PROVINCIAL NEWS

Kumara Times, Issue 2937, 30 March 1886, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS

[united press assooiation.l Ross, March 29, A lad named Walter Bernard, disappeared yesterday morning at the mouth of the Totara River and is supposed to be drowned, as the horse he was riding returned riderless. Later. The body of Walter Bernard has been found in the river. Inquest tomorrow, Dunedin, March 29. Lawrence, a prisoner undergoing sentence for the Nentbern tragedy, was charged with being mutinous. Evidence was given showing that he refused to go to work, lying down and making fun of the other prisoners. When on the hulk, in the evening, he was only to receive half rations, but he snatched full allowance from the cook’s hands, and refused to give it up. For the defence it was contended (hat prisoner was asked to go to work on a face where a slip had taken place, hut offered to work elsewhere. The Bench reserved their decision. There are about 19 other charges against the prisoner.

The Minister of Mines left for the overland journey via the Haast Pass to West Coast this afiernoon. Professors Black and Brown, of the University, accompany him. The Premier leaves for Invercargill on Wednesday. At the inquest on Alex. M'Queen, who committed suicide hy hanging himself, evidence was given that deceased had displayed a tendency towards insanity. The verdict was that he committed suicide whilst of unsound mind; and a rider was added that the hospital authorities should have ascertained the state of his mind before liberating him. The Government have declined to "ive the unemployed more than 4s per day ; and the City Council have been advised that they cannot give legally an extra 6d per day. It was promised, in order to keep faith with the men; however, Mayor Barnes will pay the money np to dale out of his own pocket. A young man named Metcalfe was fined 10s with £2 16s costs for illtreating a horse by beating it and attaching another horse to its neck to make it go. He elected to take the alternative of four days’ imprisonment. Wellington, March 29.

The Pukekohe railway station has been burglarised, and the safe carried a quarter of a mile and thrown over a-n embankment. It contained £25, but the burglars failed to opeu it. Mrs Askew, of Newmarket, has died of an overdose of laudanum. It is supposed to be a case of suicide, she being stated to be in a depressed state of mind for some time, owing to unsuccessfnl speculation. The Minister of Justice is still communicating with the authorities and endeavoring to arrange for Mrs Morgan, who was charged with infanticide at Oamaro, being tried at the ensuing criminal sessions at Dunedin. In the meantime, should Mrs Morgan apply for bail on her own recognizances, the Government, it is understood, will not object to her being released on those terms.

The Alameda, from Sydney, has made the passage in the fa-ncst time three days nineteen hours. She brings /0 saloon and 32 steerage for’Frisco. Judge Gillies anived°by the Alameda Lorn Sydney. She

lenves at two o clock 10 morrow afternoon. Tlie 10th of May is the date fixed for the silting of the Court of Appeal at Wellington.

New Plymouth. March 26. hi the District Court TV* Whiti was summoned for a debt of £135 due to John Stitt, stoiekeeper, Opunak**. Te Whiti did* not appear, and judgment was given for the amount claimed. Evidence given in the case shows that Te Whiti evidently means to defy the law as he has sufficient money to pay the debt, but, refua>-d point blank to do s». Some important development is looked for when the warrant of distress is issued against him.

Auckland, March 29. The Get man squadron consisting of Bismarck, 2800 tons; Gneiseuau, 2800 tons, frigates; and the Olga, 2170 tons, causing corvette, under" Admiral Kmur, ar ived to-day. The squadron left Sydney on the 21st inst., and made the passage in eight days under canvass. They remain here until the 9th April, and then proceed to Samoa. The total complement of men is 1080, which will be included in the Auckland census.