INTERPROVINCIAL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 101, 7 April 1884, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[Per United Press Association.] PARLIAMENT. Wellington, April 5. Parliament meets for the despatch of business on the sth June. INSPECTION OF PROPOSED RAILWAY ROUTES. The Minister for Public Works will leave Wellington on Monday morning, by coach, for Taranaki, and from thence will proceed to Auckland by one of the proposed routes of the main trunk railway. He will examine for himself the various alternative routes which have been suggested. Mr. Knorry, Inspecting Engineer, will accompany Mr. Mitchelson. The formation of a Trades and Labor Council here is to be considered at a public meeting next week. Between this and Monday morning, the telegraph and post officials here will move into the new building. THE ADAMS FAMILY. The Post, referring to the murder of Warder Adams, at Nelson Gaol, says the gaol officials throughout the Colony set on foot a subscription list for the benefit of the bereaved family, and it has resulted in the substantial sum of £292 16s. lOd. being collected. To-day Mr. Micaiah Read, treasurer, forwarded a draft for £290 to Mr. C. J. Fell. Mayor of Nelson, who acts as tiustee for the fatherless family. It is proposed to devote the interest of this sum towards the maintenance and education of the children ; the principal to be divided equally among them on the youngest coming of age. OPENING OF THE CRIMINAL SESSION. April 7. The Supreme Court Criminal Session opened before Judge Richmond this morning. In charging the Grand Jury, His Honor said most of the cases were of a simple nature, but he was sorry to see 6 informations for forgery on the sheet, and some of these of very grave character. There was nothing of special note in the charge. Later.—ln the Supreme Court, Amilia Kerr pleaded guilty of robbery from a dwelling, and was remanded for sentence. Fredk. Arnold, for assault, was sentenced to one month, with hard labor. Graham Mayse, for indecent assault, is now being tried. The Grand Jury found true bills against P. K. Watty (forgery) and Charles Lamb (embezzlement. EASTER ENCAMPMENT. At St. Peter’s Church last evening, the Rev. Coffey, referring to the projected Easter encampment, argued that it was the Church that preserved these days from trade, and, therefore, Christians ought not to devote them to secular purposes. He stated, also, that the clergy had communicated with the volunteers protesting against the encampment being held at that time, but with no effect, and it only remained for him to ask the congregation not to support the volunteers in their resolve. Christchurch, April 7. The Ruapehu has sailed, with seventy passengers, but no frozen meat, owing to the breakdown of the machinery. DEATH AT SEA. Captain Pilfield, of the barque Glenlora, was taken ill on March 9, and was found dead in his berth four days before reaching Lyttleton. The body was brought on to Port, where an inquest will be held. THE FROZEN MEAT EXPORT. The Shipping Co. have received a cable dated the third, to the effect that the British Queen arrived at Rio on March 31, and the Fenstanton on April 2. The Doric reached Madeira on April 1. The refrigerators were all working well, and the meat was in good condition. RAILWAY TARIFF. The Premier has replied to the Chairman of the late public meeting stating that the objections to the increase of rateshave already been answered, and that the question of giving the management to a non-political board must be discussed by the country and settled by Parliament.

Dunedin, April 5. The newly-established Corn Exchange was opened with a short address from Donald Stronach, Esq., Chairman of the Committee. About fifty farmers and dealers were present. CHILD DESERTION. The police have arrested Nora Walsh, a single woman, aged twenty-two, of Oamaru, for abandoning the child found on the Pine Hill Road. The matron of the Hospital, where the confinement took place, identified both the woman and child. A FAMILY POISONED. Opunake, April 7. Mrs. Plumbridge, a halfcaste, poisoned herself and two children here last evening. Her brother, George Taylor, was in the house at the time, also a Maori boy named Touri. Taylor heard one of the boys reaching and went in to see him. Mrs. Plumbridge sent him to the Constabulary camp for assistance, but did not say anything about the child being poisoned, and when he returned he found the mother and the other boy poisoned ; also some letters and written statements as to the cause of poisoning were left by the unfortunate woman, which were taken possession of by the police.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. Auckland, April 7. A meeting of delegates from various friendly societies, representing 3,000 members, has been held to consider a circular from societies in Masterton. A resolution was carried, “ That steps be taken to obtain the repeal of subsection R, and clause A of subsection 6, of the New Zealand Friendly Societies Act,” and also, “ That a Committee be appointed to draw up a report. The Japanese naval officers attended the Takapuna races. CRIMINAL SESSIONS. . Harry Goodward has been convicted of rape on Ellen Payne. Sentence deferred. Later.—Goodward was found guilty of rape on Ellen Payne in the domain, and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and two floggings of twenty-five lashes each. New Plymouth, April 7. News has just reached here that Mrs. Plumridge, better known as Miss Higgens, a halfcaste, well known in Wellington and Auckland, poisoned herself, and two children, with strychnine at about half-past eight this morning. It appears she came into New Plymouth and purchased five drams of Strychnine on Friday as she said she wanted to poison rats. An inquest will be held tomorrow.