INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4395, 21 April 1875, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

NORTH ISLAND. AUCKLAND. At an extraordinary meeting of the directors of the Oil Springs Company, says the Oislornc Standard, it was decided to abandon the present shaft, at any rate for the present, and to make another trial some 400 yards distant, about 50 feet vertically lower, and m the centre of several springs. This decision is consequent on the report of the manager that the testing rods are down 196 feet—96 feet below the bottom of the shaft —but without any indicative resistance being found. It is estimated that a new derrick, &c," will cost about £l5O, and that the work of sinking will recommence in about three weeks' time. We hear that the gas which issued on the withdrawal of the rods threw a jet of flame from 6 to 8 feet high, and the force of ejection threw up soft mud as high as 20 feet. Every one is still sanguine of success, but it would be satisfactory to shareholders to know why the rods—so easily and inexpensively worked —should not precede the more expensive and tedious method of shaft-sinking. A new Episcopal church in Gisbome was consecrated on Sunday, the 11th instant. The number of old men in the Old Men's Home in Auckland is thirty-three. The oldest of the inmates is over ninety years of age, and a compositor by trade. The youngest inmate is only thirty-six, but he is a sufferer from epileptic fits, and deaf and dumb. Most of the other inmates are pensioners or laboring men. The eldest of the pensioners is seventyfour years of age. Amongst the inmates is a theatrical scenic artist, aged fifty-four. At a recent meeting of the Auckland Institute, J. C. Firth, Esq., and Colonel Haultain, were appointed to wait upon his Honor the Superintendent, to bring before him the project of erecting a museum by the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Institute. In accordance with the above resolution, these gentlemen called upon his Honor yesterday afternoon. They represented that £3OOO was required .for the building ; that £I6OO had already been guaranteed by private subscription, which no doubt would b,e supplemented still further ; and they wished to know if Sir George Grey would cause £IOOO to be put on the estimates towards the building, or would the Provincial Government contribute £IOO per annum for a certain number of years. Sir George, in the course of conversation, remarked that the province was in a very impecunious state, and he was inclined to think that the best course would be to bring in a Bill authorising the borrowing the amount required, and that a sinking fund should be established for the eventual liquidation of the debt.

Labor continues in demand in the province, especially in the agricultural districts. The whole of the immigrants lately received have become absorbed in the population, and there are still a large number of applications with the Immigration Commissioner for agricultural laborers and others at good rates of wages. The immigrants by the ship Fernglen, now due from London, will find ready employment, if of the right sort. Mr. Lewissohn, one of the travellers for Messrs. Lewis Brothers, whilst travelling from Te Awamutu to Alexandra, came to rather serious grief. He was travelling in a spring cart and had a quantity of samples with him. Whilst crossing one of the bridges it gave way. The driver and he were precipitated into a swamp, and several of the cases containing goods fell upon them. After some hours of pretty hard work the cart was righted and the boxes replaced. Several of thS* articles were damaged beyond recognition. The Naval Training School at Kohimarama does not appear to be succeeding as respects the number of boys it trains, to the extent that was anticipated at the outset. Provision for sixty boys was made early in December of last year; but during the three months ending February, only nineteen had been admitted. The subject has been brought under the notice of Mr. Reynolds, the Commissioner of Customs, by a report on the school from tfie acting-secretary of the Marine Board of the Customs Department, Mr. McKellar. This report shows that of the nineteen boys in the school, eleven had been transferred from Industrial Schools—five of them from Auckland, and Bix from Dunedin; and of the remainder only eight were committed by magistrates, and all the eight in Auckland. Mr. McKellar considers this an unsatisfactory result, and altogether inadequate to the requirements of the colony, and to the expensive machinery in operation. The main object of this school was to rescue boya who were uncared for from the risks of growing up as criminals. But this is not sufficiently appreciated throughout the colony. The Thames Star of the 12th instant writes: —" The new goldfield at the Tairua is causing considerable excitement; in fact, it is absorbingall attention at present, and Ohinemuri is for the nonce forgotten. The corner and its vicinity were alive with people so early as eight o'clock this morning, and it was perfectly evident that something more than ordinary was occasioning the lively interest which appeared to be felt. Tairua was the subject. The announcement of its existence as a field of gold has given quite a new complexion to the feelings of the majority. Hope, that harbinger of light, has once more gained an ascendancy ; and those who have ceased to believe in Ohinemuri, are willing to turn to the new source of interest, and picture pleasant prospects of approaching prosperity." At the Waiwera hot springs (province of Auckland) a large reservoir and twelve new bath-rooms are to be constructed without delay. Hot water swimming baths are also to be erected.

