TELEGRAPHIC.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7142, 21 April 1885, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

[from our own correspondent.! Taupo, Monday. The Hon. Robert Sfcout, Premier, and Messrs Rochfort and Blair arrived here yesterday evening at half-paßt 9 o'clock from Ohinemutu.and stayed at Gallagher's hotel for the night. The whole party left this morning for Tokano, from whence they will proceed to Wanganui by the Wanganui river. (from our own correspondent.) Wairoa, Monday. The s.a. Wairoa has been unable to leave the river on account of a souther. It is believed that she will get out all right to-morrow morning, and be back again in time for Court day next Thursday, when several important cases will come on, in which legal assistance has been engaged from Napier.

(from a correspondent.) Christchcjrch, Monday. Nearly 3000 children crowded to hear Mr Booth yesterday afternoon. About as many adults crammed the hall in the evening, and hundreds were turned away. It is probable that Mr Booth would visit Napier if the temperance people there showed energy in the matter. [PEB DHITBD PRBBS ASSOCIATION.! Auckland, Monday. The Lizzie, from Norfolk Islaud, reports that a terrific storm visited the island on the 16th of March, destroying crops, blowing down trees, lifting roofs off houses, and doing other damage. At the inquest to-day on the body of M'Kelvie a verdict of felo dc ac was returned. A fire occurred last night in Mr J. W. Carr's buildings, Wakefield-street. The tenants, Messrs Kirk and Dodaworth, are insured for £100 and £40 respectively in the Colonial. Mr Carr is insured for £200 in the Standard. The origin of the fire wav the accidental upsetting of a kerosene lamp in Mr Dodsworth's bedroom. The building was gntted. About 5000 persons weie carried yesterday by the ferry steamers to inspect the North Head defences.

Major Cautley inspected to-day the fortifications at North Head, and was highly pleased at the energetic manner in which Messrs Bell and Vickermau have carried out the duties confided to them. Major Oautley, in company with Messrs Smythe and Captain Douglas will inspeot all the approaches to the Auckland harbor, with the view of deciding upon plans for submarine mines. According to the present programme, Major Cautley and his coadjutors will spend three days in Auckland, and then leave ' by the Hinemoa for the Bay of Islands, his Excellency having expressed a desire that a report should be furnished to him concerning the advisability of placing a hne of mines across the entrance to the Bay of Islands harbor. Great Burner wland and Whangarei harbor will also bo visited, Major Cautley being desirous of reporting on the chanoes of these unprotected harhors being used by hoatile cruisers. _„ , . , „ . Telegrams from the Waikato state that considerable astonishment is felt there at the Government insisting in putting new clauses ia the Punia railway contract,

providing thab the work shall be stopped, a if there is war with Russia. The con-?: tractor for the Turongo section^ isaai? '■"-_ Coates, expressed his willingness to accept such clause^, provided the Government would eojafensate him for the plant, and - materiajjppuse at the time of stoppage and rj|i«for the> work done. ThiS^he . Public Wp'rks Department would noj. agree to, and a remonstrance was forwarded to Wellington, and a final reply, it was stated, would be made on Tuesday, The New Zealand Herald says :— " We understand from the Minister for Public Works that the clause which has been inserted in the Turongo contract is to the effect that in the event of the loan not being raised tho Government shall have power to stop the work without being liable to any excessive claim for compensation, or for the loss of the contract. . There is nothing about declaration of war in the contract, but of course that event may form an element in not being able to raise the loan."

Gis borne, Monday. A man named Dan Jones was drowned at Ormond yesterday. He tried to swim when drunk. Wellington, Monday.

The following tendeM have been received for the Porewa contract on the North Island trunk railway -.—Accepted: J. A. Johnston, Wanganni, £27,300. Declined : T. Denby, Wanganui, £30,094 ; Alexander and Macfarlane, Wanganui, £31,821 ; J. Saunders, Wellington, £33,638; W. G. Bassett, Wanganui, £33,975 ; Taylor and Britton, Wellington, £40,710 ; M. Dannaher, Wellington, £45,999.

The Minister for Public Workg returns to Wellington by the Coptic on Thursday. It is believed that Mr Squire Barlow, who was assisting in suppressing the fire at Te Aro House on Saturday night, has lost his life in the building. Mr Barlow was seen to enter the building to rescue one of the assistants, but since then he has not been seen or heard of. He was a partner with his brother in the greengrocery line, and was to have returned to work on Saturday night. The whole of the debris in the building have not been removed, and it is not certain whether Mr Barlow's remains may not yet :To§~ found. He was a married man, and leaves four children.

The stock in Te Aro House is estimated at fully £35,000, while the insurance, thereon is only £14,500, so that Mr Smith suffers very great loss. The building was worth £7000, but was onlyii^ sured for £4500. The following ar&^jl correct insurances as far as at present San be ascertained :— South British office, £1125 ; Colonial, £1000 ; National, £500 ; New Zealand, £1500 ; Liverpool, London, and Globe, £1000; Northern, £1500; United, £250; Union, £500; North British, £500 ; Hanseatic, £125 ; Victoria, £500; Fire Insurance Association, £500 ; Norwich Union, £500 ; Australian Mercantile, £750 ; Hamburgh-Magde-burgh, £500; Guardian, £1500; Equitable, £750; London office (name unknown), £1000 ; total, £14,500. The Defence Minister arrived here yesterday. His return was rendered necessary owing to business in connection with the Defence Office accumulating and requiring the attention of the Minister in Wellington. The local option poll in the Te Aro ward to-day was against an increase ia licenses.

Blenheim, Monday. The Blenheim carpenters have decided to give three months' notice to the employers that the working hours be reduced from 48 to 46 per week ; they also have decided to form a branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners. CHiusTCHiracH, Monday.

The brigantine Omaha, which arrived from the Chatham Islands yesterday evening, brought as passengers Captain A. Classen and nine seamen of the Ham-burg-owned barque Pladen, which was wrecked on Wangaroa Island. The Pladen sailed from Levuka on January 29th, bound for Falmouth for orders, with a cargo of copra. The vessel sprang a leak in a gale in the middle of Februa&r Finding it impossible to keep down tue water in the hold the captain made for the Chatham s, intending to beach the vessel. He was foiled in his endeavor by a sunken rock near Mataraki Point ; the barque struck, and became a total wreck. The wreck realised £40 at auction. An enquiry was beld and the captain and officers were exonerated from all blame. They were seven weeks on the island before an opportunity occurred for getting away. Captain Clasßen expresses his obligation to Mr Eitchie for his valuable assistance ia saving the crew ; also to Mr Hood and Capt. Meikleban (of the Omaha). Oapt. Classen came through to Christchurch this morning to consult with the German Consul. The orew are in the Lytfelton Sailors' Home. "•»

DtrN&DiN, Monday. James Russell, a laborer, was found dead in Findlay's timber yard yesterday. He had been drinking heavily of late. A creditor's petition to adjudicate David Proudfoot, the well-known contractor, a bankrupt, came before the Registrar to-day, and adjudication was granted. Mr Proudfoot is at present on his way back from New South Wales, He has large contracts on hand.