TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4410, 8 May 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[PItOJI OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Auckland, Friday. A memorial is being prepared to the Superintendent, requesting him to exercise his power under the Municipal Corporations Act, by dividing the city into wards. It is proposed to extend the boundaries so as to include the suburbs. A statement that Auckland printers printed the fraudulently issued miners’ rights is authoritatively denied. The grand opening football match of the season takes place to-morrow. A fire took place in Chapel-street to-day, and destroyed a large two-storey wooden building, the property of Asher Asher. Several of the adjoining buildings were endangered. The outhouses belonging to Mr. G. O. Davis were burnt; his dwelling-house narrowly escaped. ■ The Fire Brigade proved themselves almost a total failure; they were late on the ground. The losses on the buildings are £3OO. They , were insured in the Norwich Union for £*loo. , The furniture was insured for £250. Mr. C. O. Davis’s loss by breakage in removal is £IOO. There are suspicious circumstances in connection -with the fire. Some weeks ago, the occupants discovered a rag thrown in at the window, and observed a stout man retreating. It is supposed, however, that the fire originated frsm a spark from the chimney. An enquiry is demanded. A Napier telegram states that cablegram received there reports that Mr. Vogel is very ill. Disputes have commenced at Tairua. The prospectors’ claim has been jumped by a lawyer. The Bifle Association’s firing commenced to-day. The ranges were two, four, and five Vmn/ITArI T’n.r/’la ("Innfciin IVTm-vAiir flwf

A Napier telegram states that cablegram received there reports that Mr. Vogel is very ill. Disputes have commenced at Tairua. The prospectors’ claim has been jumped by a lawyer. The Bifle Association’s firing commenced to-day. The ranges were two, four, and five hundred yards. Captain Morrow, first prize, 51 points ; Corporal Hay, second, 48 points ; Sergeant Provo, third, 47 points; Volunteer Cooper fourth.

[from a correspondent.] Blenheim, Eridaj. Mr. Seymour made an effective speech last night, and said he would positively resign. A vote of thanks was carried with applause. Mr. Joseph Ward, a member of the Provincial Council, offered himself for election, and while concluding his speech Mr. Moorhouse arrived suddenly, and was allowed to address the meeting. The effect was good. The strong feeling for Ward is now slightly shaken. Considerable ’ betting in favor of Moorhouse ; 3 to 1 offered. Possibly Mr. Ward will retire, and another local man will then be brought forward. Mr. Moorhouse is canvassing, is well known, and meets favor.

[Per Press Agency.] Auckland, Friday. A fire in Chapel-street is now raging. It has destroyed Asher’s buildings, occupied by Mrs. Craw and Mr. Lawrence. The latter was keeping a boarding-house in a large twostorey block. There was insufficient water, and the efforts of the fire brigade were futile in extinguishing the flames ; but by throwingwater and pulling down the outhouses the adjoining buildings were saved. The fire is now dying out. It originated, apparently, on the shingles outside, and burned very fiercely. The furniture was mostly saved. The stock was valued at about £BOO. An attempt to set it on fire was discovered some months ago, and put out. , The insurances on the fire give the total loss to the Norwich Union at £4OO. Lawrence’s furniture, mostly saved; was insured also in the Norwich Union for £250. A difficulty has arisen with the Pumping Asssciation. The General Government, which has hitherto paid the grant to the association direct, has this month paid the amount into the Provincial Government account, so that the money cannot bo legally appropriated without an Act of Council. Meanwhile the association is destitute of funds, and is threatened with stoppage. At the Bifle Association’s firing Captain Morrow won the silver cup, value £26, with a score of 51. He made five bull’s eyes in succession at 400 yards. The brigantine Esther, 160 tons register, just launched for the Southern trade, arrived from the builders’ yards, at Mahuranga, to-day. Ministers of all denominations have held a conference, with the view to promote a revival. It was resolved to hold a united prayer meeting next Wednesday. Alexandra, Friday. ' Bain H coming down at last. The natives of Kopua refuse to allow Europeans to shoot there this year, although tho place is swarming with pheasants. They' allege as the reason that permission might tempt some of the bad ones amongst them to commit murder, and to cause trouble. Anyone trespassing is to have his gun taken away. Wanganui, Friday. Gifford, the man taken up for a criminal assault at Wairoa, has been sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment, with hard labor. Henry Dillon, sentenced for a criminal assault upon a little girl, was flogged in gaol this morning. The flogging was not so severe ns expected, though blood was drawn. Dillon

never winced, and behaved like one who had been punished before. • . New Plymouth, Friday.

