PROVINCIAL NEWS

Kumara Times, Issue 2991, 4 June 1886, Page 3

PROVINCIAL NEWS

[united press assooiation.l Nelson, June 1. A man named John M‘Gregor left here in an open boat for the Moutere, about 12 miles distant, on Wednesday, taking with him a bottle of gin and a bottle of wine only. Evidently he got drunk, and his boat was drifting about the bay with sail set till yesterday, when two fisherman found it. They brought the man in, but he was completely exhausted from long exposure, and speechless. He was taken to the Hospital, but died to-day. A curious case occupied the Magistrates Court to-day, The Trustees of the German Church at Moutere sued Pastor Kowert to regain possession of the church, parsonage, and lands. It appeared that the pastor refused to administer the sacrament to certain of his congregation because they were Oddfellows, Ultimately the congregation held a meeting and carried a resolution disapproving of his action. Rev. Kowert said if it was carried he would resign and leave in six months. This time having elapsed, certain of the congregation desired he should leave, but the pastor declined on the ground that the majority of the members of his chinch desired him to stay, but the plaintiffs allege that the majority of the congregation did not. The Magistrate decided he must leave in one month. Dunedin, June 1. A lad named Henry Mills bad two of his fingers amputated by a sausage machine at Mosgiel.

Tbs Australian Humane Society propose to grant a reward to Inspector Stephens, who was the means of saving four lives from drowning in the lower harbour. June 2. A M‘Gregor, lost in the Ly-ee-moon, is the son of M‘Gregor, late landlord of the British Hotel, and is 23 years of age. An expressman, George, Bremmer, fell while lifting a box on the wharf and died shortly after from, it is supposed, some internal disease. Wellington, May 31. The following tenders were received for the Greymouth ploice station : Accepted—Govan, M., .£378. Declined—Davis, H., £4OB ; Hillman, E., £414; Wilson, W., £439 ; Arnott and Seabrook, £468; Wisdom and Sotheran, £478 ; Govan, J., £330 ; all of Greymouth. June 1. It appears from the statement of the pilot that the Russian warship Vestnik, which sailed for Auckland this afternoon. proceeded through Cook Straits instead of taking the East Coast route. Gisborne, June 1. Willoughby Brassy, solicitor paid his cheque for £155 Is 8d to-day, just as a criminal information was being sworn against him The proceedings are now stopped. Christchurch, June 1. A meeting of the, policy-holders in the Government Life Insurance Association, attended by 40 persons, was held to-night. It was decided by a large majority to support Mr Shannon as a candidate for the Board of Directors, A discussion on the management of the Association resulted in the appointment of a committee to make arrangements for a larger meeting. W. H. Messenger, hotelkeeper, who has been brought back from Melbourne under the Fugitive Offenders Act, charged with wife desertion, arrived in Christchurch to-day. Auckland, June 1. A man about 35 years of age was drowned to-day while crossing the Raunvahauga at Te Whaite in a canoe. A Wellington pawn ticket was found on him with the name Richard Cole.