TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5464, 1 October 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.)

Foxton, Monday. A shock of earthquake was felt here at 6,55 this morning ; direction from west to east. Auckland, Monday.

Malcolm Macdonald, the second mate ot the brigantine Linda-, when going from the vessel to the wharf by a plank, fell into the water and was drowned.

A boy named Henry Collins was walking near a stack of timber, when it rolled over, crushing him to death instantly. A meeting of fishermen passsed the following resolution:—That this meeting views with alarm the intention of the Government to bring in anew Fisheries Bill this session; that the monopoly clause is, iu our humble opinion, contrary to the avowed policy of the Government and injurious to the working classes ; that we hoped and expected that Government would give every facility in their power to encourage honest labor, so as to promote the welfare and happiness of the whole of the inhabitants of New Zealand, irrespective of wealth, position, or color. Some discussion ensued, and it was agreed,—That a respeeful address be prepared for presentation to the Government, and that it be forwarded to Mr, Moss, M.H.R., for presentation. Grahamstown, Monday.

The Hon. Mr. Sheehan has been very successful in gaining the consent of the Ohinemuri natives to the extension of main roads through their land. The matter has been in progress for years past, but the native owners would nob consent till now. The purchase of the Ohiuemurigoldfield has progressed very satisfactorily. Napier, Monday.

The reading-room of the Athenmum was opened yesterday afternoon from two to five o’clock, and was well attended. Gisborne, Monday. The Poverty Bay Herald appeared to-night as an evening daily. Its publication as a daily is highly appreciated by the people here; Nelson, Monday. A public meeting convened by the Mayor was held this afternoon, when a committee was formed consisting of tho Mayor, Mr. Shephard, and Mr. Acton Adams, to compile all available information regarding the probable remunerative character of the Nelson and West Coast section of the main trunk railway. This, when prepared, will bo printed and forwarded to every member of the Legislature. Blenheim - , Monday.

At a meeting of the legal profession held this afternoon, H. D. Church, Crown Prosecutor, in the chair, the following resolutions were passed unanimously:—“That the present arrangement in the R. M. Court, Blenheim, viz., that the clerk shall attend on tbreo days in tbe week, is not only inconvenient and an injustice to suitors, but that the requirements of the district are neglected; and that, considering the business of tho Court for the last year exceeded that of Nelson, we respectfully submit that the clerk should attend five days in the week.—That considering the amount of legal business conducted in Blenheim, the Government bo respectfully requested to appoint an R.M. and District Judge, especially as a legal appointment might be made* not interfering with business in other departments.—That the last resolution is not intended to affect the Supreme Court sittings, as the business of the province requires the sittings of both District and Supreme Courts.—That these resolutions be transmitted to the Minister of Justice.” Christchurch, Monday. At the stud-horse parade on Saturday the finest lot of animals ever exhibited at one time in New Zealand was shown. There were 84 exhibits. At the sale subsequently tho highest prices realised were—Time-o’-Day, draught stallion, 250 guineas ; Young Melbourne, 250 guineas ; Glengarry, 300 guineas; Dainty Davy, 150 guineas ; Old Times, 150 guineas. Telegraphic communication with the South has been restored, after four days’ interruption.

The mails from the south were on Saturday conveyed across the damaged portion of the Rangitata Bridge in a trolly, but the railway authorities state that until repairs are completed the risk will be so great that they will not undertake the conveyance of passengers. It. will probably be Thursday before repairs are completed. Great damage is being done north of Christchurch, aud many parts of Kaiapoi are completely under water. John Maurice Fitzgerald was to-day brought up at the Police Court charged with cutting down a number of fruit trees and doing damage in tbe garden of Mr. Williamson to the extent of £SO. Complainant, it appeared, had several times opposed the granting of a license to tho prisoner. After a large amount of evidence had been taken tho prisoner was committed for trial, bail being taken. A few days ago a fracas took placo at tho Garrick Hotel which resulted in one of tho parties named Hugh McClatchic being removed to the hospital. On Saturday his condition was so critical that what was considered to be lus dying deposition was taken. His assailant, named Dempsey, has since been apprehended. Another hot wind is now blowing. At Kaiapoi the river has subsided, but is expected to rise again to-night, and if so the railway repairs now being made will be destroyed. The Mayor is said to have telegraphed to tho Government giving notice that unless a passage is made through tho line at Irishman's Flat those interested will take tho matter in hand, and it is presumed will force abroach.

The Terminus and Commercial Hotels have changed hands. Tho criminal sittings commenced on Monday. There is a heavy calendar. ■ _ Tho Presbyterian Synod commences its sittings this evening. OamarU, Monday. Through eating brawn purchased at one of the butchers’ shops in town seventeen persons were yesterday taken ill. Although several of the sufferers wore very bad, all are now recovering. An inquiry will bo hold. Lawrence, Monday. ' Tho Beaumont Bridge, 12 miles from here, was completely carried away yesterday afternoon. The bridge was private property.

Dunedin, Monday. A meeting of the Harbor Board will be held to-morrow to ratify an agreement made with Mr. Proudfoot. A sewer in Hope-street fell" in to-day while a man named Anoell was working on the top of it. A board protected him, and when after two hours he was rescued, it was found that a broken leg was the only serious injury he had sustained.

The secretary of the Acclimatisation Society has received information of the shipment from Glasgow, on the 10th September, of a quantity of black game for Otago. . The Rev. R. L. Stanford preached his farewell address in All Saints Church yesterday. He was presented with two addresses, one on behalf of the choir and the other on behalf of the congregation. Later telegrams from the country confirm the accounts of the great damage done by floods.

The Dunedin train to-day could not proceed beyond Lovell’s Fiat in consequence of the rise of the Kaitangata Lake. Four miles of the railway were under water at noon. No deaths are reported so far.' The following telegrams have been received : —Cromwell, September 29th, 5 p.m.: The flood was renewed by the rain of last night. There has been an awful destruction to property;' horses, cattle, houses, and furniture have been drifting past all day. The Clyde, Bannockburn, and Bendigo bridges have gone ; Cromwell bridge is just safe unless the flood increases. The water has risen to the top of the piers. No lives are reported, lost, but communication is interrupted in every direction. The dwellings on Block 9 in Cromwell are in immediate danger. Roxburgh, September 29th, 5 p.m. The river has been rising all day. About halfpast three a portion of the Clyde bridge came in contact with the Roxburgh bridge, causing it to show signs of giving way. About this time the river -rose more rapidly,- and the apace under the arch is closing up, causing the bridge to catch a large quantity of timber coming down the stream. At ,4 o’clock the bridge broke in the centre, going away like a large ship. Everything possible was done that could be thought of hy the townspeople to save the bridge. There was a very heavy fall of vain. Although it looked bad all day, the weather has been fine. A man named Philip Myhea, while in the act of removing his belongings out of a house which was in danger of being flooded, dropped dead. Alexandra, September 29, 5 p.m.—We have had a tremendous flood to-day. The Clutha is 7 ft. higher than the greatest height ever reached on Thursday, and is still rising, the water is just touching Theyr’s store. Considerable alarm is felt for the safety of the township. The river is covered with wreck of all descriptions. The wreck, of the Clyde bridge passed here at 11.30 a.m.