NEW ZEALAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7561, 28 May 1885, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND.

[Phb Phuss Association.] NAPIER, Mat 27. f A fire broke out at 4.30 a.m. iu a store shed at the back of Morley's grocery and fruit shop, in Emerson street. The Brigade turned out with commendable alacrity, "but for several minutes after their arrival little better than a dribble of water could ■be obtained. Fortunately the shed contained nothing very inflammable, or else the adjoining premises must have been destroyed. When at last water was turned on, the fire was put out in a few minutes. The shed and the contents, cases of fruit, groceries, crockery, &c, were totally destroyed. The insurances on shop and premises did not cover the shed. i" A young man named Dixon rushed into the sea this morning apparently with a -view to commit suicide. The incident being observed, three men rescued him without much trouble. Dixon is a manied man; he has been in poor health for some time, and appeared to be suffering from melancholia. WELLINGTON, Mat 27. Amongst the Bills to be brought iu by ■Government next session is one dealing with the fisheries question. A private meeting of shareholders in the Colonial Insurance Company was held last evening, but the Press representatives' were not admitted. It is, however, understood that a long discussion took place relative to the management of the Company's business by the Board of Directors, and that in accordance with a resolution which was unanimously passed, steps will at once be taken to call an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, for the -purpose of discussing the question of management. About 20 shareholders were present. Two of the Volunteers who. fired their rifles in the train on Monday have been placed under arrest by order of the Adjutant, as tbey are non-commissioned oflicers. Colonel Roberts will be appointed Resident Magistrate over the district lying between the Waingongoro and Stoney JBivers. Thu 3 he will have cizil as well as military jurisdiction over all the disaffected portions of the West Coast. While Mr Ballance was on the West Coast recently, the Natives complained of the high percentage charged by the Public Trustee for collecting rents. The Native Minister has brought the matter before the Colonial Treasurer, who has agreed to a considerable reduction being made in these charges. Colonel Haultain will shortly proceed to Sydney on behalf of New Zealand, to congratulate the New South Wales Contingent on their retiorn from the Soudan. Among - J JSe measures to be introduced during next session by the Government are a Conservation of Forests Bill, and a Bill to Consolidate the Trustees Acts.

NELSON, May 27(Klonsiderable interest is being taken in BK Waimea election, and at the nominaRon to-day six candidates were proposed, ■he show of hands giving W.N. Franklyn j "W, Wastney, 14; J. Kerr, 12; C. JDencker, 12; W. White, 10; W. Piper, 4.

A poll was, demanded and will take place next Wednesday. GEEYMOTJTH, May 27. The Hospital Committee having received | no replies to the telegrams sent to Government, asking for funds to carry on the Institution till the end of the financial year (June 30) resigned in a body this evening. A meeting of subscribers to accept the resignations is called for Wednesday night. Grey district subscribes the largest amount of voluntary funds to the Hospital of any district in New Zealand. HOKITIKA, Mat 27. A meeting of the Gas Company took place this evening. There was a large attendance of shareholders. A dividend at the rate of 8s per share was declared, which, with 8s paid in November, makes 13.33 per cent for the year. TIMAEU, May 27. A four-roomed cottage, the property of G. F. Lovegrove, v was burnt at Makikihi yesterday ; insurance, JBloointhe National. Messrs C. S. Fraser and J; Granger were to-day elected Borough Auditors, unopposed. ' DUNEDIN, Mat 27: There are still 105 men engaged on the defence works at Dunedin and Port Chalmers. The magazines at Forbury and Lawyer's Heads are completed, and the earthwork parapet well advanced. At Taiaroa Head it is proposed to allow the lighthouse to remain for some months, and proceed with the erection of barracks to accommodate 30 men. A dray road and a landing are being formed. The railway works now in progress in Otago are estimated to cost .£200,000. At the annual meeting of the Forbury Park Land Company a dividend of At per cent and bonus of £2 los were declared, and -8483 carried forward. Robert Goodieon, who was connected some time ago with very peculiar transactions in horses, was charged with the larceny of three horses while acting as bailee. The case was remanded. A girl named Isabella Brown, fifteen years of age, died suddenly. She was seized with an epileptic fit and died in a few minutes. The Premier Company at Macetown obtained 372 ounces of retorted gold from 550 tons of stone. A portmanteau factory in King street, occupied by Benjamin Kitt, was burned down this morning. The contents were insured in the South British office for .£2OO. The building, owned by Jane Little, was insured in the Colonial for JBIOO.