PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2546, 19 August 1884, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

[united press association.]

Blenheim, August 16

A landslip yesterday at Onamaluta buried a child named Richard John Giles, son of a miner who was working in a tunnel close by. The body was quite cold when got out after half-an-hour’s digging. An inquest will be held. The child’s mother was also buried to her waist, but escaped unhurt. Wellington, August IS. The case of G. Thorne, jun., v. Government Insurance Commissioner, will be taken in the Supreme Court, on the 26th inst.

It is understood that Captain Morris, of Tauranga, has been offered and accepted the vacant seat in the Ministry, and that the portfolios he will take up are Justice and Customs,

J. G. Holdsworth, Commissioner of Crown Lands, died last night from paralysis.

•Wanganui, August 15, Information has reached town that Thomass survey party, at present in charge of Pemberton, have been turned back by an armed party of Natives, who are said to have threatened them if they proceeded further with their survey.

August 17. An elderly man named Paice, belonging to Fielding, was found dead near the Wanganui racecourse this morning. His body was discovered in a small creek. The body was one mass of burns from head to foot. He is supposed to have slept in a hedge near by, which was much burnt, and to have crawled to the creek for safety.

August 18. At the inquest on the body of Paice, held to-day, the verdict was—“ That deceased died from the effects of being burnt in a furze hedge, but how the fire occurred there was no evidence to show,” . •

Christchurch, August 18. R. Duncan, blacksmith, of Papauui, when cutting a branch of a tree, fell about 28 feet. His spine was injured, and he is in a critical state. Auckland, August 18. The s.s. Waihora was released from quarantine to-day, and the passengers reached town at four o’clock.

Waipawa, August 18. A burglarious attempt was made to break into the Bank of New Zealand at Waipukurau. At two o’clock on Sunday morning burglars broke through the windows and door, and were then alarmed by the waking of the agent, and escaped, leaving no trace.

GEORGE MOONLIGHT, THE MISSING PROSPECTOR.

Nelson, August 16. Eight weeks ago George Moonlight, one of the earliest prospectors on the coast, and more recently a storekeeper at Hampden, a married and,highly respectable man, left Tophouse with a man named Bailey as mate, intending to prospect upon Mr J. Dean’s Lake Station, about five weeks ago. They left Rainley river for Fraser valley, but, disagreeing as to the road, Moonlight took one spur, and Bailey another, the former arriving about two hours before his mate. Next morning Bailey went our prospecting, leaving Moonlight at the tent mending his clothes. Bailev returned at four o’clock, but his mate was away that night and next day. Bailey shouted till he was hoarse, receiving no response. Bailey then left their camp for Mr Kerr’s station to get more provisions. On reaching there he was taken ill and was unable to return until 15 days had expired. He then found the camp as he had left it, and, becoming alarmed, returned and told the station people. Search parties were then organised, and District Constable Gibbes, who was also despatched, now reports that he and 15 others have been searching for ten days without success, finding nothing to lead them to believe that Moonlight had been there. They found prospecting holes in the beds of creeks, showing there had been no floods since they were made, but Bailey says there was a flood after he lost Moonlight, and if so it was argued that Moonlight must have been there since Bailey left him. Bailey is an old mate of and appears to be well esteemed. Moonlight has not been seen by any but him for eight weeks, and no hope is felt of finding him alive. Six or eight men and the constable have gone up to assist in the search. There is some comment as to Bailey’s lengthened silence, but those who know the man say that there is nothing oat of the common in it.