INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1560, 24 March 1887, Page 4

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

A gum digger, named Olsen, has been burned fearfully in his whare at Waipu, Auckland. He was forwarded to the Auckland Hospital. After a two days’ inquest into the origin of the recent fires at Gisborne, a verdict was given that the stables of the Albion Club Hotel were feloniously, wilfully and maliciously set on fire by some person or persons unknown. Enquiries are frequently made why the ten-forty Five per cent. N.2. Loan, of which the Press constantly publish quotations is so little over par. The explanation is simple. The ten years expired in 1886, after which it is optional for the Government to pay off the loan, at par, on six months’ notice. The price therefore varies with the amount of interest accruing between each half year, together with some small amount representing the value of five per cent., with four per cent interest, until the time when the loan is payable at par. Cable quotations in this loan, as the transactions are small, vary only as described above. The Zealandia, with the English mails of the 24th February, left ’Frisco for Auckland on the 13th, one day late. The Alameda, with the Colonial mails of the 28th ult., arrived at 'Frisco from Auckland on the 19th inst., one day in advance of due date.

The charge against the Wellington oyster saloon keepers for having rock oysteis in their possession (luring the close season was dismissed, it being proved that the oysters were taken from mud. The captain of the German barque Bessil, which arrived at Wellington on Saturday from Hamburg, has learnt from his letters received on arrival that three vessels which leftport on the same day as himself (November 22nd) have been lost with all hands.

R. G. William*, a Woodville saddler, was arrested on Saturday on a charge of forging the name of E. Lowes, late of the George Ferry Hotel, on the back of a promissory note for £44. He was remanded.

Tbs crew of an oyster cutter report passing the nude tody of a man in Eauveaux Straits last Friday, but as it was blowing a gale, with R heavy sea, they could not pick it up. Among the passengers by the Te Anau was Mr Edward Hrovy, chief engineer of the Vienna gas works, who is making a tour of the colonies. He was a personal friend of Dr Hocbestetter.

At the Auckland Supreme Court criminal session Jesse Ooxhead, for horse stealing, got three years ; Fred. Ellis and Wm. Small, fur assault and robbery, seven years.

The medical profession are at variance as to the prevalence of typhoid fever in the city of Wellington. Four express an opinion that fever is very prevalent in the town while there are eight who say it is not so prevalent as it is generally made out to be. The sanitary arrangements are condemned by all as being as had as they possibly could bo. About thirty certificates of competency have up to the present time been issued to mining- managers under the Mining Act and Coal Mines Act of last session, and it is expected that a number will be considerably increased during the next few months. After the Acts have been in existence throe years no uncertificated person will he allowed to have charge of a mine.

The libel case, in which J. W. Robinson claimed £50,000 damages from the publisher of the Evening Star, came on at the Supreme Court, Dunedin on Tuesdny before Mr Justice Williams and n jury. Plaintiff, at the lime of the alleged libel, was following his profession of architect in Dutif-din, and he alleged that in consequence of the anxiety produced by the publication of the said libels his health was undermined, and he was confined to his bed and unable to attend to his duties for twenty-one months, The alleged libel was contained in u report ot a case in the Police Court, in which plaintiff sued a man for assault, the said assault being provoked by Mr Robinson accosting the man’s sister in the street. The man was only fined one shilling, and it was alleged that the report published in the Evening Star was net accurate, but distorted. It was further alleged that defendants published in their paper letters headed “ A caution to girls,” “ Girls beware,” “ What shall we do with the dude?”, in all of which plaintiff was spoken of in contemptuous and malicious terms and with a view of inducing the public to molest plaintiff. Plaintiff was examined at great length. For the defence the Magistrate who heard the case, ‘and the reporters, were examined. A verdict was giveu for defendant, and the Judge gave costs against plaintiff, which will amount, according to the scale, to £1262 10s.