HAWKE'S BAY. The Napier Football Club opened the season on Clive Square on Saturday week, and an excellent afternoon's sport ensued. Eighteen players mustered. A large flight of crows paid a visit to Napier on Friday, and having examined, apparently, the suitability of Scinde Island for winter quarters, winged their way towards Taradale. Mr. Peppercorne, the municipal engineer, has completed the plans and estimates in connection with the projected water supply. The method on which Mr. Peppercorne proposes to carry out this important undertaking is precisely similar in the main to the one suggested in these columns as the most feasible, upwards of twelve months since. The municipal engineer recommends that there should be two distinct sources, the supply for Napier being totally distinct from that for the Spit. Following Mr. Peppercorne's suggestion with reference to the supply of Upper Napier, as it may be termed, there would be two artesian wells sunk on the Government reserve, in close proximity to the railway crossing at the Maori Club; the well pipes to be three inches in diameter, the flow of each being estimated at 150,000 gallons in twenty-four hours. It is calculated that one well of this description would be ample for the requirements of that portion of the town lying within the radius to be supplied, but Mr. Peppercorne wisely makes additional provision for any extraordinary demands in the way of mechanical requirements and of the future increase of population. Mr. John Fletcher, late of the Hawke's Bay Military Settlers, and well known in Napier, has mot with a sad accident at Wairoa, caused by a tree which he was cutting down falling upon him and seriously injuring his back. It is feared that he will also lose his eyesight. Three newly-arrived immigrants have commenced business as fishermen, at Napier, greatly to the satisfaction of the inhabitants. We hear from the building contractors of Napier that good joiners are extremely scarce, while indifferent hands, who demand thehighest rate of wages, are plentiful onough. Carpenters wages are now quoted at from 9s. to lis. per diem. TARANAKI. An amateur dramatic troupo ia about to be set on foot here. Their arrangements will be of a very select description, and as there is certainly not an overplus of recreative entertainment in Taranaki, the performances of such a company are likely to afford much amusement for the evenings of the coming winter.

