INTERPROVINCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2908, 25 February 1893, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, February 24. It is reported that during last night's gale the railway works at Hikur^noji were damaged to the extent (>f £2000 One hundred head of cattle were swept away at Okaihu, and at Te Aroha roofs were blown off houses. The gale entirely subsided to-day. Wellington, February 24. The case of the Hoi,. Mrs W. Clifford, charged in Dunedin with larceny at has been receiving the attention of Government. The woman was released and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. The Hon. Mr Seddon, in the absence of the Minister for Justice, caused enquiries to be made into the matter through the Justice Department, and also through his own Department of Police. Reports are now to hand from the Resident Magistrate and the police, an i the matter is receiving the consideration of the Minister and Cabinet. Captain Edwin says the southerly gale is part of the same storm that caused the second big flood in Queensland, an<* will probably cauae some heavy floods in the rivers north of Napier on the East Coast. Some 12,000 sheep in all have been purchased lately in the Wellington district for the South Island. Restrictions on the importation of New Zealand stock into Queensland were removed on the llth inst. On bis arrival here to-morrow, Lord Hopetoun will be received by a guard of honor of the permanent artillery, and a salute will be tired from the fcrls. The site for the Staie farm is nob yet settled. Pemberton has been reported against owing to ils coldness and distance from the railway. It has been suggested, instead of establishing a permanent farm, the unemployed difficulty, when it arises from time to time, might be met by setting men to clear bush lands of the Crown, and make them available for settlements, as was asked by a petition of special settlers during the last session, the additional cost being added to the rent asked. Mr McKenzie will probably settle the matter on his return f.om south. Mr Donald McLaren, a well-known sheep farmer, near Martinborough, who was injured by his horse falling on him, died last night. Smith, alias Aldridge, who was arrested in Melbourne, and arrived at Bluff today, will be charged with being concerned in the murder of Jacobsen at Pahiatua. His trial takes place at Wellington, beginning on Monday, and a remand for a week will be asked for. The Minister for Public Works, representing Government, and Captain Hunter Blair, A.D.C., representing his Excellency the Governor, leave in the Hinemoa tonight for Picton to meet .Lord Hopetoun. Blenheim, February 24. The severest gale ever experienced in Marlborough is still raging, the force of which has done a good deal of damage. Many large windows in town were completely smashed, one in particular being tyown cbanout. A number of trees havfi bpen tQrn up, aqd great damage ha^ be.en 4pne tp fruit.