TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 48, 23 December 1871, Page 8

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Auckland, December 16. The new Choral Hall in Symonds street, was again totally destroyed by fire early on Sunday morning. Some „ bottles of kerosene and oily rags were discovered, leaving no doubt that tbe fire was the result of an incendiary. There is no clue to the perpetrators, hut a reward of £IGOO has been offered. The building was insured in ihe New Zealand Office for £ISOO. Another great fire occurred on Tuesday night, destroying ITawkewood’s foundry and eight cottages, The fire was in the centre of a large block of wooden buildings, which were saved by the exertions of the fire brigade and crowd, and owing to the absence of wind. The insurances are—Royal, £350; Victoria, £300; New Zealand, £75. There are some slight losses on buildings which were gutted. Christina M’Vicar has been found dead in her bed. At the inquest, the verdict was that death had been caused by excessive drinking. The Caledonian reef has been cut in the Tookey mine, but it is greatly reduced in size, and of very unpromising appearance. Shares immediately fell from £4O to £27, and are still falling. Caledonians are rising ; now quoted at £72 10s; Thames, £l6 10s. The Caledonian pays a dividend of £5 today. The Thames dividend is £ 1 10s, and the Tokatea has declared a dividend of Bs. December 18. Fat cattle, 26s to 80s per 1001 bs ; steers, £4. Wheat, overstocked, 5s 3d ; oats, 2s 8d to 3s 3d. A fire at Onebunga has destroyed eight buildings, including the Custom House (which contained all the lighthouse materials for the Manukau [leads), the Exchange Hotel, and two stores. The insurances are—Royal, £600; Liverpool and London, £SOO ; Norwich Union, £300; New Zealand, £3OO. The fire originated in an empty house, and is believed to have been the work of an incendiary. Chief Justice Arney has ruled that bankrupts, after receiving their final discharge, are not altogether released from their debts. Creditors may at any time afterwards apply to the Court for au order compelling the bankrupt to set aside a portion of his income to satisfy contractees prior to the insolvency. The new Education Bill is of a purely secular character. The schooner Midge has been totally wrecked at Kaipara. She was insured in tbe New Zealand Office for £I4OO, and her cargo in the Pacific for £l3O. A man, named Alexander Robertson, died on hoard the Taranaki oil her voyage from the South. Caledonians, £7O; Thames, £l7; Tookey’s £24 ; Inverness, £1 10s. Tauhanga, December 18. Grant is going to run a mail to Katikati, and from thence, by Maoris, to the Thames, twice a week. The days are not yet fixed. N.\rieh, December 16. The telegraph department has commenced to "stretch a second wire along the present posts between this and Tauranga, preparatory to completing communication with Auckland. December 18. At a meeting held by Ropata, at Ruatahuna, the Uriwera chiefs agreed to become responsible to the Government for the good conduct of the whole of their people. They also agreed that if they found Te lvooti they would surrender him. Some of Capt Preece’s Arawas, while out scouting recently, lost themselves fora few days. Makarini found them and put them ou the right track. New Plymouth, December 16. Mr Hector M‘Lean writes to the « Taranaki Herald” that if the Government will grant certain conditions to the natives at Ngatimaru, they will allow Europeans to prospect for gold on their land. M'Lean says that alluvial gold is to be found there. The first pile of the Waitora bridge is to be driven on Monday by the Superintendent, who has in consequence proclaimed the day a public holiday. December 18. The Superintendent drove the first pile of the Waitara bridge to-day. There ! was a great demonstration, and Cobb’s coach made its first trip to the Waitaia.

