TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4241, 23 October 1874, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[Press Telegraph Agency.] ; Auckland, Thursday. A fire this morning, at four o’clock, burned • down a block of buildings at the junction of Wakefield Street with Queen and Rutland Streets. It broke out in Kemsley’s earthenware shop. Three small dwelling-houses in Rutland Street rapidly caught, the inmates barely escaping in their night-dresses. The Charlemont Hotel, a brick building in Wakefield Street, next caught, and rapidly succumbed. There was a great scarcity of water, which rendered the efforts of the Fire Brigade unavailing. A two-storey building, occupied by Woodward, baker, and a dressmaker, was destroyed. The adjoining building, Sandall’s butcher’s shop, was of wood ; hut by this time a copious supply of water was procured, and although the fire had obtained a strong hold on the building, it was extinguished through the efforts of the Brigade. The insurances, so far as ascertained, are :—Kemsley’s stock and furniture, £OSO, Victoria Company ; Charlemont Hotel, £6OO, Norwich Union ; .Saudall’s, £250, National. A good deal of property was carried out. The fire originated in a shed at the rear of Kemsley’s premises. He was burned out a year ago at Riverhead. • 7 p.m. , The following are the correct amounts of the insurances :—New Zealand, £750 ; Victoria, £650 : Imperial, £SOO ; National, £250 ; Standard, £SOO ; Norwich Union (actual loss), £l5O. The loss of the National is only partial. The first premium to that office was paid only yesterday. The first premium to the Standard office was paid only last week. Napier, Thursday. The ship Helen Denny has arrived, after a fine passage of eighty-six days from Glasgow, with 258 immigrants. All well.A boy named Langhamhas been sent by tbe Resident. Magistrate to the Roman Catholic Industrial School (there being no regular reformatory here) for four years, for placing a piece of wood on the line of railway, and other offences. Reefton, Thursday. The result of the monthly cleaning-up of the Fiery Cross Company is 13160z5. ludwts. of amalgam, from 271 tons of quartz. It is understood that the Provincial Government are likely to appoint an Inspector of Minos. Dunedin, Thursday. The American wool buyers, now in Melbourne, will visit this market. The Times, referring to Sir George Grey’s petition, says :—“ This sudden burst upon the arena of New Zealand politics, to which Grey’s faltering affection for his bantling constitution has incited him, seems from beginning to end an ill-considered proceeding, and about the last his career as Governor would have led us to expect.” Very little interest was taken in Mr. Wales’ meeting. He astonished his hearers by declaring himself prepared to support the abolition of the provinces altogether. Mr, Wales met his constituency at the Temperance Hall last night. He said nothing but a very strong appeal to the Home country would biiug about any alteration in the Upper House, which, though obstructive, was useful. Unless population flowed in, and were industriously and profitably occupied, the result of

tlie public works and immigration scheme would be moat serious. He was in favor of nominated immigrants, and, if not nominated, they ought to pay at least a third of their passage money before starting. He next referred to the. Licensing and Forest Bills, and said he was in favor of the latter, because unless something of the kind were not done, the country would in time be without timber. The representation was at present very unfair, and Dunedin should petition for two extra members. He then explained why he was not present at the division on the abolition ques-' tion. Several members having to speak, it was thought the debate would not conclude for some time, but the division was brought on immediately after the dinner hour, and in his (Mr. Wales’) absence. He afterwards took the opportunity of telling the House how he should have voted. If the. whole of the provinces were abolished, the saving would he proportionately greater. They had paid too dear for their laud to part with it easily, and he should oppose any proposal to take it from them. (Applause.) He was in favor of sloping free immigration. At the conclusion he received a vote of thanks for his address. The meeting was very poorly attended. Mr. Wales spoke over two hours, but was quietly received. Pout Chalmers, Thursday. The French war-ship Vire returned this morning from Campbell Island, having left the observation party there. She leaves in a day or two for Wellington, and returns via Lyttelton and Akaroa.