TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 53, 27 January 1872, Page 8

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Greytown, January 23. A great fire has occurred at Carterton. Four new houses, two small stores, a blacksmith's shop, and a large number of outhouses have been destroyed. All the people in the neighborhood have removed their furniture into the road, fearing that their houses may be burned also. January 24. At the fire in Carterton nine small dwelling houses were destroyed, and much fencing was burnt. An investigation is being made to-day regarding the origin of the fire, which is still smouldering. Masterton is threatened with bush fires, which are raging in the vicinity. Greytown safe hitherto. Foxton, January 22. Batt, mate of the Dawn, was drowned on Saturday last whilst bathing. An inquest was held to-day, and the verdict was " accidentally drowned." He has been buried this afternoon. Mr Moir, a settbr at Palmerston, was also unfortunately drowned on Sunday whilst bathing at Ngawhakarau. Auckland, January 19. An influential deputation has waited on the Hon Mr Ormond, to urge an extension of the Kaipara Kail way to Auckland. Mr Ormond requested to be furnished with statistics of the probable trade on the line, and to have it surveyed. The City of Auckland has sailed for London, with a cargo valued at £44,245. The quantity of wool was 445,3151b5. There was no flax. January 22. Heavy bush fires have occurred at Coromandel, resulting in the destruction of a portion of the Tokatea tramway, several diggers' huts, Halligan's store, butchers' shops, and a quantity of other property. Bush fires have also occurred in other parts of the province. The drought is intense, and water is being sold in Auckland. An effort is being made to supply the necessities of the city by sinking tube wells. Thomas Veran, Messrs Quick's coachman, has been killed while watering his horses at Cambridge. Mr Ormond and Mr Oarruthers are now inspecting the Thames water works. Mr Brogden is in the Waikato. Ohinemuri news reports that Te Hira and Mere Kuril are friendly towards Europeans, It is reported that gold has been discovered at Whangarei. The harvest is proceeding satisfactorily, and the wheat crop is reported as being good. Farmers are holding for 7s. The share market is dull; Caledonians, £32 ; Thames, £8 10s; Tookeys, £ls ; Shotover, 7s. Markets—Adelaide wheat, (3s 6d ; Canterbury wheat, 5s 6d ; Canterbury flour, £l2 to £l4; oats firmer, 3s 6d to 4s; beef, 25s per 1 OOlbs. The sheep to Wallibi realised from I3s 6d to 16s |

6d each. Draught horses are in good demand at from £32 to £43. ISTapiee, January 19. The Keera met with a very severe gale off Castle Point. Her bows dipped under, and 50 cases of kerosene were washed off her deck. A plot was discovered to burn down the gaol last night. One of the accomplices informed the gaoler of it, and so enabled him to take steps to frustrate the design, and arrest the incendiary in the attempt. January 23. A meeting of the shareholders in the " Telegraph" Newspaper Company has been called for to-night to consider special resolutions in favor of voluntary winding up the affairs of the company. The Mohaka scouting party has rereturned. Tracks were seen crossing the Mohaka river, and a couple of kils were found on the track, but no natives were seen. The drought continues and is seriously affecting stock. January 25. Mr Locke has attended a native meeting held atTaupo to consider the desirability of constructing a bridge across the Waikato river at Te Niho o te Kiore. The result was favorable and the bridge will probably be commenced soon. When finished, it will complete the coach rottd from Auckland to Napier. Blenheim, January 19. A terrific conflagration has occurred on the runs. The whole country be tween the Awatere and Flaxbourne has been burned, and sheep roasted in mobs. All the fences and feed are destroyed. The fire is still raging, and is spreading behind Richmond and Stafford's runs. The Cape run has been burned. About 20 miles of country, near the Scarborough homestead, was saved with difficulty. Such a fire was never known here before. January 23. The Lower Wairau district nomination for the Provincial Council took place to-day. The candidates were George Henderson and Samuel Johnson. The show of hands was Johnson 8, and Henderson 2. A poll was demanded on behalf of Henderson. January 25. Great indignation is expressed here by all classes at the conduct of the selfconstituted deputation to Ministers, in reference to the appointment of Mr Eyes as Resident Magistrate. A public meeting is called for the purpose of expressing confidence in Mr Eyes. Christchurch, January 19. The weather continues very hot, and the drought is so protracted that the crops have been seriously injured. The grass feed has all been burned up. During 1871, one hundred and eleven new artesian wells were sunk in Christchurch, making a total in the city of 629. Owing to harvest, transactions in breadstuffs are limited, and quotations are unaltered. No new wheat has yet been offered. At the beginning of the week new oats moved freely at 2s, but they have since declined to Is 9d, Is lOd, and Is 2d. Provisions are unaltered. January 24. The drought has now lasted nine weeks, and great damage has been done to the crops by several large grass fires, The Little River Busii has also been on fire for several days, and is not yet out. White's large saw mills had a narrow escape. Yesterday the barometer registered 110 in the shade. January 25. The Thursday half-holiday movement is a failure. To-day not half the shops were closed. The Superintendent paid an official visit to the Peninsula on Tuesday, and opened the Akaroa and Christchurch road. He will remain in the district for a week, and will visit all the bays. Heavy rain fell this morning. Dunedin, January 20. The flour market is brisk. Trade lots are in demand at £l3. Miller's brands are low. There is no bran or pollard. Wheat is scarce, and good sorts are worth 5s to 5s 3d. Oats are dull at 2s to 2s 2d. Malting barley is saleable at 3s 9d. The stables of the White Horse Hotel, Tokomairiro, were burned down yesterday. The loss is £6OO, of which only £2OO is covered by insurance. The Opera Company opened last

