INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume V, Issue 324, 11 February 1868, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

A few weeks ago 120 natiye.B landed at E[ew Plymouth, having arrived from the Chatham Islands. The passage occupied thirty days t aW two elderly women died on board. \ A very large sun-fish was washed up on the beach at Waiapu, H.awke's Bay, a few days ago ; it measured eight feet long and sjx feet wide, the thickest part being only six inchos in diameter. Natives came from a great distance to see it. On Friday, Jan 31st, a woman named Qatheiine Cainpbell was brutally assaulted and stabbed by her husband, at Parnell, Auckland. The wretch who has committed the offence has decamped, „ Stackpool E. O'Dell, the well-known phrenological lecturer, was arrested on January 28, at the instance of James N, Newbold, of Victoria-street, Auckland, on a charge of stealing from Mr Newbold's dwelling-house a.bout Iso in gold, five or six LI notes, L6orL 7 in silver, an IOU from Townley for six pounds ; a ring, value, 5s ; a keeper, value 6s ; and a sUver pipe, value Is ; making a total of nearly L.120. A man named Townley, suspected of participation in the robbery is also in custody. About half-a-dozen shocks of earthquake, all remarkably slight, were felt in Napier during the week ending January 25th. A slight shock of earthquake was felt at New Plymouth on the 29th January. Its course appeared to be from north to south. The Claud Hamilton left Auckland for Sydney on February 2nd, taking 1587 ounces, and over 1000 ounces was to be sent to England via Panama. A well-knpwn character named Laurence Devaney, an old man, one of the oldest settlers in Nelson, was found drowned at the roadside in Waimea-road, near to Mr Biggs' garden, early on thq 4th inst. The pqor old, man was rather feeble, and in going home he had to pass the road where a small culvert crosses. This culvert was overflowing, and a amall stream was running across the road, and this probably took him off his feet. Being at the time, what he generally was on ejoing home, more than half intoxicated, he was unable to regain his footing, and was apparently carried into the ditch. Old Devaney, being incapable of supporting himself, was an inmate of the Tara-

naki buildings, and he came daily into town, where he always found many people only too ready to " give the old man his beer," of which he was very fond. Au inquest was held on Wednesday, at the Rising Sun, by the Coroner and a jury. A verdict of accidental death was returned. — Colmisb. We regret to learn that young man named Kiel, who owned some land in Dovedale, was drowned on Tuesday last in the Waimea river, at Appleby crossing. He was seen to take the river while it was high and still rising ; and had reached a j small bare place in the centre, on which j the horse gained a footing. After looking a short time at the other bank, be attempted to return to the side from whence he came, but his horse would not return, and he afterw.uds put h'm to the Nd?on side. Both were carried down the str&un and Mr Kiel was no more seen. The horse came out of the river about o quarter of a mile further down. Mr Kiel was a native of Montrose in Scotland, and was, we believe, about eight and twenty years of age. ; — Nehon Colonist, 7th inst. A few days ago, at Tauranga, Auckland, there was a groat fi^ht on the beach between the half-castes and the Maoris. Between ninety or one hundred of them (many of whom had been drinking rather freely) were holding a "korero," when some remarks were made about halfcastes, which gave great offence, and it was resolved to settle the difference by the arbitration of " the fist." The Maoris for some time seemed unwilling to go into the fight with spirit. One of the influential chiefs were knocked down like a bullock, and was carried away bleeding to the Commissioner's house. By this time the natives had become very excited, and joined thoroughly in the melee. None but those who have witnessed a war dance can conceive the noise and excitement which prevailed — the women were dancing and crying the men shouting and fighting like demons. In some places a half caste was struggling with a dozen Maoris, and when they got him down they would jumj> on him most unmercifully. Others fought in the water and gave each other good duckings. This curious contest lasted an hour-and-a-half, when the half-cashes at length carried off the palm. The Maoris returned to their canoes with bloody faces and torn clothes, leaving the halfcastes masters of the field. There wore two or three native policemen and one European present, but they wisely abstained from interference. The natives considerably outnumbered the half-castes.