LATEST SOUTHERN NEWS. Christchurch, Thursday.

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 142, 5 April 1873, Page 2

LATEST SOUTHERN NEWS. Christchurch, Thursday.

A fire broke out last night in the old Town Hall, High street, used as a drapery store by Messrs Beath and Company. Tbe alarm was given at five minutes to 10 o'clock, the hand engine ■« as at work at 10 o'clock, and the steam fire engine extinguisher was ou the ground two minutes after 10, and at work eight minutes aftor 10. The steamer. Deluge was at work still earlier. The firo was under command in twenty minutes after the alarm was given, and all danger over in lorty minutes. The Town Hall, which was a stone building, was gutted, and the slock all destroyed. The policy on tho building was only renewed yesterday afternoon for £800. Tho stock was only partially insured. It is believed for £1,000 in the South British Insurance Company. It is not known as yet whether tbo stock is insured in any other offices. Mr Nasholski's ironmongery establishment, next door, had his stock damaged b}' water, but not to a great e\tent. It is insured for £1,800 in four offices. Nelson, Thursday. Mr A. J. Bichniond is a candidate for the sent for tho suburbs, vacant by the resignation of Mr Ralph Richardson, who proceeds to England. Dunedin, Thursday. Arrived at heads : Eutorpc, from London. There are five cases for trial at the Supremo sittings. Ryans case will be taken first. The civil sittings will be lengthy, including an interesting breach of promise case. A fatal accident occurred at Pembroke, by which James Parkins, a team-driver, was killed, and a man named Hogg, severely injured. Wellington, Thursday. Tho tender of Messrs Allan Stumbles for Young's Creek •ection of tho Timaru Railway has boen accepted at £7,131.

(From the Star.) Taupo. At the native ineetiug held at Tokano, tliei'o wero 700 present. A committee, consisting of Te H>uhcu, Poihipi, flohepa, and Topoa, were elected to manage the leasing and eale of lands. Hohepa spok» of the wealth of the Auckland and Napier natives through the sales of their land, and tho poverty of the inland natives The meeting will probably result in tho opening of the Tahua country. Tauranga. The Times indignantly denies tho truth of the statements made by Mr Casey, Minister of Lands, Victoria, in his notes oil a trip through New Zealand.