NEW ZEALAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6533, 3 February 1882, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND.

IPbb Fsxss Asbooiamoh.J AUCKLAND, Fun. 2. The Premier and Attorney-General reooiveda number of deputations to-day. The Directors of the Botorua Bailway company waited on them with the objeot of induoing the Government to prevent the Waste Lands Board dealing with land adjaoent to the. proposed line whioh may be re* I quired by the company under the provisions of the District BailwaysAct. The Premier promised temporarily to stay the action of the Board, and to consult with the Minister of Lands. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce urged the completion of the railway reclamation and the speedy construction of the Cambridge-Botorua road. Mr Hall said the Government could not do more in the matter of the reclamation than they were doing at present, but in three months the ground would be ready for the erection of a station. He said that Government had to act cautiously re the Botorua road, in order to avoid complications with the Natives. The deputation also urged on the Premier the advisability of at once proceeding with the Auckland-Taranaki railway. Mr Hall replied that the Government were impressed with the importance of the work, and the neoessity of proceeding with it, even though a fresh loan had to be contracted. Sir George Grey has arrived fromKawau. Me the Otago runs it is variously stated that he will interview the Premier, consult the Auokland members, and call a public meeting on the subject. ■ - The Premier visits the northern districts, aooompanied by Mr Hobbs, M.H.B. for the Bay of Islands. The body of Olsen, of the Taiaroa was found near the wharf.

All attempts at a settlement of the Union Sash and Door Company dispute have failed, and the men have left. The manager refuses to pay more than day rates for an extra hour's labour.

The Sybil took a quantity of Bay coal to Tahiti for the French Government.

WANGANUI, Fbb. 2.

At the funeral of Volunteer Watts, shot at the butts, all the Volunteer Corps turned out, and about 1000 people were present. Most of the shops were dosed.

WELLINGTON, Fbb. 2.

News is to hand of a man named Finn being burned to death at Mr John Ferry's station, Upper Taneru, while burning scrub. The body was found this morning in a gully, the scrub being burned all round him. He was last seen alive about 2 o'clook yesterday afternoon. DUNEDIN, Fbb. 2. Mr A. 0. Strode's house at Waikouaiti, which was insured in the National Company for £IOOO, was burned down yesterday. Mr Strode went home the day before, and had sold the place to Constable Townend, but the transfer policy was not yet effected. The goods in the house, whioh were sold, but not removed, were uninsured. Robert Finlay, of the late firm of Lambeth and Finlay, builders, attempted suicide by hanging, fie had a three-inch rope round his neck, Bpeoially bought for the purpose, and had mode his will, and completed all preparations. His wife found him, and his attempt was frustrated. He has. been drinking heavily for the last two yean. Hawksbury House, at Waikouaiti, was burned down on Tuesday night under suspicious circumstances. It was the property of Mr A. 0. Strode, who, when he left, sold it to Constable Townsend, stationed at Waikouaiti. The conveyance, however, was not concluded. As nobody was living on the premises, it is thought to be a case of arson, out of revenge on the constable. There was furniture in the place, whioh had been sold to various buyers by Mr Strode, but none of it was insured. The premises were insured in the National Office for £IOOO. QUEENSTOWN, Feb. 2. The inquest re the fire at Waldemann's was resumed to-day, and further adjourned. The only fresh evidence of any value tendered was that the accused seourely fastened his private house on the terrace and cenveyed to it a basket containing tar; that he visited it several times with full baskets and came home with them empty. It is supposed that an accomplice will yet give evidence.