(Per Press Agency.)

Wanganui Herald, Volume XII, Issue 9288, 2 December 1878, Page 2

(Per Press Agency.)

THE DUNEDIN FIRE.

Dunedin, Nov. 30.

Fire insurances — Schult and Walton fully insured up to six weeks ago, when the policiea lapsed, and they neglected to renew them. Their losses are between £400 and £500. Brown ia insured for £200 in the Colonial. He estimates his loss at £1,200. Murphy is insured in the same office for £100. Doodward's stock is insured for £200 } loss beyond that amount ; also policy foi £150 on build* ings. Tohduth's hotel and stock insured in the South British for £900, and £260 in the New Zealand ofliee. Losses £1400 to £1500. Millchamp heavy losses, only an insurance of £300 on stock in Norwich Union. Bichardson's stock insured in the New Zealand office for £350. Dreaver's, Standard office £300, and £400 in Union. His furniture is insured in Standard tor £100. He estimates his loss at £1000 beyond insurance. £300 of Dreaver's risk reinsured by the Standard office in Phoenix. Total insurances — Standard, £300 ; Union, £400 j Colonial, £500 ; New Zealand, £800 ; South British, £1,100 ; United, £250 ; Norwich Union, £650 ; Northern, £400 •, Phqjnix, £300 ; total, £4?00.

Wellington, Nov, 30.

A circular letter from the Hon Mr Ballance, regarding the secondary schools o£ the colony, says that the directions to the Commission will be to first to enquire and then report on the state, organization, aud operation of the University of New Zealand and its effects upon other insti • tutions, and tha promotion of secondary aud higher education. 2. Operation of intermediate and higher educational institutions, etc. 3. The status,remuneration, and general efficiency of teachers. 4. Tlih formation of training institutious, schools of design, and schools or colleges of practical science, and the relations they should bear to the University and educational institutions of the Qolony. 5, The best and moat economic mode regarding the administration, inspection, etc., and making institutions as efficient and available to nil aexes and all classes by the morning and evening schools as possible. 6. The best mode of making provision pecuniarily for the promotion of Education in general and the increase in efficiency of the educational establishments of the Colony. Suggestions regarding the objects of the commission are invited. ' ' December 2. i

The Government have received information that the big guns for the defence of New Zealand were all shipped last month.

The inhabitants of the Hutt Valley ar. taking steps to form a Board of Conaerva tors with, the object of protecting their river banks.

New Plymouth, Nov 30. At the banquet given to the Hon M' Sheehan, at which all the leading people were present, he Baid Rewi was no com mon man, and speaking of hia bravery, said he was the last man to leave a pali when it was stormed and taken, Rewi fonght asainsfc them, but fought honorably. He had now returned to his allegiance to the Queen, and from a conversation he had that afternoon with the Chief he learnt, that nothing would please Rewi better than to , go to England thafc he might tender hie allegiance to the Queen in person. Preferring to the Railway to Waikato, he said that before he left Taranaki he hoped to ensure that the Crown had acquired as much land in that direction that the Government would be able to say to the colony " Thesa are our assets to construct the railway that will go far to pay the total cost." Organised an exploring party to search the country carefully, and to ascertain which wa* the best route. With reference to the Waimate Plains, he urged patience in not pushing on the sale. Mr Trimble proposed Rewi's health. Rewi, in reply, said on his first arrival here, he knew there were different races. Then war arose. This day he met them all, and he hoped they would be one for the future. He hoped Europeans would follow the interest of the Natives, and the Natives would follow the interest of the Europeans. He hoped old feuds had finished, and for the future they would all work peaceably together. He hoped they would all live long and do good. Nelson, Nov. 30. Messrs Pitt and Acton Adatna, both lawyers, have announced their intention of coming forward for the seat in the House to be rendered vacant by Mr Sharp's resignation.