The Superintendent and Harbor-master have gone to ascertain what can be done towards removing the. obstruction to the Waitara llivcr, caused by the wreck of the Paterson. A man was buried by the fall of the facing of the brick-kiln at the ironsand works, but miraculously saved through a piece of corrugated iron keeping the weight of the bricks off him. He was five hours in this position, and jnuch shaken, but not dangerously hurt. Pheasants are very plentiful here, and the shooting season has commenced with spirit. Napier, Friday.

Charles Barton has been elected for Wairoa, and Thomas Turner for Havelock, both unopposed. The nominations for Hastings take place to-morrow. Mr. Ormond is expected to be elected unopposed. The nominations for Petane will also take place to-morrow. Mr. Tuxford is the only candidate in the field.

Christchurch, Friday. The execution of John Mercer, for the murder of Isabella Thompson, took place at eight this morning, within the precincts of the Lyttelton gaol. He slept very soundly last night, and took a good breakfast. The Lev. J. Fergusson, Presbyterian minister, was with him at a very early hour this morning, but he paid very little attention to religious matters, aud appeared thoroughly careless of. his approaching fate. He was exhorted to make confession just before leaving the cell for the scaffold, aud wrote in a firm hand on a paper referring to the murder, “I am innocent of this crime.” He walked with a firm tread to the scaffold, attended by the Kev. J. Fergusson. After the rope had been adjusted, he said in a very firm voice, “ Farewell gentlemen ; may God have mercy on my souland while the cap was being drawn down he was heard to say, “An innocent man.” Up to the last moment of being visible his features wore a kind of half smile, which, however, some said was natural to him. He died very easily, only one or two faint spasms being perceptible after tbe drop fell. After hanging twenty minutes, the body was taken down and removed to the deadhouse. The features of the corpse wore a calm firm look, iu no way distorted. The medical examination proved that the nock was not dislocated, and that he died of suffocation. If he had been released two minutes after tbe drop he would have survived. Fourteen persons were present at the execution. Yesterday evening Mercer said to one of the gaolers, “It will be deuced cold work banging at eight o’clock in the morning. I hope I shall be allowed anhour’s walk, or a nip, before it takes place.” At the Philosophical Institute last night, a letter was read from Dr. Haast, resigning the position of President.- The letter said :—“ It is expected of the President to deliver his annual address, and so long as the extraordinary decision of the Governors of the New Zealand Institute remains a rule in the colony, that it is a correct thing for paid workmen to appropriate their employers’ scientific discoveries (a rule by which similar researches are rendered almost impracticable for future use,) I must decline to permit the publication of any of my papers in their transactions. I trust, however, for the honor of the New Zealand Institute that at a full meeting of the Governors that unwarrantable decision—which I hope has only been passed by a small local clique—will be rescinded, and I shall hope then to be able to resume my active connection with your body, which for many years has been a source of gratification to me, and, through you, with the New Zealand Institute.”

The Government continue to evince a strong tendency towards economy. Orders have been given for all their advertisements to be inserted without the royal arms being placed at their head as hitherto. The railway timetables are also to be advertised less frequently. Lyttelton, Friday.

It is rumored that Mercer left a sealed document with Dr. Donald, the Eesident Magistrate of Lyttelton.

Waimate, Friday.

A contractor named Thomas Bruce was found dead on the road between Pareora and Timaru last evening.

Timard, Friday.

