Interprobincial Items.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1535, 19 December 1873, Page 53

Interprobincial Items.

AUCKLAND. Carelessness with Gunpowder. The nerves of the Licensing Officer at the Thames were severely put to the test, the other day (says the Evening Star), when entering the premises of Messrs, Renshaw and Co., licensed dealersIn the narrow entrance he encountered a stalwart miner, bearing on his shoulder a keg of twenty-live pounds of blasting powder, at the same time smoking a pipe, the dottle of which was very red. Had a spark from the said dottle communicated itself to the powder, there can be little doubt but that Renshaw and Co., Licensing Officer, and stalwart miner would have been—well, wo cannot say where. We may mention that the keg was removed under the most stringent regulations of the “Arms Act, 1860.”

Temperance Departments in Hotels. The Southern Cross says:—" It is reported that Mr, Hancock and one or two other publicans in Auckland are making preparations for having fitted up a department in their licensed houses to which Good Templars and other temperance advocates can resort. In the rooms set apart for this purpose there will be sold only refreshments of an unintoxicating nature. The absence of such rooms is a want at present felt by many moiethan those who are accredited members of Good Templar Lodges. It is therefore a wise step on the part of licensed victuallers to make provision for any wants of this nature* which the general public may ex-

TARANAKI. Northern Agricultural Association. The Taranaki Herald, of the 29th November, writes: —The second annual show of the Northern Agricultural Association was held at Bell Block on Thursday, 27th November. As our readers are aware, this Society sprang into existence some eighteen months since by the efforts of the settlers residing within the districts of Bell Block and Waitara. During the past twelve months the members of it have not been idle, but, on the contrary, they have held meetings, at which interesting and instructive papers have been read, and subjects connected with pastoral and agricultural pursuits discussed. The first exhibition, which was held about this time last year, was a very creditable one. The exhibits were comparatively few, but some very fair stock was shown. This year there is a decided improvement in the quality of the stock, which shows that the exhibition of last year has had a good result. Still the exhibits were meagre, and, with one or two exceptions, belonged to the settlers living close at hand. The Society has, we think, done its utmost to induce the farming class to come forward and exhibit at the annual gathering, but we regret to say without any marked success. But it must not be discouraged at this. The farmer is hard to convince of the advantages to be gained by Agricultural Shows, and it takes time to bring about conviction. Let him, however, once perceive that he is likely to obtain substantial benefits by comparing his stock with those of his neighbors, and he will become a consistent supporter of the Society. Very few of the farmers of the place have, as yet, come forward as exhibitors, but we hope next year to see them at the show in large numbers.

Accident. The Taranaki Herald reports a serious, and what may prove a fatal accident, which occurred to Mr John Newland, on the 27th November. Mr Newland had been conveying some casks of beer to the Waitara, and in returning, uue of the horses became restive. He was gettiug down from the shaft, where he had been sitting driving, when his oilskin coat caught somethiug, and he was thrown under the dray, the wheel passing over his body, severely crushing him. After the accident, it was found that he had sustained severe internal injuries, besides rupturing the pulmonary artery; and at one time his life was despaired of. NELSON. Nelson Manufactures. A hearth-rug, made from Nelson wool, attracted the attention of gentlemen from Otago aud Auckland, and a gratifying order resulted, says the Nelson Colonist. The yarn of which the sample was made was spun by Wcbley Brothers, dyed by Mr Robertson, and the loom of Mr Cook produced the complete article. It is described as being excellent in quality, of the brightest colors, and a valuable addition to our local manufactures. Another pleasing item reaches us in the statement that Mr Cockram is about to commence the manufacture of earthenware articles, from clay at Jenkin's Hill. At present he commences with £SO worth of orders for flower-pots, but as soon as proper appliances can be obtained, he will make household pottery of various kinds, and gradually add to the number and importance of his manufactures. West Coast Mines.

