LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2112, 6 June 1883, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[united press association.] Nelson, June 4 An explosion of gas took place at half past six o’clock this morning, at the residence of Mr Martin Lightband. A servant hand entered the room with French windows leading to a verandah, and observing a smell of gas opened the French windows. She then went to another part of the house and afterwards re-entered the room where she smelt the gas. Beai’ing a lighted candle she placed it on a table and took some mats on the verandah. While engaged beating, these an explosion took place. The windows were torn off their binges and thrown on to the verandah and all the glass in the room, including that in the picture frames was smashed and the ceiling charred. The flames struck the servant and her face, hands, and arms

are badly burned ; her screams and the noise of the explosion caused great commotion in the neighborhood, and some little distance away the explosian felt was attributed to an earthquake. A woman who is not yet fully identified was found dead on the Boulder Bank, Wakapuaka Bluff, on Saturday afternoon. The woman in queston had been staying at the Suburban North Hotel for ten days, and on Friday she went for a walk. The following day she was found below high water mark with a bruise on the top of her head, and her face was bruised, there being blood on the boulders beneath her face. Her jacket and hat were found beneath a tree, 300 yards distant, and the pocket of her dress was inside out. Her purse, however, was found at the hotel. It is thought to be a case of suicide. New Plymouth, June 5. Mr Carkeek, surveyor, employed to explore the country between Stratford and Mokau for a route for a railway, reports that the country through which he went was good land, and that there were many suitable routes for either roads or railways. He says there are no engineering difficulties in the way of taking a railway through the country. Carkeek corroborates all that Cheal, surveyor, of Auckland, reported eight years ago respecting the country, who then said “ the first 60 miles was undoubtedly a good line for railway, and he saw no difficulties for a railway being taken along the route he proposed towards Auckland.” Auckland, June 4. Captain James, of the cutter Wave, was knocked overboard by the cutter jibbing, the boom striking him in the back. Every effort was made to recover him, but without success. June 5. Captain Jones had before leaving, a presentiment that he would never return, and made his will and took an affectionate leave of his family before sailing. Wellington, June 5. A telegram has been received from Riverton that Harrington has agreed to scull Hearn, the New Zealand champion, for £IOO. The race will take place in Wellington. The first deposit on behalf of Hearn will be placed in the hands of Mr H. Blundell, of the Evening Post.