TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1255, 26 April 1880, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION,) WELLINGTON. April 25. The Civil Service Commission have divided—Messrs. Kelly, and Douglas going to Auckland, via Taranaki, and Messrs. Saunders and Pharazyn via Napier. They stop at Napier and Taranaki, and after their visit to Auckland they proceed to Nelson.and Bleniieim. Both are accompanied jby shorthand writers. - CHRISTCHURCH. April 24. At the inquest held this afternoon on the body of Thomas Duffy, railway killed yesterday at Addington station, a verdict of accidental death was j returned, The evidence showed that after I

deceased had uncoupled the waggons, he signalled to the engine driver to come back. - The driver did so, and deceased jumped on the handle of the brake. In jumping he missed his hold, and was seen to turn round, when he fell across the line before the engine. The gatekeeper, who saw the accident, at once cried out, and the driver immediately reversed the . engine, but knew there was something on the line from the tender jumping. When he got down he found the deceased lying between the leading and bogie wheels of the engine. Some of the jurors, before giving their verdict, remarked on the dangerous practice of railway employes riding on brake handles, and considered that a man 55 years of age was too old to be employed at shunting work. Messrs. J. T. Ford and Co. held a sale of racehorses to-day, but only disposed of Meirelle, by Traducer—Opera, for L4O. The purchaser was Mr. Beaumont, of Heathcote. {Satellite was passed in at L9O; Blazing Star at L 27 10s ; and Rore, a three-year-old by Totara —Carona at L4B. A large land sale was held to-day of acre sections in the township of Waikari, belonging to Mr. G. H. Moore, of Glenmark. The prices obtained ranged from L 55 to L 230. April 26. The cause of the fire that occurred in Durham-street yesterday is unknown. The shops and four-roomed-cottage belonging to Walker, bootmaker, were insured for L 270 none of Walker's property was saved and he is unable to estimate his loss. Robert Rogers, postmaster at Leithfield, was arrested on Saturday charged with forging two cheques. Mr. W. Dundas, late of the 11th Hussarshas been appointed drill-instructor to the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry. DUNEDIN. April 26. In the case Tondut v, the New Zealand Insurance Company in whioh the jury twice gave a verdict for the plaintiff in the teeth of the Judge's direction, Judge Harvey granted a new trial, mulcting the plain tiffin the costs of the two previous trials. AUCKLAND. April 24. The Hon. the Native Minister has been engaged all day with a motley assembly of natives and Europeans, on the subject of land survey. Some of these surveys have been stopped on various grounds, and vendors are naturally anxious that the obstructions should be removed. The most important case is that of the Patetere block, the survey of which was stopped in order to avert threatened disturbances. The Northern Luminary of to-day states that an encounter took place . between John Lundon, M.H.R. and Mr, Yarborough, when the former retired with a black eye. April 26. Te Ngakau, the famous secretary and adviser of Tawhaio, has come to -Auckland on a visit. He will interview Mr. Bryce to-morrow. Te Ngakau has not been in Auckland since the Waikato war. Rewi intends sending down a representative to see Mr. Bryce as he is too feeble to come himself. Mr. Bryce intended to visit Waikato but will not be able, as he will leave for Wellington about Wednesday. HAWERA. April 26. Sir Dillon Bell arrived here on Saturday and proceeded, accompanied by Mr. Parris, to Oeo yesterday. They inspected the survey lines of the reserves, and visited Tito Kowaru and other chiefs, by whom they were well received. The natives generally are very friendly, and no opposition was offered to any of the works now progressing on the plains. Sir D. Bell and party returned here last night and will proceed to New Plymouth to-day. NAPIER. April 26. A diabolical attempt was made this morning to burn down the Corporation offices. On the messenger coming to the offices at 9 o'clock, he found a fire smouldering in the rate collectors office and a large hole burnt in the floor. He found that the floor had been strewn with kerosene, but the cocoanut matting had only preventing the fire from spreading to the walls. It is not known at present how the ignition was effected, butjthepolicehave aclue. Luckilyit was discovered, for if the building had caught, the Post and Telegraph offices close by could not have been saved, also several buildings on the other side of the road would have caught, and in the buildings, which are occupied by the Education Board, County Qounoil, Cor--poration, Stamp Department, and Property and Land Tax Departments. Many valuable documents would have been lost. The man, after committing the deed, coolly, washed his hands in the Town Clerk's lavatory. Mr. Oliver, Minister for Public Works, arrived in Napier by the Penguin this morning. Arthur Sketchly will open- in the Theatre Royal this evening.