night, in II Trovatore, to a capital house. January 22. The case of Reicheldt v the Insurance Companies commenced to-day. Mr Reeves and Mr Macandrew have gone on a visit to Catlins River and Stewart's Island for the purpose of ascertaining their capabilities as fields for settlement. January 24. Lord Ivimberley has written a despatch stating that the Imperial Government has taken steps to prevent a repetition of the emigration of convicts from Western Australia to this colony. Mr Reeves and the Immigration Agent yesterday visited Quarantine Island. The immigration barracks there have all been condemned, and new ones are to be erected contiguous to the Port Chalmers line of railway. The quarantine accommodation is also to be improved. A crushing of 104 tons of stone from the Star claim, Cromwell, has yielded 227 ounces. Port Chalmers, January 20. Arrived —Maori, from Lyttelton ; Emulous, from Bluff. The James Nicol Fleming sails for London to-morrow. The Maori is to betaken into the graving dock. January 23. A barque, supposed to be the Accasia, from Hchart Town, has passed the heads bound northwards. Sailed—Wanganui, for North. The Maori was taken into the graving dock to-day. January 24. A serious fire has occurred on the Blueskin bush track. Mr Hitchcock's house, outbuildings, fences, and crops are all destroyed. His loss is £4OO, and he was not insured. His wife and daughter had a narrow escape for their lives. Two men rushed through the flames at the risk of their lives and carried them out in an exhausted state. Arrived—Warrior Queen, from London, 82 days ; Glencoe, barque, from Hobart Town ; Agnes Muir, from Glasgow, 84 days. A man named Johnston, a laborer in the Sawyer Bay Tunnel, has been killed by being struck on the head by a stone in a blast. AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY. Bluff, Wednesday. The Alhambra left the Railway Pier on the 16th, and arrived at Mil ford Sound on the 21st at 3 p.m.; left on the 23rd, and arrived at the Bluff at 8 a.m. this morning. Passengers Messrs Brealy, Hallingshaw, Smith, White, Sweedy,Sutherland, Williams, M'Kellar, Steel and son. JVl'Erchern, Mitchell, Hill, Gillibrand, Thomson, Holmes, Shand, his Honor Judge Williams, Mr and Mrs Cross, Mesdames Mitchell, Boyd, Beveridge, Smith, Bastings, Arbuckle, Barker. The Nebraska arrived in Sydney on the 13th of January, and will sail for Auckland on the 20th. Melbourne, 16th January. Great excitement on receipt of Californian news as to the probable successsor in the event of the Prince of Wales' death. King, the explorer, drowned. Criminal proceedings against Captain Collard, of the Sussex, for misdeameanor in losing his ship. Salvagors recovering much property ; it is considered possible to save the hull. Duncan, Collector of Customs, has gone to the Murray River to arrange with New South Wales officials on the border customs. Moffatt's racing stud sold, and realised £IO,BOO. Tim Whiffler fetched 810 guineas. Sydney, January 16. Lord Belmore subscribed £SO to the fund for the relief of the sufferers by the fire at the Prince of Wales Theatre. Messrs Webb and Vogel will interview the Ministry before leaving for Melbourne. Queensland, January 16. A fracas took place in the Assembly. The Hon. Mr Pring seized Mr Clarke by the beard, and invited him to " come outside." The Speaker interfered, and ordered him into the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms. Pring then resigned his seat. Adelaide, January 16. The harvest is not so heavy as was at first expected.