PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2598, 3 January 1885, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

[united press association.] Wellington, December 28. A Cabinet meeting was held to-day at Sir Julias Vogel's House, the Governor being present. Nothing is officially kuown, but it is rumoured that it was in connection with the annexation of Samoa. His Excellency the Governor returned here unexpectedly this morning. Ministers have been in Cabinet all day, but nothing has been allowed to transpire as to the Governor's visit. It is, however, said to be in connection with the Pacific annexation, and that within the next few days an important development may take place. The members of the Government are, however, reticent. Auckland, December 30. At an inquest on Petersen there was an open verdict of found drowned. The schooner Cygnet, it is stated, has brought up from Samoa to bo forwarded Home, a petition signed by a large number of Samoan chiefs, praying the British Government to annex the islands. A rumour is current that an effort is to be made to form a Government with Mr Weber, head of a great German firm, as Premier. William Sheehau, charged with the Castletown Roche murders, Ireland, was fnrther remanded till the 9th January. The prisoner's counsel offered no objection provided on arrival of depositions the police supplied him with copies. Sergt. Thomson promised this. r Mary Ann Gamble, a domestic servant attempted to commit suicide by taking chloral. She is now in the hospital in a precarious condition. Dunedin, December 31. John Whiteman, the guard of the Invercargill express train, was killed on the journey to Dunedin, when near LovelPs Flat. It appears he was was walking on the top of the carriages to reach the rear of the train, and having his back to the engine he did not observe the proximity of an overbrid»e. He was, struck, however, by the lower part of the bridge on the' head and killed instantaneously. Whiteman leaves a wife and three children. His wife is away from home, but she has been telegraphed to. Mr Abraham, who has for some years carried ou business here as a promoter of racing sweeps under the assumed name of Ada Mantua, announces in to-day's paper that he has sold out to Lyons and Hart, pawnbrokers, of this city. January 2. A strange fatality occurred at Seacliffe Lunatic Asylum on New Year's day. Two warders, Win. Matheson and Gordon Ingram, were larking, and the former asked the other to strike his chest. Ingram did so and Matheson fell down dead. THREE PERSONS DROWNED. Gisborne, January 2. At Tologa, yesterday, two young women named Sarah and Maggie Harvey went out in a boat on the river, taking with them a little boy, two years old, named Finlayson, son of their brother-in-law. Through, some cause unknown all the three were drowned. Particulars have not yet come haud.