TELEGRAMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3094, 5 March 1878, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

[PEB PBESB AGENOY. J

Auckland, March 4. At the test of the City Waterworks fche pumping machinery raised a 1000 gallons 230 feefc with two and a half pounds of coal. The half-yearly Oddfellows' report shows 14 district Lcdgeß of Manchester Unity, and 1108 members ; total investments £2350. The Italian Opera Company breaks up here. The Prima Donna, Signora Guadagnini, wifch Cesari, Gambetti, and Nobili, goes to Sydney, and the others make a concert tour throughout the Colony. FIRE AT ONEHUNGA.

A fire broke out afc Onehunga lasfc night which destroyed nine shops and dwellinghouses, and two men were severely burned. Langley's house and stock were insured in the New Zealand and Standard offices for £600; England's store in the Standard for £250 (a considerable portion of the stock was saved) ; Leary's building was insured for £100 ; Good's, nofc insured ; Burns', nofc insured ; James Morris, building owned by Geo. Broadfoot, insured for £140 in the South British, stock and furniture uninsured ; other losses nofc covered by insurance. Somervill e's stock, £300 in the Standard Company. Longley's furniture was reinsured in the Union for £300, and England's for £200, fche house for £50 in the South British.

New Plymouth, March 4. Mr Jones has jusfc returned from Mokau. He states thafc Rewi has visited that place coming down fche river Waikato. He remained a few days, and visited the Europeans daily, taking food on shore. He expressed pleasure afc seeing Europeans settled there, and afc the friendly terms they were on, saying he would advise Government to do whatever fche land owners and settlers required to open up trade. Rewi has returned to the Waikato, -and it is expected, fco arrange for Tawhaio coming to Waitara to meet. Sir George Grey. This is the first instance of Rewi having visited Europeans on the West Coast since fche commencement of the Waikato war.

Wellington, March 4. Dr Pollen, Mr Whifcaker and Mr Rees who arrived here per Wanaka, are on then- way south fco attend the trial of Geo. Jones, jun. Mr Rees will defend fche prisoner j Dr Pollen and Mr Whitaker are witnesses.

Wm. Gill and Richard Buckridge who are supposed to have an organised system of stealing horses in the interior, were brought before the Resident Magistrate fchis morning, bufc remanded for a week to enable certain material witnesses over a hundred miles away to come and give evidence. On Saturday, while a mob of horses were being shipped south several of them were re-landed and taken possession of by the police, who subsequently arrested fche prisoners afc Greytown, Wairarapa.

Invebcabgill, March 4. Afc a meeting of the Municipal Council, a motion to make special preparations to receive Sir George Grey was negatived. Ifc was resolved to wait on bim relative to the removal of fche railway station and completion of Government Buildings. The Mayor was authorised fco take whatever steps he might think necessary in order to hospitably entertain the Premier and party. The entertainment is to be devoid of every particle of political significance. . _

The steamer Orefci had a dreadful passage from Dunedin, having twice had to seek shelter, and afc one time the vessel was in great danger. -• ' '"

I (From the own Correspondent of the Lyttelton Times.) Dunedin, March 4.

A trial of reapers and binders under the auspices of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association, will be held on the Henley estate on March 16.

Heavy rain fell here on Saturday night, all day on Sunday, and part of to-day. Considerable damage has been done to the crops, and there is no sign of the weather clearing up.

The eighth half-yearly meeting of fche Standard Insurance Company was held today. Ifc was resolved fchafc the balance of £24,495, now to fche credit of the profit and loss account, should be applied as follows : — Dividend 10 per cent per annum, bonus 3d per share on the original 50,000 shares, £3357 to be carried fco the reserve fund, and £18,638 6s lOd fco be carried to fche credit of the profit and loss new account;. The retiring directors were re-elected.