INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 191, 9 August 1878, Page 2

INTE RPROVINCIAL.

fPRKSS AGENCY.] Hokitika, Thursday night. A fire occurred this morning at 2 o'clock at Barton's El Dorado Hotel, on the east side of North Revell-street. The Hotel was completely destroyed, likewise the two small shops and cottage at the rear. The cottage and furniture were insured in the South British only a few days ago. Barton's family had a narrow escape by a ladder from an upper window. John Maher, a contractor, was severely injured by a horse running against him during the fire. There was no other injury or insurance. Lawrence, Thursday night. Communication was restored last night. Lawrence has been without a mail for 'three days, and efforts were made by the Postal authorities to bring the mails from Tokomairiro on horseback. General dissatisfaction and indignation is expressed by the inhabitants. The local paper says it is something scandalous in railway management that a foot of snow at the mouth of the tunnel should interrupt the traffic for three days. A boy named Kahey on Tuesday, while suddenly trying to evade a snowball, knocked his head against a screw nail, fracturing his skull. A successful operatiou was performed on the lad by Dr Sterling, assisted by ])r Withers, and a piece of the skull extracted. Although in a precarious state the lad is expected to recover. Wellington 1 , Thursday night. A smart shock of earthquake was felfc here at a quarter to eight this morning. Two smart shocks were also felt at Greytown at twelve minutes to nine this morning. Mr George Thomas reports produce prices as follows:— Flour, Adelaide £17 10s, Colonial £11 10s; oats, 4s 9d; bran, Is 8d to Is Sd ; bacon, 8d; cheese, 7£d; wheat, 4s 3d; maize, 4s 3d; pollard, £7 10s; potatoes, £4 10s; butter, lid. At the Municipal Conference the following motions were carried after considerable discussion:—" That boroughs, or districts desiring to join a borough, shall not be liable for any special loan rate expended other than for gas or water supply; That a Committee consisting 'of Messrs Moorhouse, Brett, Sutton, and Standish confer with the County Council delegates with a view to joint action being taken to obtain payment of all subsidies granted to them by Parliament as [endowments since the beginning of the year; That provision should be made out of the consolidated revenue for the maintenance of hospitals and charitable institutions, as being a fair distribution which would avoid manifold unfairnesses in adjusting between the counties and boroughs from local funds; That the management and control of hospitals and charitable institutions should rest with the Government, assisted by Committees appointed by them, and aided by the Benevolent Societies, elected in such manner and regulated by such instructions as Government may deem expedient, the Committees to be assisted by the necessary salaried officers. It its expected that the Conference will finish business to-morrow. Friday. The final meeting of the Municipal Conference was held this morning, when the following resolutions were passed : — That the Government be requested to introduce an Act similar to that in Brisbane making the Insurance Companies pay half the costs of the brigades and plant, and making further provision for the extinction of fires in the municipalities and the : That the members of the Conference remaining in Wellington be left full powers to take legal advice and any action necessary for giviDg legislative effect to the recommendations and suggestions of the Conference : That a deputation should wait upon the Government to ascertain if they are willing to introduce a Bill giving effect to the resolutions and suggestions of the Conference. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Mayor and Corporation of Wellington for the manner in which they had entertained the delegates also to the Town Clerk. After passing a. vote of thanks to the Chairman the Conference terminated, it being distinctly understood that no permanent Municipal league existed, but that this had only been a meeting to consider and suggest amendments in Acts relating to municipalities. The Neio Zealander this morning says it is not improbable that the question of revising and|consolidatiug the licensing Jaws will be leit over until next session. '