NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1585, 19 March 1879, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[PBB PBBSB AGENCY.] Wellington, March 18.

The verdict, after the inquest on the fire at Cohen's jewellers' shop was that there was no evidence to show how the fire originated. It came out in evidence that the stock, which was exposed in the shop, was valued at over .£2OOO, but was only insured for .£9OO, while the building was insured for J6BOO, but was valued at double that amount. The effect of the finding in the Hydrabad inquiry is that no blame is attributable to Capt. Bolmwood for the loss of the ship. The Court, however, were of opinion that the log book was not kept in a sufficiently careful manner. All certificates were returned, the costs of theinquiry to be borne by the Government. Blenheim, March 18. The manager of D'Urville Island Copper Mine reports having pierced a lode two feet thick in No. 2 tunnel, 110 feet from the surface, yielding the best ore yet discovered. No report as to the smelting has been received yet.

[rOEM OUE OWN COEEESPONDENT.I Timabu, March 18. Heavy rain set in to-day, and there is every probability of its continuance. The crane for the harbor works now only requires the boiler to be fixed to be ready for work.

Yesterday and to-day fully 1000 tons of grain were discharged at Timaru railway station. It is rumoured that a company is to be floated to start an opposition morning paper here.

[Press Special Wire.] Auckland, March 18. A person was arrested to-day on a charge of committing a rape on his own daughter, aged six years. The charge was laid by his wife. At a meeting of the creditors of G. "W. Binney this afternoon a statement was read showing the liabilities at .£4657, deficiency .£1594. He attributed the failure to the loss of the steamer Geelong, and timber speculation. He offered 10a in the JL. Much sympathy was expressed with him by most of the creditors present, all but two being in favor of accepting the com promise. Mr Kissling, of the Bank of New Zealand, opposed the complete assignment of the estate. Two creditors offered a guarantee of 10s, and the meeting adjourned till to-morrow. Gkahamstown, March 18.

The first pile of the bridge over the Upper Thames river was driven yesterday. Mr C. F. Mitchell, representing the district, made a brief speech, in which he deprecated such action as that of Tukukino.

Wellington, March 18.

Mr J. W. A. Marchant is to succeed Mr Jackson as Chief Surveyor. He is to take charge to-morrow. The Native surveys in the Wellington district will also be placed under Mr Marchant's control, with Mr Williams as inspector of the whole district. Arrangements have been made for Charles Bright, the free-thought lecturer, to give an address here next Sunday week. In December last a telegram from Auckland tendering condolence with Her Majesty on the death of the Princess Alice, was sent to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. A despatch has just been received acknowledging the message, and Sir Michael Hicks-Beach says :—" I have laid the message before Her Majesty, and I am commanded to request that you will convey to the citizens of Auckland Her Majesty's gracious appreciation and recognition of the expression of heartfelt sympathy in her bereavement." The charges against several shopkeepers for wasting the town water was dismissed, but the magistrate cautioned them to get water metres for the future. George Adams and George .Robinson for breaking open the premises of J. T. Steele, and stealing wearing apparel valued at .£B2, were committed for trial.

The Tramway Company agreed to take boys to and from Wellington College at 5s per month.

For the appointment of second master to Wellington College there were thirty-two applications. For the mathematical mastership, nineteen, and for the teachership of modern languages, thirty-two. Owing to the absence of some Governors, the selection of masters was deferred for ten days. In the meantime the whole of the applications and testimonials will be submitted to Mr Wilson in the first instance for analysis, and will afterwards be considered by a commiitee. The Education Board of their own will having purchased a site for a school in Sydney street, the Law Officers of the Crown were consulted, and their decision is, that according to the 77th section of the Education Act, no Board has power to purchase sehool sites unless asked to do so by some local school committee. The Association of Insurance Companies have resolved to demand an inquest upon all cases of fire in future, and the coroner announced at today's inquiry that he would feel it his duty to Bee that such inquiries did not degenerate into mere matters of form.