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(PER MAIL STEAMER AT AUCKLAND)

The collapse of Oscar Wild's case and subsequent arrest, says the correspondent of the 'New York World' on 5th April, have caused a sensation without parallel in London since the exposure and flight of the forger Pigott during the sitting of the Parnell Commission. Still, since Wilde's first day's testimony the result was foreseen. The expectation was that the jury would stop the trial and return a verdict for Lord Queensberry. Wilde's lawyers acted wisely in consenting to a verdict at the stage the suit had reached. If Lord Queensberry's witnesses had been examined the judge would have had no recourse, but must have issued a warrant for Wilde's arrest on a charge entailing as a maximum a penalty of twenty years' imprisonment, but upon the evidence already unfolded, if Wilde is convicted it can only be of a misdemeanor, for which the maximum penalty is two years' imprisonment. Wilde looked a changed man this morning as he slunk into the court buildings. His complexion was ghastly, and altogether he had the aspect of a man who had passed a wakeful and anxious night. To an interviewer Wilde stated, in a nervous tone quite unlike his flippant audacity as a witness, that he had withdrawn from the case to spare Lord Douglas the pain of testifying against his father, adding that he willingly sacrificed himself for his friend. That was the hollowest 'bluff.' The truth is that Wilde's chief lawyer, Sir Edward Clarke, decided after the close of Thursday's proceedings to withdraw from the suit. This decision was immediately communicated to Oscar, hence the restless, hopeless night he passed. Wilde's lawyers say that up to that time he had never evinced the slightest appreciation of the enormity of the accusations against him. It was only when the imminent prospect of his taking Lord Queensberry's place in the dock dawned upon him that he lost his self-command. The mass of testimony ready to be given against him, as forshadowed by Lord Queensberry's counsel, took Wilde completely back. The 'World's' correspondent hears that this testimony was tendered by the police to Lord Queensberry's lawyers, it having accumulated during their investigations. They had planned a public prosecution if the case had proceeded. It is rumored that one of the reasons why Sir Edward Clarke decided to stop the trial was that to go on would have involved the disclosure of the names of distinguished personages, but this story is discredited. If Wilde had escaped to the continent he would have been safe from arrest, as he could not have been extradicted under the charge. It was reported he had fled but he was seen in Chelsea at 1 p.m. to-day, and was arrested by 7 p.m. Mrs Wilde who is distracted with grief at the turn affairs have taken, has about L600 a year of her own. For the last three years she has received no financial help from her husband.

Ever since the Police Court proceedings the bookings for both Wilde's pieces have steadily declined. The London public will never tolerate the performance of any more of his plays. Thus his principal means of livelihood is gone, and as he lived very extravagantly he has nothing from the large income he has had for some years.

FLIGHT PROJECTED.

A later London cable says: Oscar Wilde was arrested by a detective of Scotland Yard this afternoon on charges growing out of his own evidence given in the libel suit against Lord Queensberry, which was decided against the dramatist to-day. The warrant was issued on the application of Sir George Lewis, on behalf of the Public Prosecutor. After the trial this afternoon Wilde went to the Westminster Bank, where he drew out the funds to his account, after which he was constantly shadowed. He returned to his hotel, accompanied by Lord Alfred Douglas, only remaining a few minutes, after which they drove off to Ely Place, and thence to the Cadogan Hotel where they vanished. The Scotland Yard authorities issued descriptions of Wilde, and spread them over the city, and he was captured before he could get out of the country, as was evidently his intention. He was taken to Scotland Yard and locked up; then he was taken to Bow street and placed in the dock. At the police station he stood with his hands in his pockets while the charge against him was being taken. The police inspector then read the charge aloud, and asked Wilde if he had anything to say, adding the usual warning that anything he said might be used against him. The prisoner, apparently indifferent, made no reply. He was then searched, after which he was locked in a cell. Subsequently Lord Alfred Douglas went to the police station and inquired whether Wilde would be admitted to bail. The police inspector explained that Wilde was arrested for a criminal offence, which did not allow of bail being accepted until he had been arraigned in court. Lord Alfred seemed greatly distressed by this information. Sworn informations have been lodged against several persons mentioned in the trial, some of whose names were not made public. They will be arrested.

WILDE'S EXPLANATION.

The Evening News to day received the following letter from Oscar Wilde, written upon note paper of the Holborn Hotel: "It would have been impossible for me to have proved my case without putting Lord Alfred Douglas in the witness-box against his father. He was extremely anxious to go into the witness-box but I would not let him. rather than put him in so painful a position I determined to withdraw from the case and bear upon my own shoulders whatever ignominy and shame might result from my persecution of the Marquis of Queensberry."—Oscar Wilde.

London, April 5.- The jury in the case of Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensbury found the plea of justification submitted by the Marquis of Queensbury was proper and the marquis was discharged from custody. The verdict was received with loud applause from the spectators, which the judge did not check.

Before 10 o'clock today every available foot of space in the Old Bailey court rooom was filled with spectators armed with newspapers and packages of sandwiches and otherwise ready to spend the day in court in the most comfortable manner possible.

Wilde Was Absent.

