TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4153, 13 July 1874, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[Pbesb Tei.eoe.iph Agency.] Auckland, Saturday. An 'inquiry into the fire at G. W. Owen's store showed that the fire commenced in casks of matches. An open verdict was returned. Owen estimates his loss in excess of insurance at £OOO. The barque Hokulole, which has arrived from Puget Sound with a cargo of 195,227 feet of lumber, and 39,600 laths, came to this port for sale. The body of Robert Brown, fireman of the sterner St. Kilda, was found floating alongsido the Onehunga wharf. It is Burmised that ho fell over accidentally. Charles Dyer has been brought down from Pukiri, charged with the murder, through

jealousy, of Eliza Battersea, a woman he was living with.' They wero constantly quarrelling. It is°alleged that last Wednesday he beat her in a brutal manner, then poured kerosene on her clothes, and set fire to them. He then wrapped a sack round her, carried her to the river, and threw her in. A man named Watson, seeing her there, lifted her out, with Dyer's assistance. All her hair was burned off her head, her clothes burnt to the waist, and t\ie whole upper part of her body half roasted. She lingered two days in agony and died. Dyer alleges that she spilt kerosene over herself, which accidentally ignited. The inquiry ' has been adjourned for a week. It is stated that the prisoner will call evidence to show that he was not in the hut when the woman's dress caught fire.

Blackall, chief officer of the barque Pet, died from fracture of the skull, caused by an accident aboard. Gkatiamstown, Saturday. The gold lodged in the Bank of New Zealand during the week amounted to 45750z5. 13dwts. About 800ozs. are expected to-night, and lOOozsi from the Bright Smile on Monday. A parcel is also expected from the Bird-in-Hand • claim. The Bank of New Zealand shipped during the week 76380z5. New Plymouth, Saturday. Shore, who has been to Mokau, says Te Wetere gives him permission to "bring a boat into the river.