The Bev. G. Foster consents to resign the incumbency of Timaru, on terms to be arranged by arbitration. Maskell’s financial statement, showing the province to be incapable of supporting the present expenditure, has been received with dismay. Opposition to the increased education tax is probable. Dunedin, Friday.

The Governor arrived at three o’clock, and was met by the City Councillors and a few members of the Provincial Council. A halfholiday was proclaimed, and the shops were closed. The usual address was presented by the City Council. The Governor, in reply, stated that he had seen enough on his trip here to convince him that this was a go-ahead place. He considered Dunedin the chief commercial city of New Zealand. Half-a-dozen troopers escorted the Governor into the town, where thirty Volunteers turned out and presented arms. His Excellency stays at Femhill, and the members of the Club have moved to the old Press Club. Blenheim, Friday. The meeting last night, called by Mr. Seymour, was largely attended. He ridiculed the idea that his going to England was to avoid a dilemma in regard to the abolition of provinces. He explained the personal matter requiring his presence at Home to be, principally, his father, aged eighty-four, wanting to see him before he died. He said he had no reason to shirk the question of abolition. 'He voted for the resolution last session because he was satisfied that the circumstances of the North Island demanded abolition then, and he would support a Bill for replacing with some other form of government the present provincial system in that island, but would oppose abolition in the Middle Island. A resolution was proposed, thanking Mr. Seymour for his address, regretting his departure, and pledging the meeting, to exert themselves to re-elect him on his return. The latter part of the resolution was opposed by several, including Joseph Ward, Sinclair, Dodson, and Henderson, provincial lecturer. Mr. Bobinson insisted on retaining that pledge in the resolution, and defiantly asked the opponents of it to try their strength. The resolution was carried, opponents not voting against it. During the proceedings, Mr. Joseph Ward announced himself as a candidate for the seat in the Assembly resigned by Mr. Seymour, who asked the electors to support Mr. Ward in preference to a stranger. Shortly after this Mr. Moorhouse came in, and addressed the meeting for nearly an hour. Mr. Hodsou, Mayor of Blenheim, was in the chair. ■TIMABU BACES. Timahv, Friday. Hurdle Race.—All were scratched hut Modoca and Alice Gray. A good start was made, Medora making play to the first hurdle, but baulked; Alice clearing it beautifully. Medora was quickly recovered, and came over at the second attempt; Alice baulking at the second hurdle, and running into the crowd at tho outside. Medora coming up, cleared the hurdle, and went on with tho lend, jumping beautifully, but baulked nt tho sixtli and seventh hurdles, allowing Alice, wlxo only refused the second hurdle from homo, to come fa^alone. South Canterbury Handicap,—Two miles. Castaway, Sonnambula, and Golden Grape started. Golden Grape made tho running for three-quarters of a mile, followed by Sonnambula and Castaway, hard held. Here Golden Grape had shot his bolt, and the running was carried on by Sonnambula, Castaway, two lengths in her rear. These positions were maintained till-half a mile from homo, when Castaway came up to Sonnambula, and tile pair raced together for a couple of hundred yards, when Sonnambula fell back beaten, and was eased off, leaving Castaway to win as he liked. Time, 4min. Iscc. Tradesmens' Handicap.—Mignonette, Sonnambula, Golden Grape, Waverley, and Invalid were scratched, Exile and Nectar, eacli carrying o»t., only facing the starter. -. The pair got well away, Exile' making the running till entering tho straight, when Neotar, assuming the lead, won easily, netting ; 0 to 4 on Nectar. Consolation Handicap,—Sonnambula, Ost., Waverley, 7st. Gib., and Golden Grape, Ost. 41b., went for the race. There was a good start. After going a hundred yards the. Grape was out of it, and Waverley made the running to' the turn for homo, when ‘Sonnambula got on even terms. The pair ran to tho dis-tance-post, when .Waverley swerved under the whip, which was most unmercifully administered by Richards, thus letting Sonnambula in an easy winner. Time, Imln. Sleec.