LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1399, 26 March 1881, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[NEW ZEALAND PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Christchurch, March 25. Tt Ims been arranged that Mr G. Y. O’Connor, accompanied by Mr Browne, shall start from Christchurch on Tuesday next-, to inspect the route via Ada Pass and Cannibal Gorge. The steamer Norfolk arrived at Lyttelton from London this morning, after a passage of 51 days. Dunedin, March 25. The dwelling of P. H. Bailey, watchmaker, Cannougate, was totally destroyed by fire last night. Mrs Bailey was in the act of retiring with a kerosene lamp in her hand, when it exploded and set tir e to the house. Bailey was insured for £IOO in the Norwich Union, but he estimated his loss at about £3OO above that. The house, which belonged to James -Saieme, of North Taieri, was insured in the Standard for £2OO. Bishop Moran will leave Dunedin for Europe on April 21. Wellington, March 21. At Wanganui, at the conclusion of his speech last night, Mr Bryce received a unanimous vote of thanks and coalidence. Notifications in the Gazette state that Government are prepared to receive proposals from persons willing to establish a factory for the manufacture of blasting and sporting powder, the proposer to state what bonus would induce him to undertake the manufactnre; also, that a bonus of £SOO be given for three years in succession for refining sugar each year, by machinery established, of not less than 100 tons of cane sugar. March 25. Information reached here this evening t! at the steamer Penguin, which

left Picton for Wellington at an early hour this morning, had gone ashore on one of the numerous points in Tory Channel. It is said that the vessel sustained but little damage, and will be floated off next tide. The Governor arrived from south today. Auckland, March 24. The Waitangi Native meeting has been opened, and 3000 Natives are present, along with a number of Europeans. The Hon. Mr Rolleston made a speech, which was well received. The Natives complained bitterly'of the dog tax. Wi Katenpj late member for the district, desired to return the confiscated lands as a breach df the Waitangi treaty. Mrs Busby, and representatives of the old mission families were present. Blenheim, March 24. At 10.30 to-night the new church now in course of erection for the Wesleyans, was discovered to be on fire in the* front part of the building. Before the alarm could be given the whole place was in flames, and in less than half art< hour was burnt to the ground. It i.<4 not known how the fire originated. The adjoining places were saved by the plucky exertions of a few willing hands who stood their ground manfully amid heavy showers of sparks. The contract tor, William Coleman, has a builder* risk, but the amount is not known. ■ March 25. I The Wesleyan Church was insure* by the builder and trustees for £loo* in the National, and by the trustee® for £350 in the Northern. The con» tract price for the building was abou" £I4OO. Hawera, March 25. Major Atkirison addressed his consti-. tuents last night, and received a unaniJ mous vote of confidence. In answer tc* a question, he stated the Government did not contemplate raising another loan. He did not know how long Ministers would remain id office# and o! course he could not sfly tohat their successors might do. He stflted that the ten per cent, would not bd tftken off the civil servants this year, blit that all salaries would be reduced to vvllat was thought right. Timaru, March 24. His Excellency the Governor this! morning laid the foundation stone ofj the new Mechanics’ Institute, and] afterwards, accompanied by the visited the breakwater. He expressed himself highly gratified with the substantial nature of the work. He left for Ashburton by special train at 11.30.