TELEGRAMS

Patea Mail, 25 August 1882, Page 2

TELEGRAMS

TO THE “ MAIL.” (PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. ) Half-castes Under Suspicion. Auckland, 24th.—An important meeting is going on at Korf.konui, Maungatautari. Tawhiao, and a large number or influential chiefs are present. The - object is to discuss the desirableness of putting certain large blocks of land through the Land Courts ; also, of turning all the half-castes out of the King Country, in consequence of the action taken by Barlow in the capture of Winiata. STRATFORD HOTEL BURNTNew Plymouth. —At 5 a.ra. this morning the Stratford hotel was burnt down. Most of the furniture was saved. The fire is supposed to have originated in the spirits store under the stairs, and went up the lining to the roof. Insurance on building, Victoria £500; on stock, Norwich Union £250; United £l5O. (from our correspondent.) Hawera.—M chaffy’s Stratford Hotel , was burnt to the ground this morning. The fire was first discovered at 4 o’clock. No lives lost. Parly insured. The New Plymouth Church Fire. .New Plymouth.— The inquest on St, Andrew’s church fire was held yesterday and occupied the. whole day. The jury retired at about 10 last night, and the following verdict was returned : “ The Scotch Kirk was ruthlessly set on fire on the morning of the 19th August, but the evidence is not sufficient to implicate any person or persons.” The following rider was added to it: “The jury recommend the authorities to offer a r& — ward for any evidence that would lead to the conviction of the perpetrators, and that a free pardon be granted to an accomplice giving such evidence. Drink and DeathChristchurch.—Dr John Walker, aged 60, was found dead in bed this morning. He was of intemperate habits; and has been ailing some time. A man living with him found him raving at two o’clock, but went back to bed without fetching assistance, and found him dead at 8.80. Wreck Relief Fund. Timaru, 24th.— By the mail to-day the Timaru Herald received a letter from the owners of the. wrecked ship Benvenue in Glasgow, advising a subscription of £IOO to the Wreck Relief Fund.

Steamer Ashore at WestportWestport, August 24th.—The Union Company’s steamer Beautiful Star was stranded on the north spit while leaving port at 4 o’clock this morning. Tin' weather was stormy and the sea heavy. Other steamers and sailing vessels of greater draught than the Beautiful Star went out during yesterday; Later.—The steamer Beautiful Star is still aground on the north spit. It. is impossible and unsafe to render assistance by another steamer. There is a possibility of her getting off to-morrow morning.