PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2398, 6 May 1884, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

[united press association.]

Ross, May 5. Several of the leading business men visited the reefs yesterday, and crushed stone there, obtaining payable gold. They brought a parcel to town and crushed it to-day in the presence of 40 people with the same result. Fifteen leases are pegged off, and twenty-fourth interests are changing hands to-day at

Auckland, May 5. The Zealandia arrived at 7.30 on Sunday night. She left San Francisco on April 14, passed City of Sydney April 17. The first two days' voyage experienced strong head winds and was detained six hours off Honolulu by bad weather. Passengers for Auckland— Saloon : Messrs Stewart and Wightman. Steerage: Mrs Doyle and son, Mrs Homberger, Mr Reeve and Robt. G. Reeve. For Sydney—l 9 saloon, 22 steerage. Among the passengers to Sydney were the Revs. Slattery, Gallagher, Hutchinson, O'Byrne, Meenay and Chapman. The Zealandia left at one o'clock yesterday morning for Sydney. Among the passengers is excouncillor Offer, respondent in a divorce action. The southern San Francisco mails were sent by a special train at midnight. The s.s. Wanaka sails at daylight from Onehunga. The foundation stone of the new St. Patrick's Cathedral was laid by Bishop Luck this afternoon, with imposing ceremonies in presence of 3000 people. The collection in cash and promises, £630; Bishop Luck gave £SO, and Bishop Redwood of Wellington £2O. The Garrison band attended and played several selections.

_ Richard Fletcher, laborer, aged 50, died suddenly on Saturday night at Tamahan's Hibernian Hotel, Onehunga, it is believed of excessive drinkin«. He got a legacy from home and spent it all in three weeks. He was married, but lived away from his wife. Wanganui, May 5. Letters from the prospecting party at present up the Wanganui river state that they have reached Taimoranui, but as jet the country gone through is not of a gold-bearing character. They are now in the territory in which gold is supposed to be, and they had heard good news when writing. It is rumored that Barry, a private prospector, has sent a specimen of gold in a bottle to Mr Bryce. The letters state that he has been taken prisoner and sent to Alexandra.

Marton, May 5. A largely attended meeting was held here on Saturday afternoon with the view of inducing Sir William Fox to stand for Rangitikei at the next election. A letter from Sir William was read, positively declining to stand, as he intends to go Home shortly. It was stated by the County Council Chairman that Sir William's trip Home is on account of Lady Fox's health, which has broken down, and can only be restored by a sea voyage. Wellington, May 5. An old man, named Alfred Hawley, was found early this morning in the railway station at Woodside in an unconscious state. On examination it was found that one of his wrists was cut severely and he was also stabbed in the left side. On regaining consciousness Hawley said he had committed the deed himself with a sheath knife, which was lying at his side. No reason for the rash act is assigned. Sir George Grey passed through here to-day on his southern tour. He will be accompanied by Mr Mitchell, of the Hansard staff.