LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1646, 7 January 1882, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[new ZEALAND PRESS ASSOCIATION.! Napier, January 5. Blackburn’s rope factory at Hastings having been burned down under suspicious circumstances, the insurance companies demanded an inquest, which is being held. Blackburn, in his contradicted himself greatly, and others of bis statements were disproved by witnesses- The evidence so far does not relate to the fire, but to the value of the buildings and stock, which were insured for £650, and which are stated not to have been worth £2OO. Blackburn admitted that the buildings were not woi'tb £BO, although he valued them at £l6O when taking out liis policy of insurance. The agents had decided to cancel the policy the night ot the fire- This is the second time that Blackburn has been banied out under similar circumstances, January 6. The inquest on the fire at Blackburn’s rope factory eitdbd in a verdict that “ The jurjr are Of opinion that Blackburn’s shed was set on fire from the inside, but as to who the person or persons were who originated the fire there is no evideilce to show j but the’ jury wish to add that the evidence also shows that the property was overinsured, and that Blafikbfirn fraudulently misrepresented the value of his property. The jury think that the insurance companies are to blame for accepting the risk without first surveying the property.” Coal of good quality has been found in the Mohaka district, but it is so far from town that it is questionable’ whether it will pay to work it. Nelson, January 5. A six-roomed house in Brook-street Valley, occupied by a man named Pusch,was destroyed by fire to-day. Considerable difficulty was experienced in rescuing his wife, who is an invalid. The house belonged to Cullen, of Picton, and was insured in the Liverpool, London, and Globe for £IOO. Pusch, who is a maker of plaster of Paris images, had his furniture and models insured in the New Zealand office for £4OO, and the stock of images for £250. CHRISTCHURCH, January 6. There Was a smart shock of earthquake at 6.30 this morning. A man named Shakelton, while riding to Leeston, suddenly fell from bis horse on Wednesday stud fractured his skull. The medical evidence showed that deceased had a fit, which caused the. accident. The verdict was inglj’Dunedin, January A bricklayer, resident in the suburbs, lias pei fee‘ed a machine for the manufacture of gas out of animal carbon. The experiments have been most successful, and a patent is applied for* The cost of the gas is vastly less than if made from coal. At the Supreme Court, Mrs Schade and her son weie found guilty of shooting at one Thornton with intent, and sentenced each to two months. Mrs Schade is a hotelkeeper up country, and the prosecutor had attempted to enter her house after being put out, then she ordered her son. to shoot at his legs. For the defence it was alleged that Thornton made improper proposals tor Mrs Schade,

Auckland, jknukry 5. At (fee Criminal Sessions Alfred Clnrtes was of 1 robbing Gilbert Dobson in a brothel. Michel O’Connor was convicted of attempted rape oh Kepa, a MRori wdmau; sentence deferred. Thb body of Kemp, drowhed at Mahaurangi, has been recovered. A boy in the boat with him clung to t\ie boat two hours and a half before being rescued. , . . . January 6. George Cook, 66 years old} shot birdself at Drury. He was receiving Government rations, and was in A desponding condition; A sculling match has been arranged betwe&i Albe'rfe White and Carter, df Sydney, to be rowed in Mercury Bay, for £SO aside, changing boats. This match arises out of the Mercury Bay regatta ratiesj White thinking Carter wOn by the superiority ot his bddt.