PROVINCIAL NEWS

Kumara Times, Issue 2886, 5 January 1886, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS

[united PRESS ASSOCIATION. 1 Kaikoura North, January 4. A disastrous fire occurred at Waipawa early this morning, causing the total destruction of seven dwelling houses aDd shops, the Empire Hotel, Post and Telegraph Offices, and Bank of New Zealand. The total loss is not yet known. The fire hroke out in a tailor's shop shortly after four o'clock, and by seven o'clock all the buildings were levelled to the ground. Most of the inhabitants saved their furniture and most of their effects, although they are all losers. There is no doubt thefire could have been prevented from spreading had there been a fire engine in town. Blenheim, January 1. A little boy named Fred Birch, son of a Blenheim, resident, was killeil yesterday by falling about 30 feet from the rocks at White's Bay at a picnic party. No inquest will be held. Wellington, Januaiy 1. Two vehicles collided on the Island Bay road this afternoon, and the occupants were thrown out. A Mrs Susan Davis bad her thigh fractured in three places. J. Hutchinson, an expressman, had his right leg fractured in two places, and Mr C. Hansen received some rather nasty bruises about the head. The injured persons were removed to the hospital. January 3. A young man named Daniel Turner, aged 28. a clerk in the Property Tax Department, was killed by a fall" from his hoise on the Karoti road yesterday afternoon. He had been to Karori for a ride with a friend, and when descending Bakei's Hill he was thrown, receiving such injuries that ho succumbed in two bonis. Turner leaves a wife and family at Christchurch. He has a brother residing at Wanganni. The Government has cancelled the oider which authorised the transmission of delayed telegrams on Sunday. A woman named Mary Anderson, who had hpr leg broken in a quarrel some time ago with another woman named M'Dermott, died in the hospital to-day. The cause of death is believed to be alcoholic poisoning. < Wanganui, January 4. A farm laborer nßmed Henry Hasel j died suddenly at Kai Iwi last night. An inquest is to be held today. Tare Peina, a native arrested with tvouble at Parihaka, was to-day committed for trial for stealing a horse, saddle, and bridle in August last.

Auckland, January 1. A man was drowned (name unknown) at the Queen street wharf at midnighi during the ftew Year celebration. The officers and crew of the barque Laira endeavoured unsuccessfully to save him when he fell over the wharf. A. man named Daniels is stated to he missing. Admiral Tryon and party returned from the Lake Country. A ball was given at the Northern Club in his honor. The Admiral arranged a race between Chief Paul's canoe and crew and a selected boat's crew of H.M.S. Nelson over a four mile course. There was great excitement. The gig was defeated by the Maoris by a length. The canoe is to be presented to Tawhaio. THE MISSING HAND MYSTERY SOLVED. HOWARD ARRESTED. Wellington, January 4. The mysterious hand affair, which has caused some little sensation in Ohristchurch, has been solved by the arrest at Petone, a suburb of Wellington, of Howard, who was supposed to have been drowned near Sumner. It appears that the large reward had put the police here on the qni vive, and this afternoon Harnett, who is stationed at the Hutt, made several inquiries respecting a man named Watson who has been working at Petone. Following up the inquiries, Harnett became assured that he had lagged his bird, and about four o'clock he arrested John Watson as being the man Howard from Ohristchurch. The identity was not denied, and by the six o'clock train this evening Harnett brought him to town. Watson, or rather Howard, had been working for one day at the Woollen Factory at Petone, and had to knock off in consequence of an injured arm. He had beeu living in private lodgings. To-morrow he will appear before the Magistrate. From Harnett's account it appears that on New Year's Day Watson (Howard) was at the Young Men's Christian Association's picnic, and Harnett, from that time, was on his trail. Gradually he connected the links, and finally he found a storekeeper at Petone who remembered a customer somewhat resembling a foreigner, and minus the thumb on his right hand. This exactly tallied with the descriptions of Howard, and, waiting his chance, the constable accosted accused, who had his hands in his pockets. On being asked to take them out, he willingly complied, and Harnett arrested him. Howard was wearing a wig, and had his moustache dyed.