INTERPROVINCIAL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 227, 4 September 1884, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

POULTRY AND PIGEON SHOW. FLOODS.—EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. [Per Press Association.] Wellington, September 4. An extraordinary Gazette issued last evening announces the resignation of the Atkinson Ministry, and the appointment of the Stout Ministry. At a meeting of the Lambton Licensing Bench to-day, several applicants for extension of hours, who were only granted 10 o’clock licenses at the last sitting of thp committee, had the hours extended to midnight. The Wellington Poultry and Pigeon Association show was opened yesterday by His Excellency the Governor. There were 292 entries, and the show' was a great success. The damage done in Masterton by the floods is estimated at £lO,OOO. The heavy rain which fell] at Carterton during 24 hours, has not caused any particular damage to the township. All the streams are much swollen. From Kokati and Waitakeke it is reported that several farmers have lost heavily. It is not yet possible to travel over properties to ascertain the full extent of the damage, as only the tops of fences are visible.

Sheep and stock were removed yesterday above where the heavy floods of March, 1880, reached, but this flood exceeded that, and the settlers were powerless to assist their stock and face the wall of water that came down in the afternoon. The losers are principally small farmers who can ill afford the loss. Fielding, September 4. Nearly three inches of rain-fall was recorded during the last twenty-four hours. The snow, melting on the ranges, has flooded the rivers higher than for some years. Railway communication is interrupted between the north and south, but the extent of the damage is not yet known. Wanganui, September 4.

The railway line between here and Turakina is flooded in several places, and the morning train could not pass. The passengers had to be trollied across. The water is still rising, and it will probably be some days before direct communication is restored. There is a heavy fresh in the river. Dunedin, September 4.

Mr. Cowan, member of Hokonui, was burnt in effigy at Gore last night. The proceedings were exceedingly lively, and the police had to interfere to prevent cremation taking place in the public streets. In Bell Ward, in this city, a petition was presented to the licensing bench from 200 ratepayers, asking for an extension of hours for publicans. Bell Ward is one of two wards where the houses have to close at 10, while in the other two wards the hours

are extended to twelve o’clock. The Committee declined to grant the extension. “ The Little Wonder,” of the Salvation Army, who eloped with Captain Beddingfield, returned with Major Pollard from Melbourne. The Mayor of Roslyn, in reply to a telegram from Mr. A. H. Ross, M H.R. has advised him to vote for the Stout Government, as a strong feeling of dissatisfaction prevails here among his best friends and supporters. Oamaru, September 4. A banquet was given to Mr. John Reid (of Elderslie) and to Thos. Brytone (of the New Zealand and Australian Land Co,) last night in commemoration of the loading up of the ship Dunedin at this port with frozen meat, and of the initiation of direct steam communication with Home. About 100 gentlemen were present, representing all interests. The affair was very successful. Auckland, September 4. On Bit that the appointment of a Select Committee will be authorised by the House during the present session to ascertain the legal status of the Auckland Harbour Board in granting the Auckland Frozen Meat and Storage Company such a large area of public property. Naturally the Board wants the Act amended. • There is a probability of Mr. Federli forming a successful settlement at Hokianga. A block of land, some 5,550 acres, has been selected for the culture of sub-tropical fruits at that place. The new concrete booms which are being constructed close to the old Wynyard Pier in Mechanics’ Bay are now very nearly completed. Christchurch, September 4. A son of Mr. E. J. T. Ford, eleven years old, on Monday afternoon saw a child struggling in the Avon, near Carlton Mill. He at once plnnged in and rescued the child, two years of age, who was much exhausted, and nearly unconicious.