INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 69, 20 March 1880, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[Press Association. 1 Auckland, March 19. Information has been received from New Caledonia of the loss of the schooner Asba in a hurricane on the 17th ultimo. The crew and the expired laborers were lost. The Native Parliament has opened at Orakei. The chief Paul presided, and made a long speech. The most; important topics not already telegraphed to be discussed, are — stoppage of subsidies to chiefs, free passes, food and medicines, a demand of exemption from Hoad Board taxation, and six members instead of four in Parliament. Speech making is postponed till to-morrow. The attendance is not so good as last year. At the Presbyterian Assembly, the report from the Maori Missions Committee stated that the labors of the missionary in Turakina, Parawhenua, and other districts had met with considerable success. It recommended the location of missionaries at Cambridge and Wanganui up-river districts, and expressed surprise that the Church had done so little in this way. The report was adopted. John Simraonds, late of the schooner Gipsy, fell over the wharf at midnight. He -was rescued from drowning by Constable

Christciiurch, Friday. The action for libel, G. G. Grant v. the the Directors of the Otago Daily Times and Witvei-s Company (Limited) was tried to-day at the Resident Magistrate's Court, before Mr Melluish and Mr Ollivier. Mr Packman appeared for thecomplainaut, and Mr Garrick for Mr Fenwick, the only defendant who was present. His Worship, after a long argument between counsel on the question of issuing warrants for the attendance of the remaining Directors, decided to adjourn the case till Monday, after hearing what evidence could be taken. Saturday. Mr S. H. Andrews, Exeter, England, and formerly of Canterbury, has presented 30 acres of valuable land to the Rangiora Borough Council for a public park. Yesterday 1039 loaded wagons passed through the Christchurch station to and from Lytteltou This is the heaviest day's work since the line was opened. Mr Robinson's horses Foulplay, Grip, Natator, and On Dit arrived in town yesterday for the Autumn Meeting. The animals look in excellent coniition. Coustable Smith arrived yesterday from Wellington to superintend the distribution of rations to the unemployed in this district. Coustable Donaldsou goes toDunedin for the same purpose, Duneihn, Friday, The inquest ou the niurde.red Dewar fatiiily was continued (§-day. tSeveral witnesses w'eVe examined, and it was then adjourned till Tuesday. Nothing was elicited directly connecting the prisoner Butler with the crime. It was proved that he purchased provisions, and left Dunedin shortly after the murder; that he changed his clothes and cut off his moustache before reaching Blueskiu. Mr Hal li well's house in York Place was robbed on Wednesday night, and then set on fire. Luckily the fire was discovered by some boys, and was soon extinguished. Mrs Halliwell was alone in the house. Saturday. A cake of 443 ounces from 400 tons of stove was sent down from the Tipperary claim. The inquest on the Cumberland-street tragedy will be concluded on Tuesday, the only remaining witness to be examined being Inspector Mallard and Dr Brown. Daniel Haygarteley, a settler residing at Clutha, died suddenly aged 80 The premises of Wong Tape, a Chinese merchant, situated in Stafford-street, were broken into last night, when £150 in notes and gold was stolen. The strangest part of the affair is that fifty sovereigns and four pieces of gold in the same chest as the other money were not abstracted. In the case of Theobold v. Studholme a verdict was entered for the defendant. Mr C. R. Fish moves in the City Council in the direction for the establishment of a city morgue.