BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3769, 23 March 1875, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

.Wellington, March 22. The Hon. Major Atkinson, Minuter of immigration, left per Taranaki for Lyttelton. It is understood that he purposes going overland to Dunedin and Invercargill.

Grahamstown, March 22. A small rush set in on Friday to Eotakohu, a party having come upon gold. Ground has been marked out for a long distance, and more stone with gold showing was taken out on Saturday at the prospectors’ claim. The owners have appointed a manager, and set vigorously to work. Mereaku and others stopped Mr Bayldon, surveyor, while laying off the Henelly coal area, under the impression that only the gold was given to the Government. The deed of cession or lease demised to the Government all coal and other metals or minerals, and all rights-of-way, watercourses, rights, easements,” &c. The coal extends from the surface, and is of excellent quality. Jhe seams are thick. Indications of copper and silver have been found.

. Christchurch, March 22. Mr W. Mills, Collector of Customs, being about to retire, was presented on Saturday with a gold-headed ca»>e, gold albert chain, and masonic pendant, by the officials of his department.

Invercargill, March 22. A heavy south-westerly gale prevailed throughout the entire day yesterday. A brick wall at the rear of Rodger’s new building was blown down, and several fences levelled. No serious damage was occasioned. Mr Armstrong, Brogden’s manager here, who has" been appointed one of the managers of the Otago Railways, was presented on Saturday evenings, by Messrs Brogden’s employes, with a gold watch and purse of sovereigns.

Nelson, March 22. A fire broke out at midnight on Saturday in Everett Bro’s. drapery establishment, Bridge street. The premises and stock were entirely consumed. The loss is estimated at L 5,501). Insurances on stock : Norwich Union, L 2,000 : Victoria, LI,000; Standard, LI,OOO. The beddings were insured in the Liverpool, London, and Globe for L6OO. Stock to the value of L2OO was saved, but was much damaged by fire and water. _ _ The adjoining premises were saved. The origin of the fire is unknown. The men had left the shop twenty minutes before the alarm was given. The shop destroyed was the smallest of Everett’s.

{From our own Correspondent. ) “ Christchurch. March 22. The result of the match South Canterbury against Dunedin has not created much surprise here, as the odds from the first were consid6red to be in favor ©f Dunedin. The stand made by Baker and Fowler is highly spoken of. W. Schmidt, publican, J. Lee, the wellknown agitator at public meetings, and J. O’Brien, the City sweep, have been formally nominated for the vacancy in the City Council The two latter nominations point unmistakeably to the scene lately enacted in the Council It is rumored that if O’Brien or Lee is elected, and it is thought probable one will be, some of the Councillors will resign, though others have expressed their determination not to do so, but only to put in an appearance for half an hour once in every four weeks, and thus practically bring all City works to a stand —still The Revenue Committee of the City Council and the representatives for the City in the ProvineialjCouncil meet to-morrew, to discuss the form of intended application for a grant share of license fees and dog tax to be made during the ensuing session. The Dunedin Cup is creating considerable excitement. Sweeps are to be drawn in Christchurch and Lyttelton to-night. Ngaro has been freely backei here. Cases of indecency are on the increase. A man brought up at the R.M. Court this morning for committing a gross act in the presence of two servant girls, he being sober at the time, was only sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, with hard labor. The shortness of the sentence occasioned surprise. Later, the Mayor, as returning officer, has decided that both O’Brien and Lee are ineligible, as each are assessed under L 25 a-year. Schmidt will thus walk over. SERIOUS FIRE AT INVERCARGILL. {From our own Correspondent,) . . ~ Invercargill, March 23. A disastrous fire broke out in the Albion Hotel about aquartel' to four o’clock this morning- It is supposed to have originated in ono of the front parlors. In a few minutes the north end of the building was in a blaze, and being an immense wooden structure no hopes were entertained of saving any portion. The efforts of the fire brigade were, therefore, directed to protecting Rose’s brick buildings adjoining, which were fortunately attended with success. The hotel and stables were totally destroyed, together with two small shops occupied by Messrs Wittimer, tobacconist, and Aldnck, tailor. The fire communicated to a .large brick building occupied by Messrs Lewis, Keed, and Co., drapers, and the National Bank. Notwithstanding the most strenuous exertions to save it, the building was totally destroyed. Two smaller buildings in Esk street likewise Were burned down, one occupied by Mr Hatch, chemist, who moved out his stock, but is a heavy loser. A considerable amount of stock and the bank books were saved. The furniture of the Albion ia almost totally destroyed. The following are the insurances, so far as can be ascertained : Albion—New Zealand, L6OO ; South British, L 50 0; Norwich, L 60 0; Australian Alliance, L 450; National, L 750; Victorian, Ll,ooo} Standard, L 250. Lewis, Reed, and Co. Transatlantic, L 2.000. Smith’s brick building—Royal, LI,000; Liverpool and London, LI.OOO. Hatch’s store —New Zealand, LIOO. Dean, LIOO.