TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5387, 3 July 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.) Blenheim, Tuesday. A house was burned down at daybreak yesterday morning at Mahakapawa [Mahakipawa]. It was in the occupation of Mrs. Hope, who barely escaped in her night-dress. One child was burned to death, aud another is not expected to live. A deputation left here to-day to interview Ministers re the Picton railway extension and Opawa bridge. A foot race has been arranged for £100 a-side between Mclvor and Hart; 100, 150, and 200 yards, to be run on the 17th August. £40 has been deposited on account of the stakes. Dunedin, Tuesday. The candidates for the Taieri are Messrs. Robert Gillies, W. H. Cutten, and W. Snow, a local man. , In the Supremo Court the following sentences were passed :—Robert Gardner, for larceny, nine months ; Henry Page South, for larceny, six mouths ; Thomas George Smith, for incendiarism, four years ; Henry Sutherland, for larceny, two years ; James Fare, for forgery, two years ; and William Russell, charged with larceny, was acquitted. This concludes tho calendar. . It is contemplated to form a company with a capital of £IO,OOO to establish steam communication with tho Peninsula side of the harbor. ■ A document is about to bo circulated for signature, expressing confidence in Mr. Bathgate’s administration of justice, and attributing the present dispute to the jealousy of the lawyers.

Mr. Henry Driver will probably contest tho vacancy for Roslyn, The case of O. E. Haughtou v. Rood aud Fenwick appears in tho list of common jury cases for Monday next.

Ohristouukoh, Tuesday. The Supreme Court sab till nearly 10 o'clock last night. Emile Huskisser and A. IVWilson, for garrotting.' The former being an old 1 offen ier, was sentenced to fourteen years, and the latter to twelve months’ imprisonment. David Wright, for passing a valueless cheque, was sentenced to twelve months. James Wood Ford, fifty-eight years of age, formerly third master of East Christchurch school, vai charged with committing a rape on one of his scholars aged ton years, was found guilty, and sentenced o to ten years. The Grand Jury found a true bill against . Mrs. Steele for the murder of her son.

The first general meeting of the Union Insurance .Company was held to-day, the Hon. J.'T. Peacock, chairman of directors, presiding. There was a large attendance. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said it was unusual to submit a report for nine months, and .the directors would have preferred twelve mouths, but by the articles of association they were bound to have a meeting within tiro first year*. He thought the shareholders would agree with him that there was every reason to be satisfied with the progress made by the company. The income from the premiums might have been greater, but tho directors determined to pursue a conservative policy, being convinced that a large premium did not always mean largo profits. Several risks had been refused which subsequently came to grief. The heavy amount paid for re*insuiances, coupled with the small losses, indicated the cautious policy of tho directors. The directors would not recommend a dividend, but that the profits, £14,142, be carried forward to the next year. He felt sure that the shareholders would agree with them that it was better in the outset of a new company to strengthen their financial in this way against a rainy day. After paying a compliment to the officers of the company ho said the directors proposed to extend the operations of the company wherever presented themselves. Favorable comparisons might be made with the business done by other companies during a similar peried of their existence, more especially when it was considered what increased competition this company had to face. All preliminary expenses had been cleared off in preference to distributing them over a series of yuars. Tho business of the company was progressing favorably, and he urged the shareholders to co-operate with the directors in extending it. The directors recommend that a general meeting of tile company, be held annually, which, for many reasons, would be preferable to halfyearly meetings. The adoption of the report was seconded by Mr. John, Anderson, and carried unanimously, Messrs, W. D. Carrnthers, W. Montgomery, and John Stndholme, retiring directors, we re-elected. It was resolved that the annual general meetings be held during the first week in July. Votes of thanks to the directors, manager, and officers of the company concluded the business. * Gbhymouth, Tuesday.

One of the largest public meeting ever held in Greymouth took place last eveniug for the purpose of considering certain resolutions which had been prepared for the consideration of the meeting, relating to the unforseen and unexpected cessation of the harbor works. ' In the absence of bis Worship the Mayor, the County Chairman took the chair. The following resolutions were carried with acclamation :—-Ist. That this meeting views with alarm the stoppage ef the Greymouth harbor ■works, without any apparent provision for their continuance having been made. 2nd. That the suspension of the works, in the face of the positive assurance of the Government given to the Corporation of the Borough of Greymouth when that body surrendered its wharfage and tonnage dues, that the works would be continuously prosecuted, would be considered by this meeting as a breach of the terms upon which such dues were handed over. 3rd. That the , works already constructed having had a beneficial effect in deepening the water on the bar, confirms the opinion that without doubt if continued, they would make the port accessible to shipping of large tonnage, and thus provide for the export of the vast mineral resources of the district. 4th. That it is desirable that a deputation, consisting of the members of the Grey Valley, his Worship the Mayor, the County Chairman, and Messrs. Kennedy, Kerr, and Harrison, be appointed to wait upon the Ministry for the purpose of urging upon the Government the necessity of prosecuting the harbor works without delay. New Plymouth, Tuesday.

There was another break-down with the Tay engines. As the Waitara train was coming in, the valvo spindle of the engine broke, and the passengers had to walk into town. One engine will have to do the whole work of the line for a day or two, and the passenger and goods traffic will be consequently partly suspended. People are complaining bitterly at the loss of time and expense they are put to by delays through the inefficiency of the plant here. Mr. Sheehan will probably go to Opunake in the Waitara tug. The natives are gradually returning to their pas. The Parihaka natives, with their empty carts, passed through town to-day. Gisborne, Tuesday.

General satisfaction is expressed here at the Grand Jury in Wellington, throwing out the bill against Hardy for assaulting Joyce. Alexandra, Tuesday.

Two Waipn candidates are canvassing vigorously. Mr. McMinn, one of them, says he has the Premier’s authority for stating that no lands on the west bank of the Waipa are to be returned to the natives south of ICarikariki, below Wliatawhata.