INTERPROVINCIAL

Dunstan Times, Issue 1030, 13 January 1882, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL

Patrick O’Shanuassy, lessee of Watorton Hotel, near Ashburton, and a man named Keller, a hotel loafer, were committed for trial at the Police Court, Ashburton, on January 4, for a brutal assault on a man named Chndky. Chudley went to the Waterton Hotel on Friday and got drunk, and it is alleged that O'Shaunassy and Kellar, under pretence of taking him to bed proceeded to pick his pockets while carrying him upstairs. He expostulated, and they then kicked and beat him in a shameful manner, and afterwards took him outside the hotel and tied him up spread-eagle fashion to a cart, and left him there all night. His screams for help aroused the neighbors next morning, and he was removed to the Hospital. O’Shannassy was arrested there and then, and Kellar, who made himself scarce, was caught by the police on Saturday night. O’Shaunassy was allowed hail—himself in LIOO, and two sureties of a similar amount.

George Cook, GO years oltl shot himself at Druary in Auckland. He was receiving Government rations, and was in a desponding condition. A sculling match has been arranged in Auckland between Albert White and Carter of Sydney, to be rowed in Mercury Bay, £SO a-side changing boats. This match arises out of the Mercury Bay Regatta Races, White thinking Carter won then by the superiority of his boat. At Lyttelton on January 6, W. H. Clarke was charged with smuggling four boxes of cigars from the ship Phasis. The Collector of Customs said he did not elect to sue for the full'ponalty, but simply for treble the value of the cigars, LI2, in which amount the accused was fined.

G. W. Garrard, charged with a breach of the Corrupt Practices Prevention Act was discharged at the sessions, Judge Gillies holding that the indictment was bad, as it did not disclose any offence. Marsh, the Spiritualist, now in Auckland, having written letters protesting Jiis sanity, Judge Gillies held an enquiry. After hearing the medical evidence he dc cided that Marsh was demented, and ratified the order for committal.

The Auckland Racing Club have disqualified P. Mnrtagh for ever from riding, training, or entering any horse at any mooting under the auspices of the Club for misconduct in the saddling paddock, for making a wrongful entry in the Maiden Plate and for receiving money to pull Angler in Hurdle Race,

FEARFUL FIRE AT INVERCARGILL. Invercargill, January 4. A tremendous conflagration occurred here this evening, resulting in the destruction of a largo amount of valuable property. It originated, it is believed, in a shop on the western side of Dee-street, occupied by Mrs Hannah, and rapidly spread to the adjoining buildings. For some time the extensive warehouse at the corner of Dee and Spey streets was in imminent danger, but thanks to the almost superhuman exertions of the Fire Brigade and others its destruction was averted. The warehouse is now the property of Paisley and Co, and was formerly in the occupation of Guthrie and Larnach’s New Zealand Woodware Company. The windows, although they were two chains distant from the burning buildings, were nearly all broken by the heat, and considerable damage must have been done to the stock. The building was on lire a good many times. Other buildings on the same side of the street had some narrow escapes. The fire broke out at 10 o’clock, and at 12 the following buildings had been destroyed—The City Butchery (occupied by Mr F. Campbell), Mrs Hannah’s grocery store, Mrs Wilson’s grocery and wine store, the Hibernian Hotel, Mr D. Roche’s grocery and wine and spirit store, an unoccupied building known as the Red Lion Hotel, M‘Liskey’s bootshop, Hanan’s Temple of Science, W. Brown’s drapery store, and Cooper's jeweller shop. Cooper and Brown occupied a portion of Hanah’s building. At midnight the fire was still raging with unabated fury .; and in order to save the remainder of the block, strenuous efforts were being made to pull down the shops occupied by J. Rogers (tailor), W. Patterson (bootmaker), A. Raeside (pastry-cook), and Lethaby’s umbrella shop. It is hoped that by having adopted this course the White Swan Hotel will be saved, and the building to the northward of it also. The Brigade worked well, but were hampered by scarcity of water. Great excitement prevailed and still prevails. The loss must be something enormous—at a rough guess about L 15.000.