TELEGRAMS

Patea Mail, 28 August 1882, Page 3

TELEGRAMS

TO THE “ MAIL.”

(per UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) BURNING DOWN HOTELSSETTING FIRE TO A TOWN. Akaroa.—Wackerlie’s Hotel was burned to the ground last night ; and the Criterion Hotel and Bruce’s Hotel were also set fire to. All three fires are clear cases of incendiarism. The two hotels last mentioned started burning a second time, but the fresh outbreaks were promptly extinguished, Garwood and Co.’s premises had a narrow escape. Subsequent examination shows that a quantity of gorso was placed under the Criterion and Bruce’s Hotel. The incendi- . ary had so arranged that the three fires broke out almost simultaneously at each end of the borough and in its centre, the time of alarm being shortly after 2 a.m. It is a remarkable coincidence that in each case the fire was discovered through the restlessness of an invalid. A feeling of intense excitement and indignation prevails. VOLUNTEER LAND SCRIP. Wellington, 24th. —In repty to a question put by Mr Hutchison in the Assembly Mr Rolleston said that provision would be made in the estimates for satisfying the Volunteer land scrip claims. It was understood that that was the object of the commission rather than to provide for these claims by land appropriations. Middle Island Main Railway. Christchurch, 25th.—At a public meeting presided over by the Mayor, it was resolved : “ That the extension of the Middle Island Trunk Railway from Waipera to Blenheim by the coast line, or any of the other routes specified in the Government engineer’s report, is contrary to the best interest of the colony and this province. This meeting earnestly and respectfully requests .the members of the General Assembly to oppose its construction.” It was further resolved to ask for the adoption of a route that will connect the West Coast with Nelson and Christchurch. Other meetings for the same purpose are to • bo held in all the centres of population. King Natives Want EmploymentAuckland, 24th,—Tawhiao is building numerous huts at Whatiwhatihoe. Sanitary regulations are utterly ignored. Food is scarce. The natives are anxious for employment. GOLD IN WELLINGTON. Wellington, 26th. —Specimens of quartz from the Golden Crown claim, Terawhiti, have been analysed by Dr Hector. The yield of gold as calculated upon per ton was found to be Bozs 2 dwte 12 grains. The gold is of fair quality for reef gold, being worth about £3 5» per ounce. Drs Hector and Lemon, and Mr Jones, engineer of the Albion Mining Company, have gone to Terawhiti to inspect claims. Attempted Burglary. Christchurch.—The office of W. Harris, Lichfield-strect, was broken into last night. Efforts wore made to remove the safe, but without success. The safe contained £7O and a large ntnmber of valuable documents. Nothing was stolen. Killed on RailwayBalclutha.—A porter was knocked down and killed on the line to-day, by timber projecting over a truck. Vessel Floated. Westport.—The Ada C. Owen was floated off last night with the assistance of two steamers. Coast Railway WorkWellington.—The Wellington-Mana-watu Railway Company have plans and specifications almost completed for the

section at the Mannwatn end, from about Londburn to the river, including a large bridge over the latter. Tenders will probably be called for the work during the present week.