The marquis at 10:20 entered the court, looking calm and confident of the result. Prompty at 10:30 Justice Collis entered and court was opened. Oscar Wilde, however, was absent. Edward M. Carson, Q. C., leading counsel for the defense, resumed his speech, which was not concluded yesterday when court adjourned. Carson said he hoped he had demonstrated that the marquis was justified in bringing to a climax in the way he did the connection between his son, Lord Alfred Douglass, and Wilde.

Continuing, counsel said he now approached a more painful duty. It would be his task to call several young men, who would tell their own tales and who would show that the man Taylor, frequently referred to during the proceedings, was Wilde's procurer. It was no wonder the Marquis of Queensbury protested against the intimacy between his son and Wilde. The wonder is, counsel said, that this man had been so long tolerated in London society. Wilde's conduct regarding the boy at Worthing, continued Carson, was an instance of his disgusting audacity He picked up this boy on the pier and introduced him to his family, dressed him up as a gentleman and put public school colors in his hat.

The Case Withdrawn.

Carson was continuing his terrible denunciation of Oscar Wilde, when Sir Edward Clarke and others of Wilde's counsel left the court room for consultation. They soon returned, and Sir Edward asked for permission to interrupt the proceedings. Then, amid the most impressive silence, the leading counsel for plaintiff announced the withdrawal of the case on behalf of his client. The chief concern of Sir Edward Clarke seemed to be his desire to justify himself in undertaking the case for Wilde. He said that after consulting with his client who, by the way, was in the room to which his counsel adjourned and who left the building hurriedly when Sir Edward Clarke began his statement, he asked to withdraw the suit and on Wilde's behalf submit to a verdict for the marquis of Queensberry of not guilty in regard to the words "Posing as a --." Counsel said he did this merely in view of the extracts which had been read in court from Wilde's novel of moral social life, "Dora Gray," and from a magazine, the Chameleon.

Carson here interposed, saying that if there was to be a verdict of not guilty, it also involved a verdict of justification, as the case of his client must succeed upon that plea.

The Marquis Goes Free.

Justice Collins said as to the jury putting any limits on their verdict that the words "Posing as a --," were either justified or not justified; if the jury consented to the course suggested and were to return a verdict of not guilty, they were also to find the justification set up by the defense was true in substance and in fact and the words complained of were published for the public benefit. The jurymen consulted together a moment and then, without leaving their seats. returned a verdict as directed by Judge Collins, namely, that the marquis of Queensberry was not guilty of libel, and that the words he had written on the card which formed the basis of the suit were published in the interest of the public.

The verdict was received with loud applause in court and Justice Collins made no attempt to check it. The marquis of Queensberry was then discharged from custody and left the court triumphant, smiling and surrounded by his friends. The defense, it appears, had a long array of witnesses on hand, including waiters in the hotels of Paris, London and other cities.

Oscar Explains.

Oscar Wilde was arrested at Cardogan hotel. He has written a note to the newspapers, in which he says:

"It was not possible to prove my case without putting Lord Alfrad Douglass in the witness-box against his father Lord Alfred was extremely anxious to go into the box, but I would not allow it. Rather than put him in such a painful position I determined to retire from the case and bear upon my own shoulders whatever shame and ignominy might result from my prosecution of the Marquis of Queensbury."

The authorities are reticent as to what course will be pursued, but today an application was made at Bow street police court for a warrant for the arrest of Wilde, and the magistrate granted the application.

Wilde spent several hours in company with Lord Alfred Douglass at Hotel Born. His brougham was waiting in front of the hotel. Early in the afternoon Lord Alfred drove to the bank, cashed a check and returned to the hotel. Soon after both Wilde and Alfred drove away. Wilde was arrested at Cardogan hotel. He was taken in a cab by two detectives to the Scotland yards.

The name of Oscar Wilde has been withdrawn from the play-bills and advertisements of the two theatres, the St. James and the Haymarket, where two of his plays are running.

Wilde wore an ulster and a silk hat He was very pale, but cool, when he arrived at Scotland yard. Few persons witnessed his arrival there and those who did maintained silence. At 8:10 p. m. Wilde was arraigned at the Bow street police court. He had merely called at the Cardogan hotel with a couple of friends at 6:30 o'clock when a detective walked into the office and asked for him.

Under Arrest.

He was shown the room where Wilde was and put him under arrest.

Wilde said nothing, but immediately went with the detective, who took him to Scotland yard, where the warrant was read. The prisoner remained silent throughout the proceedings. He was then taken to Bow street. He was not arraigned in the police court, as first stated, but was placed in the docket in the police station. Here he stood with his hands in his pocket while the charge against him was being taken. A police inspector then read the charge aloud and asked Wilde if he had anything to say, adding the usual warning that anything he said might be used against him. The prisoner remained silent and apparently indifferent.

He was then searched, after which he was locked in a cell. Shortly after he had been locked up one of his friends arrived in a carriage at the station, with a Gladstone bag containing a change of clothing and other necessaries, but the police refused to permit him to leave it. Later, Lord Alfred Douglass went to the police station and inquired whether Wilde could be admitted to bail. The police inspector explained that Wilde had been arrested for a criminal offense which did not allow of bail being accepted until he had been arraigned in court.

Lord Alfred "Distressed."

Lord Alfred was greatly distressed by this information. He was told by the inspector that Wilde had a blanket and all requisites in his cell to be as comfortable as the regulations allowed. The prisoner would be allowed to receive food from a hotel until tomorrow when he will be arraigned on a charge regarding the penal offense.