NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2213, 30 March 1881, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

D?ES PBBSS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, March 30. Farmers’ Risks. Two stacks of wheat and one of oaten hay have been burnt at Mr James Elliott’s farm at Ihumato, near Mangaro. He was insured for £450 in the Union office. There is no clue to the origin of the fire. Mining Looking Up, Rich specimens from Coromandel were exhibited in town to-day, causing a good deal of excitement and a rise in shares. MasonicThe foundation stone of the Masonic Hall in Princes street was laid with Masonic honors to-day. The District Grand Lodge, E. 0., met in the Choral Hall, when the past Grand Lodge North of Ireland, 1.0. and 8.0., were received. District Grandmaster G, 8. Graham addressed tho Masons. A procession to St, Paul's Cathedral was thon formed, where Bro, Dr. Kidd preached a sermon. The procession was re-formod, and went to the hall site, where a temporary platform was erected and a large crowd assembled. District Grandmaster Graham laid tho stone, and Bro. E. Whitaker, tho Attorney-General, and the Provincial Grand Master spoke. WELLINGTON, March 30. Shipping. Arrived—The steamer Norfolk, from London, via Lyttelton. The Penguin. An enquiry will be held on Thursday, 7th prox,, into tho circumstances in connection with tho mishap to tho Penguin ou Friday last. The Asylum Enquiry. Tho members of the Asylum Commission made an inspection of tho Asylum yesterday, It is expected that their report will be presented to the Governor early r.est week. INVERCARGILL, March 30. FireThe dwelling of Mr Sinclair, farmer, of Castlorook, has been totally destroyed by fire. Tho family only narrowly escaped, leaving their clothing and everything *elso to the flames, AUCKLAND, March 29. The Grammar School Enquiry. At the Grammar school inquiry, Messrs J. C. Firth, D. L. Murdoch, general manager of the Bank of Now Zealand, C. C. McMillan (of McArthur and Co.), J. J. Shornpage (of Owen and Graham) gave emphatic evidence in favor of

the conduct of the school and tho results achieved by the head master. Strange Death. Mrs J. Devin, formerly of the Commercial Hotel, Auckland, died at Te Awamntu from the effects of the fright sustained in concoction with the outbreak of fire «t Lewes Hotel. WELLINGTON, March 29. Sudden Death. .Tames Owen, proprietor of the Tainui Hotel, fell down in a fit and expired to-day. The cause of death is believed to bs ap . . Accident A. Chinaman fell off the Wellington and Hutt train to-day, and was picked up in an unconscious state. The extent of his injuries is not yet known. Release of Prisoners. Tho Government have decided to release two of the Maori prisoners confined in Hokitika Gaol, one cn account oc hia Buffering from consumption, and tho other in order that ho may accompany tho invalid homo. Both belong to tho Harm of Titokawaru. The High CommissionershipThe official protest of Sir A. Gordon, and aleo of Commodore Wilson, respecting the action of the Colonial Conference on the question of the High Commi-sicnership of the Western Pacific, has been received by the Now South Wales Governor ent, aad copies have been laid before the Parliament of that colony. Sir H. Parkes has officially sent copies to this Government. The pretest relates leas to the action of the Conference than to the question published as one of the appendices to the proceedings of tho conference. Short of Water. In consequence of the low depth of water in the reservoir, it is intended that posters shall be placarded over the town requesting householders to use every means to prevent waste of water. A circular has been sent to the hotels asking them to discontinue their baths until the reservoir is replenished. Hotel Keepers Beware! At tho Magistrate’s Court to-day the proprietor of the Victoria Hotel was fined £1 for receiving a ring in pledge for drink supplied. HOKUIKA, March 29. Criminal. In the Supreme Court to-day Daniel Whelan,, for stealing from a dwelling, was acquitted. David Hutchison, a minor, was indicted for the murder of his wife, Margaret Hutchison. Mr South (Crown Prosecutor) and Mr McGniness appeared for tho Crown, and Mr Purkiss defended. Two witnesses were examined when tho Court rose at 6 p.m. The evidence so far shows that on tho night of tho 20th of November prisoner’s house was burned, his wife, and baby aged four months, being burned to death. One witness deposed to h aring screams from the prisons r’s house, also a noise of thuds, and heard deceased say, “ Davy, Davy, what are you going to do.” This was about midnight, and by 3 a.m. the house was burned. The trial will be resumed at 10 a.m. to-morrow. CAM ABU, March 29. FireA two-roomed cottage, occupied by a mason named Bodgers, was burned down to-night. The furniture was insured for £SO in the Liverpool, London, and Globe. The house is said to be insured in tho New Zealand, but the amount could not be ascertained. DUNEDIN, March 29. Cricket. The cricket match, Carisbrook v Christchurch Wanderers, took place to day. Carisbrook in their first innings made 164, and the Wanderers 79. March 30. Tho weather is fine, but rather eold. The Wanderers followed their innings, Hartland and W. Milton took up the batting, and put together 60 before they wore separated. The score at the adjournment for luncheon was 89 for two wickets. Bedmayne made 39. The Telephone. The proposal to form a telephone exchange hero has fallen flat, no subscribers at the charge fixed having come forward. The charge of £l7 18a a year is generally considered too high. Never Satisfied. Fort Chalmers is agitating for a Resident Magistrate. Religious Teaching. The Bible in Schools’ Association have received sixty-three replies from the schools to their circular. 303 persons, representing 817 children, are opposed to Bible reading; 1679 parents, representing 6916 children attending schools, are in favor of its introduction.