INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 47, 16 December 1871, Page 5

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

AUCKLAND. Coal of a tolerably good character has been found in the neighborhood of the Miranda Redoubt. Bay of Islands coal is now delivered in Auckland at 20s per ton, and competes successfully with the imported article. The Tauranga correspondent of the " Herald" says that recently every bush and shrub was observed to be covered with hundreds of small gold colored beetles, and what are known as ladybirds. These are said to be a terrible pest, equal to the locusts of old, making a clean sweep of everything in the shape of vegetation and foliage, and are doubt less driven by lack of other sustenance, through the arid season, to prey upon unaccustomed plants and herbs, and to make their appearance in unexpected quarters. A report by Mr William "Webster, of Hokianga, upon the works undertaken in the Bay of Islands, discloses a piece of conduct upon the part of the natives that is noteworthy. It appears that the chiefs at Ohoewai tendered for 50s, and would not (at first) allow the work to be done by Europeans, who tendered at 80s. Mr Webster has since got the same natives to do the work at an average rate of twenty shillings, making the difference of price the " native aid" to the works. This out-of-the-way episode is extremely instructive and interesting. At Wangapoua sawmills there have been hand-to-hand combats between parties of lumber-men, on a disputed question of certain logs. Firearms were said to have been exhibited, and pike poles were somewhat freely used. The police were compelled to interfere. CANTERBURY. Another prize cup, the gift of Messrs Shaw,Saville and Co., has arrived by the Zealandia. It has been handed to the committee of the Lyttelton regatta, who will decide how it shall be competed for The telegraph line to Akaroa is expected to be open for business by the end of the present month. A meeting of the old colonists of Canterbury is to take place on the 16th, and will be celebrated by a banquet. An inquest was held at Sunnyside, a few days ago, on the body of James Clark, alias Pepper, a lunatic patient, who destroyed himself by hanging. Mr T. W. Maude acted for the Coroner, Dr Coward, who, being medical officer in charge of the Asylum, was one of the witnesses as to the cause of death. It appeared in evidence that deceased had hung himself from the bar of one of the windows in the dormitory in which, with other patients, he slept at night. He had secreted the waist-belt of one of the patients, which he made use of to effect his purpose. The window was so lowthat after tying the belt to the bar it was only by dropping on his knees that he succeeded in putting an end to his life. He was discovered almost immedaitely by the night watchmen in the course of his half-hourly visit, but although every effort was made to revive him, life was pronounced extinct by the medical officer, who was at once summoned and arrived without delay. The verdict of the jury, of whom Mr James, schoolmaster, was foreman, was to the affeLt that the deceased had destroyed himself while insane ; and the jury further expressed an opinion that no precaution or care had been neglected by the authorities whereby such a melancholy accident could have been prevented. The Commission appointed to inquire into certain matters connected with the administration of the police force, and also into certain charges made by the Provincial Auditor against the Commismissioner, affecting the integrity of that officer, have sent in an interim report. In this they state that neither the evidence taken by the Provincial Auditor, nor that taken by the Commission, sustains the charges referred to above. Thus Mr Shearman is completely exonerated from these charges. The Commissioners state that, owing to the unexpected length of the inquiry, and

theirprivate business engagements, soma time must elapse before the full report can be sent in. In the meantime they considered it their duty to the Commissioner to forward this interim report, in order that he might be freed from imputations broughtagainst his personal character. The Commissioners are Messrs J. Inglis, G. Hart, and T. W. Maude. A melancholy accident occurred near the Ashburton on the 7th inst. Captain J. M'Lean was returning in a gig from a visit to his partner, Mr D. Middleton. at the south bank of the Rakaia, where he had left Mrs M'Lean, and on nearing his own property the horse shied into a ditch. The gig was overturned, and Captain M'Lean was thrown violently out on his head. When* assistance arrived immediately afterwards, there were no signs of life, and a subsequent examination showed that-death must have been instantaneous. OTAGO. At least two robberies have lately been committed at the head quarters police station. One member had some £lB or £2O stolen from his box ; and another, having received his salary, placed it among his effects, from which it was abstracted. Four or five broods of young pheasants, numbering about a dozen each, have recently been seen in the bush adjoining Tokomairiro, where the birds were originally liberated by the Acclimatisation Society, and where they seem to be thriving exceedingly well. The lambing season in the southwestern districts of the province is reported to have been a very poor one after all. The " Oamaru Times" has definite information to the effect that tenders for the Waitaki bridge may be expected to be advertised for in a few days. Two steamers and five sailing vessels are employed in the timber-carrying trade on Lake Wakatip, and a third steamer is in course of construction. It is reported, on creditable authority, that a hare was shot in Green Island Bush—the animal havingbeen mistaken for a rabbit. How it came to the district there is no means of ascertaining. Some splendid specimens of auriferous quartz are reported to have been obtained in the Tokomairiro district. The Arrow paper hears that several business firms in Arrowtown purpose curtailing their bank business considerably on account of the increase of the stamp duties. The contracts for the supply of 40,000 sleepers for the Ciutha Railway have been signed, the successful tenderer being Mr Thomas Pollock, of Balclutha. The tenders were for the supply of jarrah or totara sleepers, but none were received offering to supply jarrah. One half are to be delivered at Dunedin, and the other half at the Ciutha. The totara sleepers are to be of heart wood of the best description, 7 feet in length, 8 inches broad, and 4-|- inches in thickness. 11 tenders were received for the supply of 20,000 sleepers for the Dunedin end, and six offering to supply the quantity for the Ciutha end. The following is the list of tenders' prices for each one of the quantity to be delivered at Dunedin :—2s lOf d, 2s Hid, 3s, 3s, 3s, 3s 3d, 3s 3d, 3s 3d, 3s 4cf, 4s, and 6s Sd. For delivering at Baldutha, 2s 9fd, 2s ll§d, 3s 3d, 3s 3d, 3s 4d, and 4s. The lowest price in each case is that of the successful tenderer. We understand it is expected that the whole of the wood for the sleepers will be obtained in the Ciutha district 4000 per month will have to be delivered at each place, the first intalment being made in January, and the last in May. We may add here that the plant for the railway is now being manufactured in Britain. Those interested in Orepuki as a goldfield, will be pleased to learn that a higher price is given for the gold yielded by that district than for that produced anywhere else in New Zealand. We (" Southland News") have information from one of the banks which buys most of the gold, that it averages on assay close on 23 carats.