PROVINCIAL NEWS

Kumara Times, Issue 2859, 1 December 1885, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS

[united press association. 1 Wjsstpout, November 30. An apparently determined case of suicide has occurred at Denniston. A girl named Martha Kerr, aged 12 years, drank tea in which she had soaked matches, and died yesterday. An inquest will be held to-morrow. Christchurch, November 30. William Harrison, whose house in William street was discovered to be on fire under very suspicious circumstances on November 23rd, was to-day committed for trial under a charge of arson. The hearing of the case occupied all day. In addition to the facts previously telegraphed, it was elicited that a large "billy " full of kerosene was on the premises concealed in at) oven some days before the fire; and accused was seen about the house, which was unoccupied about two hours before the fire. A piece of Oamatu stone with a hollow, in which was a bit of lighted candle, was found close to some burning rags, etc., soaked in kerosene, and on the premises where accused lived another piecf of Oamaru stone was found which fitted exactly fco the former piece. A meeting of the Moorhouse Statute Committee was held this afternoon, at which the Governor attended. It was decided that the statue, which is being erected in the Domain, should be unveiled on December 22nd. Dunedust, November 30. At the City Court to-day, Bland and Dixon, embezziers, recently arrested in Melbourne, were remanded till Wednesday next. Simon Hodge, farmer at Henley, committed suicide by hanging himself. '

Balclutha, November 30. A boy, two years of age, son of Mr Jno. Watt, of Stii-ling, was drowned while playing on the edge of the liver yesterday afternoon. The body has not yefc been recovered. Napier, November 30. News comes from Wairoa to the effect that in making broad some natives mistook strychnine for soda, and from eating this bread one native has died, and four others are seriously ill.