BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3140, 13 March 1873, Page 3

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

(From the New Zealand Press Association.)

GREAT FIRE IN MELBOURNE. Hokitika, March 12, The Rangitoto arrived at 1(130 this morning. She left Melbourne on the oth, and experienced for the first three days N.E. winds, and a strong N.E. gale, with heavy sea, on the 10th and 11th, Passengers:— Miss Priestly, Mrs Kent, Mrs Hey wood, Airs Class, Miss M'Kribbin, Mrs Eruuctt, Mrs Whitatonc; Messrs Rcnnard, Harris, Gray, Rcichelt, Kent, Blair, Heywood, Glass, Rough, Inglis, Ormsley, Jacob, Marvin, Hodder, Adams, Brown, Wise, Clarke, Vauticr, Everett, and 26 in the steerage; together with 300 tons of cargo for all ports.

Melbourne, March 6. An extensive fire occurred on Monday night on the premises of Messrs Connell, Watson, and Hogarth, wholesale grocers, Flinders lane. They 1 had the largest stock in the Colony, which was valued at L/ 5,000, and was insured for LOO, 103, which is divided pretty equally amongst the various insurance offices. A further amount of L 10.500 they neglected to renew on expiry of the policies. It was feared at one time that tho premises of Messrs Banks Bros, would be sacrificed, but the fire was kept within Watson’s promises. The damage to Messrs Banks Bros’ stock is about L 3,000 by water. The fire was witnessed by thousands. The sight was very grand, the store being filled with spirits and inflammable materials.

L 337,000 worth of debentures have been cancelled and burnt, and the amount reinvested in the new loan, inscribed stock, as trust funds.

Mr Reynolds has had several interviews with Mr Francis in reference to the Californian mail services. Nothing is likely to be settled until it is correctly ascertained about the decision of the American Senate relative to Webb’s subsidy. Sir James Fergusson has engaged the Rev. Mr Hare, of Perth, as his private secretary and domestic chaplain. A murder was committed at Emerald Hill on Tuesday night: a man named Carolan stabbed another named Stephens. The prisoner has been committed for trial. Sydney, March 6. The Government has received a telegram from London, stating that Lord Kimberley will not decide the terminus question until the proceedings of the Conference are received. The Governor was well received at Bathurst. A contract has been accepted by the Queensland Government for a nine-knot mail service from Singapore to Brisbane for L 20,000. Claney has been sentenced to death for his connection with the Carl murders. The schooner Challenger arrived as a prize to the Basilisk for having Polynesian divers aboard without a license. The Italian frigate Victor Piesani left for Auckland on the 4th. The Intercolonial Cricket Match, postponed on account of the weather, will be resumed to morrow.

The ship Otto Antione, from Baker’s Island to Cork, put in leaking badly.

Adelaide, Good accounts have been received of the reefs in the Northern Territory. Large shipments of wheat continue to be made to Londoir. Commercial,— Flour and wheat continue very scarce ; prime wheat, 5s 7d, readily paid. Flour, Ll2 15s to Ll3. Oats very firm ; feeding, 3s 3sd. Sugars are stiffening ; holders will not sell under an advance. Candles have advanced, and are now firm at 124 d. In Adelaide, wheat is soiling at 4s 9id, with a firm market. Siiiiting.— Sydney; Arrived, March 2nd, John Knox, from Lyttelton; Leslie, from (Jiohimga; Ellen and Helena, from Wellington. Newcastle : Arrived, 3rd, Cantabre, from Lyttelton. Sailed, 3rd, Heversbam, for Wellington ; Derwent, for Auckland. Hobart Town : Sailed, sth, Swordfish, for Dunedin. Wellington, March 12. Rumors are afloat that Mr Bathgate will probably go into the Legislative Council as Minister of Justice. Mr J, T. Peacock, member for Lyttelton, intends resigning his seat in the House, and will be called to the Legislative Council. Auckland, March 12. There arc great complaints about the sparrows damaging fruit gardens. The average yield of wheat throughout the Province is 23 to 25 bushels. The potato crop is a general failure. The proposal to issue new South British shares is generally favorably regarded, except by small holders. The Governor arrived at Ngaruawahia today, and in the afternoon delivered an address to the .Natives. After a war dance had been performed, his Excellency spoke of the warm welcome he had received. The two races were now living at peace and in friendship. He wished the Maoris and Europeans to form into one people, as the rivers Waipa and Horitu mingled their waters into one river at Ngaruawahia, He hoped war was closed and past for ever, and that the sun of peace would shine forth. All the Maori political prisoners had been set free by him, and not one remained ; and as soon as the necessary arrangements could be made, a general amnesty to political offenders would be proclaimed, in the name of the Queen, for past acts of rebellion. He hoped such an act of grace would further cement the friendly relations between the two races, and urged them to devote their attention to the arts of peace and industry, and to secure for themselves the comforts enjoyed by Europeans. A carved house hns been erected a,t Tanruatikapuri for the reception of the Maori King, who visits Ohinemutu soon. 'I he King has promised to haul down his flag and befriend the Natives.

The European, Smith, who fell into a boiling spring at Rotorua, was severely burned. Despatches received from Tauranga state that Mr G. DeThicrry has succeeded in leasing from the Natives four large runs in the Rotorua district, and that the surveys for the same are to be commenced at once. The King Natives will not interfere with the surveys. The land is of superior quality, and is much covered with natural grass. The effect of these leases, it is believed, will open the whole of the Taupo and Lake country. There is in consequence great rejoicing amongst the Rotorua Natives, who are willing to lease the Kangaroo Plains.