NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2087, 1 November 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[>EB PBKS3 ASSOCIATION. | NEW PLYMOUTH, November 1. FireA fire occurred yesterday afternoon, by which Mr Hales' house was completely gutted. The fire originated in the kitchen, but before the alarm was given it had communicated with the dining room, and also a small bedroom. The drawing-room soon caught, but notwithstanding that the paper and ceiling of tho rooms were "all on fire, by the activity of those assisting, led on by Inspector Ballon, the flames were beaten out, leaving the shell of the wooden house standing. The scene was a mast excitinz one. The furniture was much damaged in removal. The property was uninsured. NAPIEB, November 1. Statistics. For the paßt month the births are 52, deaths 10, marriage certificates issued 5. The Customs revenue amounted to £3236 14s 6,1. INVEROAKGILL, November 1. Vital Statistics. The vital statistics for October are as follows :—Birth, 52 ; marriogeo, 8 ; deaths, 10. DUNEDIN, Nov<mber 1. A Desperate Character. Christie, a notorious horse-atealer, on being arrested on Saturday for larceny at Naseby, attempted suicide by opening a vein in his arm. At the city court today he received twelve months. Nominated Immigrants. Mr Eolleston, in a latter to Mr Brown, M.H.8., says tho Government are unable to accept any more applications for nominated immigrants at present. GREYMOUTH, October 31. MiningThe return from tho top plites of the

Golden Fleece Extended, Beefton, for last week was 378uzs. amalgam. The battery was Btoppcd for twelve honra daring the week. AUCKLAND, October 30. The Old " Southern Cross." The old missian ichooner Santa Cruz, formerly the Southern Cross, was towed up from Kohimarama to-day. It is stated that she ha* been purchased by Mr Wilson for £2OO and will proceed to LeFuko. Crown Land Sale. At the Crown land sale to-day, there was a good attendance and the bidding in soma cases was spirited. Soall's System. A second series of target test matches, to determsno the relative merits of Sergeant Soall's modified system and the army system, took place, and like the match of the previous day resulted in favor of the former system. The firing was under the superintendence of Major Morrow, asfiited by Lieutenant Hutehins, while Sergeant Soall kept time, viz., ten seconds for each shot. Railway Accident. The mid-day Oneburga train from Auckland met with an accident yesterday near Penrose, the engine* and one carriage running off the rails. The line was blocked for two or three hours, but no damage was done. A. and P. ShowEntries for the Agricultural and Pastoral Society's Show are more numerous in all classes than last year, ezoept cattle. Lccal industries are remarkably numerous. OAMABTT, October 31. Body Found. The body of a man was found near the Otekaike station on Saturday. The body waa in a state of decay, having probably lain exposed for two or three months. It is supposed to be that of Edward Linton, who has been missing for some time, who, when last seen, was wandering about in search of rabbits. Harbor WorksThe north wall of the harbor works will be commenced in a day or two by the contractors—Messrs Nigel and Forrest. , Customs Returns. The Customs revenue collected at the port of Oamaru during the month of October waa £370 5s lOd. INVEBCABGILL, October 31. Retrenchment. It is said upon excellent authority that the office of district traffic manager for Southland railways is to be abolished, and that the railways of this district are to be tacked on to the Otago section and worked from Dunedin. It is also rumored that Mr Thomas Arthur, who has been about sixteen years in the service, and has for some time acted as the head of the railway department, is to be offered the rank of stationmaster at £250 a year, being £2OO less than he at present receives aa_diatrict traffic manager. [ZBOH OTTB OWN OOBEEBPOHDENT.I WELLINGTON, October 30. Executive Meeting. A meeting of the Executive Council waa held at Government House to-day at noon, the Acting-Governor presiding, and the Hons. Messrs Hall, Atkinson, Bryce, Bolleston, Dick and Oliver being present. The case of Joe, the Fijian murderer, was not dealt with at the Council, but his fate will in all probability be determined at another Executiva meeting to be held on Tuesday next. The Parihaka Natives-To-day's telegram from the Constabulary Camp reports that up to this afternoon the Maori fencers had not put in their usual appearance, and were not expected to come down to-day. Further Sale of Waimate PlainsA long meeting of the Cabinet was held this afternoon. It was decided to place in the market immediately another block of land on ths Waimate plains, includiag the township of Minia, the price and terms to be the same as for the first block cold. The area will be between 7000 and 8000 acres, and the quality of the land is similar to the other block. It is considered a gratifying proof of the continued confidence felt in the soundness and progress of New Zealand, that the first block of land on the Waimate Plains placed in the market should have found such ready and favorable sale The land has averaged £6 per acre for cash, and £7 on deferred payments. Of the whole block of 6500 acres the portion sold for cash realised no less than £31,000, while the proceeds of the sale on deferred payments, the area thus sold being some 2200 acres, is estimated at over £15,000, making the total result of the first sale of Waimate land not far short of £50,000.