STAR TELEGRAMS

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 1884, 16 January 1875, Page 2

STAR TELEGRAMS

PER AMGLO-AUSTRALSAN PRESS TELEGRAPH

AGENCY.

Auckland, This day.

Gold Discovery at Hokianga.

News from the STorth states that good gold has been discovered at Hokianga. No particulars known.

The schooner Swallow, which left Auckland on the 29th ultimo for the North, has not been heard of since.

Two heavy spars found on the beach at Ahipara are supposed to be part of the wreck of a large ship.

The Eev Charles Clark, lecturer, was a passenger per Wonga Wonga. A barque now signalled is supposed to be the Dilharre, from London, with immigrants.

Arrived: Phoebe.

Further Particulars.

Further details relative to the reported gold discovery at Hokianga state that a number of Lundon's men, in getting out sleepers, went prospecting. Some of them arrived in Russell a few days ago with several specimens, which they alleged they had aiscovered. Kay came to town with two rich specimens, removing all doubts expressed in the genuineness of the discovery.

The natives report gold found at Mongomaukai.

Measles of malignant type is prevalent among the natives. Many dying.

Wellington, This day. Communications have been addressed to the Government from Ballarat enquiring whether the Government would be willing to pay the passages of, and offer suitable inducement to 5000 immigrants from that district to New Zealand. llt is stated that the number mentioned, #f highly respectable people and families, could be had there ready to transfer themselves to New Zealand within three months.

Napier, This day. Lascelles, solicitor, has purchased a portion of the Karamu estate. The Herald says this is part of the celebrated. If eretanga block; and Lascelles was the solicitor employed by Mr Henry Russell two years ago in legal proceedings to dispute title. The futility of the proceedings was proved by Lascelles becoming a large investor in the disputed land. Cattle owners are of opinion that beef will be scarce and dear next winter in Hawke's Bay. . Dunedin, Friday. A fire occurred at Strachan's brewery this morn ng, caused by the spontaneous combustion of some new black malt. The bottling department and stables were totally destroyed. The amount of insurance or damage is not yet known.

HoitiTiKA, Friday. An alarming thunderstorm passed over the town last night. At 10 o'clock the storm culminated in a quick succession of fearful flashes of lightning and loud thunder. One flash of lightning, resembling a huge rocket—or the popular idea of a thunderbolt—was seen to strike the bell tower and Fire Brigade hall, and in

a few seconds the buildings were in

flames. There were few people in the street, and a perfect deluge of rain at the time. No alarm of the fire bell could be given, as the bell was suddenly engulphed inflames. Both engines were got out, but the woodwork of one was on fire. The lightning first struck the summit cf the tower.and the steel bell, running along an iron wire reaching from the tower to the engine-room. The Savings Bank-—a small building—was saved with aMruggle., The surrounding buildings uninjured; no persons injured. Fox, the watchman, left the tower before the storm was at its worst. No insurance. The Brigade only a,re losers. ;