TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5419, 9 August 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(FIIOM omi OWN OOIIHESI’ONDENT.) Palmebston Nouth, Thursday. We had two smart shocks of earthquake iu rapid succession at eight o’clock this morning, running from north to south. No damage was done to anything, except perhaps soma crockery. (MSB PEKS9 AGENOV.) „ Mastebion, Thursday. W. H. Hickson lias been arrested here for forgery and uttering at Napier, and forwarded by the coach to-day. A sharp shock of earthquake, accompanied by a noise, occurred this morning. It lasted about half a minute. The direction was north-west to south-west. GuEI'TOWN, Thursday. In consequence of tlio new tax the local, brewers notify a rise in the price of beer. Names, Thursday. ,A sharp shook of earthquake was felt hero this morning at 7.55. A movement is on foot hero to send a congratulatory address to Lord Beaoonsfield. The Financial Statement is well spoken of here by all sides. Foxton, Thursday. A heavy shock of earthquake occurred here this morning at 7.52 ; it lasted forty seconds. The direction was from east to west. Wanganui, Thursday. A very severe earthquake was felt here at 7.63 this morning. The shaking commenced at the same time as the rumbling noise was heard. . The duration was about thirty seconds, and the direction was about N.W. and S.E. The motion was quite dissimilar to any felt hero before, being qnlok and jsrky. ;

Tukakina, Thursday. A shock of earthquake was severely felt here at 7.53 a.m. to-day. The shake was distinctly felt a railway engine while in motion at the Turakina station. Palmerston North, Thursday. A smart shock of earthquake was felt here this morning at 7.53. The direction was N.W. and S.E. Haweba, Thursday. A smart shock of earthquake was experienced here tins morning at 7.53. It lasted about thirty seconds. The movement appeared to be N.E. and S.W. Patea, Thursday. The surveyors moved their camping ground to-day, and are now well on the plains. Everything is quiet. Titokowaru and Koreri, who went to inform Te Whiti that the surveyors had crossed the Waingongoro River, have re- , turned. Te Whiti answered that there should be no interference with the surveyors. It was the work of the Government. Blood had been shed once on the plains. It would be evil if blood was shed twice on the same ground. Being asked how it would be if the surveyors come to Parihaka, he said still he would not interfere—all would yet be well ; but the surveyors must not be touched. Te Ike has erected a whare ahead of the surveyors, and has posted a notice that Uiey must not proceed further. They are now at that point. Te Ike is now at Parihaka, and agrees with Te Weiki as to what he has done to question the natives, who are somewhat sore at the survey opera-' tions. Honi Pihaua was at -Carlyle to-day, and said all was quiet and there was no fear of a disturbance. There is a strong feeling in Patea at the proposed removal of the land officer, records, and draughtsman to New Plymouth, which will almost stop in consequence of the inconvenience of getting information. A public meeting is called for Friday to protest against absorption by Taranaki. The proposed rating clauses in the Harbor Bill are favorably received. Alexandra, Thursday. The proposed railway extension to Taranaki has caused some excitement amongst the natives iu the King country. They say no decision was come to at the late Hikurangi meeting, and they ask by what authority does Government propose the said extension. Auckland, Thursday.

A meeting of the committee of the Chamber of Commerce has passed the following resolutions:—X, That the Chamber be recommended to urge upon Government the extension of the railway from To Awamutu to the boundary of the King country, and also from Waitara to Mokau. That the Chamber should also urge upon the Harbor Board the necessity of affording every facility for the removal of the Auckland railway station to a more convenient site. 2. That the Chamber be recommended to express its approval of the proposed abandonment of ad valorem duties, and of the intention of Government to diminish tho number of dutiable articles. 3. That the Chamber be recommended to offer to the Earl of Beaoousfield its congratulations on the imminent services he has rendered to the Empire in the establishment of peace. The following tenders have been received for a bridge over the Waikato River at Hamilton :—Ross and Dunbar, £7145 ; Watson and Gouk, £7464 ; Fallan, £7956 ; Glendenniag, £3132; Donahe, £Bl9l ; Briton, £8036; Taylor, £9033 ; McGrinnigle and Cameron, £Bl9l. Hokitika, Thursday. A fire occurred this morning at 2 o’clock at Barton's El Dorado Hotel, on the east aide of North Revell-street. Tho hotel was completely destroyed, and likewise the two small shops and cottage at the rear. The cottage and furniture were insured in the South British only a few days ago. Barton’s family had a narrow escape. They got away from tho burning building by a ladder from au upper window. John Snaher was severely injured by a horse running against him during the fire, bub no other injury is reported, nor any additional insurances. Christchurch, Thursday.

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court to-day Matilda Simmonds, known in the theatrical world as Tilly Andrews, applied for a protection order for h6r property and earnings, on the ground of her husband’s neglect aud gross cruelty. On the application of the defendant the case was adjourned till Tuesday, in order to enable defendant’s solicitor to be present, Tho Times this morning compliments the Colonial Treasurer on the excellence of the Financial Statement, and says it is evidently the work of a clever, thoughtful man, who is master of his subject, and who has grappled hopefully and exhaustively with difficulties, who has the faculty of expressing himself with clearness aud logical precision, aud is thoroughly in earnest. His first effort entitles .Mr. Ballance to take high rank among tho Treasurers of the colony. The Times then proceeds to say that the financial policy of the Government is characterised by moderation, fairness, and a regard for the true interests of the colony, and will be favorably regarded from the North Cape to Invercargill, though the Times is of opinion that while the method of the new taxation is perfectly fair, the income tax would have been best to adopt. Txmaru, Thursday. At a meeting of the Harbor Board to-day a letter from the Government was read stating that it could not recommend the endowment of 50,000 acres for Tituaru harbor. A resolution was passed to urge tho members for South Canterbury to use their influence to obtain tho endowment. Dunedin, Thursday. The Commissioner of Customs has visited all the breweries for the purpose of making a valuation as required by the new tariff. The brewers meet to-night to consider the new tax.