TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4840, 26 September 1876, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(per press agency.) Auckland, Monday. A fire broke out at McGarragle's photographic establishment, above Milne and Chaee's drapery shop, but was extinguished before it had extended beyond the upper storey. although much damage was done. McGarragle's stock was insured for a thousand pounds in the Standard, but partly re-insured in the Transatlantic. Milne's was insured for three thousand two hundred in various offices. Buildings also are well insured, but not very much injured. Grahamstown, Monday. The result of . a fortnight's crushing at the Queen May claim was 444 ozs. A dividend of two shillings per share has been declared. It is the first paid by any Waiokarika company. The Queen of Beauty claim yielded 2050z5. for the fortnight.

The Thames district belt was won by a Maori, and was presented to him on Saturday. Napier, Monday.

At a meeting of the vestry of St. John's today a resolution was passed calling on the Rev. Mr. Anderson to apologise for having preferred a charge of heresy against the Rev. Mr. Robinson.

Captain Campbell-Walker is coming here, via the Seventy-Mile Bush. He goes then via Taupo to Auckland. New Plymouth, Monday.

A smart shock of earthquake occurred on Saturday night at eight o'clock, which lasted several seconds.

The iron-sand furnace was tapped for the first time at 2 o'clock on Saturday, and the metal ran freely. It was tapped again yesterday at the same hour, with another successful running. Last night at 8 o'clock it was again tapped, and the metal still flowed freely; and again this morning the tapping produced similar results. Mr. I). Anderson is still here, and will return to Wellington by Wednesday's steamer. He will take some of the pigs of iron with him. The smelting is reckoned a success as far as it has gone. There wero hundreds of people at the iron-sand works yesterday to witness the running. Hokitika, Monday.

The heaviest floods that have been known for the past eight years occurred on Friday and Saturday. There were from three to four inches 01 water in the houses in the low-lying part of the town. A good channel broke through to the Spit, running straight to sea ; it is about a quarter of a mile wide, and any boat can enter.

During the gale, at about half-past five on Saturday morning, a fire broke out at Craig's timber yard, Gibson's Quay. It was totally destroyed, but no other damage was done. Chmstchubch, Monday.

There were heavy rains on Saturday night, which flooded part of the town and suburbs. At Kaiapoi great damage was done to the railway embankment. A large portion was washed away. Much of the low-lying country is under water.

Captain Wheeler, of the steamer Hawea, has been presented 03' the Canterbury Football team with a handsome ivory cigar-holder and match-box for kindness to them while on board.

Roberts plays an opening game with Gollop, of Nelson, at Warner's Hotel to-night. He gives COO points out of 1000. Geraldine Races. —The following are the weights for the handicaps : —Geraldine Cup : Fishhook, Bst. 131b5.; Nectar, Bst. lOlbs.; Tadmor, Bst. 31bs. ; Maroro, 7st. 71bs. ; Mignonette, 7st. 61bs.; Fakir, 7st. 41b. Publican's Purse : Fishhook, 9st. 41b.; Nectar, 9st.; Tadmor, Bst. lllbs.; Maroro, 7st. 121b5.; Jilt, 7st. 91bs.; Mignonette, 7st. 71bs.; Horseshoe, 7st. Handicap Hurdle Race : Moose, 12st. 71bs.; Fakir, lOst. 91bs.; Hard Times, lOst. 71bs.; Jack, lOst. 71bs.; Phantom, lOst. 51bs.; Spotted Boy, 7st. 71bs. Acceptances and general entries close at nine o'clock p.m. on September 30. Oam"A"ru, Monday. Mr. Green, Provincial Secretary for Works, and Mr. Conyers remained in Oamnru over Saturday for the purpose of opening a portion of the main South line, a communication having been received by the Deputy-Superin-tendent from Wellington authorising the opening. Arrangements were in progress for a free trip and a public demonstration to-morrow, but on Saturday a telegram was received by Mr. Lowe, R.E., stating that the line could not be opened. Mr. Lowe therefore returned to Dunedin this morning, the opening of the line being indefinitely postponed. Mr. Conyers states that the line is quite ready for traffic. No reason is assigned for the refusal to permit it to be opened. Great public disappointment is expressed. Tho Times this morning publishes telegrams that have passed, and complains of the shilly-shally conduct of the Public Works department, and says this is the second time the public have been served the same way, a trip to Mokena race meeting some time ago having been suddenly put a stop to. Dunedin, Monday. There has been a heavy flood in the Molyneaux, which has done considerable damage to mining property. The memorial to' Mr. Burns, M.H.R., had 'l2O signatures. House-breaking is pretty frequent at present.

lima De Murska reappears at tho Queen's to-morrow night. The. Matau was built here by Kincaid McQueen, and was launched in August last, and Bold in June last to Bishop and Seager of Wellington, for £7500. She is insured in

the Standard for £BOOO. Her present policy would have expired on the 28th of this month. The reinsurances are—The National of New Zealand, £1250 ; Victoria, £IOOO ; South British, £IOOO ; New Zealand, £IOOO ; Globe, £750; Batavia, £100; of South Australia, £SOO. Total,- £6OOO.

At the drawing of the Royal Association of Tine Art 3 in Scotland a prize value £IOO fell to N. G. A. "Wales, of Dunedin ; one value £45 to Mr. Toxward, of Wellington; another -value 12 guineas to Jno. Anderson, jun., and Jno. Anderson, of Christchurch ; Mr. Spencer, of Timaru, gets one value £63 ; and Mr. Stoddard, of Napier, one value £52.