LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 140, 12 August 1876, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[Per Press Agency.] AUCKLAND. August 9. Nine of the crew of the Crown Hope have been arrested on a charge of disobedience and broaching cargo. It appears that lucifer matches were, scattered about tlie bold of the vessel, showing that the men had been using naked lights.. The case was remanded. CHRISTCHURCH. August 9. The petition for the release of Mr W. P. Townsend, who was committed to prison at the last session.of the Supreme Court for manslaughter in midwifery, has been signed by 5,000 persons ; and will be forwarded to W. S. Moorliouae, Esq., M.H.R. to-day. Eli Griffiths, being about to leave the colony, offers the whole of his extensive racing stud for sale. HOKITIKA. August 9. Mark Sprot and Co, sold the Freight Company’s boats to-day. The Circe realized £l,-120, and the Sarah and Mary, £970. DUNEDIN. August 9. Serious burglaries have been committed bj r Edward Butler, alias Donnelly, who has been arrested. August 10. i The house of Donnelly, the burglar, who was captured yesterday, has been searched and a complete set of house-breaker’s tools were found, together with wigs, disguises, and two loaded pistols. He attended Sunday school on Sunday, and in the evening broke into and robbed two premises. Some months ago, subscriptions were received for the purpose of presenting the Hon. Mr Reynolds with a testimonial to commemorate ids twenty-first year of public service. The committee appointed at the time sent to England for a service of plate, which, having arrived, will be presented on Monday next. WELLINGTON. August 10. A telegram was received by the Premier last evening from Sims and Taylor, the gentlemen in charge of the cable-repairing steamer Edinburgh. It is dated yesterday, and states :—“ Edinburgh returned to Port Darwin, having repaired cable. It breaks on a hard bottom in Sahul Bank. We have put down a heavier cable over this hank. The Batavia Singapore section was repaired oh the 25th July.” BLENHEIM. August 11. At 3 o’clock this morning a fire broke out on the premises in High-street, belonging to McElwain, opposite Ewart’s hotel. The fire rapidly spread to the adjoining premises of Carter (draper), and thence to the Bank of New Zealand, which adjoined ; then to the National Bank, the next building in the block, though not on tha same street, but facing the Market Square, The Fire Brigade with both engines wore quickly on the spot, but their efforts could only strive to preserve buildings that had not ignited. Fortunately there was no wind, else the whole of that part of Blenheim would havegone; asit was premises all around were much injured by scorching, breaking of windows, &c. This was tbe case wi.h the telegraph office, and so imminent was the danger that one time all the instruments, &c., were removed to the premisvjs of a tradesman. Several line wires were I limed through, and also the terminal polo was also terribly injured. The department, however, had the insfrilmeiits refitted and everything complete, at 7.30. Bank of Ne,w Zealand' strong room all right, and so also National Bank’s safe. Both hanks opened business this morning in neighbouring premises. The Marlborough Times was just going to press, but the destruction of the premises seemed so certain that the forms -were lifted off, and carried away as well as everything portable, but the fire stopped at an adjoining, building. The ordinary work of getting out the paper, was resumed at 0.30, by which time the fire was con lined to to the burning of the fallen limbers of the several buildings.