PROVINCIAL NEWS

Kumara Times, Issue 2675, 18 April 1885, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS

[united press association.] Timaru, April 16. A man named John Rock was accidentally run over to-day by a traction engine, belonging to William Chiistie, of Sea-down. It appears that the deceased was walking in front of the engine holding a lantern on account of it being dark; the driver of the engine saw the light suddenly disappear, and on pulling up, found that the engine had run over the deceased and partly crushed him. He was brought into the hospital and died this morning. Deceased was a single man. Dunedin, April 16. One of the seven ton guns was mounted at Forbury Heads to-day, and another will be mounted at Lawyer’s Hood next Wednesday. These are to protect the city from bombardment from the ocean. The defence works at Taiafoa Heads to protect the entrance to the harbor are also in a forward state. Wellington, April 16. Government have received the following telegram from the Agent-Gen-eral :—“ Quite uncertain whether peace will be preserved; Mr Gladstone’s statement last night was not reassuring ; naval preparations are active,” April 17. In the Divorce Court a decree nisi was granted in the case of Waller v. Waller (Wanganui), and also the case ot Smith v. Smith and Strike (Wanganui. In the hitler case the jury awarded £SO damages against the co-

respondent. The latter’s solicitor obtained leave to move for the reversing of the verdict on the grounds that there was not sufficient evidence to prove that the co-respondent knew Mrs Smith was a married woman. Auckland, April 16. Robert M'Elvie, seaman, shot Thos. Stewart this evening in the jaw and left breast with a revolver while the latter was sitting in Mrs Benson’s boarding house with the landlady. The cause was jealousy, M‘Elvie escaped and has not been arrested. Steward was taken to the hospital and one of the bullets has been extracted. He is likely to recover. M‘Elvie formerly lived with Mrs Benson, he bad previously threatened her and Stewart. April 17. The police are still scouring the country for M'Elvie. A Queensland squatter named F. A. Clarke died at the Star Hotel this morning from narcotic poisoning. He arrived here yesterday from Melbourne. Yesterday, however, the doctors were called in, and found him suffering from poisoning by chlorodyne. The usual remedies were applied, but without avail, and he died this morning. There is no sign of the Hinemoa, which was due yesterday. Wm. Thorne, draper, of Parnell, died suddenly this morning. He exclaimed “ I have taken powder,” and after a few spasmodic struggles he died. It is supposed he poisoned himself. Westport, April 10. The Westport Coal Company intend recommencing work in this mine on Monday next. Sixty new miners have been engaged in other parts of the colony to take the place of the men who struck work in December last. The first instalment of new hands arrived to-day.