PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2586, 6 October 1884, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

[united press association.] Wellington, October 5. Active prepatations are to be commenced at the marble quarry, Caswell Sound, in the course of a day or two. A cricket match was played yesterday between teams picked from members of the Legislature and solicitors respectively. The former were victorious by ten wickets. Mr Hursthouse was the highest scorer for the winners, and Mr Rees for the wearers of the gown. Mr W. F. Buckland was the most successful bowler. Wanganui, October 4. The three ringleaders in the late effigy burning of Mr John Bryce were to-day fined 40s each for burning rubbish without giving notice to the Town Clerk. The Resident Magistrate deprecated tho practice as a useless one. which he hoped would not occur again. VOLUNTEER PRIZE FIRING. Wellington, October 2. It is understood that a suggestion will be made to have the Stella sent to Lyttelton and the Hiuemoa to Auck-

land for the purpose of conveying Volunteers who intend taking part in the Association prize firing to Wellington. The Hinemoa will leave for Gisborne on Friday night, taking members for a trip. She will call at Napier on her return journey. A deputation from the New Zealand Rifle Association waited on Mr Ballance to-day, urging Government not to divide the vote between the two islands. Mr Ballance said it had been represented to him that the feeling in the south was unanimous in favor of a division. He had also been informed that if a meeting were held in each island a triennial competition could take place at some central part of the colony. After further conversation Captain Bailie expressed the hope that Government would try to get more than £250 voted for the prize-firing. A PLAGUE OF RATS. Nelson, October 4. A plague of rats has appeared at Collingwood. The Colonist’s correspondent writes that from West Wanganui to Cape Farewell the country, bush and beach, is overrun with rats, which made their appearance suddenly. Hawks and gulls are preying upon the rodents, and some lads with dogs killed 4500. They are doing great mischief to the oats, and rooting down to the potato seeds. It is stated that a person travelling to the South of West Wanganui met a drove of them and cleared out to let them pass.