PROVINCIAL NEWS

Kumara Times, Issue 2919, 8 March 1886, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS

[united press association.!

Christchurch, March 7.

Eliza Free, wife of Thomas Free, formerly an hotelkeeper here, dropped dead in her house at Bingsland this morning. At the inquest held yesterday at Southbridge on Mrs M'Millan, who died from the effects of unskilful treatment during her confinement, it appeared that no doctor was present, and that she was attended by an old woman named Edwards, who was very deaf and unable to perform the duties of a midwife properly. The jury returned a verdict that death had resulted from blood poisoning brought on by the incompetency of the nurse. The 24 hours' walking match, Muhleisen, of Christenurch, v. Libeau, of Akaroa, ended last night. Muhleisen walked 105 miles in 23£ hours. Libeau gave in after walking 6 hours, and accomplishing not quite 33 miles. Wellington, March 6.

The body of Schultze, a seaman belonging to the steamer Kiwi, was fouud floating in the harbor. A man named Charles Thompson, a Norwegian, has been arrested on suspicion of having caused the death of Schultze, a sailor found floating in the harbor. Deceased and Thompson were in a brothel about a week ago, and the latter threatened him. Schultze left the house, and Thompson followed him. He returned to the house an hour later, sr-eming to be agitated, and on being asked where his mate was, replied "It is no matter; he was no good." Schultze has never been seen since then. Hugh Douglass, a porter, fell off the Queen's wharf last night, and was drowned. Auckland, March 6. The prospectors have nearly all returned from the King Country, and give doleful accounts of it. They found no indications of gold in the Tuhua country, which is reported to be all pumice. Some have gone to Rangitoto, but they are not sanguine. BOILER ACCIDENT ON BOARD THE MARIPOSA. Auckland, March 7. On the up trip, as the Mariposa cleared the bar at Honolulu, Uth February, an explosion took place. The plate covering the boiler tubes was displaced, which caused an escape of steam and boiling water, which blew the fire out of the furnace, and scalded several firemen. Two died, and Richard Carrow, coal passer, and John Whitemash, passage worker, were seriously injured. Engineer Shannon and Thomas Hansen were sent to the hospital. One is expected to live, James Browu, water tender, was strong enough to go on to 'Frisco. At the inquest the jury returned a verdict of, accidental death. No negligence was ! attributed to the Captain and officers. The Mariposa went on to 'Frisco with the remaining three boilers.