PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2605, 12 January 1885, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

[united press association.] Wellington, January 9. Mr Andrew Young, a well known coach proprietor, has served a writ on Mr N. Reid (of W. and G. Turnbull and Co.) claim £SOOO damages for slander and defamation of character of the plaintiff and his wife by words spoken concerning them by the wife of defendant.

Laing, the cook of the Arawa, who was injured by falling down the hold of the vessel, has succumbed to his injuries.

At the inquest to-day on the body of Captain Mathers, of the ship Opawa, the evidence showed that deceased had complained of his lungs, and was in very low spirits. Three witnesses swore as to his temperate habits. The coroner in summing up expressed his opinion that deceased was suffering from irritation of the membrane of the brain, which caused delirium, in which state he committed the act. The jury returned a verdict of temporary insanity, and commended the officers for the promptitude displayed in recovering the body. Christchurch, January 9. The body of police Sergeant Brook’s child, who was missing some'days ago, was found washed up on Akaroa Beach to-day. Timaru, January 9. A man named Denis Tookey was found in the park at Temuka this morning with his throat badly cut. A razor was found near him. He was brought to the hospital, where he lies in a precarious condition. It is supposed to be a case of attempted suicide. Auckland, January 9. A fire broke, out on board the Government pilot steamer at 4 o’clock this morning lying at Fonts point, Kaipara Heads. She was completely gutted. The damage is £IOO. The pilot was away with another vessel up the north Wairoa. The crew of the brigantine Look Out boarded the steamer, cut the moorings, and beached her. The origin is unknown. No one was on board.

January 11. A paper in the interests of Freethought called Truth was issued yesterday. It is edited by Dr. Hughes. The Hinemoa was beached at the North Shore yesterday and the bottom cleaned. The officers are extremely reticent as to her future movements.

A fire broke oub about 10 o’clock last night in the sash factory of the New Zealand Timber Company, CustomHouse street, and before it was suppressed the establishment was destroyed and a mfllion feet of timber in the yard burnt. Insurance, £3OOO, Norwich Union. The Auckland Timber Company’s mill was saved, largely through the change of wind, but £3OOO worth of timber in the yard was destroyed. The insurance on the mill was £7OOO in the South British, partly reinsured. The timbers was uninsured. The Auckland gas works across the street were in danger for some time. January 11, In connection with the floating of the loan, it may be mentioned that when the second million was floated last year consols were 101 J, and the rate of discount was three per cent. Now consols are 99f, and the rate of discount five per cent.