NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1589, 24 March 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[pee peess agency.] Auckland, March 24, At five minutes to six o’clock this morning a fire was discovered in a shed or store house for marine goods, situated near the residence of David Gouk, shipbuilder, Nelson street. A carter, named Wm. Inskip, observed the flames bursting through the weather board building. Before assistance anived the flames were in full possession, and all efforts were therefore directed towards localising the fire. The stables of George Wilson, in which twenty-four draught horses were kept, were in danger, as well as several cottages, but, by dint of great exertion, ths spread of the fire was prevented. The store house was burnt to the ground. The nature of its inflammable contents, viz., oakum, resin, pitch, tar, is estimated at £SOO or £6OO. Neither shed or contents were insured. Gouk had been in Tauranga three weeks past engaged in assisting to float the Tanpo. The origin of fire is nob known, hut it is supposed that it occurred through spontaneous combustion. A lunatic named b dward Kelly, who had been brought from Huia on Sunday, attempted to commit suicide by drowning himself. He was saved by a workman named Collins. Auckland, March 24. Mr McGregor’s new steamer the Glenelg, for the Tauranga trade, airived this morning in company with the Argyle. The cause of the breakdown was that the coal ran out. Blenheim, March 24. Wreck of the Ketch Unity. On Thursday last, at 8 in the evening, the ketch Unity, 43 tons, Thomson master, coming from Lyttelton, with 63 tons of flour for Wellington, was approaching Cape Campbell when a squall sprang up and blew a heavy gale from S to W. The vessel first touched the Sa' dstonc Rock, and about five minutes later struck on North Reefs. Ail hands, five in number, got into the boat, and the vessel broke up in twenty minutes. The crew reached the lighthouse after eight hours’ pulling, where Blindly, the keeper, showed them great kindness and lent them clothes. They reached hereon foot last night. The vessel was owned half by the master and half by Captain Thomas, of Wellington. Blenheim, March 23. At five o’c'ock a quantity of barrels and sacks of oats, piled up and covered with st-aw at Marlborough i own, were discovered to be on fire. Only a part w<re s ived. The owner is a Mr Rntson. Ibe act is supposed to be one of incendiarism. There was no insurance. Five hundred bushels have been destroyedWellington, March 24. Movements of Sir H. Robinson. It is understood that Governor Robinson will only make a very short stay at Wellington, and proceed almost immediately after his arrival to Auckland in a man-of-war, and from thence make a tour of the whole colony. Wellington, March 24. The Parihaka Meeting. At Parihaka, the Native Minister had a conversation with Te Wlfiti on Saturday. Pressure was put on Te Whiti by his people to speak. Mr Sheehan having addressed the meeting, demanded the surrender of Hiroki, to be tried at the Supreme Court. Te Whiti constantly interrupted Mr Sheehan while speaking, and in half an hour’s harangue accused him of stealing the Natives’ land, and said he would not talk to a thief. Te Whiti also said if the Supreme Court could not come there to try Hiroki he should not go to the Supreme Court, as he had claimed his (Te Whiti’s) protection. All that could be got out of Te Whiti was a passionate tirade. He would not discuss anything. Wellington, March 24. A “Gazette,” dated Friday evening, but issued to-day, notifies that the sheep districts of Napier, Canterbury, and Otago are clean sheep districts, and Auckland, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland infected districts. All inspectors of sheep are appointed to receive the rate upon sheep and other fees under the Sheep Act. Gkeymouth, March 24. Large Fire in Greymouth. The Union Bank and several other buildings were burned to the ground at one o’clock this morning. [from ottb own correspondent.] Invercargill, March 24. Father Hennebery. Father Henm bery commences next Sunday a series of services and temperance lectures. The Volunteer Demonstration. The volunteer demonstration committee have decided not to take the cadets on the ground. There is not enough billettiug accommodation for them and the men this season. This reason having been given to the Christchurch cadets, the latter have returned an answer regretting the lack of accommodation, and announcing their intention of bringing their own tents. The committee are so much pleased with the pluck of the boys, that they will probauly let them come. Invercargill, March 4. The Bluff Harbor Board has a meeting on Friday to consider the request of the contractor for an extension of time for building the wharf, and to be allowed to use Oregon pine instead of local timber, because the mills are so busy on Government and other works that they cannot keep the contractor supplied. Large numbers of sheep are being sent here from Canterbury and Otago. Another large train from Deborah station, Oamaru, had 1520 aboard last night.