TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5235, 3 January 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(per press agency.) Auckland, Tuesday. A fire occurred at midnight, and destroyed the Domain cottage, with all its contents. It was insured in the Union Company for £4OO. The Hon. Mr. Sheehan has visited Waiwera. Ho was presented witli addresses by the Europeans and Maoris. A close holiday was kept. Races, excursions, Sunday school feasts, &c., were the attractions offering. Mr. Sheehan went to the fire last night, stumbled in the darkness, and had a severe fall. It is feared that a rib is broken. The accident to the Hon. Mr. Sheehan, Native Minister,occurred in this wise:—After the fire he visited the hospital, and was coming out by a flight of atone stops, when he stumbled in the darkness, and fell with his chest across the bottom steps, breaking a rib. He is not incapacitated from being about. He will leave for the South to-morrow. Christchurch, Tuesday. The Lyttelton Times and Press appeared this morning in an_ enlarged form—the same size as the Otago Daily Times and A eiv Zealand Herald. The Sunday Observance League last night passsed a resolution strongly condemnatory of the action of the Government in calling on the men employed on the railways and wharves at Christchurch and Lyttelton to work on Sundays when required. A man named Bunny was gored by a bull on 27th December ; he died yesterday. A competition trial of reaping and binding machines will shortly be carried out under the auspices of the Agricultural Association. The public are highly delighted with the victory of the Christchurch cricketing team at Auckland. Christchurch, Wednesday. The guard of one of the trains from Christchurch to Lyttelton yesterday had a narrow escape. He was forced by the crowd off the platform of one of the carriages while going through the tunnel, but managed to jump just clear of the train, escaping with a few bruises.

I The New Zealand Blondia was unable to perform on a rope 50ft. high yesterday as he had intended, owing to some of the apparatus made of new flax giving way, but he wentthrough a very clever performance on the low rope. Lyttelton, Wednesday. The Lyttelton Regatta was a great success. Champion Sailing Race, vessels under 150 tons register ; cup, valued at 75 sovs., and 50 sovs. added—Torea, 1 ; Emerald, 2; Nellie, 3. Ships’ Boat Pulling Race—BochfleOt, 1 ; Australian Sovereign, 2. Interprovincial Champion Four-oared Whaleboat Race ; cup and 75 sovs—Ringarooma (Lytfcelton\ 1 ; Arawata (Wellington), 2. Won by 10 secs. Champion Yacht Rice ; cup and 75 sovs.— Spray, 1 ; Annie Ogle, 2 ; Fleatwing, 3. Timaku, Wednesday. Yesterday’s sports of the South Canterbury Caledonian Society were an unprecedented success. A large amount was given in prize money. The grounds were visited by 4500 people. There was splendid weather. An accident occurred to a man named George, who was driving his wife and child in a buggy. The horse bolted and threw the occupants. The child was much hurt. Dunedin, Wednesday. The body of a milkman named S. Smith was picked up in the harbor last night. It is supposed that he committed suicide. With a view of testing the quality of the liquor sold at large gatherings the police purchased sample* from holders of temporary licenses at the Caledonian Grounds. The sample* will be analysed in order to ascertain whether good or bad liquor was being sold to the public. Twelve thousand persons visited the Caledonian sports yesterday. Hewitt, champion runner, injured bis leg in the first race, and could not compete in the rest. Nelson, Wednesday. Alexander McGee, of Nelson, drew Firs King in Tonics’ two thousand pound sweep. Balclutua, Wednesday. The coach from Clinton to Balclutha was upset this afternoon at Kaihiku, and although crowded with passengers no one was seriously hurt, although they were severely shaken. No damage was done to property.