Floods in Auckland.

Marlborough Express, Volume XIV, Issue 1135, 21 May 1879, Page 6

Floods in Auckland.

Auckland, May 17. The schooner Madonna, from Fiji, brings Levuka papers to May 2nd. H.M.S. Wolverine and Cormorant had arrived from Wellington. The schooner Undine is missing, supposed to be wrecked between Ano and Levuka. Two vessels were sent in search of her. The schooner Stanley, returned from a labour cruise, and reports losing one of her boats with four men, during a gale. The captain says possibly the boat may have reached the shore. The captain also reports that the Fijian Government Agent with the mate and boat’s crew of the Mystery, had been murdered at Aoba, Schooner Group, Mr Smith, another Government agent, was also fired at by the natives of Erononga, but escaped. H.M.S. Cormorant sailed for Torres Straits to receive Sir Arthur Gordon from the mail steamer, when he will visit New Guinea, New Britain, and other islands, and then return to Fiji in July, May 18. A fire broke out this morning in a shop of Mr Beasley, Princes-street. The brigade was promptly on the ground. Lictle damage. done.

May 19. Gale abated last night. Heavy downpour of rain since. The Tararua got away last night. The station house and refreshment room at Mercer on the Waikato railway was destroyed by fire this morning. It is rumoured that Captain Colbeck of Auckland will be called. May 20. It is anticipated that the loss of Government property from the fire at Mercer is LIO.OCO. There are great floods up the country. Telegrams from Drury states that at Hunua huge logs are tossed up into paddocks, wire fencing covered with grass and rushes washed up against them, and the bridges have collapsed on the Great South Road. These were repaired the other day by the County Council. Slippery Greek bridge is washed entirely out of the district. The Belle Brandon, from the Marshall Group, reports continued fighting at the Majura. Several native men and women were killed. The Premier leaves to-morrow for Wellington. Mr Sheehan will probably accompany him. Grahamstown, May 17. The exorbitant demands of the landholders for property where the proposed railway will pass through, will stop any further work at present. Instructions from the Public Works Department have been received, stating it will not be further proceeded with until the whole of the land necessary has been acquired. Kihiki, May 19. The boundaries of confiscated land asked for by Rewi commences at Whangaroa on the West Coast line to White Cliffs, and from Whangaroa to West Bank of Waipa, thence to Maungatantai and on to Taupo, including lands unsold at the back of Taranaki, and across to White Cliffs. All this land is to be put through the Court for leases, but prohibited from sale ; the natiues to have the management of their own lands, and make what roads they please. At a meeting held about one Mr Sheehan, Manga, and other chiefs were present, and they have arranged with Mr Sheehan to commence the survey of the Mokau lands at once. Kihikiht, May 20. The southern boundary of the territory mentioned in Rewi’s proposals, or from Taupo to Pukehau is undefined, and many of the places laid down in the proposals are unknown to Government and Europeans. In fact the whole of the boundaries are only tentatively (?) given. In the northern portion of the reserve the king is reported to have some interest. The boundaries of this block will have to be surveyed. It will be noticed that by the action of Government the oringinal proposals laid down at Hikurangi to make Tawhiao a kind of independent prince in this territory, is now abandoned. The consent of Apipa, Wetere, Tiamui, Heremea, and others to Rewi’s proposals, enables the Mokau river and its coalfields to be connected with the Te Waitara line of railway at once, as the owners are anxious for the working of the Mokau coal. It will enable owners to run a line of rails up the Mokau river for some distance, and the probability of the objecting landholders preventing continuation then to Aramutu or elsewhere wTI be considerably lessened. Apipa and Wetere are firmly determined to open the Mokau. The Native Minister, Rewi, and others, go to the Cambridge Lands Court this day with a number of natives. Nelson, May 19. A little fishing smack arrived here after being knocked about at sea for a long time. She left Jackson’s Bay three weeks ago for Hokitika, but could not cross the bar, they then attempted Westport, but again failed, and had to put to sea, where she was buffetted about until the crew, finding themselves near Cape Farewell, determined to make for Nelson, where they arrived all well, having subsisted almost entirely on mussels, of which there was a good supply on board. Christchurch, May 17. The following are the acceptances and general entries received to-night for the Grand National Steeplechase : Maiden Plate of LIOO. —Harkaway, Noumai, Silverstreara, Loch Lomond, Moonlight, and Black Prince, Grand National Steeplechase of L 200. Eversley, Agent, Muir’s Lone Hand, Loyalty, Silverstream, Royalty, Grey Mourns, The Lad, Te Whetu, Moose, Ivanhoe, and Fakir. Hunt Club Cup of L 150. Eversley, Agent, Muir’s Lone Hand, Loch Lomond, The Lad, Ivanhoe, Alma, and Te Whetu. Neilson’s Lone Hand did not accept. May 18. An inquest was held yesterday afternoon on the body of John Goodwin, which was taken out of the Avon on Thursday. Mary Ann Rae said she was a daughter of the deceased, and she last saw him alive on Wednesday at his own house in Harewood-road. The jury gave a verdict of “ found drowned,” and added a rider “that some protection was needed at that portion of the river bank to prevent similar casualties for the future.” Mr J. J. Lee, of Leeston, runholder and merchant, attempted to commit suicide by shooting himself with a breechloading gun, in his private office, about noon on Saturday. The charge glanced off his cheek-bone, and hopes are entertained of his recovery. The reason is stated to be temporary monetary embarrassment. May 20At a meeting of the unemployed resolutions were read to be forwarded to Government asking that certain authorised Public Works be proceeded with, ♦ Prom (Wellington Post) / London. 14th May. 9015 bales, of wool were offered at to-day’s sale. PricesVre well sustained. 15th May. 8393 bales Were catalogued at to-day’s wool sales. Price still continue firm without amterial’alteratioh. j ' IGth May. Advices have been received from Natal, via telegraph .from Madeira, to the 29th ult. The determined/manner in which Lord Chelmsford marched, to the relief of Ekoyre and succesaiuUy

raised the seige, and the brilliant victory of Colonel Wood at Kumbula, appear to have had a great moral effect upon the Zulus, who are now reported to be very quiet. The British adavnce which was arranged to commence about 7th May, has been further postponed, pending the arrival of reinforcements and the completion of the necessary arrangements to make an effective and crushing attack. The war being waged conjointly by the Republics of Peru and Bolivia against Chili, is being hotly carried on. The first pitched naval battle between Chili and Peru has just taken place, and after a determined contest the Chilians were victorious. Some further piratical outrages are reported from the China Sea Steps are being taking by the officer in command of the China squadron to capture the offending vessels.