INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 276, 28 November 1878, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

fpKEBS AaKKOY.I v%,ii -d . , Patea, Wednesday. Kunbali Bent, a deserter from the s?th Regiment thirteen years ago, and who has ever since lived with the Maoris about Sfty miles up the Patea river, and up till Monday had not been seen by any Europeans since he deserted, was interviewed by a Patea resident. He said he intended to lay his case before the Government, as lie is atiSious to get back to his native couutry (America) Bent deserted after being flogged, and in 18fi6 was believed to have shot Lieut-Colonel Massard, in an engagement near Uawera, and a large reward wns offered for his capture The Maoris treated him as a slave, and say ne was never allowed to carry arms. He has kept a diary the whole time of his absence from civilisation. ' i Auckland, Weduesday. Arrived — The Missionary schooner Southern Cross, from the Islands. The captain reports that improvements are visible in the attitude of the natives towards the missionaries, who were well received almost everywhere. The vessel bas been eight monthfe out, and reports affairs proceeding satisfactorily on the Mission stations. _, „ „ Thursday. Considerable interest was shown in the mayoralty election, the result of which was—Peacock 462,. Cosgrave 430. A flro broke out in the house of Mr Keesing junr. in lower Hobson-sfreet this morning. The house was totally destroyed but a portion of the furniture" was saved. The house of Mrs Pildington 20 yards distant had a narrow escape, the shiugles taking fire, but the flames were extinguished. Keesing'a house was insured for £300 and mortgaged for £490. The loss is estimated at nearly £1000. Blenheim, Wednesday. The Mayoralty election to day resulted as follows:— Fell, HO; Johnston, 56. There was heavy rain, thunder, and lightning last night. It is fiue to-day, but the rivers are rising. Wellington, Wednesday. A supplement to the Government Gazette or Thursday, issued this evening, contains a ? . 9 rder in Council giving the various divisions of the colony under the Land Tax Act, 1878, together with the boundaries of each district. Nelson comprises— Amuri, Buller, Cheviot, Collingwood, Grey, Inangahua, Marlborough, Xaikoura, the Sounds, Waimea, and Westland. The same order also gazettes John Sperry as Land Tax Commissioner as from the 13th instant, and Thomas Mackay as Deputy Land Tax Commissioner, for Nelson, from the 13th inst. . Thursday. Mr Hutchison's supporters are endeavoring to get the legality of the election of Mr Dransfield as Mayor tested in the Supreme Court, the validity of the election being dispnted on several grounds, one being that some five or six people, although on the roll, had no legal right to vote. ) Ashucrton, Thursday. The butchers have formed themselves into a combination to call for no orders, and to supply meat only at their shops and for cash alone. Christckubch, Thursday. At the election of Chairman of theSehvyn County Council yesterday, the Hou. John Hall refused to accept any honorarium. The two Portuguese seamen are now coming a small fortune. They are exhibiting themselves, their boat, and portions of their old enemies the sharks in a tent adjoining the Theatre. . s Another suicide by hanging has occurred. Andred Boyce, a slaughterman employed at Henderson and Mcßeth's on the Lincoln Road, was found last evening hanging on one of the hooks of the slaughter-house by a necktie. He was at once cut down, but life was quite extinct. The supposed cause of the suicide was the depreciation in value of land in which he had lately speculated, and since which he has been in a desponding frame of mind. . The Canterbury Acclimatization Society have presented the South Canterbury institution with 1000 trout, which on Monday were safely conveyed to their destination. In the election of Mayor it is said Councillor Ick haa been returned by a large majority, but the poll will not be declared before to-day. Ddneoin, Thursday, The Mayoral election resulted in the return of Mr H. J. Walker by a majority of 273 over Mr H. S Fish. The numbers were Walker, 854; Fish, 582. For South Dunedin Mr Hodges was returned over Mr Maloney. Napier, Thursday. The ship Kildonnan sails to-day for London with a cargo of wool, tallow, whale oil, &c, valued at £51,692 7s 6d.