AUCKLAND.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 806, 11 June 1879, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

Jun,e 9. News has been received of the death of Colonel A. Arney, brother of the late Chief Justice of New Zealand. He served a long time in New Zealand, and was present at Harokiri. A boy named Alfred Walker, son of Constable Walker, nine years of age, shot himself accidentally on Saturday at Mercer. His elder brother, about eleven years old, took down his father's revolver and was playing with it, not being aware that two chambers were loaded. His j'ounger brother wished to have it and tried to take it from the elder boy, and in doing so he touched the trigger, and the charge went off, the ball entering the abdomen. He was taken to the hospital- on Saturday night and remains in a critical condition. * Yesterday an inquest was hold at the hospital on the body of Thomas Reece, who was killed at the fire at the Maiiakau Hotel, Oneluuiga, on, Saturday morning. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death. A fire broke out late on Satnrday night in the general store of H. B. Morton in Custom-house-street, and the contents of the store were wholly destroyed. The cause of the fire is unknown. The doors were locked at 2 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, and were found locked when the fire was discovered. The owner is at present in England, and the Btore is attended by a younger brother and. his father. Appended are the insurances : — Policies on the building covering the stores of Oxley and Co., and Hendry and Dacre adjoining, as well as that of H. B. Morton's building— South British, £1000; stock, Royal, £1000 ; New Zealand, £1000'; Victoria, £1000 ; Northern Assurance, £1000 ; Union, £500 ; total, £5500. June 10. The fire at H. B. Morton's store in Custom House street commenced in a quantity of rape oakum on the second floor, and it had gained a firm hold on the large* stock of merchandise. Before commencing operations the* Brigade spread tarpaulins over the merchandise on the lowest floor, but still a great quantity was damaged. Three horses were working, and a perfect deluge was thrown into the building. Two explosions ocenred, driving out the smoke, and rendering it impossible for the Brigade to stop inside. ' One man fell from the uppar floor, and was severely shaken. After one of the explosions, the floor fell with a crash. The exact extent of the damage cannot be ascertained until the stock is taken out and examined. Insurance ;On stock, Royal, New Zealand, Victoria, and Norwich, Unit>n, each £1000 ; United, £500 ; on building £1000 in South British. It is expected that Governor Robinson, who, with his lady, returned from Nelson yesterday, will leave for Auck- ! land about Thursday next. A fisherman, while sleeping in his boat at Rangitoto, drifted to the North Head, and was found exhausted. Rewi visited Morrin's farm, and took much interest in the stock and agricultural -implements. He also visited Thorpe's stables, and priced the Cabham Stud Company's horses. During his visit to Wiseman's saddlor's shop to-day, Rewi ordered a travelling satchel with a silver Royal coat of arms outside. Sir George Grey telegraps that he will not be able to go to Auckland with the Governor. Samuel Cochrane, an old settler and latterly immigration agent in the north of Ireland, is dead, H.M.S. Albatross was docked at nine this morning, with guns and all stores on board. There was ample depth on the sill, and she touched no where. This Day. Rewi and the Native Minister visited Paul of Orakei on Monday. Everything wa3 very friendly. Rewi asked Paul to assist in making peaceful arrangements with the Europeans. Rewi said all that remains now is, so to order things that the European may acquire land for his money and the Maori money for his laud, so that whatever a European has purchased fairly it may remain to him ; and whatever a Maori may receive fairly it may be his own. If land is sold by people entitled to sell, then their relatives and friends can say nothing against it. It is the selling of land by people who have no title that has always been the cause of trouble. Nevertheless, let us strive so thiit the work may be properly done. Mr Sheehan had replied, and after welcoming Rewi to his people, Ngatirohatua asked Rewi in a jocular style if ho would be the Maori Minister. He called them all to vote for Rewi to occupy the office, and this was responded to by a shout of "Ae." Great preparations are making here for the reception of the Governor. He is to be received at the Manakau, and escorted to Auckland. Then there will be a procession through the city to Government House. •