TELEGRAPHIC.

Evening Star, Issue 4676, 25 February 1878, Page 4

TELEGRAPHIC.

[Per Press Agency.]

The Minister of Lands.

Hukitika, February 23.—The Hinemoa haa sailed for Jackson's Bay with the Hon. J Macandrew, MrCiisborue, Captain and Mrs G.sborno. Parliament out of Session. Hokitika. February 23. —Mr Gisborne addressed a large u.eeting of his constituents at Ross on Friday evening—the Mayor in the chair—and received a uuaniraous vote of confidence. Bush Fires at Invercargill. Ixvekcakgill, February 24.—A heavy warm north jiale was blowing all day. The Waikivi Bush, at the back of Messrs Russell, Meats, and Gardiner's house?, took fire and burned furiously, threatening the destruction of the houses. The fire bell rang at midday, and the brigade turned out and proceeded to the scene, and also hundreds of people. A severe struggle ensued to keep the tire back, and was so far successful; albeit Mr Russell, who has just driven in for refreshments for the workers, says that the welis have all been pumped dry, and nothing can be done but beat the fire down as ic approaches the houses. A plantation of young trees, put in by Mr Mears, hai been quite ruined-

Death of an Old Colonist.

Gisborne, February 24.-Captain G. E. Read expired suddenly at his residence yesterday evening. Deceased was one of the earliest colonists. Except in the neighborhood of Poverty Bay and Auckland he was not much known until 1876, when he was returned to Parliament for the East toast, but was shortly unseated on petition by Captain Morris, the present member.