TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5578, 13 February 1879, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PROM OCR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Greytown, Wednesday.

The weather is fine, and everything bids fair that the race meeting will be a complete success. A great many people arrived by last train yesterday, and amongst them were the Hon. Mr. Sheehan and private secretary, Hon. John Martin, Dr. Diver, Mr. Thompson (of Thompson, Shannon, and Co.), Mr. B. J. Duncan, &c. The hotels, both at Eeatherston and Greytown, are very crowded, and numbers will find it impossible to obtain sleeping accommodation for the next three nights. All the horses engaged at the meeting have arrived, with the exception of Eversley and Mufti, both of which were scratched for all their engagements at half-past seven to-night. The course is in capital order so far ns not being lumpy is concerned; but it is very hard from want of rain. Madame Moller, Signor Ferraro, and Mr. Cary will give entertainments here on the race nights. The Greytown Horticultural and Industrial Exhibitions were held to-day at the Town Hall. The show was well patronised, but the exhibits were not very good, with the exception of the fruit, which was splendid.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.) Masterton, Wednesday. The new institute at Masterton opens on Monday next. There was a large attendance at the Presbyterian soiree here last night. The Eev. Mr. Paterson’s lecture was well received. The ordinary receipts of the church for last year were £282, and the expenditure £3Ol. A cottage adjoining Harvey’s Hotel at the Scandinavian Camp was burnt downlast night. The fire is attributed to the ignition of the soot in the chimney. The less is estimated at £l2O, which is covered by insurance. Auckland, Wednesday,

The Auckland cricketers have sent the following cable message to Lord Harris, paid for by shilling subscriptions ; —“ The Auckland cricketers sympathise with yon re the late assault, and offer a cordial invitation to play here.”

Major Gordon, formerly commanding the militia and volunteers in the Northern district, died to-day. He entered the 73rd Perthshire regiment of the Imperial army as ensign on the 15th of September, 1854, and saw some service in the Crimea, and was promoted to the lieutenancy on the 23rd of March, 1858. He became adjutant of the regiment, in which his zeal and knowledge of the details of military discipline rendered him a valuable officer. He rose to the rank of captain, having left the Imperial army and obtained the post of commander of the colonial forces in the Northern districts. He had been ill since October last.

The following insurances on the Gisborne fire have been ascertained here :—New Zealand : Bank of New Zealand, brick £IOOO, wood £6OO, £250 re-insured - Albion Hotel, £I6OO, £BOO re-insured ; Adair’s stock, £3OOO, £1750 re-insured; building £3OO, £IOO reinsured. The greater part of Adair's stock is saved. Victoria ; Adair, £SOO. National : Adair, £SOO. Trans-Atlantic : Adair, £IOOO. Norwich Union : £IOOO ®n stock; Nasmith, £4OO on stock. Union : £SOO on Adair’s stock. South British : £550 on Nasmith’r building, half re-insured ; stock. £2OO, all re-insured. The Colonial sustained no loss. Total, £IO,OOO ; re-insurance, £3375. The Higher Education commissioners met this morning. Present: Dr. Wallis, Professors Shand, Brown, Cook, Sale, Ulrich, Dr. Hector, Eev. Habens, and J. M. O’Rorke, M.H.R. (chairman.) Justice Gillies was examined relative to the Auckland College and Grammar School, and on University matters generally. The Rev. Father Pymes gave evidence concerning St. Mary’s trust estate, North Shore, and other trusts held for educational purposes by the Roman Catholic Church. The Magellan Cloud bring advices from Fiji to the 20th ult. The Marion Renny, on her cruise, spoke the schooner Mystery, which had been on a cruise to Pentecost Island in search of labor. The Mystery sent a boat’s crew ashore, which did not return. They cruised close in shore and saw the boat capsized, and learned from the Fijians who came on board that Muir and the boat's crew had been murdered and eaten. The master of the Marion Renny afterwards saw the natives, like ants, round the boat, which they dragged into a creek. The natives at Pentecost are very threatening. They say they will murder another boat’s crew whenever they want a feast.

Tu Tawhiao, the Maori King’s son, will be present at the Waikato races and ball. A man named Fidgett has been committed for trial for burning.a dozen wheat stacks on different farms at Papatoitoi. Gbahamstown Wednesday. A vessel intended for the Bay of Islands Coal Company, to carry 200 tons of coal, was launched at Stone’s yard this morning successfully. Mr. Stone was builder of r the ketch which took the first prize in the trading vessels’ race at Auckland Regatta.

A conference of the local bodies and directors of the companies re starting big pump will be held in Auckland to-morrow.

The Harbor Board proceedings here are to be appealed against on the grounds that the electors were not credited with payment on account of dues and charges for the month of February.

Gisborne, Wednesday. A fire broke out last night at about eight o’clock in Best’s drapery store. All the buildings on that block were speedily reduced to ashes. The total estimated loss is £25,000. The total insurances on the property amount to £14,650, distributed amongst the insurance offices as follows ;—National, £I3OO ; Union Co., £I9OO ; South British, £BOO : Victoria, £9OO ; Norwich Union, £9OO ; Hawkes Bay, £9OO ; Standard, £I4OO ; New Zealand, £6550. The buildings burnt down are the Bank of New Zealand (both the old and new buildings; Adams, stationer shop; Good, watchmaker ; Best, draper ; Nasmith, watchmaker ; Cooper, shoemaker ; Briddey’s stables; the Gisborne Club; the Albion Hotel ; Adams’ warehouse and shop, and also his private residence. Fortunately a strong southerly wind prevailed, otherwise the whole town would have been utterly destroyed. Blenheim, Wednesday.

