LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 467, 26 March 1878, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[press agency. I

Wellington, March 25

An extraordinary attempt was-.niade to burn down the Argus office.' ' On opening the office this morning it -was found that an entrance hai been effected into the accountant's room, some time between Saturday night and Monday morning, by some person, who.' turned on all the gas jets, twisted off one branch, and broke open the editor's

room, and then clambered through a trap-door in the upper floor, appearently with the view, of securing a free draught for the flames; then set.fire to some papers ;on three files hanging close to the acbuntant's desk and under a gas •jefe-ifhe papers on the file being packed pretty close burnt all round the edges then went out, leaving the papers a charred mass. Fortunately the gas had been turned off at the main, which the prepetrator could not get at. He is supposed to have effected his escape through the rear of the building, which is on the edge of the water. The insurance companies offer £IOO reward for the apprehension of theguilty person. The building and plant are insured for a moderate amount. The origin of the fire in Willis-street on Sunday morning still remains unknown. Port Chalmers, March 25. Arrived, yesterday, barque Marie, with 84 Chinese and a large general cargo, from Hong Kong. Ship, Western Monarch, from London, 81 days passage, brings 20 passengers, and two thousand tons of cargo. On 25th February, when rounding the Cape of Good Hope, lat. 40 S., encountered strong S.W. gale at 1 a.m. Shortened sail, and while doing so, Alfred Hammerton, apprentice, fell from aloft and was drowned. Auckland, March 25. Mrs Warren, a ladylike person, who came from Sydney some time ago with her husband, supposed to be a commercial traveller, has been arrested on the charge of attempting to set on fire Haslett's boarding house, Waterloo Quadrant, and stealing apparel to the lvalue, of £B, the property of Mis Lawrie, another lodger. Mrs Warren and Mrs Lawrie were on good terms, but on Saturday night Mrs Warren's room was found on fire in several places, while a quantity of valuable articles from Mrs Lawrie's room were missing. Mrs Warren ultimately confessed she had taken them ; when brought up at Court this morning she fainted, and had to be carried out. The case was remanded. The Governor and Colonel Whitmore have gone to Waikato. Mr Sheehan returns to the Thames to-night. Grahamstown, March 25. An official letter has ,been received from Captain Maling, Private Secretary, expressing his Excellency the Governors high appreciation of the warm and cordial reception accorded to'him on Thursday last. Another letter encloses cheques for <£s each for the Hospital and Ladies' Benevolent Society. LATEST UNPUBLISHED.. Dunedin, March 26. The last rail on the Blueskin secof the Northern Railway has been laid, and communication is now completed between Dunedin atnd the Maori kaik. At Waikouaiti there is still a gap of nearly a mile between the kaik and the township, but that is expected to tilled up/by. the end of the month. The line right through to Christchurch is expected to be opened early; in. Auril, J . . . returns for the : City of Dunedin, just completed, show that the population,.within the limits of the municipal boundaries is 22,493. Mah;s, 11,605; females, 10,888.