LATEST UNPUBLISHED.

Kumara Times, Issue 508, 14 May 1878, Page 2

LATEST UNPUBLISHED.

Auckland, May 14. Further particulars of the hurricane at Panmoti, in the South Sea group of Islands are to hand. Panmoti is only ten to twenty feet highs and the centre of the cyclone swept over the most populous and commercially important Islands of the group. In Rairo the hurricane washed away every house, even the bodies out of the graves, which subsequently were eaten by pigs. Many inhabitants saved themselves by getting to the highest points on the Island, and lashing themselves on to the Cocoanut trees, until the wind and sea abated. Two schooners were loit on the Island some boats bapsized, and 117 persons were drowned. Twentv boats, averaging four or five tons erch, have been lost. Many thousand Cocoanut trees were washed away. A. steamer has been sent from Tahaite, to ascertain the extent of the disaster, more than 150 person were drowned and £SOOOO worth of property destroyed. The Copra trade is ruined for the year.

Wellington, May 14. Mr Ballance last night adddressed his constituents at Marion, explaining at considerable length his reasons for abandoning the Atkinson party. In referring to the Education Act, he said he believed the Government intended to place £IOO,OOO for the erection of school buildings. The reason Sir G. Grey was brought into power was because he commanded the allegiance of the Auckland party, who were the largest section in the House. At the time of carrying Mr Ijarnach’s motion he had lost all faith in the Government, and in consequence of the cir-' cumstances attendant on the Waka Maori debate, he followed Sir G. Grey because he approved most of his ideas, and because he was clean-handed and commanded the confidence of the House. He considered Major Atkinson moving the second vote of want of confidence as an unprecedented party affair, He strongly denied there was any idea of restoring Provincialism, • and said the charge was unfounded. He approved of manh'iod suffrage with a very light qualification, and also the granting of a vote to women. lie advocated a class tax on land, and adjoining incidence taxation, to make it fall on those best able to bear it. He also advocated triennial Parliaments, as bringing representatives oftener before their constituents, There would be a licensing bill brought forward next session in which he hoped there would he a compensation clause. He did not believe any reduction could be made in the Civil Service. The annual revenue exceeded expectations. Next session the Government would be able to announce a surplus. A vote of confidence was carried almost unanimously. Balclutha, May 14, An extensive lire occurred here this morning. Several buildings aud their contents were destroyed, amongst them the Newmarket Hotel. The Telegraph Office had a narrow escape. The following are the insurances as far as is known:—Newmarket Hotel was insured in the South British for £BOO, in the New Zealand for £1450, National £SOO, and fetandard £SOO. The Newmarket Hall was insured in the National for £6OO, and in the South British for £6OO. The piano and furniture of the National Hall were insured for £l5O. ibe stables and barn were insured in the New Zealand for £IOO. Bluesstore and buildings in the Standard for £4OO, and the stock in the National for £ISOO. A small portion of the goods in the st ore were saved.