LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 164, 4 November 1876, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[Per Press Agency.] AUCKLAND. November I. . Bishop Cmvic to-day confiirmed twelve Melanesians from Various Islands in the Pacific. ... The Diocesan Synod is discussing the appointment of a Committee to draw up a supplement to the present Hymnal not exceeding 150 hymns. At the City Council A' letter was read from the Rev I), tinice, calling attention to the alteration in the service in the English Churches, from G. 30 to 7 o’clock, and the nuisance caused by the ringing of some bells while other congregations \vcrc 1 o’ding service. November 2. A monster public .reception is to be given to Sir George Grey and those who voted with him. November 3. The Stella arrived. On landing, Sir G. Grey was presented with an address of we'como by the Onolmnga Town Board in a drenclmlg rain. lie promised a full exposition of his views at a public meeting in the Theatre to-night. Arrived—Orari, from London, with immigrants, all well. ALEXANDRA. November 1; Tawhiao and Manuhiri arc away to Kuiti to attend a meeting to consider what steps should be taken to prevent the steamer returning again to Mokan River, and to remove the Europeans who have leased land in the district. Weterc is the prime mover in the affair. WELLINGTON. November 1. The following Is the analysis of business during the late session : —Bills brought from Council awaiting Royal assent, this year, 182; last year, 144. Bills of all sorts, this year, 305 ; last year, 186. There were 85 days of meeting this year ; 59 last year ; divisions, 345 this year ; 94 last year. Hours of sitting before midnight, this year, 698 hours 40 minutes ; hours of sitting after midnight, 155 hours 30 minutes ; daily average, 10 hours 28 minutes. Last year, hours before midnight, 351 hours 45 ..minutes ; hours of sitting after midnight) 155 hours 30 minutes ; dally average, 7 hours 5 minutes. There were 345 reports from Select Committees ; 187 papers were laid on the table ; 250 questions were asked of Ministers. The valuation of tho City of Wellington for this year has just been completed. The valuation on which the rate will have to be struck is £169,609, as against £151,507 for last yortf. At the issue of postal cards to-day there was a considerate number of tradesmen who Used tho cards as business circulars soliciting custom November 3.

A Gazette pnplished this morning, notifies that Thursday next, fith iibt., being the Birthday of’ 11.11.11. the Prince of Wales, will be observed as a public holiday in honor of the occasion, and the General Government offices will ho closed accordingly, with the exception of the Customs, Post Office, Telegraph, and Pail way Offices. Arrived, from .Sydney Agnes, to lay Cooks Strait’s second cable. Also St. Leonards from London after a fine, weather passage of 102 dayn. She brings the live miles required to complete Cooks Straits Cable. She has six cabin and 11 s tree rage passengers. Also some prize pigs and valuable I'ams. DIJXF.f/IN. Nov. 1. Bishop Moran lias gone to Bathurst to conduct the dedication services of the Eeclcstical College. The action against the Superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum for alleged ill-trcat-meut of a paticiit, resulted in a verdict for the defendant, with costs. November 3. Yesterday Messrs McLean and Macandrew, bad an interview, but nothing was definitely settled. Another meeting is proposed fo’f tO-morroW. McLean also met individual members of the Executive. McLean’s endeavor is _,to obtain the assistance of the Provincial Government to carry on the affairs of the province as hitherto, until the of County Councils, which it is hoped will fake place in the middle of December. McLean states nothing definite has been done, but a general desire is expressed to facilitate matters, so that; the public may not be inconvenienced The Sandhurst Eire Brigade have notified their intention of competing at the Brigade Demonstration. Auckland has intimated rl probable intention of competing also. BLENHEIM. November’ 2. A tremendous fire occurred at tvfn o’’dock this morning. Ewart’s Hotel, Telegaaph Office, Court House, Government Buildings, Litchfield, draper, Masonic Hotel, ClUb, Carter, and Tail’s store, Litchfield, grocery store, Hnrstwick, druggist, Hunter, jeweller, Augustus’ shop (empty), Lewis’ fancy goods shop, Presswood, watchmaker, Lawi-encc’s general store, Warner’s old shop, Rogers, solicitor, Campbell, painter, Smith, tinman, and two cottages were burnt to ashes. In addition to the list, Eylcs’ cabinet maker’s shop and residence, and two cottages were also destroyed. The origin of the fire has been discovered :—Several persons saW the centre of the Government Buildings in a blaze •, a strong wind from the West carried it across the square, igniting Augustus’ old shop on the roof, thence along High street. For some time the Brigade hoped to stay it at Lawrence’s, but kept round two burnt cottages beyond, Campbell’s Taylor’s Severn’s and Robinson’s were saved with great difficulty. In the meantime, the fire Worked from Augustus' to a gap near Rogers’. No help could be given except carrying things out on the western side. The fire beat back, igniting Ewart’s Hotel ; the hall and stables were saved. The Bank of New Zealand had a very narrow escape, being charred all over. Every place named is cleared away, only a few chimneys standing. The following are the aggregate losses of the insurance offices :—New Zealand, ,

£2,800; National, £1,450; British, £2,350 ; Imperial, £2,400 Standard, £1,850 ; Victoria, £ 1,5G0 ; Norwich, £1,250 ; Batavia, £950; Liverpool and London, £BOO. Total—£ls,4lo. Several losses are estimated double. The telegraphists have carapodin a tent on Seymour Square. AUSTRALIA#. SYDNEY. Nov. 1. The Bailk of! New Souih Wales has declared a dividend of 50 per cent per annum, and 2-1 bonus, £IO,OOO was carried to the Reserve Fund. An Adelaide telegram, dated October 20, from the Agent-General, was read in the Assembly last night. It stated that war between Tin key and Russia was inevitable; and that stocks had fallen. MELBOURNE. Nov. 1. The Abosna, from New Zealand to Melbourne, encountered fearful weather. The docks were swept, and the vessel was in imminent peril. A petition was presented to the Assembly from seamen and engineers of steamers; praying that the House would pass a Bill to ensure the bcttci' preservation of life at sea. November 2. It is expected that about a dozen horses will start for the Derby. Teh to one is offered on the field for the Melbourne Cup. Sterling is not going so well. -