TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 569, 27 February 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(viill I'J;KSS ACKNUY.) WELLINGTON. February 2G. The new Government offices had an escape from lire this afternoon. A cleric, sitting in one of the rooms belonging to the Native Department, was alarmed by the smell of smoke, and roused the messengers, who in about a minute had the hose ready. Upon chopping through the woodwork, which was found very much charred inside, the lire was found to have originated in a corner between the first Hat and the ground, but the cause has not yet been ascertained. Mr. Barton was released from gaol today. There was no demonstration.

Patrick Shine, previously convicted at Auckland and Wanganui, and Th:;mas Malier. have been committed for trial for a robbery at Elliott's Hotel, Pakuratahi. Frederick Catlin, for a criminal assault on Selina Franklin, at the Lower Ilntt, was also committed for trial at the next criminal sittings.

February 27. Arrived —Crest of the Wave and Mary King, from Oauniru.

CHPJSTCHUIiCH. February 27. The pigeon race, from Rakaia to Christchurch, a distance of ,'!0 miles, was won by Deacon's Antwerp in 1 hour 0 min. o AUCKLAND. February 27. Mr. R. Thatcher advertises for a list of all Levy's debts, intending to publish them in New York and San Francisco. The Working Men's Club has obtained more than the required number of members. Captain Somerville, of the steamer Durham, reports seeing a large sea monster resembling a sr-rpent off Brown's Island. Thirty feet of the monster reared perpendicularly out of the water. The crew and passengers corroborated the statement. The brigantine Helena sails to-day to load timber at Hauraki. Mills for Oamaru. s> _ NELSON. February 2(5. Shaw, Saville's barque Celestial Queen has arrived at the outer anchorage, 8(5 days from Portland. She has not yet been communicated with. ■ « GTSBOPNE. February 2(5. A disturbance unequalled in Gisborne for its lawless character occurred to-day. The aggressors wore a party of labourers employed by Mi". Lawrence, the business manager of the late Captain Head, and the dispute was in connection with the ownership of houses and a town section sold by Paora Kate to Mrs. Kate Wyllie. The case came before the Court recently, ivhen Head's agent failed to show any title to the land. To-day, however, they endeavoured to destroy the houses by bringing a large party of men with screwjacks, axes, picks, and shovels to level the houses to the ground without a moment's warning. The chimney was pulled down and the inmates had to seek refuge in the streets. The street is now strewn with furniture, and a mass of r'd'hri.i tills the rooms. The natives came to the rescue of their relative, Kate Wyllie, who has purchased the property from the chief, Paora Kate. Over 100 people were present, and at one time bloodshed seemed imminent. To-night the natives will camp on the land to prevent another similar attack.