LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 845, 16 June 1879, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[press agency.] GREAT FIRE IN WELLINGTON. Wellington, June 16. The largest fire evm* known in Wellington occurred last night. The probable loss is reckoned at about £50,1)00 or £60,000. The insurances are expected to amount to about £25,000. .The. fire commenced at the Imperial Opera. House, which was soon a mass of flames. The other buildings burned were :—Branch Bank of New Zealand, Wesleyan Methodist Church, Nag’s Head and Royal Oak hotels, Wesleyan School, Working Men’s Club, G raves and Fleming’s (draper’s) shop, Scott’s (ironmonger’s), and a lot of other shops. FIRE AT DUNEDIN. 1 , Dunedin, June 16. A .house belonging to M‘Garthy, the brewer, in ' Scotland street, was destroyed by tire last night. Nothing was: saved.; The building was insured ih : the National for £40,0; and the furniture in the Colonial for £IOO. Oamaru, June 16. The Artillery "Volunteers have volunteered for active service, if required.

[new ZEALAND PRESS ASSOCIATION.] THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY. ■ Wellington, June 12. The Post received a special to-night from Hawera, which says that information was received there yesterday that a heavily laden dray, guarded by six Maoris, and supposed to contain arms and ammunition, was observed on the road going in the direction of Hawera. Captain Marshall at once sent a few mounted constables in search of it. They were out all night, and returned this morning without having discovered anv sign- of the dray, which it is supposed passed down the B ach road, Some Maoris at Normanby offered 30s a pound for - powder. They also offered four bullocks for a quantity of ammunition. The storekeeper, however, declined, and informed the constables. It is felt here by everybody that too. much caution cannot be exercised in Wellington and other towns in respect to the sale of arras and ammunition. Young and old are joining the volunteers. Inspector Goring inspected the Armed Constabulary and redoubt at Waihi this morning. He is a smart officer, who has seen service, and he complimented Captain Marshall on the efficiency displayed by the men under his command. A new arrangement has been made for the defence of Waihi in case of an attack. The redoubt will be defended by the Militia and volunteers, the Constabulary taking the field to protect the settlers’ homesteads. Major Noakes has enrolled and armed 219 Volunteers at Normanby and Hawera in the short space of two days. He left for Wanganui this morning; leaving Captain Marshall in command of the Waihi Volunteers. The Waihi and; Patea district settleis are disgusted at the action of the Maoris, and are anxious to go in and have it out at once and for ever. Dunedin, June 14. The Cromwell Company maintains its expectations. This morning W. J A. M’ In tyre received a telegram from the manager, announcing that the usual fourweekly crushing was completed last night, and the result was a cake of gold weighing 969 ozs. from 480 tons of stone. It has been deposited with the bank there. Since the beginning of this year

to date, the company have obtained 4086 ozs. from 2623 tons of stuff. CHKiSTCHURcn, June 14. It is reported that there are not 50 tons of Newcastle coal in all the Christchurch coal yards put together, and customers requesting a ton of that coal have a small parcel of about 200-weight ser t to them to keep them going, and that other deliveries are just now iu similar proportion to orders sent. The vessels Rialto and Emperor, ov.erdue from Newcastle, are looked for hourly with some anxiety. The woman Elizabeth Dawe, who attempted to commit suicide yesterday by throwing herself into the Avon, was admonished to-day at the Police Court, and allowed to leave with a friend who offered to take chaige of her. Auckland, June 14. A lunatic named Fred Reice stole Sergeant Scott’s horse at Cambridge. On being arrested, he savagely attacked the constable with a tent pole. He has been sent to t .e asylum. David Nelson, charged with stealing a horse, the property of Thomas Williams, has been remanded to Napier. Great preparations are being made for the Governor’s reception. The ladies are to make a presentation to Lady Robinson of a bouquet of flowers with a holder of elaborate design, inscribed, “ Welcome to Auckland.” June 15. Sheehan, Rewi, and Northern chiefs arrived from the Hot Springs, via Kawau, this afternoon, iu order to re ceive the Governor. The weather is cold and threatening. It is hoped the reception will not be marred by the inclemency of the weather. Wellington, June 14. At the parade of the Naval Brigade last night, 140 members were, present, and every man, from the captain down, volunteered to go to the front if a Maori war took place. Twenty new members were enrolled. It was resolved that the Hon. Col mel Whitmore should be requested to place a sum of £IOOO on tbe Estimates to submit to Parliament next session for the purpose of purchasing an ordnance carrying schooner, about 100 tons burthen, to be used as a gun-boat, in which the brigade could exercise, and learn how to work guns on board ship. It was decided that if Colonel Whitmore did not agree to this proposal, tho Government should be requested to provide the brigade with a steam torpedo launch and instructor, the members agreeing to do all in their power to render themselves efficient.

Charles Oat field, a seaman aboard the Albion, was in the hold of the steamer yesterday afternoon, when a sling of suggar was being hoisted up. The bags of sugar fell on Oatfield’s foot, completely shattering the bones. It is not stated whether the foot can be saved.