The Superintendent stated that on the arrival of the Defence Minister he hoped to be in a position to announce that arrangements had been made for bridging the Arenui and other rivers in native districts. December 21. Kereopa’s trial commenced to-day, the Attorney-General conducting the prosecution. In charging the Grand Jury his Honor, Mr Justice Johnston, said that abundant evidence appeared in the depositions to prove the prisoner guilty as an accessory before the fact, a position which in the present state of the law was the same as that of a principal in the crime. The first witness examined was Captain Levy, who said he saw Kereopa and others escorting Mr Volckner to the place of execution. He then saw a number of Maoris mount a willow tree with a rope and pulley. Kereopa directed them where to fix these, and then he saw Mr Volckner hanging, and the Maoris hoisting him up and down.—Kereopa asked Levy, “ Am I the same as I was I then ?” Levy replied “ I could readily identify you, though in some points you are altered.” Two other witnesses were examined, and their evidence was strongly against the prisoner. Wanganui, December 10. Harvey Thompson, clerk of the Resident Magistrate’s Court, was brought before the Court this morning on a charge of having embezzled the sum of £4 10s in various small amounts. The total amount of the defalcations of Government money is £35. He pleaded that through pressure of business his accounts had got into a confused state, lie denied any intention of embezzling public money. He was committed for trial ut the Wanganui sittings of the Supreme Court. Bail was allowed in two sureties of £250 each. December 2h Mr Walter Taylor, formerly editor of the “ Wanganui Times,” died at eight o’clock this morning. Mr Bryce, M.TI.R., met his constituents last night. There was a crowded meeting. He reviewed his proceedings during the late session, and replied in severe terms to the Independent’s attacks on him. A unanimous vote of confidence was passed by acclamation. Charleston, December 18. Mr O’Connor, M.H.R., addressed his constituents on Saturday night. The proceedings were very tame, and only about 100 people were present. A vote of confidence was passed without remarks, no one speaking for or against it. He admitted having received the full amount of the honorarium, although lie had been absent during a part of the session. It had, be said, been forced on him by the Speaker. He denied having a penny for his overland travelling expenses. A sale of shares in the Tnangahua quartz reefs took place yesterday. One share realised £3OO, and another in a different claim, £74. December 21. The races are likely to be a great success. Several well-known horses have already arrived. Amongst others, Kettledrum, XXX, Gertrude, and Sailor. Several others are coming. The present has been the most favorable season ever known for miners, and large parcels of gold are coming into the. banks. There lias only been one bankruptcy case, and District Judge Ward received a complimentary address from the bar. GuEYMOU'rn, December 10. At midnight on Wednesday a great flood commenced in the Grey river. A considerable portion of the town and several houses were under water. No serious damage was done. Joseph Grey, a miner at the Moonlight, is missing, and is supposed to have been drowned in the Hood. December 21. It is rumored that a very rich find has been made in Shiels’ line of reef, at the Inangahua. The stone is expected to run sixty ounces to the ton. No quartz reef has been found at Larry’s Creek, but the Lower Tnangaliua is said to be rich. All the other reefs are improving as sinking goes on. A half share in Shield’s prospecting reef claim at the Inangahua has been sold for £1,075. Hokitika, December 21. At a cattle sale to-day sixty five head were sold at £0 15s ; sixty-two head at £0 18s, and fifty-six head at £0 14?.

The average was 17s Od per TOOlbs. Sheep brought 8s Cd. Christchurch, December 16. Prime milling wheat, 4s 6d, higher rates are expected. Flour is offered freely at from £ll 15s to £l3. Oats, barley, hams, and bacon are unaltered. Butter is in slow request, and large shipments are being made to England to ease the market. December 18. The twenty-first anniversary of the settlement of the province was celebrated on Saturday. The day was observed as a close holiday, and there was a great commemorative demonstration. There was a special church service and an address by the Primate of New Zealand, and a luncheon to the early settlers given by the Superintendent. There was also a friendly societies procession, and some sports, at which 9000 people were present. A society has been formed for the purpose of establishing an observatory. A handsome amount has already been subscribed, and it is proposed to ask the Provincial Council for an endowment in land. The following are the eleven chosen to play against Otago in the Interprovincial Cricket match : —Messrs Corfe, Cotterill, Powder, Lee, Loughman, Maples, Ollivier, Pierce, Saville, Stevens, and