NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1565, 24 February 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[per press agency.] Auckland, February 22. Eleven boys escaped from the Kohimarama training ship, and went a distance of thirty miles, sleeping in an open paddock. They had been for two days without food or covering when run down by a constable. They took refuge in a scrub, and were only induced to come out and surrender under threats.

The special reporter of the “Star ” at Mahainoi reports that messengers are arriving from all parts off the country reporting extensive fires, involving the destruction of cottages, tramways, bridges, and immense quantities of standing and prepared timber. At Maurangitnroto the fire i an ten miles in a fortnight, and destroyed three miles of tramway at Makaura. An immense quantity of standing timber has been burnt. Bullocks are galloping about with the hair singed off their bodies, and horses have been seen with their manes and tails on fire.

Nafieb, February 22. At a meeting her;e, at which nearly all the merchants and tradespeople of Napier were present, the following resolutions were carried unanimously : —bet. “ That the present harbor works are insufficient for the trade of the port, and that no further moneys be expended.” 2nd. “That immediate action be taken to commence the breakwe.ter, designed by Mr McGregor, as per plans s applied to the Provincial Government on'-3rd June, 3873,” and 3rd. “That a sufficient lop.n be raised for the purpose of constructing the breakwater and paying off the £7500 loan, and releasing the Board’s securities." 4th. “Should the debenture- i olders refuse to release the bond of £7OOO, that the amount be deposited in some good securities at a fixed rate of interest until the maturity of the loan and release of (the Board’s securities be given.” sth. “That all endowments, wharfage rates, and a’l other securities be handed over as securities for the new loan.”

Taub-nga, February 22. Mr McKellar, Collector of Customs, is making a private and preliminary enquiry into the accident to the Taupo. Captain Wor p, insurance agent, arrived per Bowena yesterday, but nothing will be done till the arrival of the Hawea. which vessel will probably be detained twelve hours to assist in getting the Taupo off. Captain Worsp is sanguine of saving her. Rkefton, February 21.

The Welcome’s crushing yielded 32190za amalgam, the blanko's alone, from 210 tons atone, giving an average of sozs. of gold per ton. It is expected the crushing will continue six weeks longer. Typhoid and scarlet fevers are raging at Boatman’s 'the hospital is full, and two or throe fatal cases have already occurred. There is a panic amongst the families. The Board of Health are taking vigorous steps to chock the spread of the fever. Dunedin, February 23. Mr James McKerrow, assistant surveyorgeneral, has been making a tour of Ctago in coimo tion with the opening of blocks for settleme t. These blocks are principally situate in the Teviot Dunstan, Mount Ida and also in the Waikouaiti and Silver Peak districts. In all they aggregate fully 150,000 acres. About half of this land will be opened on what is known as the pastoral deferred payment system provided for in the Land Act of 1877, a system which has not yet been brought into operation. The area on this sytem will vary from 1000 acres np to the maximum of 5000 acres allowed by the Act, This system of settlement, it ia expected, will meet the wants of that inter* mediate c ass who do not want to enter upon the small farm system, but have not sufficient capital to tako’up very large pastoral areas. The other part of the areas now being surveyed will in the more level nod cultivated parts be opened up on the systems of agricultural deferred payments, the agricultural lease system, and also on immediate payments. The survey of these blocks is being pushed on, so that areas may be available for intending settlers in time for next season’s operations. Four hundred and seventy tons of quartz from the Cromwell Quartz Mining Company have yielded 5240z5. of gold. [from our own correspondents.] Napier, February 22. Eenata Kawepo’s racehorse Otupai was seized for debt yesterday, which caused some commotion among sporting men, as ho is first favorite for the Hawke’s Bay Cup. The horse was released to-day and again put in training. News has been received in town of the dos* truction by fire of grain stacks and machinery at Omaranni, belonging to Mr Tareha, who at the time of the accident was absent at 'le Otu. Four or five stacks of straw were burnt, one stack of oats unthroshed, and about /0 bags of clean grain, besides machinery, which was the best in the province, and valued at -£7bo. The origin of the fire is at present not known, but yesterday morning Natives were busy threshing out oats with the machine and it is believed that •parks from the engine ignited the stacked straw. Wellington, February 22.

The “ Post” says that during their tour in the South the Colonial Secretary and other Ministers visited the Industrial Schools, established at Burnham and Caversham, and were nmch pleased with the result of their inspection. At present the boys are all apprenticed to farmers, but as some of the results of their ruit*

Ministers have determined to establish workshops in connection with the schools in which boys may learn rudiments of various trades. A complete printing plant will bo ordered, and such of the boys as show an aptitude for this trade will be put to it. One reason for this is that the printers’ trade societies in some of the large towns do not allow masters to take apprentices. It is felt that such restrictions must be eminently injurious to the trade supply of the rising generation of printers which will be almost entirely dependent upon conjitry offices and immigration. Besides printing, carpentering, hootmaking and other trades will probably be taught. Girls in these schools might also with advantage be taught housework, cooking, Ac,, and bo educated for dressmakers. Doubtless Bome[stepß in this direction will follow that already decided upon. Dunedin, February 92. The racing privileges realised .£sll 10s or eighty mow than last year. Wm, Beer has been missing from Elbow for ten days and is supposed to have been drowned in the Oreti. He had been heavily. A public meeting will bo held in Dnnedin tomorrow to raise funds to alleviate the distress consequent upon the disaster at Kaitangata. [Press Special Wire.] AUCKLAND, February 22. Mr Robert Graham is mentioned as a probable candidate for City West, but is not likely to get strong support. Mr Goldie’s friends fear that splitting the votes would return Mr P. Dignan, the Catholic candidate, who is put forward by the supoortersof denominational education. Mr Dignan is an untried man, the sou of the late member, recently nominated to the Upper House. Mr Goldie sat some time in the Provincial Council, and has been several years City Councillor. He is one of Sir G. Grey’s prominent supporters, and was selected by the Central Committee as a candidate for City West when Mr Tanks was returned, in whose favor he *'M-od. Mr Goldie is a strong supporter of the secular system, and is supported by Mr Swanson and many leading men. Before Mr Goldie consented to contest the seat, Messrs Firth, Newman and others declined. Mr Goldie was avers* to standing, and only comes forward at the earnest solicitations of friends to keep Mr Dignan out. Mr Goldie’s return ia regarded as moat probable. Wellington, February 22. Mr Lyon, who arrived at Wellington in 1810, died last night, aged seventy-three. Oamaku, February 22. j The first meeting of the uew Harbor Board was held yesterd iy Mr George Sumpter was re-elected chairman. At a meeting of the school committee last night a letter waa read from the Eev. A. B Todd, Presbyterian minister, asking for the use of a room at the Grammar school once a week for biblical teaching, as no provision had been made for religious instruction. The consideration of the matter was deferred.