TELEGRAMS

Patea Mail, 26 July 1882, Page 3

TELEGRAMS

TO THE “ MAIL.” (per united press association.) THE COLONY’S DEFENCES. Wellington.—The Government have received a reply from Colonel Scratchley to their request that he should visit New Zealand and report further on the defences Of the colony. Colonel Scratchley regrets that he is unable to come earlier than September, which of course would be too late for any vote to be taken this year. He has, however promised to write as fully as possible, reviewing his former proposals, and revising estimates of cost which he prepared in 1880. It is also the intention of Government to select at once a small number of the Armed Constabulary force who already have some knowledge of artillery work for special training in the management of heavy ordnance, so that when our big guns are mounted they might act as instructors to the force, whether volunteer or paid, detailed to work them. Electric Lighting. Timaru.— Mr James Bruce’s new flourmills, just erected at a cost of some £15,000, are to be lighted by electric light. A Long VoyageDunedin. —The Lohengrin, from Liverpool, hope of which had almost been given up, she having been out 140 days, has arrived ; all well. Another Cricket Tour. London, 23rd—A team of English cricketers has been organised by the Hon. Ivo Bligh for an Australian tour, and they sail for Melbourne in October. Serious Fire. Melbourne.—The Hon. John Eales’s stables at Maitland were destroyed by fire yesterday. The racehorses Roberto and Sunshine, and another, perishsd in the flames. SHIP WRECKED AT NEW PLYMOUTHNew Plymouth, this day.—The barque Australihd went ashore half a mile north of ~tho-~ brook water -This morning. The vessel was from Wellington with a cargo of cement, in command of Captain Hill, and owned by Captain Williams the well known coal merchant of Wellington. It is believed she will become a total wreck The insurance is about £2,000. ; New Plymouth, later. The ship ran ashore near the. spot where Rees’s jetty runs out. She is an old vessel, and is in a hopeless condition. All lives were saved. The barque was 420 tons, and eight years old. Alleged Mismanagement, Dunedin.—The Royal Commissioners’ report into the management of the Benevo lent Asylum disproves nearly all the charges made. Earthquake. Wanganui.—Another heavy shook of earthquake was felt at 6-30 this morning.