TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5347, 17 May 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

, (PER PRESS AGENCY.) . Auckland, Thursday. , The Government have determined to stop the sale of native reserves. Seven were offered to Government during Mr. Sheehan's recent visit to the King country, but were declined. He informed the natives that the reserves were made to prevent their becoming landless. A large number of reserves have been alienated during the last few years to private speculators. Hawks, a saihnaker ; on board H.M. Sapphire, during her passage here jumped overboard and rescued a man named Begley, who had fallen overboard. Hawks held him up" 37 minutes till a boat picked them up. Begley was insensible. This is the seventh life. Hawks has rescued. He holds the Humane Society’s medal. Geetmooth, Thursday, i A terrific squall broke over the town last night between 10 and 11 o’clock. It struck the Melbourne Hotel, carrying off the balcony and breaking all the windows. It also brought down a double brick chimney, which fell through the roof into the parlor just vacated by Judge Weston, who had a narrow escape; and then went through the floor into the parlor beneath, smashing all -the furniture. Saul’s balcony was wrecked, and part of it blown 100 yards away. Two houses were completely demolished, and the roofs were blown off a number of stores. The body of a man, supposed to be that of a sailor who was drowned in the river some months ago, from the Eliza Firth, was found on the North Beach to-day, but was so battered as to be unrecognisable. It was perfectly nude. Rebeton, Thursday. Mr. Richard Reeves, one of the candidates for the Grey Valley seat, addressed the electors at Black’s Point to-day. He strongly opposed the policy of the present Government. He received a unanimous vote of confidence. There was-a-fcerrifio storm last night, but no serious damage has yet been reported. Lyttelton, Thursday. A heavy south-west gale has been blowing since about midnight. The W. C. Wentworth broke adrift from her moorings, and drove tho Omaha and Enterprise, brigantines, on tho breastwork; all three vessels were considerably damaged. The gale shows indications of taking off now. Christchurch, Thursday. The • body of a girl named Bowling was found in .the River Avon to-day. It is supposed she committed suicide. She had been in a low state of mind for some time, and was engaged to be married to a young man who was lost with the ship Avalanche. ’ There was a heavy gale last night and this morning, but it did very little damage. ' The yeomanry cavalry have returned from Ashburton, where they had six days! drill, Baloluiha, Thursday. An inquest upon the fire-which-.occurred last Sunday was called by Dr. Smith, the coroner, for noon yesterday; but in consequence of a telegram from the insurance office to_ the Government, the inquest was postponed till it could be conducted by Mr. Carew, R.M., today. It has been going on since 11 o’clock this forenoon, ; Tho evidence • goes to show

that the fire originated in the back diningroom. The inquest has just concluded. The jury returned a verdict that there was no evidence to show how the fire originated. The case has caused great excitement here. Dunedin, Thursday. The northern line from Moeraki to Palmerston will be opened for traffic on Tuesday next, It is expected that communication between Christchurch and Dunedin will be established on 25th Jnne. Mr. Seaton, M.H.R. for Green Island, addressed his constituents last night. A vote of confidence was carried unanimously. With a view of ascertaining how many men would turn out in case of an emergency, the volunteer authorities intend to sound an alarm as from an attacking party some night at an early date. According to the engineer’s report, presented to the Harbor Board to-day, the dredging contract will not be completed for four years after the specified time. Hanghton is not likely to carry the libel suit against the Times any further.