LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 306, 23 March 1878, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[PISH press agency.]

HURRICANE AT THE EIJIS. The Blanche arrived at Auckland yesterday, bringing news from Karatongo of a dreadful hurricane which occurred at PamnOto. Five hundred lives Were lost. Many vessels were wrecked. A correspondent writing from Karatongo, March sth, says—‘One of the Society’s vessels, which bad arrived from Tahiti,- reports that ope of the Pamnoto I ago on islands named Anan, had been completely swept by the hurricane or a tidal wave. Houses, trees, stores, inhabitants—all were gone. Mr Boosie, trading agent for Messrs Brander’s.Tahiti, escaped with a fe?w others. The greater portion of the group bad been devastated, and between 400 and 500 lives lost, besides several vessels missing. An eye witness at Papete writes that the sea rose over the land, sweeping away everything. We retreated to the highest point, about 20 feet above the sea level. Fortunately the cyclone abated when the water was within two feet of us. The Tahiti Government sent a man-of-war to the island of Kaukira, which had suffered most, losing 117 people, and all tho houses and boats. Branders lost threeschooners, one cutter, and twelve small boats, besides the whole establisbmenl at Anan. Cyclone continued from the 7th February to the Bth. AUCKLAND. March 20; The Working Men’s Club was opened last evening,’ the Mayor (President of the' Club) presiding.- The Governor, Bishop Co wie, the Hons’Sheehan and Whitmore, and Judge Gillies delivered speeches. The Governor, in referring to the facilities offered to working men-to attain the highest positions in the colony, referred to the Hon Mr Sheehan, who had deservedly attained his position by energy and talent.Mr Sheehan,’ in the course of his speech, said he regarded himself as a working man, his father having been a -journeyman carpenter in Auckland. He could point to many houses in the city which his father assisted to build. The Governor and suite were afterwards entertained at a banquet,- and drank success to the Club in champagne. March 21. Several incipient incendiary fires have been discovered. In one instance an attempt was made to burn down a school building. In reply to a deputation at Paeroa, the Hon Mr Sheehan said the Government

would notrepudiate the Broomhall bargaiii if he kept to his conditions. 6RAHAMSTOWN. c ■ : March’22. A banquet was given to the Governor and suit last night; equal in success with the proceedings during tlie day. Subsequently the Governor and party attended a grand ball given by Natives to European friends; which also was a great success. His Excellency expressed sincere pleasure at the general manifestations o?the locality; and the cordiality of his reception;, , HAWKS’S BAY. . . . :v.t March 22. ; Three thousand persona ivere present at the races to day. Maiden Plate Merlin 1 ; Day and Martin 2. Merlin also won the' Champagne Stakes: Rail way Stakes—Milfoil; Lara 2. Seven started. A good race. ... Napier Handicap—Luna 1 • The Worixi 2; Noaro3., Won by a length. ' - Selling Race—-Robinson Crusoe 1 ; Skysail 2 ; Merlin 3. WESTPORT. March 22. Tremendous squall from south-west' struck upper part of the town last night; completely demolishing Steward’s brewery; besides doing other damage; ’ KUMARA. March 20. Father ITenneheny, since his arrival ori the West Coast, has denounced between Catholics and Protestants ac adultery, the result being the separation of families and much domestic misery. He*_ was strorigly criticised by the Kuniara * TirneZ, and lie retorted by a personal attack on the editor, who has commenced an action, laying his damages at £1,000; Most of the Catholics haVe ■ withdrawn their subscriptions from the Times ; and Protestants haA T e doubled and trebled their subscriptions. 1: is feared sectarian difficulties may take place:

March 21

Father lienneherry, through an agent,’ opened a shop in the main street for the sale of candles, rosaries, &c.. and wad requested by the police to take out a business license, winch was done.