Interprovincial Items.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 15, Issue 783, 2 May 1870, Page 2

Interprovincial Items.

A warning to persons who indulge in the dangerous habit of reading in bed is given by a West Coast paper. In noticing a fire by which the shop and dwelling- . house of Mr Barr, a butcher at the Ka- 1 nieri, were destroyed, it says:—lt appears that Mrs Barr had retired and was reading in bed by candle-light, and it is supposed that the candle had fallen out of the bottle which served the purpose of a candlestick, against the lining of the house. Mrs Barr first saw the flame running up the wall, and in a few minutes the whole building was one blaze of fire, obliging her and her two children to escape in their night dresses. The only property saved was some boxes of clothing. The Auckland Evening Star, 13th April, says:—That vanity is not the mere pro duct of civilisation was this morning exemplified in a shaving saloon in Lower Queen-street. A Maori whose hairs had began to show a slight sprinkling of the snow of years, entering, requested the proprietor, Mr Symonds, to restore the hairs to the hue of youth. For the sum of "ten herring," which he paid like a man and a brother, the Maori's locks assumed a raven tint, and ha went upon his way rejoicing. The Thames Evening Star, Bth April, says : —Some short time ago a native with a small capital and an eye to business, invested the former in purchasing the " turnout " of one of our cabbies, consisting of a decent looking carriage, with horses and et ceteras. The Maori has been plying in the trade between Shortland and Grahams town since he made the investment, and apparently with success. He is now turning his attention to opening up a new line for himself, having commenoed to run his cab to the Maori settlement of Parawai. This part of the district has always been a favorite resort, and will doubtless be more so now that parties can ride instead of walk. The enterprising native should at least secure the monopoly of his countrymen's patronage. The Auckland Evening Star, 25th April, says : —The mission schooner Southern Cross, Captain Jacobs, returned from Norfolk Island early this morning, having made a splendid passage there and back. The Bishop of Melanesia has arrived by this vessel, and we regret to learn that he has been for some time suffering from delicate health. The Auckland Evening News, April 26, says that the resignation by Major fleaphy of his seat for Parnell in the General Assembly has led to much discussion as to his probable successor. Mr R. G. Wood is spoken of as one of the candidates, and Mr W. F. Buckland as another. We also hear it stated that the hon. Mr Gisborne, the present Colonial Secretary, is likely to be nominated. Things will shape themselves more fully, however, in the course of a few days. At the farewell soiree recently given in Auckland to the Rev. David Bruce, the following characteristic anecdote of that gentleman was related by Mr James Robertson, of Mangere:—-"He well remembered the day, seventeen years ago, when the new minister arrived. It was blowing a cold wind, and things were not at all looking up. The church was £1,650 in debt. He would never forget Mr Bruce turning round to Mr Shepherd and himself, and saying C I am determined that £1,650 will be paid off before three months.' Had there been any Long Drives or Golden Crowns in those days they would have thought that Mr Bruce had discovered a reef. But what was their astonishment to find that, before the three months had elapsed, £2,000 had been gathered through the energy of their friend and brother. Mr Graham said that the list was the most perfect he had ever seen, for there was not one defaulter."

From the Auckland Evening Star, 27th April, we take the following:—A large number of natives were yesterday congregated around the Superintendent's office, and on making enquiry we learned that they had just been receiving £ICO on account of the purchase of a block of land by the Provincial authorities. The block contains several thousand acres, and is situated at Whangaruru, up north., The chief of the tribe to whom the land belonged is named Hori Wehiwehi, and as the money was paid in gold our shopkeepers will doubtless feel the benefit of it for the next few days.

Another case of sudden death is reported in the Auckland papers. The Southern Cross, April 28, says:—Thomas Mitchell, who lived at Mount Eden, and was engaged in the milk trade, had occasion to go to Newmarket on business during Tuesday fornoon. About 3 o'clock he returned to bis home, feeling a slight giddiness, which he thought might have resulted from his having walked home rather fast. During the afternoon, however, he got worse, and about 8 o'clock, Dr Philson was sent for. He prescribed some medicines, thinking the brain was affected. Mr Mitchell continued to get worse, and about 10 o'clock* Dr Kenderdine was called in. By this time Mitchell had sunk very low, and was threatened with convulsions. Dr Kenderdine bled him on the arm, but he continued to sink until about midnight, when he expired. He leaves a widow and four young children, happily not wholly unprovided for. There will be no inquest held, in consequence of the two doctors having attended the deceased, and thus being able to give a certificate as to the cause of death.

The Tauranga correspondent of the Morning Advertiser writes under date 21st April:—lntelligence was received on Tuesday last of the upsetting of a Maori canoe on Lake Rotorua, by which the chief Takurua and a party of seventeen natives were drowned. Considerable excitement is felt about the circumstance, and an enquiry will be held as soon as sufficient evidence can be produced to satisfy the public mind. —The Rosario still lies here, 'There are no other vessels in our harbor at present.—The extreme want of water has already begun to operate upon our cattle, of whom suffer dreadfully from the prolonged drought.