TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4361, 12 March 1875, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[Pbb Pkess Agbnct.l Auckland, Thursday. At a meeting of the Auckland Steampacket Company to-day, it was resolved to increase the capital to £150,000, by the issue of ten thousand shares at £lO each. Grahamstown, Thursday. The search party out yesterday after Mr. Porter returned this morning. Nothing has been seen of the canoe or of the body. The steam launch Buona Ventura has gone out today continuing the search. The Manukau banked to-day 530 ounces melted gold, the result of three weeks' crushing. Tauraxga, Thursday. The Lima is windboxuul in Tauranga harbor. She proceeds first to Maketu with the Native Minister and party to attend another monster native meeting, thence South. Alexandra, Thursday. Tawhiao and party returned from Kawhia yesterday. They are now at Kopua. The river is very low. The natives cannot get wheat down. Two threshing machines have been constantly at work at Kopua for the last fortnight, they have not nearly finished threshing. Opckake, Thursday. The natives have left Eayley's mill, and have gone back to their own settlement to prepare for a meeting at Parihaka on the 17th. They say they will not return if Te Whiti does not support the movement. It is believed here they oidy want an excuse to retire gracefully, and will now let the matter drop. Hokitjka, Thursday. The Kanieri Lake Water-race Company commands new ground now opening, and there is a rush for shares there in consequence Several claims are expected to bottom next week.' m, ! Chbisichoacb, Thursday. A fire broke out at 6.30 this evening in the shop of Hulbert, the hatter, High-street, the business centre of the city. There were large timber-built premises, with every description of stock, on all sides. The brigade mustered with great promptitude, and the engine commenced playing on the seven minutes after the first alarm was* given, and the steam fire-engine within .fourteen minutes. After a hard struggle the brigade succeeded in preventing the fire spreading. In fact, although the flames emerged many times from the walls and roof, which were of timber, and although the interior of the premises was gutted, the shell of the building is left standing ; and not above a few pounds of damage has been done to the adjacent buildings. The brigade have been loudly praised for the splendid manner in which they worked, under their able superintendent, Mr. Harris. If the fire had spread the lo3s of property must have been very great. Matheson's agency's large store is one of the adjacent buildings, Morton's large family hotel is another. Some of Hulbert's stock was saved ; but his loss is estimated by him at £2300He says he was insured for £4OO in the National, and £6OO in the South British. The building is only insured for the paltry sum of £IOO, half of it being in the New Zealand office. All the offices had heavy risks in the vicinity of the fire. Dunewn, Thursday. At the Police Court, to-day, James Horley, on four separate charges of indecency, was sent to gaol for two years and a half; The facts are very revolting. At the Supreme Court sittings in banco this morning, Mr. Justice Chapman mentioned that the Government had' accepted his resignation us from March 31. Judge Williams come.) on to Dunedin after the criminal sessions. .The business was unimportant, and the Court adjourned immediately.

The Superintendent sent memoranda to the Waste Lands Board, complaining in severe terms of the conduct of the Board in appointing persons to inquire into the sale of certain lands at Reidston. The burden of the complaint was that the Board had, without consulting the Government, attempted to examine Government officers in a manner reflecting on their conduct. The Government decline to allow their officers to be examined. The Chief Commissioner remarked that he thought the inquiry would not result in any reflection on the officers, but recommended a different way of conducting land sales. At a Government land sale of twenty-five sections in Lees Stream hundred, yesterday, only five sections were sold at upset prices, and a little over. The land is hilly. George Johnston, an aged man, who was committed for trial recently on a charge of rape on the person of his step-daughter, was committed for trial on a second charge to-clay, the complainant being another of his stepdaughters. In the district prize firing, first set, there were 52 competitors at 200, 500, and 600 yards. Sergeant Nichol made 72 points. In the second set there were 77 competitors, the ranges being 200, 400, and 500 yards. Volunteer Kennedy made 68. The total value of the prizes was £134. Poet Chalmers, Thursday.

A fall of earth took place this morning on the cutting known as Cameron's, on the Moeraki and Port Chalmers railway. About 100 tons is estimated to have slipped. Two men who were employed at the works were buried by the fall, and only escaped serious injury by a miracle. They were dug out, one unhurt, the other severely crushed about the chest, producing emphaysena.