The Kohinoor claim at Redman's (says the Charleston Herald, November 29), is yielding splendid returns. Last week work was suspended for three days, but the other days' work gave thirty ounces of gold. This week the yield is expected to be fifty ounces. The Bowen Extended is being opened out on the 50ft. level, and main drives put in. The tail race, which comes in at a depth of 60ft. keeps the claim as dry as a bone ; the race entailed an immense amount of labor, but its beneficial effects are now felt. The Greymouth Evening Star's Reef ton correspondent says:—A half share in the Fiery Cross changed hands yesterday for £BOO. This crushing is expected to average two ounces to the ton. A quarter share in No. 2 South) Larry's, was also sold yesterday by Mr Walker to Mr Henry Mace, for £l5O. Mr O'Conor's New Organ.

The unanimity of the Nelson press against Mr O'Conor as a candidate for the Superintenclency, is unprecedented. To judge of Mr O'Conor from the tone of his speeches he is one of the last men in the Province to be entrusted with so responsible an office. He has, however, supporters who think otherwise, and who have started a paper to support his claims. It is thus criticized by a writer in the Mail:—-"I have recently had an opportunity of reading a model newspaper. It is called the Duller News, and is supposed to rise superior to any such charge as that of venality, or of being conducted by a hireling. In fact I am led to believe from its contents that my views of a thoroughly independent newspaper, as expressed by me a fortnight ago, quite coincide with those of Mr O'Conor on the same subject. It bespatters him with praise without stopping to consider whether he is deserving of it, and is rendered deeply interesting by a romance which

I presume) in the shape of a journal of fancied events, dated from Nelson. Im-

aginatiou runs riot in it, grammatical construction is set at naught, a simple faith in the verdency of its readers is one of its chief characteristics, a total disregard for the truth is displayed with courageous indifference to the proprieties, and the imprint of Mr O'Conor's hand and foot is perceptible in every columu. It is thoroughly independent (of facts,) and must be a source of the highest gratification to the gentleman who pulls the strings, since it affords him the only opportunity ho has ever enjoyed of seeing himself praised in print. At the same time it is not without significance that the only paper in the colony which can say a word in his favor is one which is specially started in his interest. Ido like independent journalism." Greymouth.— The New Mayor. Mr G-. Glenn has been elected Mayor of Greymouth, without contest, vice Mr Masters. OTAGO. "Extremes Meet." So says the Tuapeka Times, in recording an adventure which befel Mr Mackune, the Good Templar, who has opened so many lodges iu this country. He lately held a meeting at the Blue Spur, and on his return lost his way, arriving at Lawrence so late, that he found every house of accommodation closed. " A happy thought," says the Times, " struck the lost Templar, lie would accuse himself of being ' a lost man' and give himself in charge to the police. He knocked at the police-station, but reply there was none. Ultimately, after much agitation of body and spirit, ho met a walking night constable, to whom he made an open confession. The guardian of the night conveyed Brother Mackune to the fraternal lock-up, where doubtless he slept a dreamful sleep in which constables, and miners, and tailraces were amalgamated in glorious confusion." Accidents. The Arrow Observer, of the 28th November, reports two fatal accidents. A miner at Kavvarau, named Joel Chapman, was killed ou the 21st November by the fall of a boulder. A child at Oardrona. named Lefranchi, aged eighteen months, has been killed by falling from a chair upon which he was trying to climb, unobserved by his parents, A Good Claim. A fifth share in a claim at Wetherstones was sold a few days ago for the sum of £BO, cash dowu. Very well for Wetherstoues, which some persist in saying is worked out. The Grasshoppers. If we (Tuapeka Times) may judge from the innumerable tiny grasshoppers which are now harboring about many of the sod fences in the Tuapeka district, we may expect the gardens and fields to be infested with these insects as much as they were last year. A gentleman, lately from Victoria, tells us that last summer the progress of the Sandhurst and Castlemain railway engine and train was actually impeded by locusts, which got into the sleepers, and hindered the motion of the wheels.