PROVINCIAL NEWS

Kumara Times, Issue 2834, 31 October 1885, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS

[UNITKD I'RHSS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, October 29. (Jolonel Whitraore will he a passenger to Auckland, where he inspects the Volunteers at the review on the Prince of Wales birthday. Colonel Whitmoie had the local Volunteers out for inspection this afternoon. He &n<] that seme of I lie coips were 10 per ce-«t. short <>f the pioji-r strength, but he thought the non-attendance was owing to employers not allowing niou to have a holiday,

At the Divorce Court to-day decrees absolute were granted in the case of Wm. Arthur Smith, v. Alice Smith, and G. A. Strike, and Mary Jane O'Rean v. James Grey. H. J. H. Bloid is gazetted assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Works Department. The Ryan perjury case has broken down, and the information is dismissed. The Hon. Mr Buckley is rapidly improving in health. October 30. The Exhibition closes to-morrow evening, when the Governor and Premier will deliver addresses. A number of exhibitors have already disposed of their exhibits, and several others intend disposing of them by auction. The packing up of exhibits will commence at ten o'clock to-morrow night. Government intend to have a report made of the auriferous nature of the Pohangina reefs in the Manawatu district, as soon as one of the Inspectors can be spared. Christchurch, October 30. The charge of assault against Oscar Johnston, pupil teacher at the Heathcote School, came before the R.M. Court again to-day, when the evidence of two girls who were present at the time was taken; but they did not at all bear out the statements made by the police at the previous hearing. They said that the girl was naturally sickly, and had complained of being unwell on the particular morning, and the teacher only touched her lightly with the pointer to attract her attention. She did not faint, and although she complained of being unwell shortly afterwards she remained in school till it was dismissed for the afternoon. As the girl is still ill, the case was further adjourned till November 19. Auckland, October 29. The dispute between the federated Seamen's Union and the Northern Steamship Company is still unsettled. The Union will enforce the rules at the end of the month, in view of the struggle. The head office has set aside £SOO for incidental expenditure, besides expressing readiness to make a special levy on employed members. A DIVORCE CASE. Nelson, October 30. An extraordinary case was before the Supreme Court to-day. Mrs Walcott brought a suit for judicial separation, and praying for the custody of her two children against Colonel Walcott. The respondent had failed to appear in the suit, but was in Court attired in the uniform of a Salvation soldier. He put on placards with printed texts, fixing them on his breast and back, and said—" In presence of my wife, the Judge, and citizens, I ask forgiveness for this great sin." He was reproved by his Honour, and was asked to remove the placards, which he did. The evidence, which was very lengthy, was then proceeded with. The respondent, who retired from the Indian service with the rank of Colonel, was shown to be most eccentric ; and virtually the only question for the Court was as to custody of the youngest child, a lad of twelve, who could scarcely read though very intelligent. Mrs Walcott since her marriage, had joined the Roman Catholics, and though she was willing to have the boy brought up as a Protestant, she desired to take him to England. His Honour was ready to make the decree about separation, but would take time to consider the order as to the custody of the boy. THE RARATONGAN EMBASSY. Auckland, October 30. The Raratongan Embassy left tonight by the Janet Nicol, which takes the largest cargo yet taken to the islands. Ballance had an interview with the Queen. He proposed to arrange reciprocity duties in order for closer commercial relations between the colony and Raratonga, and the establishment of a quasi protectorate by New Zealand to prevent foreign powers interviewing natives to have full control of internal affairs. The Queen will refer the proposals to the native chiefs for consideration and send a deputy to the Government. Sir George Grey also interviewed the Embassy, and told them that whenever they needed help or a friend to write to him and he would stand by them.