NEW ZEALAND

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 301, 24 March 1881, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND

(jPer Press Association.) Out of Session. Wanganui, To-day. Mr Bryce spoke for over two hours last night, and was patiently listened to. A vote of thanks and confidence was moved by Mr Somerville, Chairman of the County Council, and seconded by Mr Sharp. Mr George Hutchison, speaking to the motion, warmly attacked Government over their land policy, and said the future would prove their grave. He supported the motion, but moved a resolution that the action of the Government did not entitle them to his confidence. The motion was put and carried unanimously. Fire. Wellington, To-day. Information has reached town that Faber’s Club Hotel, Featherston, is on fire and still burning. The insurances on stock and buildings amount to L 3,000, in the following offices :—National, United, Colonial, Union, South British, and Standard, but the individual amounts are not at present known. Later. The fire at the Club Hotel, Featherston, has burned out, not, however, before it destroyed a corner block across the street, It also caught Toogood’s store, O’Neill’s painter’s shop and out-buildings, which were all destroyed, the total damage amounting to about LB,OOO. The origin of the fire is supposed to be a faulty chimney in the Club Hotel. Sir A Gordon at Timaru. Ti-'fAKU, To-day.

The Governor reached Timaru shortly before midnight last evening. The Mayor and Councillors were asleep, and Sip Arthur had a military reception this morning. He laid the foundation stone of the new Mechanic’s Institute. Addresses were presented from the Borough Council, and Institute Committee. His Excellency afterwards drove over the town, visited the breakwater, and then resumed his journey north by rail.