LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 668, 18 November 1878, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[press agency.]

Timaru, November 16

At the inquest on the bodies of Mrs Drew and her infant, a verdict of accidental death was recorded, the jury adding a rider strongly animadverising on the, construction of buildings similar to the one where the accident occurred, and requesting' the Coroner to forward to the proper quarter a recommendation that the erection of buildings be properly supervised in future. It came out in evidence that the roof was not connected in any way with the walls of the building.

November 17,

An immense fire occurred in the Waimate Bush, destroying property and timber mills to a very large amount. Studholme, principal owner, estimates his loss at £60,000. Theobald’s, Hayes’s, Bride’s, Baitlett’s, Hunt’s, and Barrett’s mills are all destroyed. A number of residences are also burnt, and many families are left destitute. Great anxiety is felt for a number of persons residing near the bush. It is believed that before the fire abates the whole bush will be destroyed. Fifteen families have just arrived, who are cleared out of house and home. Several minor accidents have occurred. The fire is still raging furiously. Christchurch, November 16. To a deputation to Colonel. Whitmore on the subject of the defence of Lyttelton, the Colonel said guns would be out by the end of the year. He scouted .the idea of any attack on New Zealand ports, and said that even if such did take place the people would soon get used to it. "Yesterday it, was . resolved at - the Harbor Board to ask the Government to grant a site for a, Sailors’ Home, and the Board res-lived to give £SOO towards the establishment of the same.

There is not much alteration to note in the grain and produce market; the following are .the prices current:—Wheat, 4s 3d to 4s 6d ; flour, .210 to' *£ll j pats, 4s 3d, fur feed ; barley,, nil; haim and and bacon-in cloth, 8J ;i potatoes, £4; other produce* un- ! changed.

Dunedin, November-16,

To suit Tyson’s convenience the wrestling match between him ' and 1).

Ogg has been posponed till the. 18th of December.

A severe gale has prevailed throughont yesterday and to-day. A good deal of damage has been done, and a vessel was blown from her moorings at the Rattray street Jetty.

Wellington, November 16

A breeze from South-east springing up to-day, the Carlotta wreck broke into a thousand pieces and entirely disappeared. Captain Fairchild says that yesterday the. Northwest gale between 3 and 4 p.ni. was the hardest he ever experienced in his whole life. The sails on the raizzen mast which were made snug as possible, were torn adrift and blow to ribbons.

It is reported that a moat excellent sample of graphite has been discovered in the northern portion of this province towards Taranaki. Dr. Hector considers it an indication of coal leads in that vicinity. Auckland, November 16.

No preparation has been made for any public reception of the Australian cricketers expected on Tuesday, by the mail. Regret is expressed at the absence of the Mayor, who entertained them before at his own cost, and who intended to initiate some suitable welcome on their return.

The Taupiri coal mines have again struck, alleging that the railway arrangements prevent them making full time.

Sarah Monk attempted to strangle herself with a pair of braces, but neighbors rescued her. She had been drinking.

LATEST UNPUBLISHED. FIRE AT WESTPORT. Westport, November 18, A mysterious (ire occurred here early yesterday morning, destroying, a large building, the property of Messrs Hooper and Dodson (brewers), of Nelson, next the Westport Times Office. The building destroyed was occupied as tlie office of the Koranui Coal Company, also the Halcyon Quartz Mining Company, and the local .Agency of the Curator ,of Intestate Estates. All the papers/connected with their affairs are destroyed. Wm. Lloyd and Co.'s secretary locked up the building at' 10.30 p.m., 1 and asserts all was then safe. No one lives in the building, nor had it any fireplace. The building was uninsured. The Fire Brigade and citizens saved the adjacent buildings—tbe Westport Times office, the Westport Colliery Company’s office, and 'Carpenter’s fruit

store. TheTaEter sulfered some loss by the hurried removal of the effects. An inquiry will be held. The Koramii Company have duplicate plans of ,the works in the hands of the Government. Lyttelton, November 18.

Arrived the ship Rangitikei, from London, with 49 passengers and a large cargo ; 105 days from the docks' and 98 from land to land. On" September 14th, 9 degrees south, she picked up two Portugese sailors, part of the crew of the Portugese ship Atnerique, they had been in the wateT in a swamped boat 50 hours. Two others of the boat’s crew had been seized by sharks and two more died from exhaustion. The survivors had to beat the sharks off with the bottom of the boat, On November 4th, a saloon passenger the Revd. W. Marick, of Craigie died from phthisis and on November Bth a seaman named R. S. Corish was washed overboard during a tremendous gale. Auckland, November 18. Father Hennebery opened his mission. to a large congregation yesterday. James Houghan, a shoemaker, recently from Wellington, yesterday mounted the firebell stand in Queen street, with an accordeon, and gave an address on religion, mixed up with some remarks on medicine. He rang the hell, creating an alarm of fire• a constable, thereupon seized him, when be proclaimed himself Christ. He was taken into custody, being insane.

Dunedin, November 18.

The Railway from Dunedin to Anderson’s Bay is to be converted into a tramway. A case of which the facts are as follows will shortly come before the Police Court :- Three years ago, a mother left her infant boy with ,an acquaintance, to be adopted. The woman to whom the custody of the child was entrusted was married shortly afterwards; and died recently. The mother of the child then sought to have it restoi ed to her ; hut deceased’s husband objected to give it up. As the only means to regain her child, she has now laid a criminal information against the man in whose possession it is. Wellington, November 18.

The only nominations for the Mayoralty to-day are Dransfield, the present Mayor, and Hutchinson, late Mayor. An exceedingly keen contest is expected, three of the local papers support the former, and the Chronicle the latter.