NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2251, 16 May 1881, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[PEB I'EIiSS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, May 16. Fire.

A large two-story building in Wakefield street, occupied by Mr H. Hitchens, manufacturer of the "blood restorer," was totally destroyed by fire last night. A double cottage adjoining was partly destroyed. All Hitchens' furniture and plant were consumed insured for £SOO in the Royal. The house, owned by the City Council, insured for £IOO in the National, and £IOO in the South British, was adjoining. The building, and all the property of the Counoil, were insured for £IOO eaoh in the National and South British. The chimney in Hitohens' house had been on fire during the day, and it is believed was not wholly extinguished, or else the sparks had smouldered amongst the shingles on the roof. Sadden Death.

Mr Geo. Foster, general dealer, Wollealey street, rose to-day in his usual health. After lighting a fire, he went up to his bedroom, where he was seized with a violent fit of coughing, and froth oozed from his mouth. He died in a few minutes. A verdiot was returned of "Death from natural oauses." It is supposed that congestion of the brain was induced by violent coughing. NELSON, May 16. Mr. Shephard, M.H.R. Mr Joseph Shephard, member for Waimea, addressed his constituents at Wakefield on Saturday. He said retrenchment had been forced on the Government, The necessity for the Property Tax might have been avoided had the Government issued debentures for instalments and interest. This would simply have delayed liability. The interest on the cost of incomplete railways should have been charged to capital. He accused the Government of duplicity regarding the West Coast Bail way, and spoke strongly against the withdrawal of the subsidies. He depreoated the notion that districts having railways, and thus virtually subsidised by the facilities so afforded them, should receive all consideration, while those districts devoid of railways got nothing. He was opposed to a redistribution of seats on the basu of population, as Nelson would be the only district whioh would lose members, and that would be tantamount to punishing her for not having enjoyed the expenditure of a share of (public

money equally with other districts. He wbh opposed to Chinese immigration most strongly. He supported the present system of free education. An unanimous vote of thankß and of confidence was passod. DUNEDIN, May 16. "Hamlet," without the Prince. The Governor telegraphs regretting inability to bo present at the opening of the Dunedin Industrial Exhibition, as ho cannot leave Wellington just now. TheatricalThe Carden-Leigh Dramatic Company left for Christchurch to-day. Population. Waikouaiti County—Males, 1158 ; females, 989; doorcase, 80. Taieri County—Males, 4225 ; fomales, 3252 ; decrease, 197, owing to i a portion of the Waikari riding having been formed into a borough. Peninsula County— Males, 1301; females, 112-1; increase, 230.