INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 304, 22 December 1881, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Wellington, Wednesday. In response to a requisition the Mayor has convened a public meeting to discuss the question of the recent conviction of Chinamen for playing "fan-tan Trc steamers Jane Douglas, Sfornibml, and Manawatu, belonging to the Wellington and Wanganui line of steamers, were sold by auction to-day. The prices ob-ained were : Jane Douglas, £3000; Stormbird, £500 ; and Manawatu, £250. Duxedix, Wednesday. A serious gas explosion occurred to-night in Speddicg's auction store?, in Princes-street South. It is believed it occurred thnugh rats having gnawed the gas pipe. The effect was that a sheet of flame burst out. and two windows iv 'he first floor were blown out, and the panelied cei:i::g on the ground floor was shattered to ribbons, whilst a table" containing .a quantity of fancy goods was thrown down. Two of the employees were knocked down, but were not hurt, and one who was carryins a case ba<l it - c ent spinning out of his hands to a distance of ten feet. The flames were quickly got under. Thursday. A pabMc meeting to consider the Kuns qnes'ion is convened for to morrow. Two four roomed houses in South Dnnedin Were'bnmed do«n this morning aDd a third partially de9troy t d. The insurances ar; £300 in the Northern, £100 in the New Z*al*r.d, £200 in the Srat:t!ard, £150 in Ihe National, acd^£'2oo in the Victoria "-——•■ Cwristchurch, Wednesday. A shocking accident occured on the railway this evening. A young man, named John Riordan, who is twenty-one years of age, was a passenger to-night by the Lyttelton train, and he fell or jumped off the train while in motion. Both the unfortunate man's legs were cut clean off by the knee, He is still alive, but is iv a very precarious condition, and is not expected to survive. In various parts of Chri«tchurch the artesian wells have stopppd flowing. Ir is surmised that this has been caused by the recent earthquake shocks. Thursday. A furious north-west gale commenced last night and still continues. No damage is yet reported. AshHurtox, Wednesday. Richard Lancaster, a butcher, was to-day fined £! by the Resident Magistrate for a breach of the new Gaming and Lotteries Act. He had a raffle amongst his friends on opening a new business, the prize being a whole sheep and three large loaves of bread. WaxgAjtdi, Thursday. There is a very heavy fresh in the river, which rose suddenly in the night and carried away the punt containing the new steam crane just made for use in connection with the dredge. The crane was seen going over the bar and it is feared ha s capized. A number of small boats were carried away, a boat honse staging was broken up, and other damage done. New Pltmocth. Thursday. The Mayor's banquet last night was largely attended, over 100 being present. Mr Bryce was expected but was prevented by business from coming. At Urenui on the 17th the natives kept up the day with a feast, thu3 observing Te Whiti's custom. Oamartt, Thursday. Cleared, barque Veteran, wheat laden for Queenstown.