PROVINCIAL NEWS

Kumara Times, Issue 2613, 21 January 1885, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS

[united press association.]

Wellington, January 20. The first meeting of the board of directors of the Government Insurance Association will be held on Friday next. Westport, Janaary 19. The Koranui coal mine has commenced work to-day. The difference at the Westport mine will probaply be settled this week.

Christchurch, January 19. The brigantine Island Lily, Robert Garni, master, was wrecked at the Chatham Islands on 3rd January. She was sailing out of the channel when the wind fell and she drifted on to the reef running to the southward. An inquiry into the cause of the wreck was held, and the Court decided that no blame could be attached to the master or mate. The cargo, including 56 bales of wool, general stores, hides, and oil, was lost. Captain Garni lost all his property—value £l5O. The vessel was insured in the National office for £I2OO. Dunedin, January 20. A girl, three years old, daughter of Finlay Mackay, farmer at Mataura, was drowned through falling into a small well. At the inquest a verdict was returned of accidentally drowned while in an apopletic fit, A sailing boat belonging to Mark Thomas, contractor for carrying the mail from Lyttelton to Purau, capsized in the harbor a half mile from the breakwater. Thomas, with four men, Lewis, Higgs, King, and Thomson, were in the boat. King, who could not swim, was drowned. The others clung to the. oars till picked up by boats which put off from shore, A stiff north-wester was blowing, and a heavy sea running when the accident occurred. King’s body is not recovered.

Blenheim, January 19, A boy of 14 years of age, named James Browne, was charged at the R.M. Court to-day, with tnalicionsly injuring another boy named Tucker by an explosion of gunpowder. Browne called Tucker to pick up some powder which got spilt in loading a toy cannon, and whilst Tncker was doing so, it is alleged, Browne exploded the powder with a lighted match, Tucker’s face was severely burned and Browne’s slightly. Browne’s defence was that he accidentally ignited the powder as he was setting off the cannon. The Bench hold that although gross carelessness had been shown, which deserved punishment, yet there was not sufficient evidence of wilful intent to send the case for trial, and the charge was dismissed. The Bench com mented severely on the persons who sold him the gunpowder. THREE MEN ENTOMBED. Wellington, January 19. An accident occurred about four this afternoon on the Wellington-Manawatu Railway Company’s works at Pukerahu, about 24 miles from Town, and which resulted in three men being buried underneath a fall of earth in a tunnel. It appears that twelve men were working in a tunnel in Mr Brown’s contract when the limber suddenly gave way and a large quantity of earth fell. Nine managed to escape, but the other three were when the last report was despatched to town still entombed. Their names are Peter George, Henry Lloyd, and Matthew Ranzuletti. The voice of the lust named can be heard,

and he states that he can hear one of the other unfortunate men groaning, but is unable to tell which. Dr. Gillon left in the steamer Tui this evening, and will be landed close to the spot where the accident occurred. Later. In connection with the accident which occurred at the tunnel at Pukerahu yesterday afternoon, news reached town this afternoon that the Austrian Ranzadetti was rescued at 1.30 p.m. He was in a very weak condition, but sensible. The nature of his injuries are unknown. The trunk of one of the other men was got out, but the legs are

still unearthed. Nothing is yet known respecting the fate of the third man, but it is almost certain that he is dead