TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5582, 18 February 1879, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PER PRESS AGENCY). Auckland, Monday. A fire has occurred at Mr. Baton’s farm, Papatoitoi, which destroyed several stacks of wheat to the value of £6OO or £7OO. It is supposed to have been caused by a spark from a threshing machine which was working at the time. All the efforts to extinguish it failed. The property was insured for £4OO. Another boat accident occurred yesterday. Four young men left in a boat for Ducas’ Creek ; the boat capsized in a squall, and they swam ashore, a distance of a quarter of a mile, although one was dressed in a large overcoat. The boat has been recovered.

The chief Paul is arranging for a large meetingat Orakei on the 25th in anticipation of Sir George Grey and the King meeting, which will be held at Kopua about the 25th March. Surveyors are actively engaged preparing to carry the Kawakawa coal railway to deep water, which will greatly facilitate loading and cheapen coaL

The Waikato extension to Awamntu is so far advanced that platelaying has begun.

The Rotorua natives have appointed twelve commissioners for fixing the boundaries. On Sunday, a yacht with Dr. Haines, Mr. W. Flood, Mr. 11. E. Isaacs, and two others on board, left Motuihi for Auckland. They encountered a heavy squall, and ran for Brown’s Island, where a Fijian in the yacht saw a man struggling in the water. On being picked up the man could only utter the words “My comrades.” Two heads were then seen some distance off above the crest of the waves. The yacht headed for them, but, owing to a squall and the tide, could not get near them. Dr. Haines pluckily took to a small dingy, and having succeeded in reaching the men, fastened them with lines, and towed them to the yacht. The names of the men saved are Slater, Graves, and Darrell. A letter from the Duke of York Group to the Fiji Times says the German Consul at Samoa and the Captain of the Ariadne have bougtit from the natives two harbours in that group for a German coaling station. They investigated some claims against the natives for burning houses, but only inflicted a nominal fine, and warned natives against repeating the offence.

At the Supreme Court Parder Bros., bankrupt potters, received their discharge. Professors Ulrich and Brown, with Dr. Hector, have paid a visit to the Thames, and inspected the mines and sulphur springs. At a meeting of the Grammar School Board of Governors to-day tenders for ivood and brick bui’dings were opened. Decision left over for special meeting to-morrow. In reply to a telegram sent to Lord Harris by the Auckland Cricket Club, sympathising with him regarding the recent outrage, Mr. Philson, the secretary, to-day received the following reply:—“Many thanks for kind telegram. Regret inability to play Auckland.— Lord Harris, Melbourne.” At a meeting of the Commissioners of Higher Education to-day Mr. H. H. Lusk gave evidence as one of the examiners of the Auckland College and Grammar Schools. Archdeacon Maunsell and the Rev. S. Edgar also examined.

Great anxiety is felt for the safety of a hank clerk, who has not been seen for a fortnight. His manner lately was peculiar, hut no monetary troubles are known. Some weeks ago, when Coombcs drowned himself in well, the missing man said that was a sensible way of getting rid of trouble. GIIAHAMSTOWN, Monday.

An immense busli fire is raging at Waitakuri, in the Ohiuemuri district, daring the last two or three days. The township was only saved by the superhuman efforts of the miners. It is feared that the Waitakuri mine hoppers will be destroyed. Mr. Morgan Davies, a well-to-do settler atTararu, had his dwellinghouse and furniture burnt to the ground, sustaining a loss of £250. He was not insured.

Professors Ulrich and Brown, Dr. Hector, and Judge Gillies are still here. Professor Ulrich examined some quart/, taken from different portions of the goldfi-dd, and gave an opinion that the reef system at the Thames is still in its infancy ; that the gold in its matrix is in a condition of growth and development indicative of future richness, and that large yields are in store for any diligent miner or prospector. Mr. Morgan Davis’ house, t\v,i miles below Tararu, was totally destroyed by fit u on Friday night. The loss is estimated at £250. He was uninsured. It is supposed'to have arisen from embers left in the grate. All the furniture was destroyed. A bush fire has been raging at Waitekauri. Goonan’s store and Butlor-’s dwelling-house were saved by the superhuman exertions of the Waitekauri lire brigade. Grave fears are entertained for the safety of MoOombie’s Hotel, Snodgrass’ store and bakery, Shaw’s store, and Carmichael’s butcher’s shop, all of which are completely enveloped in smoke and flames. The three last mentioned are not occupied. The Waitekauri track is literally covered with burning masses of timber, and of course is quite impassable. Later. Wo have not had any sleep for sixty hours, and have succeeded in saving all the buildings. The gardens, fences, and outhouses are all destroyed. The road leading through the hill to the township is covered with furniture and effects. Great credit is due to those who took an active part in saving house?, &c. Some of the buildings are insured. Showers of sparks are flying about in all directions, but the worst is passed. The-fire traversed a distance of nearly a mile, and is still going on, the Waitekauri company’s hoppers being right on its track. Napier, Monday. Kami tana continues to get worse. The chiefs of his hapu, in accordance with native custom, have requested his medical attendants to give them sufficient warning, so that he may be removed from town to breath his last at Pakowhai. Mr. Gordon, of the Colonial Bank, who is under orders to proceed to Christchurch, was banquetted by a largo number of his friends on Saturday night. A fire broke out at Wairoa early this morning. The following places were burnt : Parker’s, saddler ; Flint’s, storekeeper ; John Ewan’s, tailor; and Davies’, builder. In addition to this destruction, a small store, belonging to Mr. GUligan, had to be pulled down to save Mr. Flint’s hotel. • Insurances had been effected on these buildings and their contents in the New Zealand office to the amount of £540, but further risks have been taken by the National. A petition is being drafted for signature, praying the Government to cancel the appointment of their nominees to the Harbor Board. Christchurch, Monday. A small cottage was burned down in Peter-borough-street shortly after midnight on Saturday. It was old and dilapidated, and was about to have been pulled Idown. The value was only £ls. The next Horticultural Show takes place on 4th March, and will be combined with an art union. A number of police changes are taking place in different parts of the province. By the Hinemoa yesterday, the Acclimatisation Society received a coop of prairie chickens. A largely attended meeting of school teachers took place on Saturday, for the purpose of co-operating with the teachers of Otago, in reference to the new classification and syllabus of work. A preliminary committee was appointed. Westport, Monday. A six-roomed cottage, seven miles up the Buller-road, was burned down on Saturday night. The owners, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchin, had a narrow escape. Insurance on building, £2OO ; furniture, £IOO, in the Victoria Office; estimated loss, £l5O. Christchurch, Monday. The ship Orpheus brings a very fine consignment of fowls from London. Mr. Conyers is progressing favorably, and talks about resuming work in a few days. The meeting of the Board of Governors again lapsed to-day for want ef a quorum. Robert Lee was committed for trial on a charge of forging and uttering a cheque for £l2 on the Union Bank. There was a second charge of forging and uttering a cheque for a similar amount on the same hank. A conference between the committees of the City Council and the Sydenham Council takes place this week on the vexed question of the dividing belt between the two municipalities.

