PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2603, 9 January 1885, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

[united press association.] Dunedin, January 6. In the Supreme Court in banco, P. Jacob Vandyke, charged with shooting at Miss Wadsworth with intend to murder, was found guilty and sentenced to ten years. Samuel Smith, unlawfully wounding, was acquitted. January 8. In the Nenthorne murder case two jurors were challenged by Fitzgerald and one on behalf of each of the other prisoners. The Crown Prosecutor ordered five of the other jurors to stand aside. The case is likely to occupy two days. It has been decided to set aside two days for the Fire Brigades demonstration at the eud of this month, owing to the large number of teams which have entered.

A tournament for the draughts championship of the Australasian Colonies was begun to-day. There are 14 competitors. There is only one representative from Australia, a Sydney player, though five or six were expected. Nelson, November 7.

Three separate waterspouts have been seen close to Cape Farewell Spit light-house. The keepers were afraid that one would have taken off the dome of the lighthouse, and describes the sound of the water falling on dwelling houses as really fearful, Christchurch, January 7.

A. man named George Smith was fishing at Pigeon Bay yesterday, when the boat upset, and he was drowned. Two men who were with him managed to swim ashore.

A boy five years old, son of Sergeant Brooks, of Akaroa, has been missing since yesterday. He is supposed to have been drowned in the harbor.

Wellington, January 7. A slander case of some interest is on the tapis here. A well known citizen having issued instructions to his legal advisers to proceed against another equally as well known gentleman for £SOOO damages for an alleged slander by the latter’s wife. The election fur three members for seats on the Government Insurance Association Board closed at ten o’clock this morning. Major Campbell re-

turning officer, declares the result will not be known for two or three days. . January 8. The last Gazette notifies the resgination of Dr. F. A. Moncktou as coroner, Kumara. Larnach’s appointment as Minister of Mines and Marine is gazetted. A prize of five pounds each is offered by the Government for the best design for a medal and certificate for the Industrial Exhibition, Designs are to be sent in on or before February 14. The cricket match, Auckland v. Wellington, was commenced this morning. Auckland won the toss, and went in, scoring 244 in their first innings. The highest scorers were Barton, 83; Kebinson, 36; Coxon, 30. Wellington in their first innings have lost 8 wickets for 124, the highest scorers being R. Blacklock, 51; Nicholls, 32. A Conference of adjutants and officers commanding the several Volunteer districts in the colony met this afternoon at the Government buildings, and it is expected their sittings will extend over a week. The Conference, which has been appointed at the instance of the Defence Department, comprises the following officers -Major Stapp, Wanganui; Butts, Wellington and Napier; Shepherd, Auckland, and Captain Webb, Nelson and Westland; Newell, Canterbury; and Gordon, Otago, and Southland. The object of the Conference is to suggest amendments in the Volunteer Act and Volunteer Regulations, in order to make the latter confornj to the former as nearly as possible, At present some of the regulations are ultra vires, and it is considered very desirable for the proper working ot the force that amendments should bo effected in them as well as in the act under which they are framed. The election for three members of the Government Life Insurance Board resulted in the return of Messrs H. D. Bell, George Fisher, and G. S. Graham.