PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2360, 21 March 1884, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

[united press association.] Auckland, March 19. A petition for a divorce has been filed by Mary Anne Offer, nee Bartlett, for a dissolution of marriage with William J. Offer on the ground of adultery. Offer is a wealthy man, and a City Councillor. She accuses the husband of adultery with several women. Swanson, has petitioned for a decree annulling his marriage with a native woman. Wanganui, March 19. The question of opening up a goldfield in the Tuhua country is causing a considerable stir in town just now, the matter having been re-opened by news from the natives that fresh gold has been discovered. The land is the property of natives who in the past have been strongly opposed to Europeans going there, though gold has been known to exist many years ago. Now, however, Major Kemp stated that up north the chiefs are agreeable to let Europeans prospect, and that they promise to assist in every way. A public meeting in consequence was called on Saturday evening to consider the matters, as the Government, who have been communicated with, would not send any reply, and a committee was appointed to draft resolutions and put something definite before the public. An adjourned pul die meeting v. as held to-night, and fully 400 were present. A sub-committee placed the result of their efforts before the meeting, and it was agreed that it was desirable to send a prospecting party to Tulma, and also that it was desirable to form n prospecting association to carry out the proposals. Major Kemp was present,

Christchurch, March 19, A tramway engine steampipe burst this afternoon, causing a panic among the passengers. The driver was scalded, and jumped from the engine. He was insensible when picked up, but quickly recovered, and is not seriously hurt. A young lady jumped from the carriage falling on her back. When picked up her head was cut and she was bleeding profusely from the ears. It is feared she has sustained an injury to the base of the skull. She remained insensible till latest report. Dunedin, March 19. A fatal accident occurred last night five or six miles from the city on the North road. A carter named William Duffy, who apparently had been returning home, was found dead on the road, the wheel evidently having passed over him. He had a drink at the Roadside Hotel a short time previously, but the landlord says he was then quite capable of attending to his horse. + OLIVER WAKEFIELD KILLED. Dunedin, March 30. Mr Oliver Wakefield, TJnder-Secre-tary for Goldfields, who was on his way from Wellington to Melbourne, was killed by the steam tram motor in Princes street. He was crossing the street, and in trying to avoid an express wagon was struck by the tram engine and knocked down, the front wheels ran over him, but the engine was stopped before the back wheels could reach him. He was taken to the hospital in an unconscious state, when it was found that both his thigh bones were severed, and that he had sustained a severe scalp wound* He recovered consciousness at the hospital. In the hospital the doctors amputated both legs and he lived a very short time afterwards. He is a brother of Mr E. Wakefield, M.H.R. Later. Mr Wakefield died at six o’clock. When he recovered consciousness in the hospital he gave his name so that his friends might be communicated with, and he mentioned Mr Driver and Mr Larnach, from whom he had not long before parted, as Dunedin acquaintances. Four doctors performed the operation. It was not for a moment believed that his life could be saved, but it was the only chance, as the bones were severed. He was sensible after the operation, and spoke to acquaintances present, but he only lived about half-an-hour. Two doctors remained with him till he died. He was going on a visit to Melbourne on leave. It is not certain whether the tram engine knocked him down or whether he got confused and fell. Some persons on the pavement who saw the occurrence believe that he lost his nerve in front of the engine, and fell down before it struck him. The news of the accident has caused a great shock in the city.