LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 8, 8 May 1875, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

PRESS AGENCY. WELLINGTON. May 6. In the Provincial Council last night, Mr Hutchison’s motion, requesting the Council to assist in carrying a resolution * of the Government for abolishing provinces in the North Island, was defeated by 19 to 4, Bunny having moved the previous question. J. H. Wallace sold at the Ijpt— Useful hacks, at from £3 i\p6l2; draught horses, £l4 to £25 ; cows, £2 10s to £5 10s. It is understood that Robert Pharazyn will be the new member of the Provincial Executive, vice Watt, resigned. AUCKLAND. May 6. Reader Wood joinded the Executive first as Provincial Treasurer, possibly afterwards as Secretary. Rees is also expected to join. A. G. Millar, Manager of the National Insurance Company, died of typhoid • fever. Annmder of merchants have purchased the Magellan Cloud, which is expected shortly from the Chatham Islands via Lyttelton, to be employed in the work of sperm fishery on the coast. G. W. Binney reports trade very quiet. Flour—Oamaru £l2, Christchurch £11; pollard, £7; bran, £5; potatoes, £5 ; cheese, Is; hams and bacon, none. May 7. A fire in Chapel-street destroyed Asher’s Buildings, occupied by Mrs Craw and Mr Lawrence: the latter keeps a boarding house. There was insufficient water, and the efforts of the Fire Brigade were futile in extinguishing the flames ; but by throwing on water and pulling down out-houses, adjoining houses were saved. The fire is now dying out. It apparently originated on the shingles outside, and burnt very fiercely. The furniture was mostly insured. Stock was valued at about £BOO. An attempt was made to set the building on fire some months ago, but was discovered. Insurances—Asher’s Buildings (total loss) Norwich Union, £4oo;* Lawrence’s furniture, mostly saved, £250, also in Norwich Union. The ministers of all denominations have hald a cbnference, with a view to promote a revival. It was resolved to hold a united prayer meetiiig next Wednesday. NAPIEIi; May 6, The Government have purchased Maney’s lease from the natives of country in the Upper Wairoa, anti commenced negotiations for the purchase or lease of all open country from the Upper Wairoa to Waikaremoanaj and stretching by the inland road to Poverty Bay to join the block. The Uriwefas have overlapping claims. HOKITIKA. May G. Sixty-five head of cattle yarded. averaged 37s 6d per 100 lbs. No sheeps penned. CHRISTCHURCH. May 6. Frederick Pavitt, late Steward of thd Christchurch Property Trust Estate, was arrested last night on a charge of embezzlement. It is rumoured that the defalcations amount to between £5,000 ami £7,000. The salmon ova continue to go bad daily. There arc only a few left in the boxes. The immigrants per Tintcrn Abbey were open for engagement to-day. A great portion, including all the single girls, were engaged at the following rates of wages:—Married couples, £55 to £6O, all found ; single men, £4O to £SO ; domestic servants, £2O to £25 ; nurse girls, £l2 to £ls. ° May 7. The execution of John Mercer for the murder of Isabella Thompson, took placeat 8 o’clock this morning in the prccints of the Lyttelton gaol. He slept very soundly last night, and took a good breakfast this morning. The Rev J. Fergnsson, Presbyterian minister, was with him at a very early hour this morning, but Mercer paid very little to religions matters, and appeared thoroughly careless of his approaching fate, lie was exhorted to make a confession just before leaving the cell for the scaffold. He said, “I am innocent of this crime,” and walked with a firm tread to the scaffold, attended by the Rev. Mr Fergnsson. After the rope had been adjusted, lie said in a very firm voice, “ Farewell, gentlemen. May God have mercy on my souland while the cap was being drawn down, he was heard to say, “An innocent man.” Up to the last moment of being visible, his features W'oro a kind of half smile, which, however, some said was natural to him. He died very easily, only one or two faint spasms being perceptible after the drop fell. After hanging twenty minutes, the body was taken down and removed to the house. Medical examination proved that the neck was not dislocated, and that lie died of suffocation. If he had been released two minutes after the drop fell, lie would have survived. There were

fourteen persons present at the execution. The hangman was the 'same that hung Caldono,' and resides at Rangiora. Yesterday evening Mercer said to one of the gaolers, “It will he deuced cold work hanging at 8 o’clock in the morning. I hope I shall be allowed an hour’s walk or a nip before it takes place.” DUNEDIN. May C._ In the address in reply to the opening speech in the Provincial Council, the following occurs: —-With regard to the abohton of provinces in the North Island, f we concur in the opinion that any organic ' change in the Constitution ought to be made in a carefully guarded manner, and only after duo deliberation, and that we should be better informed as to what organization is to be proposed to supercede, existing institutions, before agreeing to any change. POUT CHALMERS. May 7. Arrived —Ship Portland, from Hong Kong, with 278 Chinese immigrants. She left Hong Kong on the -Ith March. She pro- e ids from here to Melbourne, for which port she lias 600 tons of cargo. NELSON. May G. The Hon N. Edwards has been elected to the Provincial Council for the city. He said lie thought it but fair to state that in the Assembly lie meant to support the abolition of provinces throughout the Colony. The statement was received with loud cheers.