TELEGRAMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3135, 25 April 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

[PEB PEESS AGENCY.] . Auckland, April 24. .; The graving dock-will be. opened about flic Queen's birthday. It is proposed to name it the Victoria dock. - The arbitrators in the case of Smith, con^ tractors, and the Government awarded £2350 to the plaintiffs and costs. ; The City Council have accepted the National Bank's tender for the Corporation account for three years. At forty minutes past two this morning a fire broke out at Newton' in. a two-sfcovey block, in which is Hanson's Queen HoteL Near this block was an old dilapidated shed, from which a policeman drove a loafer last night. The fire originated in the shed, and spread to the block. The Newton Fire Brigade had no hydrant. The City Brigade, which followed, were a long time in obtaining a supply of water, and during the delay the fire spread to Mona View cottage, which, was destroyed. The greater part of the furniture was saved^ The hotel was also destroyed. The cottage was insured in the New Zealand for £800. The hotel stock and furniture were insured in the Phoenix for £200, and the building for £250. The total insurance on the fire is — National £250, New Zealand £100, Phoenix £450. ' THE NATIVE MEETING-. A telegram from Te Wheoro states that Re wi will attend the Hikurangi meeting between Sir George Grey and Tawhiao. Rewi awaits the arrival of the Lower Waiiato. t Natives. Pour war canoes have gone up. "' Wangantti, April 24. In the Supreme Court to-day the Grand; Jury threw out a true bill against Lewis Lyons ' Levy, for arson. A Native named Moti was found guilty of horse-stealing ; sentence deferred. A boy named Patrick Lea was found' not guilty of indecent assault. Mr Foulis, late of JEdinburgh, has been appointed Inspector, of the Wanganui Education.' District, at a salary of £400 per annum, and £50 travelling expenses. • ; .., Wellington, April 24. . r The salmon recently placed in the different rivers of this district are reported by the; settlers who have seen, them to *be thriving yery well. ■ A deputation of settlers from Manawatd. waited upon the Premier and the. Hon. 1,1 , Ballanca to-day, and urged the necessity of &' ' railway line between the Hutt and Manawatu. Government promised that the line should besurveyed without delay. ! S ir Coode is expected here on Saturday. . ' , . A circular was sent to-day to all heads of departments, instructing them to inform all officers' that they can no longer depend, upon the 40th section of "The Civil Service Act, 1356," granting a gratuity, to their wives and families after they die. Th© circular adds that it is now open to officers to provide for then* wives and families, by means of Government Life Insurance. It is announced by Order in Council that no cadefcship in the Civil Service will count until the cadet receives over £100 per annum. In reference to the long promised bridge at Napier Heads, it is understood that Government will subsidise the bridge to the amount of £6000, and give the contractor a lease of the bridge for 21 years. , ... DrrNL'Diif, April 24. .'.)'■ In the appeal case to-day Judge Johnston upheld the generally received view that tie V Tippling Act of George , If. is in force in the Qolony. The Act , precludes . the recovery for : liquor supplied in less quantities than twenty •'■' shillings' worth. , V..^ „.,', (From the own Corrwpvnfordss/tht byttelion ftmttj:* ■I . AIicELAUD, April 24. „';'■ ! Within the last weak or so, a large amount •• df attention has been given to shares in the Gorqmaudel mines, which seems to be justified by events. Within the last few days the Corby Company, from a piece of new ground,-, lately taken up, .have been turning out very } rich specimens of stone. More came to hand. ' to-day, and shares . are rising rapidly in. v consequence.. The mines in the same locality , aye being favourably affected. A general opinion appears to be forming that Coro- • maisdd is at , present a far better place for speculation .than the Thames, and money is flowing thither in consequence. At the fire in the Earangahape road this morning a large proportion of the destructions was caused by the insufficient supply of water obtainable from the first fire-plug to which, the hydrant was attached. It was found today that the plug had only a pressure of Z\hs to the square inch, while those on each side of it had a pressure of 35lbs. The plug was never intended to be. used for fire-extinguish.- . ing purposes, and was ticketed as a fire-plug through a mistake, which has 'proved a costtjr one. The destruction of property amounted to from £3500 to £4000. The insurances cover about £1200. Tenders for the Corporation's banking account were sent in from the National^ New Zealand and Colonial Companies. The National tender was accepted, being considered the most favourable. The Colonial offered to allow an overdraft without special arrangement to the extent of £5000, the New Zealand . to £10,000, and the- National £25,000. The National allows of fixed deposits for three, six, and twclro months 6^, 6J, and 6i per cent interest per annum respectively ; on the daily credit balance 6J. per annum jif the whole balance be treated as current account 6$ per cent interest will bo allowed; negotiating loans, $■ per cent, exclusive of brokerage, &c. ; transmitting monoy to London, i ordinary rates ; ditto to any part of New Zealand or Australia at par, ; Interest will bo charged on overdraft 2 per cent below current rates.