LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1766, 2 April 1874, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

| ANGLO- AUSTRALIAN PRESS TELEGRAPH AGENCY.]

ARRIVAL OF THE MONGOL WITHOUT THE MAILS.

FIRE AT NELSON,

THE FIJIAN QUESTION,

FIJI NEWS,

Auckland, April 1. The R.M.S.S. Mongol made the outward passage to Kandavu fr<sm Auckland in 3 daya 22 hours. The Tartar arrived from Sydney on the 22nd, and sailed with passengers and mails for San Francisco the same night. On the 26th, the City of Melbourne not arriving from San Francisco, the captain of the Mongol left again for Auckland in order to be in time to take the next outward mail. Thp Star of the South will probably bring on the New Zealand mails on the arrival of the City of Melbourne at Kandavu. The Mongol sailed on the 27th, at 6 p.m. arrived at 7-30 to-day. The MacgrV.gor is much more damaged than wa3 reported by the Marion ReDny^ \ number of her plates are completely riddled, and her keel carried away from the foot of the foremast to the stern, and it ia intended on the return of the Mongol

to lighten her as much as possible, and build a cofferdam over the injured parts ; after which the Mongol takes her to Sydney. Nelson, April 1. There was a destructive fire this morning in Bridge street. It broke out in Phillips' soap works, and destroyed Thornton's, saddler's shop on one side, and Wymond's, draper's shop on the other, and the billiard-room and stables belonging to the Trafalgar Hotel. Wymond's stock was insured for L4IOO, and the building LI4OO ; Phillips' store and house, L9OO ; Thornton, uninsured. Wymond's loss is far in excess of insnrance. Total insurance : South British, LI 400 ; Norwich Union, LSOO ; National, LIOOO ; Victoria, L 180 0; New Zealand, LIOOO ; London and Liverpool, 11500. Before the alarm was given the 'flames secured the mastery. Wellington, April 1. The Independent says that the cause of delay in the publication of the Hand-book of the Colony ia owing to two of the principal Provinces not having had their portions ready. The Independent believes that it is the intention of the Government to send the Hand-book home for publication, and distribute! it there in large numbers. The portions now watited of the book are promised in another week. Wellington, April 1. A special • issue of the Fiji Gazette, dated 20th March, has the following : — At an interview between the King and the British Commissioners, this morning, the King stated he and the chiefs were willing to cede the island to Great Britain. Thurston, St. Julian, with the leading chiefs will confer with the Commissioners and foreign Consuls respecting the formation of an interim Government, pending a reply from England. The Commodore desires it should be known that he and her Majesty's Consul investigated the financial position of Fiji, and that it appears the expenditure of Government during the two years ending December, 1873, was L 124.000, whilst the revenue was only L 42,000. Further, that there is nothing to show for the expenditure but public offices, which cost about LI2OO, and a few hundred rifles. The interest on the debt of Fiji is stated to be L 424 per month, and the Commodore it appears states that there is no prospect of paying the amount. The Commodore is anxious it should be known that the Fijian chiefs formally requested her Majesty to undertake the Government of Fiji, and, pending the Queen's consideration of the request, the Commodore is consulting with the foreign Consuls respecting a provisional Government. , A terrible canoe accident occurred at most being devoured by sharks while attempting to reach the shore. A memorial, signed by two hundred white residents, has been presented to Consul Layard, requesting him to take on himself magisterial functions and administer the legal affairs of the white population. He promised to return an answer shortly.