MIDDLE ISLAND. CANTERBURY A serious accident has occurred to Mr. McLeish, horse and cattle dealer, well known in Timaru, during the night of Monday, the 12th inst. It appears that his horse ran against one of the wire fences at Mr. Buckley's, throwing his rider, and hurting him seriously about. the head, and it is thought probable that he may lose the use of one of his eyes. Fortunately assistance was at hand. OTAGO. A maniac of suicidal tendency created some alarm one day last week, by going about and requesting persons in the street to cut his throat. Determined to put au end to himself, he walked to a coffee stall, seized a knife, and attempted to cut his throat, but was stopped before he inflicted more than a slight wound. Two doctors were immediately called to examine him, and ordered his removal to the lunatic asylum. His name is Walter Wright, and he has been following the calling of a baker. The Tuupcka Times says that the pneumatic dredge at Clyde is still idle, and from present appearances the directors intend her to remain so. The company have a man employed looking after the boat and her valuable machinery, and even he has some difficulty in obtaining his wages, although the sum of twelve and sixpence has been paid up on each share. This must be very galling to the unfortunate holders of scrip, as there is little doubt had the dredge been properly managed from the outset, the undertaking would have paid the shareholders a handsome dividend. A fatal accident occurred on April 14 at Broad Bay, near Portobello. A calf belonging to Mr. Gynn, a settler there, had tumbled into a long unused well, about twenty feet deep, and a number of the neighbors assembled to help to rescue the animal Amongst them was a fine young man, named William Styles, elder son of Mr. Styles, one of the earliest settlers of the province. The young man was born at or near Portobello, and was held in very high esteem for his many good qualities. He was a ready helper in time of trouble, as was proved to his cost yesterday. With a view to, if possible, save the life of the calf, young Styles volunteered to descend the well, and make a rope fast to the animal. A sort of windlass had been rigged, and by this he was lowered down, but had not descended far from the surface when' it became apparant to those on the surface that something was the matter with him. They at once commenced to pull him up again, but just as he was almost within reach of the hands stretched out to grasp him, he let go his hold of the rope and fell to the bottom. Then it was ascertained that the well was nearly full of foul air. Efforts were made to recover the body, and after a couple of hours' work it was caught with a grappling iron and hauled to the surface—life, of course, being quite extinct. Styles made no sign nor uttered a cry after he entered the well, and in all probability was dead before he reached the bottom, the action of carbonic acid gas being exceedingly rapid. The sad event cast a deep gloom over the Portobello and Broad Bay communities. Information of what had occurred was communicated to the Port Chalmers police in the afternoon. We understand that an inquest upon the body will be held today. NELSON. Mr. O'Conor has declined "for the present" to accept a cheque for the sum of £123, subscribed by his friends to pay the costs in the case of Knyvett v. O'Conor. He thinks the province should pay the costs, as he was acting in his public capacity as Treasurer, and he intends to bring the matter before the Provincial Council at its next sitting. About 600 names appear on the list of applicants residing in the Buller district, who desire to register as electors for the current year. Mr.' William Cook, of Nelson, who plies single-handed the trade of mat-making, and possesses medals won at the Christchurch and Nelson Exhibitions, received by the last English mail the following letter :—" 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria-street, Westminster, S.W., 21st January, 1875. —Sir, —I have much pleasure in informing you that the jurors of the International Exhibition at Vienna have conferred upon you a diploma of honorable mention, in recognition of your exhibits in the New Zealand section. The diploma will be despatched to the office of the Hon. the Colonial Secretary by the present mail, and I have requested that it may be delivered to you on application.—l have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, I. E. FeatherSTON, Agent-General for New Zealand. Mr. W. Cook, Nelson."

MARLBOROUGH. A novel competition is proposed at the show on Thursday next, Mr. T. O'Sullivan having offered a special prize of a guinea for the beat loaf of home-baked bread exhibited. Another condition is that it. shall be made from flour grown and ground in the province. We learn, says the Express, that, according to previous arrangement, several members of the Board of River Conservators for the Lower Wairau district inspected the banks of the Opawa River on Saturday last, proceeding upward from the Seymour Bank to the junction of the two rivers at the Breach. They also explored what is usually known as Fox's Island, inspected Murphy's and Jellyman's Creeks, and extended their researches up the bed of the Wairau as far as Rock Ferry. We trust the local knowledge so obtained will prove useful in the future management of the river bank and channels, and that the large sums raised by the Board will be efficiently applied in consequence. Mr. Charles Redwood informs us that he is convinced that nothing whatever can be done towards turning any portion of the water now running in the Opawa into the Big River, and that the only policy to pursue is to preserve the banks and improve the outlet. Mr. Carruthors, the Colonial Englneer-in-Chief, remarks the Express, is expected in Blenheim in the course of a week or so, when it is likely that some steps will be taken in reference, to the extension of the railway to Blenheim. Of course, if the line is only to commence at the Opawa it will Be but of little service compared with what would be the case if people could load or discharge goods in the centre of the town, and until that time comes its benefit will not be felt or its use tested, since if goods or passengers have to pay a second freight between the town and the Opawa, they might as well continue to Picton. The line is making rapid progress, and there is only six miles of ballasting to be done before it will be completed. There will then only remain the stations to bo erected.

