TELEGRAMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2531, 4 May 1876, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

[Fbom thb Press a&bnoy.] Auckland, May 8. Tho Thames stoamor Durham caught fire ' this morning at four o'clock. It was supposed to have betn put out, but broke oufc again at, a quarter to ton, doing great damage, and the boat bad to be soutfcled. Tke saloon is badly damaged, tho oaptain and engineer's oabit a " gutted, and tho deck planking injured eeri- •- ously. The vessel is expected to ho floatod this afternoon. It is insured for £1000 in the New Zealand. Nai?ibb, May 3, At a meoting of tho Munioipal Oounoil last evening, letters wero road from the Mayor of Wellington, asking tho co-operation of tho Mayor of Napier re the Munioipal Loans Bill, and suggesting a conference of the Mayors of tho Oolony afc somo central plaoo. The Mayor has promised to cooperate, Consumers of gas complain of the prioo oharged here, 18* Dd per t<iousand (oash), and threaten to revert to kerosene unless a reduotion is made . Dunedin, May 3, Tho Waste Lands Board to-day refused three applications for ono thousand acres eaoh to purchase portions of tho cancelled runs, holding that the land is not opon for sale. A proclamation will be issued to-day, placing the former holders of the cancelled runs in the position thoy wero in before tho cancellation. At tho meeting of tho Waste Lands Board a long memorandum was received from fche Superintendent, expressing his extrimo regret at the hasty action of tho Board on Wed nee day last in refusing the sales of land. The action, he said, was fraught with consequences mosfc detrimental to tho publio intereat, and for whioh the Board must bo held wholly responBible. He thought the B^ard had not exhibited that courtesy to the Superintendent and the Provincial Oounoil wbioh was duo to their position. (fbom oub own correspondent.) Wellington, May 8. Sir George Groy wi'l probably second Mr Fifczherbert'a nomination as Speaker. Committees of the Oity Oounoil and tho Chamber of Oommoroe havo had a long conference to-day, and ultimately agreed upon the basis on whioh a Harbor Trust should be established, and fche terms on whioh ifc should acquire the wharf, and To Aro foreshore from tho Corporation.