TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 789, 22 October 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

WELLINGTON. October 22. A smart shock of earthquake occurred here last night a few minutes before eleven. No damage of any kind is reported. October 22. Papers have been laid on the table by the Telegraph Commissioner, showing that the Government have leased a special wire to Messrs. Reed (Dunedin Times), Reeves (T.yttelton Times), and Horton (Auckland •!craM), for two years, for the sum of L2OOO annually; the wire to be available f'-'oi 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. ordinarily, and till 3 a.m. during the session. Messrs. Holt and M'Carthy petition Parliament against it today. CHRISTCHURCH. October 21. At the meeting of the directors of the Temperance Hotel to-day it was stated that 2500 shares had been taken up. In consequence of the strong feeling expressed by the Good Templars, it was resolved that no intoxicating drinks should be supplied on the premises. A case against Thomas Poole, for adulterating bread with alum, was heard at the Police Court to-day. The defendant was fined L 4 and costs. A similar case against Stephen Simpson was dismissed, the evidence not being conclusive. Another baker, for having no scales on his premises to weigh bread, was fined 10s. In the case of Hewlings v. the Mandeville Road Board, an action to recover damages for trespass, a verdict was given for the plaintiff for LSO. Mr. A. Danstin has been appointed Resident Engineer of the Public Works Department for the district of Canterbury. The Government have appointed Mr. John Ollivier, the district auditor, to hold an enquiry into the claims for compensation for land taken for road diversion purposes by the late Provincial Government in Akaroa and other districts. The City Council sat till midnight last night, through the constant interruptions of Councillor Wilson, who was called to order several times by the Mayor. The scenes now and again would have disgraced a bear garden. NELSON. October 18. The heaviest earthquake for years occurred shortly before 11 last night. Clocks stopped and pictures were thrown down, but no damage was done. WESTPORT. October 21. Heavy and almost continuous rain lias stopped the traffic between Westport and Reefton, greatly injuring the local trade. The only serious obstacle is the want of a bridge at Ohikanui. Considerable disappointment is felt that the Government do not fulfil their promise to erect a bridge. October 22 Two smart shocks of earthquake occurred on Monday night at 10.48. The direction was nearly north and south. There was a dead calm at the time, followed afterwards by a northerly gale. ALEXANDRA. October 21. Tawhaio, who is now at Hikurangi, denies having any intention of proceeding to Ngaruawahia. He states that Mr. Bush's telegram is a pure invention. Rewi sent a messenger to invite Tawahio to Waitara, but he refused. Tu Tawhaio and other members of the King's family were here last week. In answer to an application, Tawhaio has decidedly refused to send any telegram approving of the present Government policy. BALCLUTHA. October 21. The cash-box extracted from the Post Office here on Thursday night was found this morning by the police in a water-hole close to the office. It contained upwards of Ll2 in cash and about L 59 in cheques ; L 54 in cash are missing. ' It appears that the cashbox had neither been locked nor placed in a safe on Thursday night. With the excoption of large water-holes Balelutha is now pretty clear of water. Inch Clutha is still very much covered, although the river is not above the height of an ordinary flood. INVERCARGILL. , October 2]. The meeting convened for to-night, to take steps for a relief fund for the sufferers from the floods, lapsed, lacking attendance. A destructive fire broke out in Dee-street last night. It was discovered by Constable Dunnett, at 10.30, in the shop and residence of Mr. Lorenson, tailor. Being a wooden building the flames spread rapidly, and seized on a small house on the north side, and out-houses in the rear. On the south side it took hold |of Condon's confectionery shop. By this time the fire brigade arrived with two engines, but the supply of water was deficient, and the canvas hose breaking, very little impression was made on the fire, and the three houses were soon wrapped in flames. The fire next seized Miller's tailoring establishment, but the brigade and others set to work and cut and pulled it down, and so stayed the fire. Five buildings, besides out-houses, were destroyed. The greater

Eart of the contents of the houses, except orenson's, were saved. He lost the greater part of his stock. Over a thousand people assembled at the fire, and good service was rendered by many of these. Mr. Eliott, of the New Zealand Insurance, being particularly conspicuous, together with Inspector Fox and Sergt. Toohey, of the Police Force. The origin of the fire is a mystery. Lorenson says he left the house and did not go back till he heard the fire-bell ring. The following are the insurances effected :—New Zealand, L 125, Lorenson's stock ; L2OO, Condon's stock and house. Union, L3OO, Condon's house, stock, and furniture. Colonial, L2OO, Miller's stock. National, Ll7o, Lorenson's stock. Phoenix, LIOO, Condon's house.

NEW PLYMOUTH. October 21

Of the 2600 young trout shipped from Canterbury for here, 2200 arrived alive ; and of the 101 salmon ordered, only about a dozen were alive. Mr. Caverhill, through whom the fish were obtained, superintended the placing them in various rivers, some in the Henui, the Wai the Wangoraka, the Wai v. :.:i o vr .-r.nl tiie Waitara rivers. The fish were very lively, and are likely to do well. NAPIER. October 21. By direction of the Mayor, the child at the Spit supposed to be suffering from small-pox, was examined on Sunday by Drs. Spencer and Hitchings, who have sent in the following report to the Town Clerk:—"Sir, —ln accordance with the request of his Worship the Chairman of the Local Board of Health, we beg to inform you that we have to-day visited and examined the child at the Spit, stated to be suffering from small-pox, and to report as follows : That the child, a boy of the name of Rush, four years of age, has had an eruption on the face, a portion of the chest, and one wrist, for the last eleven days. The eruption is now nearly well, the only remains being a peeling of the cuticle, so that we are not prepared to state definitely its true nature. We are prepared, however, to give our opinion that it is not small-pox, for the following reasons :—(1.) The child beat's marks of successful vaccination. (2.) We have been unable to ascertain any possible source of contamination. (3.) The history of the symptoms and duration of the cases are at variance with those of small-pox. (4.) The appearance of the affected portions of skin is not that of the last stage of smallpox.—We have, &c., T. Hctchixgs, W. J. Spencer."