PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2537, 21 October 1884, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

[united press association.] Palmerston North, October 24 Two men are supposed to have been drowned on Saturday night while crossing the Manawatu river near Fitzsimmons Place. One was Fitzsimmons, a married man, and the other was named M'Kenzie, a youth about 17. No one saw the occurrence, and no trace of the bodies has yet been found, but the horses they were riding were found lose, and the men have not been seen since Saturday evening. A search is now being made. Napier, October 20, The heavy gale on Saturday ripped the large tent of Chiarini’s circus, and almost destroyed the dressing tent. The estimated damage is £IOO. Dunedin, October 20. Miss Georgina Smithson, who with her company was coaching it from Cromwell to Arrowtown, met with rather a serious accident. A rein broke and the horses bolted. The driver pulled the horses into the bank and the coach upset. Miss Smithson had her left arm badly fractured. Miss Hennessey was badly braised. At Alexandra South in Vincent County the lock-up was burned down this morning at four o’clock. There was one prisoner confined in it, a Chinaman named Ah Tew, but when the fire was discovered the flames had such a hold of the building that it was impossible to rescue him, and his body was burned to s cinder. The building was of wood and iron, and was erected twenty years ago. THE LUNATIC GIBSON CAPTURED. Nelson, October 20. The lunatic Gibson was captured last night in Pigeon Valley, Wakefield, about seven o’clock. Last night Mr Wadsworth was walking with a young lady, and when nearly at the footbridge saw a man who was barefooted walking to the road about 100 yards distant, and feeling sure it was Gibson he dashed off after him. As soon as Gibson saw he was observed he made off with the intention of gaining the bush, but Wadsworth was too quick for him, and after a sharp run caught the man, who was fortunately unarmed. He offered no resistance, and Wadsworth, gaining the assistance of some settlers, brought Gibson to Spring Grove, that he might be handed over to Constable Levy, who took charge of the lunatic. Hall then drove the constable and hie prisoner down here, where they arrived about 1 o’clock this morning. Gibson bears no signs whatever of exposure. His face is ruddy, and he not only looks healthy but is the picture of strength. He was wearing a bag in place of a coat, his head and arms being thrust through holes cut in it. On On being charged with shooting Busch, he replied that no one saw him do it, and they could not prove it. On being asked at the lockup what his name was, he said, “ Oh, I’ve got three or four.” He seems in no way violent. Wadsworth is deserving of the utmost praise and recognition for his plucky conduct, as the search parties were out in quite different directions. From the latest reports Busch is progressing satisfactorily. Later. Gibson, the lunatic, was charged at the Magistrate’s Court here with attempted murder, and was remanded for a week. He will be dealt with under the Lunacy Act.