Wood. They leave for Dunedin on the 24th instant. It has been calculated on reliable data that the late rise in wool added £BOO,OOO to the value of the season’s clip in the Middle Island. December 20. Mr H. Sawtell, of the firm of Caleb and Sawtell, has been elected mayor. A presentation of plate was made to the retiring mayor, Mr J. P. Jamieson. The new city drain, which is to cost £30,000, has been commenced. Dunedin, December 10. The following are the names of the team selected to represent Otago in the inter-provincial match with Canterbury : —Messrs Allen, Cairns, Ookinson, Downes, Pulton, J. C. Fulton, F. Kettle, M'DonneiJ, M'Farlane, Reade, and Fui ton. Sergeant Major Murdock of the Volunteer Staff died yesterday. James Newton, a quarryman, has been been killed by a fall of earth on the town belt. Wheat, 5s 3d, no transactions during the week. Oats are wanted and have advanced twopence. Samples are now worth. 2s 2d. Good flour firm at £l2 10s to £l3. Mail advices repoit that the Artillery Company’s challenge cup and belt have been shipped by a sailing vessel, and not by the Rangoon. The company has beaten two home companies in rifle matches by large majorities. December 21. Mr Thompson met his Clutha constituents on Monday. The ‘-Bruce Herald ” says there was a meagre attendance, and that he was coldly received, being listened to with extreme silence. A vote of thanks was passed. The City Council has finally determined on removing the Cargill monument from Moray Place to opposite the Custom House. The wool sale yesterday was well attended. Fifty hales were sold by auction. Greasy, 10£d to Is 2jd ; washed merino, Is 3d to Is Old. It is said that a large quantity is awaiting shipment by the Nevada. The Grey month Rifles have beaten No 1 Company City Guards by sixty points. It is understood that Mr Clayton and Major Campbell report favorably as to the accommodation available here for the Assembly. The Provincial Government has secured Fernhill as a residence for the Governor during the session. Melbourne, December 0. The C-ollingwood election will be contested by Vale and Reeves. The polling takes place to day, and will probably be in favor of the Minister of Customs, Mr Vale. Pettett, the representative of the southern province, is dead. The Hon Mr Sullivan and Mr Hamilton are candidates for the seat. Childers is appointed to act as Agent-General pro tern. Geaiy, convicted of the murder of Brookhouse, seventeen years since, was ; executed. ITe made no direct admission, unless under seal of the confessional.

Penticost, a New Nealand pedesti •ian, runs Boy Bedford on the 30th Dec, for £SO. More storms and atmospheric disturbances ; some buildings struck. A man named Stevens was killed by lightning at Wangaratta. December 16. 'lhe Rev. George MTvie died after a short illness ; Ogilvie, his brother-in-law, died suddenly. The funeral of the former was largely attei ded by repiesentatives of the various sects and temperance bodies. A collision took place between the Alhambra and a collier. An inquiry resulted in the decision that it was caused by an error in judgment of Captain Underwood, in starboarding bis helm after seeing red and green lights. Probably a civil action will follow. Sydney, Dec. 9. The schooner Mary Campbell arrived from Auckland, without papers, after nine days’ passage. She expected to beat the Coomerang, which was supposed to have come over in the interest of the mining speculators. The captain affords no information, but called at Port Stephens, the first telegraph station. Wool sales dull, and prices unaltered. The Premier has announced his intention to communicate with the Australian Colonics in reference to the establishment of a final court of appeal. Intelligence received via Honolulu states that the Artie whaling fleet was caught in the ice, which came down earlier than usual. Thirty-three ships were crushed, and twelve hundred seamen took refuge on board the seven vessels which escaped. The ships were smashed up like chips. December 10. Market cleared of Tookeys at £45. Wool sales realised satisfactory prices. Rumored discovery of oil wells in the north. Edwards, warden of DaiTmgliurst Gaol, missing : foul play suspected. The brutal murder of Mrs .Murphy, at Cafhcart, reported. Tire house was entered and plundered, and the woman murdered in the absence of her husband. The Australian Steam Navigation Company have made arrangements for entering the New Zealand trade. Announced monthly service between Sydney, Auckland, Dunedin, and other ports. Adelaide, De-c. 0. Kartells, the first Gorman mayor, beat Solomon by a large majority. Thermometer 108 in the shade, and 153 in the sun. New gold discoveries in the northeast. The Marine Board suspended the captain’s certificate for six months for stranding the Meander. New wheat coming in. December 10. Dominick Daly, eldest son of the late Governor, died suddenly of apolexy. It is expected, telegraphic communication will open with Carpentaria in about a fortnight.