INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 12, 13 January 1876, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Riy.-__.TO_r, Tuesday. The West Coast prospecting party returned last night briugi g a shipwrecked -.eaman named M'Lean. belonging to the schooner Woolwich, which was capsized in a gale off Preservation Inlet. Tbe man, who -was picked up on the rocks, states that be, Captain Moody, and the other seam ei, after c'inging to the bottom of the vessel were at last enabled to reach the pho-e. The other t-*o started to walk through tho bush immediat .ly on landing, but, a. they bail neither provisions, dog, nor gun, it is surmised that they must have perished in the bush M'Lran was picked up on the 10th ot December in a very weak and exhausted condition, after sub.is ing for nearly six weeks on ehsllfi.h. The ves_el was on her way from Auckland to the Bluff The party have not stated what the prospects ar**, but it is thought they are not very successful. Wellington, Tuesiay. Arrived—Ship Pleiades from London, 114 day 8 from the Downs, with 46 passengers and a large general cargD. All well. Wednesday. Up to noon to day tho Luna haa heen unsuccessful in the attempt again to book the cable. After the mishap on Monday another grapnel was beat, and dragging wai resumed, but the violent jerking and tugging soon showed that there was a rocky bottom, the firat of any great extent yet encountered. After dragging for some time and there being no sign ot the cable, the grapnel was hauled up, and one prong waß found to be broken off an 1 several others straightened, but there are plenty of grapnels on board, eo a new one was tried and another attempt made to cross the line of cable where it was previously hooked. Just then, however, the wind and sea got up. and lurther operations were suspended till Tuesday afternoon, when another trial was attempted but the sea was still too rough. The Luna then ran for Lyell Bay, and Dr Lemon telegraphed for provisions to be sent by the Tui, which tendered her at midnight. A chart was also sent to Dr Lemon showing the cable course aB taken by Captain Kennedy at the time it was laid. This will doubtless be of greit "alue to the present undertaking. At two this (Wednesday) morning they made another tri-J, but having reached the place where they had hooked the cable ot Monday they found still too much sea for their operations. The Luna is now (noon) at anchor in Island Bay, awaiting a change of weather to resume operations. Auckland, Wednesday. The New Zealand lusnrance Companv's half-yearly meeting was held f-day. The report stated that notwithstanding the numerous heavy lossas which had attended the marine insurance operations during the past six month-*, the directors corsidered they were fortunate in being ab'e to pre.ent a satisfactory repoit evincing that steady advancement had been made by the Company. For the half jear the total receipts, inclusive of the balance from last year, amaunt to £109,774. showing an increase in premiums of £ 11,154 over the corresponding half year of 1874. The total expenditure fir the same period waa £99,284, inclusive of the Bum of £17 078 estimated as sufficient to cover all accepted losses and averages. Thtra regain at credit on profit and loss account £ 19,489. The directors declare a dividend of fifteen per ceat, whioh will absorb £i2,240. The directors announce that new and commodious offices have been erected in Pitt-street, Sydney. The chief losses were on the ships bsiathmore aei Strathnaver. x. -A-t the first shooting for district representatives Kel.y scored 87, Morrow 83, Kqu-jl 83 A barge in the. Waikato loaded with wJol caught fire by a spark from the fuon<*l. The barge was saved by throwing a large quantity of wool overboard. * J WANQAND-r, Wednesday. Two girls mmed Laur* Hackutt and Margaret Bushell, aged respectfully 17 and 15 years, were drowned at tne Heads yesterday The former ia the daughter of an old settler',

and the latter lately came frora Nelson with her mother Mr* Carlisle. The two girls with Mrs Carlisle went down to the Heads for a holiday, and while there they bathed in 4he river, havltip h e n prevnus'y waroel against goin* in bv the pilot. They got out of thf ir depth c'oss to tha Bbore, and Mrs Carlisle, who i-i a good swimmer, went in to save Miss Hackett knowing her daughter could swim, but her efforts proved vain, and both were drowned. The accident bas cast a gloom over tho town. An inquest i« to be held. Gbah iMf.*ro*WN, Wednesday. A fat*>l cage of scarlet fever occurred yesterday in the person ot a child under three years old. Two other ca-K8 are reported At the Thames election 802 plumpers were recorded, and 1050 double votes. Waikato, Wednesday. The total result of the poll includiag Raglan is— Cox, 19*; M*;Minn, 177.