TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5328, 25 April 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(FEB PBESS AGENCY.) Auckland, .Wednesday. The Graving Dock will be opened about the Queen’s Birthday. It is proposed to name it the Victoria Dock. The arbitrators in the case of Smith, contractor, v. Government, awarded £2250 to plaintiff, and costs. The City Council has accepted the National Bank tender for the Corporation account for three years. A telegram from Te Wheoro states that Rewi will attend the Hikurangi meeting between Grey and Tawhiao. Rewi awaits the arrival of the Lower Waikato natives. Four war canoes have gone up.

At forty minutes past two this morning a fire occurred at Newton in a two-storey block in which is Hansen’s Queen Hotel. Near this block was ah old dilapidated shed, from which a policeman drove a loafer last night. The fire originated in the shed, and spread to the block. The Newton Pire ’ Brigade had no hydrant, and the City Brigade, which followed, was a long time in obtaining a sufficient supply of water. During the delay the fire spread- to Mona View Cottage, which was destroyed, but the greater part of tho furniture was saved. The Queen’s Hotel was also destroyed. Mona View Cottage was insured in the New Zealand office for £BOO, and tho hotel stock and furniture: in the Phoenix for £2OO, and the building for £. 50.

The total insurances on the Newton fire are as follows :—National, £250 ; New Zealand, £SOO ; Phoenix, £450. Blenheim, Wednesday. .

The nomination of candidates for the electoral district of Cheviot will take place at Kaikoura at noon on the 18th May, and the poll on the 17th. The polling, places are : Kaikoura, Waiau, Robinson’S woolshed, Moore’s Gleumark.

Grahamsiown, Wednesday. A large quantity of surplus sheet-iron, left on hand after the completion of-the Thames Water-race, has been ordered for sale by the Government.' There is about £l3,ooo'worth. Wanganui, Wednesday. At the Supreme Court to-day, the Grand Jury threw out the Bill against Lewis Lyons Levy'for arson. A native named Nioti was found guilty of horse-stealing, and sentence was deferred. A boy 'named' Patrick Lea was found not guilty of indecent assault. Mr. Foulis, late of Edinburgh, has been ap-.. pointed Inspector of the Wanganui Education District, at a salary of £4OO per annum, and £SO for travelling expenses. Christchurch, Wednesday. Colonel Whitmore inspected the police yesterday. - A comparison of the Canterbury grain statistics for 1877 and 1878 shows an increase this year of 5473 acres sown in wheat, yielding 691,728 bushels ; 16,696 acres in oats, yielding 289,683 bushels ; 996 acres in potatoes, yielding 6900 tons. There is a decrease this year of 2289 acres and 169,967 bushels of barley. The average yield of wheat for 1877 was 29£ bushels per acre, and for 1878,23 bushels ; of oats, 1877, 30 bushels, and 1878, 27J bushels; of barley, 1877, 31A bushels, 1878, 14ij bushels ;of potatoes,. 1877, tons, 1878, 7 tons. The Dog Show to-day was a great success. There were nearly 300 exhibits, including dogs from Otago and Nelson. The great majority were very well bred, many being exceedingly fine specimens. Three auction sales of racing stock were held to-day. There was a large attendance, but very few sales were effected. These were:—Mireille to J. H. Turner for 70 guineas, Standard Bearer to A. H. Kolleston for 120 guineas, York to D. O’Brien for 330 guineas, Atalanta to A. H. Rolleston for 130 guineas, Piohie to Mr. Gilligan for 37 guineas, Luna to H. Oram for 240 guineas,' Sir Tatton to D. O'Brien for 100 guineas, filly by Traducer dam 9pera to J. Bradon for 150 guineas, filly, by Castaway dam Moss Rose to Mr. Todhunter for 50 guineas, filly by Albaty dam Red Rose to H. Radwood for 35 guineas, colt by Castaway dam Patrician for 30 guineas, Oberon to Mr. Kitchen for 260 guineas, Atlantic to Mr. Kitchen for 240 guineas, Mountain to Mr. Kitchen for 180 guineas. The Chief to Mr. Markey for 100 guineas. Fishhook was passed in at 800 guineas and Mousetrap at 275 guineas. , Dunedin, Wednesday. Xu the Appeal Court to-day, Judge Johnston upheld the generally received view, that the Tippling Act of George the Second is in force in the colony. The Act precludes recovery for liquor supplied in less quantities than 20s. worth. Ealclutha, Wednesday." At a meeting of the burgesses of Balclutha called by the Mayor it was resolved not to divide the borough into wards, and it will now be an undivided borough. Lawrence, Wednesday. The census returns for the borough of Lawrence and the electoral district of Tuapeka show the population of the borough to be 450 males and 401 females, and of the electoral district, 3276 males and 2111 females.