LATEST.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXVII, Issue 1373, 20 August 1895, Page 4

LATEST.

Mr G. F. Hoakings, Mining Engineer, for four years Manager of the Cromwell Mine, died at St. Clair yesterday. He arrived from Auckland very ill on 3rd, and congestion of the lungs following influenza he succumbed. The return from the Enterprise Dredge, Alexandra, was 31oz 9gr gold. The Sew Big Beach Co. obtained 7Xoz 16dwt 12grs. SEVERE SHOOKS OF EARTHQUAKE IN NORTH ISLAND. A severe shock of earthquake was felt 'at Palmerston North at 6.20 on Saturday. Wellington reports it as a alight shock there. Considerable damage by a series of earthquakes at Taupo on Saturday and and Sunday is reported. Mr Park, postmaster at Taupo telegraphed on Saturday night: “We are having a succession" of tremendous earthquakes, the heaviest I have ever felt. All ctiimneys here except mine and two others are down. Residents are camping out. Crockery, bottles, etc., thrown down and smashed;” The earthquakes lasted till midday Sunday and there were severe shocks again in the evening. A telegram from Rotorua states that nothing was felt there and that there* was no unusual activity about the springs, A telegram from Tarawera states that very sharp shocks were felt there but no dnmage was done. The postmaster at Taupo wired this afternoon: Earthquakes are still occurring but not so severe. There were two explosions on Saturday night like heavy artillery, 1 from an easterly direction. A great rumbling noise was heard last night probably caused by slips, they are very numerous. The southern and eastern banks of Lake Taupo are enveloped in dust, caused by slips and the wind blowing the dust about. We had a view of Tongariro and Ruapehu this morning but saw nothing unusual. The Tokaanu mailman, who has since returned to Taupo, reports slips everywhere. He heard a great explosion from Tongariro just before the first shock; ARROW TOWN. This Morning. , On Wednesday I4th li ibst., Mr Charles Low, farmer at Arrow Flat, had a stack of oaten sheaves, about 20 tons, wilfully set fire to, it is supposed, by his grandson, William Baker, Constable Bowman made a close investigation after the tire, and found that the footprints near the stack corresponded with those of Baker’s. On being questioned about the fire by the constable, Baker frankly admitted that he had fired the stack. He was arrested accordingly, and brought before the J.P’a., who remanded him until to-day, bail being fixed at £4OO. It may be worthy of note that Baker is almost totally blind and has been considered silly since boyhood. Much sympathy is felt for his parents, who are highly respected here. Hugh Hunter was working with double ended pick in Tipperary Mine, Macetown, the pick rebounded and struck him in the eye and injured the sight. Dr Dutton has hopes of the sight being restored. The weather is mild and a thaw has set in.