INTERPROVINCIAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3277, 28 March 1885, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

(By Tblegeaph.) Auckland, March 27. An allotment baying 11 feet frontage to Queen street was offered for sale at auction yesterday, and withdrawn at £400 per foot.. " Tenders are called for a torpedo' slip and shed here. " " " The Mayor, at' the request of Sir F. Whitaker, and Mr D. L. Murdoch, General Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, and other gentlemen, telegraphed to the Wellington authorities asking what steps are to be taken for the defence of the port, and when tbe works would be commenced. A reply has been received that Major Cautley has been instructed to mount six heavy guns as soon as possible. Information from Fiji, by, the Arawata, states public opinion m Fiji is strengthening m favor of annexation to New Zealand. At a sate of city leasehold endowment! today, a property leased by the Provincial GciTernment 25 years ago at £100 a year, realised an advance of 1600 per cent. Wanganti, March 27. The divorce case, D. S. Me liellan against Eva McLellan on several charges of adultery, was to-day. The jury returned a three-fourths verdict for the petitioner, with £50 damages against the co-respondent, John Seabright Coming. The wife's petition, m which she asked for a judical separation on the ground of cruelty, was decided m her faTor. Wellington, March 27. The Colonial Secretary is drafting a Billfor presentation to Parliament next session, dealing with tho reconstitution of the Legislative Council. The principle of the Bill, howOTer, has not been made public. The Minister' for "Public Works leaTes for Napier overland, on. Monday night. From Napier he goes to Auckland. • 4.- meeting of the Cabinet will be held at ten o'clock to-morrow morning. Mr Seddon,.M.H.R., and Mr Grimmond, the Westland County. Chairman, arrived m town to-day to interview Ministers m connection/with certain West Coast matters. ; A nine-roomed house situated m Wilkinson's tea gardens, Oriental Bay, and owned and occupied by; Mr Wilkinson, was totally destroyed by fire at 1.30 this morning. It is supposed the fire originated m consequence of smouldering embers, which were left m the kitchen range, coupled with the fact that the chimney was _more or less defective. The house was insured m the South British office for £500, and the furniture for £100 m the same office. Mr J. Saundersis the successful tenderer for the Te Aro reclamation. - The Zealandia, with the February English mail, left San Francisco for Auckland on the 15th inst., one day later than time-table date. Tbe City of Sydney, with the March colonial mails, arriTcd at San Francisco from Auckland on the 24th inst., time-table date. Chbistchcbch, March 27. At Amberly yesterday, A. Burton was com-

mitted for trial for a criminal assault on a, married woman. ' The fete for the relief of the sufferers by the earthquakes m Spain, which was held here to-day, was considerably- marred by almost continuous rain which fell throughout the day. • Notwithstanding this the attendance of the public at tha carnival held on Lancaster Park »nd the concert m the Theatre Boyal m the evening were both fairly well attended, and the total receipts amounted to considerably over £100. The Governor has sent a telegramto Mr Arenas, Spanish Consul, regretting his inability to be present. . , Dukbdin, March 27. ■otcQ^ steamer, supposed to be tbe X.M.S. Ruapenu, passed the Nuggets at 2 o clock to-day, and will reach the Heads this evening. In Chambers this morning, letters of administration m the estate of the late' Capt Duncan was granted by Mr Justice Williams. Captain Duncan was master of tbe schooner Taweanga, which sailed for Tonga on the 10th June, and has not been heard of 6iuce. The Insurance offices are ready to pay so Boon as some one is appointed to take charge of the estate. The affidavit declared that there was a hearv from the North-east a week after Curtain Duncan sailed, and the ship was supposed to be lost m that. At the City Court to-day, John Edwards, a prisoner, was sentenced to fourteen days on bread and water for malingering. In reply to a deputation from policy holders m the Government Insurance Department, Sir Julius Yogel said no unreasonable delay would take place m calling Local Boards into existence. Mr Samuel Vaile, of Auckland, addressed a public meeting last night on railway reform. There was a moderate attendance. The Mayor was m the chair. By a fire at Waihola, m Bruce County, yesterday morning, two threshing mills and the shed m which they were contained were destroyed, and two engines very much damaged. They were the property of Wm. Taylor. Nothing whatever iis known of the cause, as there had been no fire about the place. The insurance was £750 m the Union office, but Mr Taylor estimates his loss at £400 or £500 over that.