PROVINCIAL NEWS

Kumara Times, Issue 3049, 11 August 1886, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS

[united PRESS ASSOCIATION.! Christchurch:, August 10. Geo. Manning Rees, who last week was committed for trial on a coroner’s warrant for manslaughter of his wife, was charged with the offence at the K.M, Court to-day. His daughter, who at the inquest stated that he had merely carried deceased out of the room and laid her on the bed, swore that he threw her on the bed and threatened to ibrash his daughter if she told it. Dr. Bakewell stated that deceased was very weakly and that neglect and ill treatment had probably accelerated her death. Accused was committed for trial. Dunedin, August 9. The Daily Times says that the workings on Kitchiner, near Hampden, are turning out belter than anticipated. Gold of a rough water-worn character seems to extend over hundreds of acres. Water is scarce, butj with two hours supply 12s to 14s per day is being obtained. Invercargill, August 9. A singular case was heard in the Police Court to-day, when an old man named W. Martin, a farmer at Oteramika, was charged with killing two horses the property of an adjoining settler, named W. Patton, by poisoning them with pho&phorised oats. The principal evidence against the accused was given by members of his own family. The trouble appears to have arisen through the old man objecting to his daughter’s marriage with Patton, and he was recently fined for striking her in the face. While her father was in gaol on remand she married Patton. She did not give evidence against her father on the more serious charge. Martin was committed for trial in the , Supreme Court, hail being allowed in two sureties of £l5O each, and himself in £3O. Wellington, August 9. The weather, which set in wet on Friday last, has continued without intermission, and there are yet no signs of clearing up. A rumour is current here that the Shaw Savill Company and the New Zealand Shipping Company have completed arrangements by which Wellington is to be first port of call for their steamers direct from England; also, that the vessels of the two Companies will make a trip to the northern and southern porta alternately. The s.s. Alameda, with the London mails to the 12th July, left ’Frisco for Auckland on the 31st ultimo, time-table date. The s.s. Mariposa, with the July colonial mails from Auckland, arrived a - Frisco on the 20th nit., a day in advance of due date. August 10. Thomas. Glew, an ex-publican, and latterly billiard marker ui the Duke of

Edinburgh Hotel, dropped dead in the billiard room to-night. It is supposed he had heart disease. The Public Works Department have received the following telegram from the engineer in charge of the Rotorua Railway works:—“Re supposed subMdence of Rotorua township, I have checked the levels of the section from the bush to the terminus; these were levelled ten days before the eruption, and I find them unchanged and am able positively to assert that neilher upheaval or a subsidence has taken place.” Auckland, August 9. Charles Anderson fell overboard tbe cutter May Flower in a gale off Tiri. The tiller, being iron, broke off short while he was steering, Walter T. Hutchinson, bushman, was killed by a falling tree at Mongonui. THE WRECK OF THE PELHAM. Bluff, August 10. The s.s. Pelham still remains in the s ime position s when she first struck, with a list • starboard. Since last night the weather has greatly improved, and hopes are entertained of the steamer being got off it the weather continues as fine as it has been to-day, a very light wind from N.N.E., with smooth water. She has not been working at all on the rocks to-day. Mr Brodrick, Marine Surveyor, and Lloyd’s agent, with Captain Hunter, held a survey at seven o’clock this morning, and Captain Russell, Lloyd’s surveyor, accompanied by Captain Hunter this afternoon. Messrs Bradshaw and East contracted to take the coal out, and have already lightened over 60 tons. The damage to he seen above water is the fender piece bulged from the port side, and the angle iron securing the fender piece broken amidships. The two stanchions at the after part of the main hold are considerably bent. Otherwise there is no apparent injury above water. It has not yet been decided what final steps will be taken re the disposal of her. An inquiry has not yet been held.