INTERPROVINCIAL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 127, 9 May 1884, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[from our owm correspondent,] Wairoa, May 9. A petition in favor of a bridge over the Wairoa river was largely signed, and by a majority of the Fraser town settlers who were supposed to be averse to the proposal. [Per United Press Association.] Wellington, May 9. John Olliver has been appointed Resident Magistrate for the district of Kaiapoi, and F. W. Frankland is gazetted Actuary in the Government Insurance Department, vice C. G. Knight resigned. The vacancy of the East Coast seat, appears iu to-night’s Gazette. At a meeting of the Cabinet the case. of O’Donoghue, convicted of murder at Hokitika was considered, and the result of their deliberation has been forwarded to his Excellency the Governor. The fate of the prisoner will be made known immediately a reply has been received from Sir William Jervois. THE QUEEN OF BEAUTY MINE. The cake of gold exhibited in Wellington, as having been obtained from the Queen of Beauty Mine, Makara, was sent to the Melbourne Mint through the Colonial Bank. The result of the assay has just been received from the Mint authorities by the manager of the mine and is as follows: —weight before melting, 15oz. ; weight after melting, 14oz. 9dwts. 4grs. ; standard, 10*496; value at £3 17s. 10£d. per ounce, £4O 17s. sd. Fine silver at 4s. 6d. per ounce, £1 os. 6d. Total value, £4l 17s. lid. GRATEFUL NEWS. Referring to the diminution of crime in this district as evidenced by the limited number of cases taken before him during the last few days, Mr. Wardell, R.M., remarked at the close of the business of the Magistrate’s Court to-day, that he had no doubt such a state of things had mainly been brought about by the operations of the Blue Ribbon and Salvation Armies. Messrs. Luke and Son, founders, have received instructions to build a 300 tons steamer for Captain Williams, coal merchant, Wellington. The vessel is intended for the West Coast coal trade. HARBOR BOARD.

The Harbor Board met to-day for the purpose of considering the application for engineer and secretary. The Board agreed to appoint Mr. Win. Fergusson, C.E.M. 1.C.E., to the position of engineer and chief executive officer. He is to have the control of the wharf administration and to superintend things generally. Mr. H. M. Lyon, was appointed treasurer and assistant secretary at £3OO per annum. GREYMOUTH HARBOR WORKS. The Government decline to go on with the Grey mouth Harbor Works. Dunedin, May 9. At the Harbor Board to-day the Harbor Master reported that the Tongariro, on the 17th, passed the bar drawing 22ft. 3in. aft and 20ft. forward, the heaviest draught that has ever crossed. The Board has accepted the offer of the Accident Insurance Co. to insure all its workmen. NEW BANK BUILDINGS. Auckland, May 9. The new building for the Auckland Savings Bank was opened to-day by His Excellency the Governor, in the presence of a numerous assemblage. The building cost £9,000. THE COSTLY BEQUESTS. It is stated that when Costley’s estate is divided each of the bodies participating in the legacy will get about £12,000. PECULIAR OCCURRENCE. A report has been made to the police that from ten to half-past eleven last night, someone was firing from the beach near the foot of College Hill, in the direction of a block of residences lying along the gully. One resident’s house was repeatedly struck by bullets, and the windws of an adjacent house, which is in course of erection, were riddled with bullets. The police are investigating the affair. THE ORETI. Greymouth, May 9. Very little progress has been made towards floating the Oreti, and the fine weather has now broken. There was a strong wind last night and considerable rain. The small fresh which has set in to Nelson Creek is considered to be merely a patch. There are a great many idle men about town, and a very dull winter is anticipated.

FATAL ACCIDENT. Westport, May 9. Daniel O’Neill, a fireman on board the Kawatiri, fell off the gangway last night and was drowned. Deceased was drunk at the time, and his companion being in a similar state was unable to render him any assistance.