On Thursday, April 15, the annual show of horses, cattle, and produce was held on the new grounds belonging to the society in Maxwellroad. The morning opened showery, and continued chill during the day, and to this cause, reports the Express, may be attributed the absence of many whom wo expected to have seen on the ground; nevertheless we would not have it supposed by this .remark that the attendance was small, as we believe it was far in excess of any former occasions. There were one or two things which deserve special mention,' and foremost among these was the sausage machine exhibited by Mr. Smith, and this ass well as some other exhibits wo intend to refer to again. Then there was a novel gate-fastener by Mr. Norgrove, which a number of blacksmiths decided was a meritorious invention. Mr. Gorrie'B coopery deserved favorable notice, while his other exhibits of concrete and lime were a mistake. The fruit shown was very good, as were the exhibits of grain, and potatoes, the latter especially. The bread shown was all very excellent, but the butter we only heard of, as the booth—which was the one most generally interesting—was closed by the judges to the public for nearly three hours, and in a very few minutes later orders were given to clear out the grounds, and those who sought to examine them carefully were unable to get through the booth before the things were removed. The general arrangements of the ihow were admirable.

WESTLAND. During the discussion on Mr. Guinness's amendment on the Education Bill in the Westland Provincial Council, Mr. Cuming (says tha Times) perpetrated yet another of his now celebrated bulls. • Feeling aggrieved because Mr. Seddon ejaculated, "No ! No !" while a member was speaking, Mr. Cuming rose, and mirthfully screamed out the following startling remark :—" Mr. Chairman, you will have to get a straight jacket put on Mr. Seddon, ao as to keep his mouth shut !" The Charleston Local Zlevenues Board has collapsed. We suppose (says the Argus), the Ahaura Board will fellow suit before long. An inquest was held on the 13th April by the coroner, Dr. Maunsell, at Piper's Flat, Stafford, on the body of a miner named John Hen wood, who had been missing since the sth of March last, and whose body was found floating in a shaft about eighty feet deep, with six feet of water in it, a quarter of a mile from his hut. The body was found by one of the witnesses, Samuel Hughes, a miner, last Sunday, at three o'clock in the afternoon. Deceased was forty-nine years of age, and a native of Cornwall. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased was accidentally drowned by falling down a shaft in Piper's Flat. The Eight Rev. Dr. Bedwood, Bishop of the Roman Catholic ChWrch in the diocese of Wellington, has lately been visiting the several parts of the district of which he has charge, and record has been made of his progresss in Nelson, Marlborough, the Nelson south-west goldfields, and Westland. Dr. Redwood paid his second visit to Westland, and his first to Hokitika, on April 13, when he arrived from Westport by the steamer Wallace. In anticipation of his ax-rival, says the West Coast Times, preparations' were made for a formal reception of the Bishop by the members of the Church to which he belongs, the programme ineluding a procession from the landing-place to St. Mary's Church, and the presentation of addresses in the name of the Roman Catholic community and of the Hibernian Australasian j Catholic Benefit Society. The appearances of the weather were not such as to encourage young or old to assemble in holiday attire, but there was, notwithstanding, a large gathering of the St. Mary's school children and others all neatly dressed, and exhibiting bannerets. They were preceded by the band, and succeeded by between fifty and sixty ladies of the congregation, other members of the church, and officials, and otbger representatives of the Hibernian Society. On the arrival of the steamer alongside the wharf, the Bishop and the clergyman who iiccompanied him were welcomed by a deputation from the Reception Committee, consisting of Messrs. Mulligan, Barrett, Cleary, Burke, Lynch, and Guerin, with the Rev. Father Martin.