-
gust e. rather behind her time. On the arrival of
the Dakota at the end of October the New Zealand
mail service will. it is hoped. he placed upon a bet
ter footing. No fault in connection with this SER
vice can be found with the New Zealand arrange
ments: only Mr.. Webb himself is to blame. aud to
him remains the future issue Of the mail service via
California.
Tenders have been accepted for the construction
OF Il line Of telegraph from Auckland to Kaipara.
The Auckland and Mercer Railway works are pro-
crossing under the hands of Brogden and Sons. the
contractors. Local agitation is likely to result in
the speedy construction of a mar ket-h house. and the
HarbOr Board have determined on IA plan of barbor
works. comprising further extension of wharyes,
wet and dry docks, and tidal basin.
In view of the failure of the Webb steam line, the
New South Wales Government have called for
tenders for a monthly service between Sydney aud
San Francisco. The vessels TO be iron screw pro-
pellSTS OF not less IMAM l-OUU tons. the run 10 De
made i'll SO days. and the service to mmence in
July next. 1t is generally understood that the Aus
tralIan Steam Navigation Company will secure the
service, their manager having gone to England to
supeTintend the building of some new steamers suit
able for the purpose. Some considerable surprise
has been felt throughout the colonies at the fact of
the British Government having consented TO subsi-
disc the Webb line TO the extent of $40. 900, espe-
cially after it had been so uncompromisingly con-
demned by congress. and it is naturally concluded
that the Home authorities cannot do less than grant
at least the same amount of subsidy TO any COM
pany. Colonial or British, that will conduct the sam
route.
Many English readers will be glad to hear of the
safety Of the Mission schooner Southern Cross. for
which considerable uneasiness has been felt for
some weeks. She Is expected to arrive in Auckland
about the end of the present month.
The COLLISION BETWEEN THE P. 5. NEVADA AND
THE BARoUE A. II. BATGER--A suit by Thomas
Brooks, John GOodsir, and J. L. Ledra, owners of
the barque Il. II. Bafger (whereof the said J. L.
Ledra was mastery was entered against the Ameri-
can mail steamer .NepddI, and all persons interested
in the said steamer. The suit was brought to recover
compensation for the loss of the said barque at sea,
occasioned, as was averred, by injuries inflicted upon
her by collision with the said steamship, through
negligence on the part OF those in charge of such
steamship. The principal questions OF fact in contest
were, whether the collision had been Occasioned by
such negligence, or by want of proper care and eau
ton by those on board the barque, or whether it was
an inevitable accident? Whether the barque could
or could not have been saved after the collision ? and
what was the extent of the claimants actual loss?
There was a further question, which was one Of
mixed law and fact, namely, whether the .Ner0dG
must be presumed TO have been in the wrong becausel
of her not having remained by the barque after the
The English statute relating TO collisions at
sea contained a provision in favor Of such a pre-
sumption, and the United States, by convention,
accepted this statutory liability Of American ships.
1t was commended for the defense that, as an effect Of
this statute, the onus ~pro6aHdi, as to knowledge"
by those on board the Nfrada, Of an injury having
been inflicted upon the a. n. Batger, rendering il
necessary 70 remain near her, was cast upon the
promoyen,s. On the other hand. il was maintained