TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5298, 19 March 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(per press agency.) Auckland, Monday. There was an alarm of .fire on Saturday night. The fire was extinguished without any damage. The Rotorua survey party from Waikato have been taken prisoners by the natives at Horohoro. Their theodolite and chains .were taken and seized, about midnight, while surveying by moonlight. The natives are very indignant at what they call a barefaced attempt to deprive them of their land. The buildings destroyed by the late fire are Suiter’s brewery, office, and outhouse; Watts' five-roomed dwelling-house, and Taylor’s boot and shoe shop. The brewery cost £2BOO, and the plant £7500, and Mrs.- Suiter’s house £250. The following are the insurances;—Norwich Union—brewery £875, plaut and stock £400; total, £1275. New Zealand—stock and plaut, £500; Watts’ house, £150; Taylor’s house, £150; total, £BOO. National—brewery, £6OO. Grand total, £2676. Two thousand children attended the Catholic School Fete at the domain to-day. The Governor, accompanied by the Hoh. Mr. Sheehan ond Colonel Whitmore, leaves per Nymphe at mid-day on Wednesday for the Thames. His Excellency returns to Auckland in time to visit Waikautai early next week. Mr. Sheehan has postponed his visit to the Bay of Islands, in order to accompany the Governor. Grahamstown, Monday. His Excellency the Governor is expected here about Friday to formally open the new county road to Ohinemuri. Local bodies are preparing to receive him. Probably a citizens’ ball or banquet will take place. The Maoris will take a prominent part. Colonel Whitmore is expected at the same time to inspect the volunteers. The Hon. Mr. Sheehan arrived from Ohinemuri to-day, and leaves for Auckland to-• night. He has been to Te Aroha to renew, laud purchase negotiations. 'He was favorably received here, and is expected to return in a fortnight. New Plymouth, Monday. The Parihaka meeting was, held yesterday,: A large number of natives assembled. Several Europeans attended, and were most hospitably received. A number of natives in European costume amused themselves by dancing polkas, quadrilles, &0., to an accordeou played by a Maori. Te Kooti and a large number of chiefs were present. The natives had expected that the Hon. Mr. Sheehan would have attended. In the speech made by Te Whiti he said he was in favor of adopting European customs except that of drinking, but the land question, he said, was to be spoken of another time. The natives appeared to be much disappointed that Mr. Sheehan was not present. Nelson, Monday. In the District Court this morning, before Judge Broad, Florence Joseph pleaded guilty to a charge of indecent assault, and was sentenced to six years’ penal servitude. Hokitika, Monday. Mr. Homer, agent for the Bank of New Zealand, Ross, has been missing since Saturday. The inspector and Hokitika manager examined the agency books on Friday, and next morning the agent did not come to the office. It is believed that there is some deficiency in the accounts. Homer is supposed to be secreting himself about the disdrict. A warrant has been applied for by the bank for the arrest of Homer for the embezzlement of £lll.

An excellent specimen of quartz was brought to town from a new reef at Kelly’s Creek, Taipo District, Christchurch-road. The reef is four feet wide, and gold is visible throughout, The prospectors have applied to lease the ground. A new seam of coal has been opened up between Hokitika and Ross, at the foot of the Bald Hill Range, about twenty miles from the Hokitika River. Six applications for blocks of laud 200 acres each have been applied for at the Lands Board Office in consequence of the discovery. Several prospecting parties are out through the district for gold. These are supported by small weekly subscriptions by the public. One party is on board the Maori to prospect the sounds south of Jaokson’s Bay for minerals. A heavy gale has been blowing for the last two days. The Christchurch coach, due on Saturday, has not arrived. Gkev.uocth, Monday. The races are postponed till to-morrow, on account of a fresh in the river having overflowed part of the course. . Christchurch, Monday. Francis Cassidy, aged 21, was drowned whilst bathing in the VVaimakariri yesterday. A first deposit of £lO a-side has been made in a walking match of 50 miles between Bowl-iy and Pentecost. The Premier visits ICaiapoi to-day to attend, by request, a public meeting to-night. A verdict of “Found drowned”, was returned by the jury in the case of the girl Owens. Sir George Grey has been busy receiving deputations all day long. The subjects being brought under his notice are as follows ; Recreation Ground at Sheffield, the extension of the Northern Railway, survey of branch lines in Canterbury, Good Templarisrn, Christchurch municipal matters, the Sydenham Borough Council, and the hospital. In all .■aics the answers of Sir George gave satisfaction. The Sydenham Council presented au address from the burgesses of Sydenham. He said he bad uo time to answer it, as he loft Canterbury as soon as possible. Dunedi.v, Monday. The inquiry into the circumstances under which a child, found iu a soap box at Blueskin, met with its death, was resumed at the hospital this afternoon. After some further evi- ■ leuc ! the coroner summed up, and the jury returned the following verdict:—“That the child died from suffocation by the hands of the mother, and that wilfully.” It is rumored that an action for libel will probably be instituted against the Evening Age, Dunedin, for serious reflections upon a certain alleged leader writer of the Evening Star. After the Judge’s summing up iu Jones’ case the jury retired, and after half an hour's deliberation they brought in a verdict of not guilty, and the accused was discharged. Judge Htrvcy was yesterday installed P.G.M. for the Middle Island. About 300 Freemasons were present, including visitors from various lodges in the North and South Island. A. banquet took place after the ceremony.