LATEST TELEGRAPHIC

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 271, 23 September 1879, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAPHIC

(PER PRESS AGENCY.) WELLINGTON. Monday. The Hon. Mr Macandrew inquired personally into the chaigea of bullying and obnoxious conduct on the part of the gangers on the Wellington-Foiton railway, and found the charges quite unfounded. The only real grievance the men complain of is the shortness of the MHarris, a Pahautanui settler, having got his horse ready to go into town, hung his lantern up in the stable. An accidental whisk of the horse's tail knocked the lamp down in some hay, and in a few minutes the stable was in flames. The horse was severely burned and is likely to be unserviceable ever after. A deputation of the Working Men's Rights League waited on the Premier and the Minister of Land (his morning, to urge upon the Government the desirableness of providing working wen with means of settlement on country lands. It was explained that next session the Government would introduce a Bill which would reduce the price of land on deferred payments to

303, leaving to the Land Boards power to i raise the price in the case of very choice lands, The Government also contemplated surveying lands in the vicinity of public work and sell them under Orders-in-Council, fixing the terms of payment! It was also proposed that the size of the sections should vary from a quarter to forty acres, the greater number being ten acres, to meet the case of men employed on public works, who could spend half their time in improving their land. One of the deputation urged the advisability of giving settlers assistance in the shape of a plough, timber for dwellings, and a cow ; but the Premier pointed out that this would be impracticable in any icheme to be adopted at once, A bill is to be introduced immediately Parliament meots, and it is hoped to be brought into force next summer. The Union Company's new steimer, Rotomohana, arrived at Melbourne to-day. She was not due until Thursday next. Competitive designs for the new Post and Telegraph Offices at Wellington will be received until the 31st October. The conditions and plans of site will b# exhibited at Auckland, Ohristchurch, and Dunedin. The ship Matilda, with the Hyderabad railway plant on board, is in a dangerous position in Fitzroy Bay, outside the heads. She has been dragging all day, and this afternoon was within half a mile from the shore, The Samson made an ineffectual attempt to tow her out. If not towed out to-night it is expected she will go ashore. Insured for £27,000. NEW PLYMOUTH. Monday. Edward Evans, a respectable settler residing in the bush, went home intoxicated on Saturday night and fired three barrels of a revolver at his wife and family, but did them no injury. He was brought before the KM. this morning, and remanded till to-morrow. DUNEDIN. Monday. In connection with the fire at Deans' stables at the Two Rivers' Hotel, Waikeno, it has been reported to the police that the servant girl, on leaving the hotel, was seized by a man in disguise and gagged and bound, Her clothes were set on 1 fire, The man returned, extinguished . the fire, and then ran away. Her impression is he mistook her for someone | elS6 ' AUCKLAND. i Saturday.

John James Paxton was charged at the Police Court to-day with passing valueless cheques. It appeared that the prisoner had a balance of two shillings to his credit at the bank. The Bench dismissed the case on the ground that the prisoner might not be aware o f the state of his account.

A fire occurred last night at Spsom in a house the property of John-Stewart, occupied by Mr Govern, The alarm was caused by the barking of a dog. Mr Govern, on awaking, found his bedroom in flumes and the bedclothes of the children in the adjoining apartment on fire. He had barely time to remove them to a place of safety when the cottage was completely destroyed. A part of the furniture was saved much damaged. The building was insured for £IOO, and the furniture for £l5O. ASHBUBTON. Monday, James Cairns, farmer, was killed near Ashburton on Saturday through falling from a dray, the wheel passing over his head and chest. Robertson, a panorama lecturer, who was discharged for passing valueless cheques, was arrested for a similar offence at Ohristchurch on Saturday. GREYMOUTH. Monday. A fire this morning broke out in an empty house in Albert-street. It extended to the two adjoining houses, one of which was also unoccupied, and the other occupied by Reyling, tailor. Cause of fire unknown. The lie-uses belonged to McDavitt, and were insured in Victoria for £2OO, and Reyling for £SO in the Union Company.