PROVINCIAL NEWS

Kumara Times, Issue 2909, 24 February 1886, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS

[united PRESS ASSOCIATION. 1 Chkistchurch, February 22. Paddy Dunn, William Noble, and C Hiudy, three of the men whom the police assert have lately come over from Sydney and have Hie reputation of being sharpers, were fined £2 each at the police court this morning for damaging; property in a house of illfame. They were under the impression that they had "squared" the matter by paying the proprietress £5; biu the police took the matter up. Miss Georgie Smithson delivered a lecture to-night on the West Coast railway to an audience of upwards of 2000 persons in the Tuam street Hall. The Mayor of Chriatchurch presided. The lecture, which consisted of a reiteration of the arguments formerly used in favour of the construction of the line, was very well received, and a hearty vote of thanks passed to the lectmess. February 23. About half-past eleven to-day John Taylor, plumber, of the firm of Taylor and Oakley, got into a dispute with his next door neighbour, John Midgley, about a fence which the latter wished to erect between their premises, which Taylor objected to as unsightly. From high words they came to blows, and were separated by Oakley, Taylor's partner. They closed again, and Midgley fell, striking his head against the wooden kerbing of the footpath. He was taken into his house and Dr. Patrick came, but the man died almost immediately. It does not appear that he was kuocked down. Taylor gave himself up to the police immediately. It is not believed that he was previously at enmity with Midgley.

Jessie Payne, 17 years old, was drowned while bathing in the Kaituna river on Suuday.

Wellington, February 23

The Temperance Conference commences on Monday. Amongst the delegates present will be Sir Wm, Fox and Mr T. W. Glover (Wellington), Messrs A. Speight, R. Meal, Cox, and Carr (Auckland), Lock (Nelson), Easthope (Wairarapa), J. W. Jago, R. Fulton, and D. C. Cameron (Dimedin), Harding and R. C. Harding (Napier), 0. S. M'Dowell (Greymouth), and J. Smith (Christ church). Auckland, February 23. The Opal arrived at Suva from Samoa on the 12th. She reports that there is still a strong feeling between the English and Americans on the one hand and the Germans on the other.

King Malieloa visited the Opal, and on leaving was saluted with 21 gnns. This is significant, as the Opal is not a saluting ship, and the Germans are said to have been angry at it. The Opal is to proceed from Suva to Sydney.