TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1771, 20 February 1888, Page 3

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

- 1 (Pbe Pbess Association) Fire. Auckland, February 20. About four o'clock on Sunday morning, a destructive fire occurred at Davonport, devastation nearly the whole of Viotorii street. It originated m the premises of Geath (tobacconist) and extended till it destroyed the bouses and shops occupied by Amos, Holmes, Mra Molnnes (dressmaker), Jervis (draper), Robinson (bootmaker), Leonard (printer), Ooogan (blacksmith), Tye (fruiterer), Frank (baker), also an empty shop and house. Tbe Insurances on the buildings destroyed were : — £7oo In the Royal ; £500 m the Equitable and £300 m the National. One cotagfrwaa uninsured. All theße were wooden buildings, Oliver May's brok blook adjoining; which wbs slightly damaged was insured for £1500 m the New Zealand tffioa. The ait-oka which were mostly destroyed were not insured. The buildings destroyed were owned by James May, John Jervis, John Patterson, William Buchanan, and Mn Davis. The loss greatly exceeds *he insuranceInspecting: the Fortifications. His Excellency tbe Governor with Admiral Fairfax, Sir a S. Whitmora. Major J.ervoia, and. Captain X*n p j of ELM.S Calliope, inspected the Auckland Harbor fortifications on. Saturday. The" visitors were highly satisfied with the' order and good oondition of the torpedo sheds, guos, etc Tbe Governor and' party left this morning for the Hot Likes en route to Wellington via Napier. The Hessian Fly. Wellington, February 20 At the annual meeting of the Philosophical Society, Mr W. M, Maekeil, F.R.M.S,read a paper or the Hesßian Fly, sent from the Rangitikei district. He eaid, he had subjected the specimen to careful microscopical examination, and exposed the opinion that it was the <rue Hessian Fly or '* Corn Scourge,'' Further examination proved that no sooner did the fly make its appearance than it was attacked by parasitic enemies, which he hoped would greatly assist m keeping it i m oheok. This insect was perhaps the i worst pest that had arrived m the colony. As a means of eradicating the pest, he Suggested that when a farmer observed indications of its presence m his crops he should c«t the stubbie as long as possible and then burn it, after which the debris should be buried an deep as possible. Magisterial Changes. Mr Seth Smith, K.M., Auckland, has been grauted six months leave of absence and Dr Giles, of Hokitika, will take his place. The VI est Coast business will be worked by the two Wardens, Major Keddel and Mr Bird. Mr Wardell. R.M , Wellington, will resign on pension and bis petition has been offered to Mr Robinson, of Oamaru. A Parochial Sensation. Dunbdin, .- bruary 20 The " Star" has the following :— " Tha pulpit of a suburhan obaroh waa occupied laßt night by Bishop NsvlU, who referred to the fact that a prominent member of the parish had joined the O&tholic Church. It is now nnderstood that he referred to the wife of ths incumbent who became a convert on the eve of their leaving England to return to tbe colony. The incumbent intimated his willingness to resign If bin uae^ul^esq wag interfered with,"