LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 659, 25 March 1879, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[from our special correspondent.]

HOKITIKA.

March 24. The Hon. W. Gisborne arrived by the Ohristchurch coach on Saturday evening. He will address his Totara constituents at Ross early next week.

DUNEDIN.

March 24. A long inquiry has been held on the fire at Tapanui before the District Coroner. The Insurance Companies were represented by a Dunedin solicitor. A verdict that the premises were_wilfully set fiie to by some person or persons unknown was returned.

INVERCARGILL.

March 24. A rape is reported by an able-bodied man on a little child 11 years of age, an orphan. Some persons hearing the shrieks of the child caught the ruffian, and after using him very roughly brought him into town as a prisoner.

CHRISTCHURCH.

March 24. At the gift auction on Saturday m aid of the building fund of the German churches, and to pay of bells, a considerable sum was realised. Mr. Vallance has sold Mufti to a Wanganui man.

AUCKLAND.

March 24. Captain M'Gregor, who went m the Argyle to search for the Glenelg, has sent the following telegram to the Star : — "The Glenelg was towed into Mongonui all well ; short of provisions and fuel ; will arrive at Auckland on Monday." The Wanaka reports passing a large barque, supposed to be the Queensland, 35 days out from Newcastle, off the Bay of Islands on Saturday. On Friday afternoon the ceremony of turning the first sod at the Kamo-Whan-garei Railway was performed m Mr. Frazer's paddock by the Premier. There was a large attendance of the settlers, who Beemed much interested m the commencement of railway works m that district. A banquet was held m the evening, at which the Premier and the principal settlers m the district were present. Much interest was manifested m the proceedings. It is expected that £700 will be collected m Auckland towards the Kaitangata Relief Fund, and £300 m the country districts. The lists close next Saturday. Sir George Arney, the late Chief Justice, has sent to the New Zealand Government a report of the Stockholm Prison Congress. H. T. Clarke, late Native Undersecretary, intends to settle m the Bay of Islands. In addition to the nominations sent, Merlin is entered for the Easter Handicap, and Memento for Easter Handicap and Autumn Handicap. Dr. Skae is expected here shortly as Resident Superintendent m the Asylum. The Albatross, from the Islands, brings news that the Friendly Islands were visited on Thursday, 6th instant, by a terrific hurricane, which did very serious damage. The Roman Catholic Church, valued at £3000, was razed to the ground, as was also the British Consulate, Government store, Baker's store, Goddefroi's copra store, and two out of every three native houses. The native schooner Nakau was totally wrecked, and three natives diowned. The result will be very great destitution m the Group, as the cocoanut trees are all stripped. During the height of the gale, the glass registered as low as 27.90. The estimated loss m Tonga through the destruction cf houses is £7000. The The Roman Catholic Church was only recently built, and was a very large and beautifully finished building.

The Roman Catholic school is nearly completed, and will hold 800 scholars A select school will be attached. At the inquiry into the wreck of the steamer Geelong at Whahgape, the captain's certificate was returned. At the funeral of the late Sergeant Major Fraser at Te Awamutu, Colonel Lyons and Major Jackson attended but no military ceremony was observed. The Rev, Mr. Brady was absent, and lay readers were used to read the burial service. Colonel Lyons read the Church of England burial service. Councillor Buchanan's son on Saturday jumped off the wharf and saved another boy from drowning. At 5 minutes to 6 o'clock this morning, a fire was discovered m a shed or store-house for marine goods, situated m rear of the residence of David Gouk, ship-builder, Nelson-street. A carter named William Inship observed flames bursting through the weather-boards of the building, and before assistance arrived the flames were m full possession, and all efforts were, therefore directed towards the localisation of the fire. The stables of George Wilson, m which 24 valuable draught horses were kept, were m danger, as well as several cottages, but by dint of great exertion the spread of the fire was prevented. The storehouse was burnt to the ground, but the damage was confined to it and its inflammable contents, viz, oakum, JJresin, pitch, and tar. The value is estimated at £500 or £600, and neither the contents were insured. Gouk has been at Tauranga for three weeks past, engaged m assisting to float the Taupo. The origin of the fire is not known, but it is supposed to be spontaneous combustiou. A lunatic named Edward Kelly, brought from Hina on Sunday, attempted to commit suicide by drowning, but was saved by a fellow-worker named Collins. McGregor's new steamer Glenelg, for the Tauranga trade, arrived this morning m company with the Argyle. The cause of the breakdown was that the coal ran out.

