PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 3003, 18 June 1886, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

[united press ASSOCIATION. 1 Christchurch, June 15. The Revs. Boddiugton and Mason, the missioners who came from England accredited by the Archbishop of Canterbury, have just concluded a successful mission in this diocese. A farewell thanksgiving service was held in the Cathedral to-day, when there were between 300 and 400 communicants. The reverend gentlemen return to England shortly. The inquest on Verral, who died suddenly on Saturday, was adjourned to have an analysis made of the stomach, as deceased on the day of his death took some medicine procured from a herbalist in town. June 16. This morning, Mr Beetham, R.M,, granted the application to withdraw the charge of wife desertion against Messenger, who was brought from Melbourne recently. He held that Mrs Messenger could not give evidence against her hnsbaud. June 17. Fifteen thousand of the youg salmon received from England iu the lonic have been placed in the large race at the Acclimatisation Grounds. They are doing well, being strong and healthy. Mr P. M'Devitt, a well-known licensed victualler here, died last night after a few days’ illness. As he was a sergeant of the Irish Rifles a military funeral will be accorded to his remains on Saturday next. Auckland, June 15. The steamship Te Anau sailed to-day for Sydney, and took 121 steerage passengers, 74 being from Auckland, and the rest south. A large number are bound for Kimberley. June 16. An old resident of the Thames named C. E. Dodd, licensee of the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, was drowned on Tuesday off the Shortland embankment. A plumber named Fred Waysmith attempted suicide. He took “rough-on-rats” in the presence of his children. An emetic was administered, and he is now in the hospital. .the brigantine Lauder Webber,

cleared at the Customs for Kimberley with nine passengers and a full cargo. ** June 17. Ann Dixon, a woman 60 years of age, was arrested last night charged with stabbing Harry Powers in the head with a pair of scissors. His condition is dangerous. The woman was brought up at the Police Court this morning and remanded. The assault m took place during a disturbance in a brothel.

Invercargill, June 16. A man named Jno. O'Reilly was found dead close to the Kingston railway bridge, near Winton. His skull was fractured, and the horse he had been riding was also badly injured. He had to be shot. The engine driver of the late train noticed*Tu)thing unusual, and it is supposed that deceased’s horse shied and threw him on the culvert, which it afterwards tried to cross.

Rotorua, June 16. The following are the estimated losses by Europeans by the late volcanic eruptions : Wall, £4OOO ; Humphrey, £2000; Rogers, £500; Captain Way, £200; W. Blind, £100; M‘P»,ae was insured in the Union Company, but they refuse at present to pay. However, they promise to consider the matter.

ATTEMPTED DOUBLE MURDER. Auckland, June 17. Matina, a suburb of Devonport., was unusually excited late last night. The fact became known that a man named Luuny deliberately shot his wife, and afterwards attempted to murder a man named George MGnire. The short facts of the case are as follows M'Guire is a blacksmith employed at the Calliope Dick. For some time he boarded at the house of the would-he assassin, but lately had found other lodgings. Prom the statements of the prisoner it would seem that he had been a little too familiar with Mrs Lunny, or at any rate too friendly to suit the* taste of the husband. When M'Gnire left Lunny’s house Mrs Lunny also cleared out, which naturally heightened the jealousy of the husband. No doubt he brooded over the matter, and the result was that he purchased a sixbarrelled bull-dog revolver. Last night Mrs Lunny went over to Devonport to see her children. She was accompanied by a friend named Renwick. As they proceeded along the beach road, in the diiection of Calliope Dock, tbev met her husband near the corner of Knox stieet. Mrs Lunny to d him she was sjoing to see her children for the last 'ime before taking a situation. Heat '-nee pulled out a revolver and fired two shots at her. One of these struck the woman in the groin and she fell to the ground. Her husband then walked quickly away. Subsequently he met a man (M'Guirn) and also fired at him, but missed his mark. Some gentlemen hearing the first shot, ran to the assistance of Mrs Lunny and carried her into 'be house.

Dr. Hopkins found on examination that the ball had penetrated the groin, and was of opinion that the main artery had not been injured, hut at the same time considered it very dangerous. The constable found Lunny in his residence, and arrested him. He was sitting in a chair and merely remarked he wished he had shot them both. Lunny has hitherto always borne an excellent character. He was brought up at the Police Court and remanded to-day for seven days on a charge of attempted wilful murder. Mrs Lunny was brought over from Devenport this afternoon, and removed to the Hospital.