The manager of the D’Urville Island Copper Mine reports having started the rise from No. 1 tunnel to form connection with Manton's shaft, and anticipates having 79ft. back by the end of the month. He will, as soon as possible, commence rising from No. 2 to the bottom of Owen’s shaft. On completion of these works large quantities of ore will be raised. Hokitika, Wednesday.

A man named Stevenson was killed at Stafford yesterday afternoon by a tree falling on him, while working in a sluicing claim. Death was instantaneous. He leaves a widow and seven children.

Nelson, Wednesday,

The Waimea County Council was sitting all yesterday and to-day arranging matters in consequence of having taken up full powers under the Act. Barnicoat was appointed chairman. He was also appointed treasurer, and to receive only £SO per annum for his services. A clerk was appointed at £4O per annum, it being tHfe intention of the Council to work with as little expanse as possible. Christchurch, Wednesday.

The match between Canterbury and Otago was concluded to-day. Austin and Clarke having to return by express to Dunedin, their places were taken by Borton and Strode. The attendance was not large, about 1000. The Governor was present during the afternoon. The following are the scores Canterbury : First innings Five wickets down for 89; J. Fowler, 12; W. Frith, 4 ; Secretau, 5 ; E. Fowler, 34 ; Turner, 11 ; Beard, 0 ; byes, 10 ; leg-byes, 5 ; wide, 1. Total, 160. Otago ; First innings—Spring, 12 ; Borton, 0; Douglas, 6 ; Haskill, 9 ; Bose, 7 ; Vernon, 12 ; Paramour, 3 ; McNeil, 0 ; Crawshaw, 2 ; Fulton, not out, 7 ; Strode, 0 ; wide, 1. Total, 59. Second innings—Bose, 10 ; Vernon, 4 ; Fulton, 9 ; Borton, 0 ; Paramor, 29 ; Strode, 1 ; Douglas, 5 ; Spring, 5 ; Crawshaw, 0 ; byes, 2 ; wides, 4. Total, 69, with three wickets to fall.

Mr. Macandrew was to-day interviewed by no leas than five deputations in reference to the railway to the West Coast via Amberley ; railway from Oxford to Temuku; the land fund withheld from the counties; the Harbor Board; and the Eakaia and Ashburton fords railway. In nearly all cases the deputations left apparently well satisfied. Mr. Macandrew left in the afternoon in the s.s. Wakatipu for Wellington. The trial of the American Lang plough today was a great success. Mr. and Mrs. Hoskins and Mdlle. Charbonnet make a final farewell tour of the Southern towns, commencing with Oamaru. They leave on Friday, under the auspices of Messrs. Haymau and Hiscocks. The Minister for Public Works arrived from the South, overland, yesterday. He will be interviewed to-day by several public bodies. The Governor, during his stay here, will be the guest of the Canterbury Club. A lad named James Higgins received some very severe injuries yesterday while driving a reaping machine. He fell off the board among the knives, and was a good deal cut about. The firm of Twentyman and Cousins has presented the Fire Brigade with ten guineas for their conduct at the late fire.

The Avonside parsonage, in the suburbs of Christchurch, was totally destroyed by lire last evening. The building is stated to have been insured by the church property trustees in the Union Company for £650, It was stated last night at the Charitable Aid Board that fever had broken out in the Hospital very extensively through the filthy condition of some of the wards.

In the case of John Berry and Mary Berry, heard before the Judge yesterday, it was shown that their infant had been taken away from her father (who is totally blind) by the mother, and was being brought up in the Roman Catholic faith against his wishes. The wife was ordered to restore the child to her husband.

Balclutha, Wednesday.

At a large public meeting held in the East Clutha school last night, when the settlers of Waitipeka and South Molyneux were fully represented, the following resolution was passed:—“That after a careful consideration of the routes proposed for the Catlin’s River railway this meeting is of opinion that the proposed deviation by Waitepeka is not for the public good ; that the route proposed by the Government is by far the best. This meeting therefore would strongly urge upon the Government the necessity for at once proceeding with the work.’’ Invercargill, Wednesday,

Sheriff Stuart has received instructions from Wellington to-day that the Government did not intend to interfere in Walsh’s case. He announced the fact to the prisoner, who received the information unmoved, thanking the Sheriff in a low voice. The execution will most likely take place early next week. An influential meeting was held in the Town Hall this evening to consider the question of a grand Volunteer demonstration at Easter. A committee was appointed. Mr. Hatch suggested that the Volunteers should camp under canvas. Messrs Stout and Ballance left for the North this morning. Queenstown, Wednesday.

The new steamer Mountaineer was launched on the Wakatipu Lake yesterday in the presence of the Hons. Messrs. Ballance and Stout. The launch was a great success, and an elegant luncheon was given by the Company in the cabin. Everybody was pleased with the excellent passenger accommodation ; the chief features of the boat, however, are the fine engines, manufactured by Messrs. Kincaid, M'Queen, and Ca., the guaranteed speed being not less than 13 knots. The directors intend placing the boat at the disposal of the public some day next week for a pleasure trip up the lake, and have applied to the authorities at Invercargill for an excursion train on that day. The new boat will be a great boon to the travelling pnblic.