NEW ZEALAND.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XII, Issue 3218, 31 August 1878, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

(phess agency.) Chbistchurch, Aug. 30. The recommendation of the Minister of Lands to reserve lands in the vicinity of proposed railway lines has already been given effect to in this provincial district. The fact becamo known yesterday, and led to a feeling of disappointment among many intending purchasers. Some of these made application several days ago, but were informed that the land being reaerveil, could not be granted to them. A' meeting of settlers was held yester- | day, when it was resolved to urge upon the Government the necessity of the proposed linetothe West Coast viaAnoberley. The mayors of Milton and Grey mouth will be present at the coming banquet at Christchurch. The mayor and councillors of Christchurch have accepted the invitation of the mayor of Dunedin to be present at a banquet at that place. A fire broke out in Manchester street at five o'clock this morning, nearly opposite tho site of the fire of the night before. A strong wind was blowing at the time. Four shops were destroyed before the flames were extinguished. Insurances : South British, £1,050 on stock and fnrniture ; Union, on the pledges of Alexander, the pawnbroker ; London and Lancashire, £300, on the buildings ; Victoria, £300 on the stock of Green, the draper. The other two shops were occupied by Shannon, bookseller, and Hyams, a general dealer. The fire commenced at the pawnbroker's, who was absent at Timaru ; he estimates his loss at £800 over and above insurances. There is some suspicion of incendiarism. DtJNEDiN, August 30. The Chambor of Commerce received an intimation from the Government that they will take no action ihis session to provide that fourteen days' notice of intention to file a bill of sale be given, and that suits be carried on at places where the debt is legally due. , Invbboaboill, August 30. The Southland Times, on the Public Works Statement, points out to-day how Parliament has been hoodwinked by Ministerial promises on the expenditure of such an enormous sum in eight years, and that if such power be entrusted to the Ministry 1 it'wili .be tantamount to making provision for the wholesale bribery of constituents, and recommended that the powers* •of the contemplated works be defined by Act of Parliament, so as to obviate the possibility of corrupt pressure for priority of construction. The Times asks how it is that the Otautau and Nightcaps Railway, already undertaken by a private company, should have been included amongst the public works.