WELLINGTON.

March 24. It is understood that E. H. Beere has entered an action against Czerarwinka for £1000 damages. This case has arisen out of one brought by Czerarwinka against Beere for alleged embezzlement. The Times states that the Government has been successful m their endeavor to purchase native lands on the West Coast railway route. It appears that the natives, thinking the land is required, demand a longer price than they otherwise would. The Ministry have promised to give every assistance possible towards making the demonstration on the arrival of the new Governor a complete success. The cargo of the Hermione consists of 5595 bales of wool, 40 bales of .skins, 116 casks tallow, 120 cases paint, and a large lot a of sundries, which altogether comprise the largest cargo which left Wellington this season. It is stated that the captain of the Hermione has commenced legal proceedings respecting the two seamen he wishes to leave behind m the hospital, and which is opposed, on the ground that these men were employed for the benefit of the owners of the ship, and should not therefore, be made a burden on the colony. In the Wellington educational district there are over 8000 children of school age, but the average t daily attendance at the public schools is less than half. Notwithstanding, the number of new arrivals of immigrants, complaints are still being made regarding the" scarcity of servants. ■ " : Frequent complaints regarding the rabbit plague now come from Manawatu, a district hitherto free from them. Grace Nicholls, who was so badly injured by a trap accident m the Horokiwi Valley Borne weeks ago, is progressing very satisfactorily. The places where portions of the skull had to be removed are now completely skinned over, and pulsationß of the brain can be plainly seen. The schooner Cynthia, owned Steward an Co., sawmillers, Wellington, has been completely wrecked near Hokikia. It is understood that Governor Robinson will only make a very short stay at Wellington, and will proceed almost immediately after arrival to Auckland m a man-of-war, and from thence make the tour of the whole colony.

OPUNAKI.

March 24. The Native Minister had a conversation with Te Whiti on Saturday, and pressure was put on Te Whiti by his people to speak. Mr. Sheehan having addressed the meeting, demanded the surrender of Hiroki to be tried at the Supreme Court. Te Whiti constantly interrupted Mr. Sheehan while speaking, and m half an hour's harangue accused him of stealing the native's land, and said he would not talk to a thief. Te Whiti also said, if the Supreme Coutt would not come there to try Hiroki, he should not go to the Supreme Court, as he had claimed his (Te Whiti's) protection. All that could be got out of Te Whiti was a passionate tirade that he would not discuss anything.

BLENHEIM.

March 24. On Sunday morning at five o'clock a quantity of barrels and sacks of oats, which were piled up and covered with straw at Marlborough Town, were discovered to be on fire, and oly a part was saved by the owner, Mr. Rutson. The act is supposed to be one of incendiarism. There were no insurances, and 500 bushels were destroyed. On Thursday, at eight m the evening, as the ketch Unity, 43 tons, N. Thompson master, coming from Lyttelton, with a cargo of flour, for Wellington, was approaching Cape Campbell, a squall sprang up and blew a heavy gale. The vessel first touched the sandstone rock, and about five minutes later struck on the north reef. The boat was got out, and five hands m all got m, leaving nothing, and the vessel broke up m twenty minutes. They reached the Lighthouse after three hours' pulling, where the keeperlent them dry clothes, and showed them great kindness. They reached here on foot last night. The vessel was owned half by the master, and half by Captain Thomas, of Wellington.