TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 629, 9 May 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

y»'elun<;to>\ May S. -It is reported here that in the event of war being declared, the Government will call out the militia. Mr. Clelland, of the Bank of Now Zealand, who was thrown out of his buggy last Simdav. at Featherston. and seveiviy injured in "the head, is still unconcious. thoU'.'li said to be .slightly better.

'' * ' 3Hiy !i. At Palmerston North a fire bivke out at 2 o'clock this morning. Phillip's store was totally consumed. The want of an engine was" much felt : if there liad been one much property would have been save.'. The store and a valuable stock were l"St besides an adjoining buiidniu' useii as a dv.elting-hous". The total loss is estimated at Lo.ooo. The b;;i!Jii;ir-s were insured in the Victoria :".•!• L-~UO. half reinsured : stock, L-SOO i:i the of which L'.">B was reinsured in the New Zoaland Company.

CHRIxTCUUKCH. May 8. Mr. H. Hill. Second Master of the East Christehureh School, has been appointed Secretary to the Hawke's Bar Hoard of Education, aud Inspector of Schools for that district. It is proposed to establish a public company to convert the block of land at the eastern boundary of the city into a public park, surrounded by allotment, for villa residences. The Times this morning urges on the Government the necessity of at once ob-

taining a large supply of arms and ammunition to enable the population to take defensive measures by forming additional Volunteer Artillery and Rifle Corps. A report in the same paper says Canterbury possesses 478 enrolled Volunteers, but that they have only 394 rifles and carbines and three field guns ; ammunition lieinf also exceedingly scarce. May 9.

.Sergeant Hughes, while arresting Samuel Badiiam for wife desertion last night, was stabbed by Bidiiam in the lower pare of the loin, but fortunately the wound is not danger, >us.

GISBORNE. May 8. The long-looked-for litigation respecting the land sales in Poverty Bay, has begun ; many writs have been issued. Chambers, of Repongaere run. and King, of the sawmill, Makuri Block, are among the recipients. Information from native sources, from Waikato, speaks'stronglyof the decline of Tawhiao's influence. The old Maori mule of worship as amended and taught i.y him, is becoming unpopu l ar. He en- • h-avored to get Te Kooti to join his faith, but the la?t"r refused. The ivl ; gion taught by Te Kooti, founded on portions of the Old Testament, is becoming more popular every day. Many pilgrimages are being made to the High Priest, who prophesies his return to this district and his birthplace within three years. In reply to a deputation from the natives, asking for part of the Patatoho lands to bo withdrawn from sale, Mr. Sheeban telegraphed that he declined to interfere.

TAPANUI. May 8. . A man named Henry Close, was killed at Waikaia by a tree falling on him. It is not known whether he has any friends in the Colony. CHRISTCHURCH. May 8. The amount received to-day for pastoral routs is L30.G35. ♦ HIKURANGI. May 8. Excepting the usual civilities extended to visitors, nothing was done here yesterday. Food was presented to the Grey an'd Sheehan party, consisting of abnllock, nigs. &c. Tawhiao visited the Government party, personally seeing to their comfort, a miard being put over them during tho night. Nothing is yet known as to the day's proceedings. The Hanhans are fur having a war dance. None of tiie Ngatimaniopotos are present, which somewhat puts out the Waikatos. They sav ilewi feels himself in a fal.se position, and cannot attend the meeting in consequence of his people having sold their kind.