NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1551, 7 February 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[feom oub own cobbespondents.] TiMARtr, February 6. The body of John King, a shearer, who was drowned in the Rangitata river on the Ist inst., was found yesterday a mile and a-half below the traffic bridge. He was drunk when last seen. The cold weather of the last few days has had a beneficial effect on the health of the town and district, but the deaths from typhoid fever and diarrhoea still continue far above the average. The Borough Council are taking steps to do away with all cesspools in their boundaries. [Special Wire.] Auckland, February 6. At the inquest on Mr Combes, the wife of deceased deposed that he left home at half-past eight at night, perfectly sober, and apparently not suffering at all mentally. She believed he was perfectly sound in mind Did not know whether his affairs were embarrassed. There was nothing peculiar in his manner. None of the other witnesses could throw any light on the cause of the occurrence. Dr. Lee deposed that the well was so narrow that it was difficult to understand how anyone could fall down accidentally. The jucy returned a verdict of " Found drowned," there not being sufficient evidence to show otherwise. The schooner race was postponed till tomorrow. At the Waste Lands Board a letter was read from the Minister of Lands, expressing gratification at the improvements in the lands at Mr Stewart's Katikati special settlement in so short a time, and ordering the Crown grants. Some of the reports on free selections under the Homestead Act were not satisfactory. At the inquest on the boy killed at the Timber Co.'s mill, the doctor deposed that his right leg was nearly severed below the knee, his left leg broken both above and b low the knee, and the thigh reduced to pulp. Death resulted from nervous shock. The injuries were caused by being carried round the belt of a pully on the grinding machine, which i evolved at the rate of 170 per minute. The boy did not attribute blame to anyone. A verdict of " Accidental death" was returned. Napier, February 6. Nominations for the Hawkes' Bay Racing Club Cup and Grand Handicap Hurdle Race, the former valued at 250 sovs., and the latter 100 sovs., close on Saturday evening next. The Hawkes' Bay member* of the New Zealand Kiile Association complain of being kept in ignorance of the terms and date of the meeting of the asFOciation at Nelson through the neglect of the association in not forwarding any communication. inconsequence Napier will in all probably be unable to send a representative, although several would willingly represent the district. A flax shed ani storeroom, belonging to Mr Blackburn at Te Kaporu, were burnt down on Monday. The origin of the lire is unknown. The premises were uninsured. Dennis O'Brien was caught this afternoon by the police, and arrested on a charge of incendiarism through burning a hotel and stable at Konini. He will be brought before the court to-morrow, and the police will ask for a remand. Invercakgill, February 6. Mr Bastings, secretary to the Waimea Plains Railway Company, has written to the Waste Lauds Board, urging the propriety of reserving three chains along the line for railway purposes. The Board referred him to the Minister of Public Works, as the' matter has assumed an aspect of general interest. In accordance with a resolution of last meeting, a letter was forwarded to the Government expressing the opinion of a majority of the Board that such a reserve of land was detrimental to the interests of settlers. Mr Lumsden, who strongly opposed the action agreed to by a majority, stated to-day that he and Mr Denniston had written to the Government explaining their views on the matter. The man Bartlett, against whom there stand several charges of obtaining goods and money under false pretences, was brought up at the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day and remanded. Paterson, on suspicion of lunacy on account of his extraordinary conduct at the Bluff, has been remanded for medical examination.