TELEGRAPHIC.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1330, 17 March 1883, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION] _______ Cambridge, March IG. Tawhiao's recognised secretary has addressod a letter to To Whiti, but it is intended as a ciiculur fur the natives generally. It announces the king's intention to hold a meeting of all the tubes at Whatiwhatihoe during April, to discuss matters of genor.il mterest to the nativo race. The letter itself will ahortly be published in Auckland,

MISTAKEN VESSEL. SERIOUS GAS EXPLOSION AT PETER LAIN&S. • • (PRESS ASSOCIATION,) Wellington, this day. H.M.S. Diamond has arrived. The steamer seen by the Hinemoa, and taken to he the British King, must have been the Wairarapa, which has since come in, and reports that the only other steamer. in sight is the Beautiful Star. . ; ; ; A serious explosion of gas took place in the refreshment room of Peter Laing's confectionery establishment, Lambton-quay, It appears that last night the chandelier had been pulled so.far down as to cause aleak.' On Mr Laing and the cook, named David Smith, entering the room this morning at six, the air was strongly impregnated with gas, and Smith struck a match to see where the leak was, He proved a victim of misplaced confidence, for a terrible explosion followed, Smith being blown into the next room through tho open doorway, and being seriously burned about the head, face, shoulders, and arms, but not dangerously. The outer door was blown open, and the skylight and windows blown clean out. Several pictures, <fcc, were smashed. Mr Laing was blown through another doorway right on to the counter of the shop, and was burned about the face and hands. He had, however, the presence of mind to take off his coat and beat out the flames which had seized on the inflammable' contents of the room, The two doors being opon greatly lessened the force of the explosion or the consequences would have been very serious.

The steamer Kawatiro went to the assistance of the barquo Conference at '6.30 this morning and three hours later theNlditer floated, and is coming up the harbouV%Mer ; tow. It is thought that she has llceived but little injury. After discharging her cargo she will be placed on the slip. ' A man named Peter Johnston, who was thrown from his horse on Thursday, died in the Hospital last night, His Excellency the Governor returned from his southern tour this morning. 1 The British King, the first of the N.Z, Shipping Company's direct line, is expected to arrive here from London 1 ' to-morrow. Six cases are set down for hearing at the Aprit sitting of the Supreme Court.:; They !nre not of a serious, nature.. ,