Auckland News.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 279, 6 November 1884, Page 2

Auckland News.

[Own Correspondent.] Auckland, November 3. An enthusiastic banquet was given to Mr. Thos. Bracken last night by the members of the Press. About fifty were present. The editor of the Herald occupied the chair. The arrangements were first-class, and some capital speeches were made. The Evening Star stood aloof, Much uneasiness and public discontent is felt and expressed at Ministers not agreeing to stipulate the ports of arrival of the direct mail steamers being on fixed dates in the contract. Surprise is expressed that all the Auckland members do not make a vigorous representation on the matter, and interview the Hon. Mr. Tole, with the PostmasterGeneral on the subject. An accident of a rather serious nature occurred to a man named Cochrane, driver of a dray, this morning. It appears he was proceeding round a corner of a street with a load of marble slabs, when a rope broke caused by a jerk, and a piece of marble pinned his legs against the side of the cart. The unfortunate man was immediately conveyed to the Hospital. A fire was discovered in Brighton road, Parnell, early this morning, at the residence of E. Hodgson coal and firewood merchant. The fire, however, was soon extinguished by the Fire Brigade under Captain Walker. The insurance is as followslmperial office, £2OO. The owner reckons his loss at £l5O. The anniversary of the Battle of Inkerman was celebrated last evening by a banquet by a number of Crimean veterans. The proceedings were of an interesting character. The Auckland Tobacco Company has been amalgamated with the New Zealand Tobacco Manufacturing Company.,