Blexheisi, Monday.

George McDonald, a half-caste, was charged at the lI.M. Court to-day by the secretary of the Acclimatisation Society, with killing wild ducks out of season. It was proved that he had dead ducks found in his possession by some Maoris on the 12th instant. Defendant pleaded guilty. The Bench (Messrs. S. Johnson and T. Eedwood), fined him ss. with 7s. costs. He was cautioned not to offend again, otherwise a heavier penalty would be inflicted. The fine was paid. Ealclutha, Monday. A gang of men with an engine and a number of trucks commenced this afternoon to fill up holes in the streets, caused by the recent floods.

A dwelling-house, the property of P. Dillon, Seafield Eun, was destroyed by fire on Saturday evening. The origin is unknown. The fire broke out in the new part of the building. It was insured for £SOO in the South British. The loss is not short of £I7OO if the furniture is destroyed, of which reports are]oontradictory. Ddnedin, Monday.

Mr. Bright, the free thought lecturer, delivered his farewell address in the Princess Theatre last night. The chair was occupied by the Attorney-General, who, after mentioning the fact that he occupied a similar position on the occasion of Bright's first public appearance in Dunedin, remarked that he considered it to be the duty of everyone to hear the free expression of opinion in our midst, and to let all know the views we held, for which reason he took the chair. At the close of the_ address the hon. gentleman made a presentation of a purse of over 90 sovs. to Mr. Bright, and doing so said that the “ gilt” had been subscribed by persons who had profited by Mr. Brigh t s lectures during the past two years or so. Amy- |

one who ventured to address the people on religion and philosophical subjects, untrammelcd by creeds, must always expect to meet with some amount of persecution. He was glad, however, that a spirit of toia-anco existed in this community, and that Mr. Bright’s lectures had been attended with such a marked success. He hoped that would not be the last Free Thought lecture Mr. Bright would deliver in Dunedin.

The find of gold oh'the flat adjoining Vinegar Hill, at St. Bathau, is apparently of a great character, as a -considerable area of ground has been pegged off, and a number of leases have been applied for. Prospects obtained have been of a most satisfactory character, and the Mount Ida Chronicle correspondent telegraphed on Friday: “ Quite a rush took place yesterday, and a large area of ground has been pegged out." The European and American mails, consisting of fifty-five bags, were delivered in Dunedin this evening. A woman named Saul, living ou the Hawoa Elat, committed suicide by taking poison. It appears that she and her husband had been living on bad terms for some time. At a meeting of the reception committee tonight it was resolved to receive the Governor at the main station and conduct him to the Volunteer Hall, where an address will be presented. He will he received by a guard of honor at the station and by another at the hall. Ixveucaiioill, Monday. A public meeting was held at the Council Hall this evening, the Mayor in the chair, nt which it was resolved to give the Governor a suitable reception. It was also resolved to ask the Atheumum Committee for the use of the large reading-room for the purpose of holding a levee and the presentation of an address beautifully illuminated. It was resolved to ask the citizens to observe Thursday afternoon as a half-holiday, acd that the Mayor may make arrangements for serving a lunch for his Excellency on his arrival; arrangements are to be made by the railway authorities to enable any citizen who might choose to proceed to the Bluff to receive his Excellency. The Garrisou Band will he in attendance. A committee was appointed to give effect to the resolutions. The following are the Southland members of the New Zealand Rifle Association;—Major Mackoni, Captains Cuthbertson, Harvey, Haywood (life members), Lients. Soandrett, Eeldwick, Kiugwells, Dawson, Volunteer Cuff, and J. B. Hannah.,

Fifteen guineas have been subscribed toward the Nelson meeting, at which the above members will be the representatives for the Invercargill volunteers. There will be also two representatives for the Riverton volunteers.. .