PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 3155, 14 December 1886, Page 3

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

[united press association.]

Dunedin, December 13,

The six-year-old son of a farmer named Crossan, at White Sow Valley, near Naseby, was crushed to death by a stone roller passing over him.

Christchurcii, December 13

Joseph Edgar, carter, 31 years old, was found in his bed (.his morning. At the inquest this evening the cause of death was ascertained to be enlargement of the heart.

Wellington, December 13,

James M'Dowell's clothing establishment, Lambton Quay, was enteiod on Saturday night or Sunday and two portmanteaus and several suits of clothes were taken. It is believed tint an entrance was effected by means of skeleton keys. The Conquering Hero at Coromandel is the thiid company which has been floated in consequence of the promise of the Government subsidy to the Kapanga Company. This subsidy, £IO,OOO in amount, was voted on condition that a company was formed in England with a capital of £20,000. The subsidy was to be paid at the rate of five per cent on the expenditure incurred in further sinking the shaft in order that the low level might be properly tested. In the course of his valedictory address, Matthew Burnett, temperance advocate, remarked that since landing at Bluff two years ago he held no fewer than 1250 services, 1000 being as an advocate of temperance principles, and the remainder on purely religious matters.

The Compensation Court awarded J. C. Crawford £6OOO, inclusive of interest, for the land taken for defence purposes. The Crown also ordered him to undertake the construction and maintenance of a fence between Crawford's property and the defence works.— [This is one-fifth what he asked ] Matthew Burnett left today for Hobart, having completed his New Zealand mission. Daring two years iD the colony he has taken 30,000 pledges and issued 34,000 blue ribbons. 2000 Maoris have taken the pledge, including GO chiefs.

Price Williams is greatly impressed ■with the mineral resources of the Collingwood district. It is possible that he will endeavour to form a company for working the iron deposits and erect rolling mills on the spot. All the ingredients for making steel are found close together in the district, and "Williams thinks it quite feasible to supply the colony with steel rails. The coal is of the best quality. The attention of Williams and those backing him was first drawn to the resources of Collingwood by refereuce to them in the Mines statements and Goldfields Report.

FIRE AT AUCKLAND. Auckland, December 13.

An extensive tire took place at Newton this morning. The damage is estimated at £IO,OOO. The conflagration originated in a four-roomed house occupied by James Fnllerton, labourer, in Queen street, at i a.m. It Bpread to three houses adjoining, and ultimately the wind Mow t!i». burning fragments on to (lie roof of K'. .[.'enedict/s Roman Catholic church, a lar«o wooden building, which was totally destroyed with the exception of the benches and the image of the Virgin. From here the fire spread to the old Newton Presbyterian church, on the opposite side of Gladstone street, which had been recently purchased by the Roman Catholics aa a Sunday school. This was also to'ally destroyed, with five oilier dwe'ling house*, hrfore the flames were subdued. It is believed that all the property destroyed was insured.