LATEST TELEGRAMS

Kumara Times, Issue 1056, 18 February 1880, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS

[UNITED PIIESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, February 16. Arrangements for taking over the New Zealand Times were Completed this evening, and Mr Harris takes possession to-morrow. The Times and New Zealander will be one enlarged. The latter ceases publication after to-morrow morning. February 18. At the Resident Magistrate'* Court this morning, five publicans were fined £1 and costs for allowing barmaids to remain in the bar after 11 p.m. Several drapers were treated in a similar man- ( ner for allowing females to remain at word later than two o'clock on Saturday afternoon.. The Magistrate intimated that for the future, in glariug cases of any breach of the Act, he would inflict the full penalty of £SO. Dunedin. February 16. The Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the laud claims of the Middle Island natives held a formal sitting at the City Hotel to-day, when Mr Izard, who appears ou behalf of claimants, applied for an adjournment till Wednesday to enable him to get witnesses together which was granted. His Excellency and Lady Hobinson arrived in Dunedin by special train at 4.45 o'clock this afternoon. At Palmerston they were joined by the Commissioner for Middle Island Railways, under whose charge the special train "was. About 350 hands engaged on various sections of the Otago railways will be knocked off work immediately by i order of the Government.

February 17. A terrible fire> which commenced ou Sunday afternoon, has been raging at the Kaihiku Bush, destroying Potter and Doullis's eld sawmill and 200 acres of very valuable bush, the property of Mr Moffat, who- had bought it for £6OOO. Fully £SOO worth of sawn timber, chiefly for mining purposes, was <*n the ground, aud the Avhole of this was sold—delivery to be given in a few days. The Bruce Herald adds that Mr Moffat's dwelling, which fortunately stands near a creek, was only saved with the greatest difficulty and under great exertious. This is a sad loss to Moffat. The Miuister for Public Works left for the north this morning by the ex-pi-ess train.. The Hon. Mr Rolleston arrived in Duhedin this afternoon. By the Clinton fire yesterday after, noon, the United Insurance Company lost £l5O. B\\£CLUTHA, February 17. While the reaper was at work on Mr James Scott's farm, Waipuna, yesterday afterndonj the lioise in the reaper shied, and the tilter, a man named Duncan M'Kenzie, fell on the knife. His left foot was cut clean off a few inches above the ancle. Dr. Evelci,di, of Clinton, was Sent for, and did what Avas necessary for the sufferer, who is doing as well as can be expected. KelSoJi, February il A. man named Marshall, 30 years of age, and who leaves a mother, widow, and four children unprovided for, was drowned at Collingwood whilst attempting to ci'dss the Aorere in a canoe. The deceased arrived in the Colony only about three months ago. He took the wrong ford and was capsized. Willie Hogg, local poet, but also known throughout the Colony, died at the Hospital yesterday, aged 7(J. . Christchukch, February 17. Minnie Bench, alias, Edwards, was sentenced to six mouths' hai'd labor, in addition to her former sentence of four years for breaking out of Addington Gaol. The E.M. said it was quite an eucoitragement to prisoners to escape by constructing the Ctlls in the slovenly way that the one Edwards was confined in was built. Ellen Thomson, the woman iu whose house the escapee was arrested, was fined 60s, the Magistrate being lenient because Edwards had only been in the house about a quarter of an hour before being arrested.

It was stated Jit the Lyttelton Borough Couucil that 15,000 gallons of water per day were being wasted, and steps will be taken to fiud out the offenders, and prosecute them.

Auckland, February 17. The Auckland schooner Gi iffed, from New Caledonia, arrived with 25 Communists whose terms have expired. Many of them had their passages paid by the French Government. When 31 days out the provisions failed, and they were supplied by the Lochnagar, hence to Hobart Town, but these also failed, and the last drop of water wjs used up when they approached land, and a ease of wine was broached.