INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1575, 30 April 1887, Page 4

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

The B.s. Waitaki has a large hole in her bottom underneath the boilers, and is full of water. There is very little hope ot getting her off. Captain Preece, R.M. at Napier, having held an inquiry into the death of Parsonage, a prisoner, in the Napier gaol, reports to the Minister of Justice that the evidence given by (he prisoners at the enquiry differs most materially from that given before him as Coroner at the inquest, more especially as regards the calling up of the warders and the amount of noise made by Parsonage. Capt, Preece reports that (he officers have very long hours on duty, and that a nightwatch officer is absolutely necessary where there are a number of prisoners. The evidence of all the prisoners examined tends to prove that every atten. tion wa* paid to the deceased by the warders and gaoler, and no complaints were made against them. The medical officer states that if the gaoler had been properly informed as to the prisoner’s mental condition he would have been placed in a padded cell in the asylum, which is part of the gaol* buildings.

At ihe half-yearly meeting of the Bank )£ New Zealand on Thursday a dividend of 12J per cent was declared. The profit for the half year was shewn to be £77,094 Its Bd, It was stated that appropriation had been made from the reserve fund to meet exceptionally heavy losses, the directors transferring £125,000 on account of bad and doubtful debts to the suspense account. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The first coursing meeting under Mr Taylor’s regime at PlumptomPark, North Canterbury took place on Thursday. The weather was splendid, the attendance being small. The hares were strong. Sport was very interesting, in the Produce Stakes there were 16 entries. It was divided between Mr Digby’s two puppies Ringdove and Ranger by Bingwood— Zoebeda. For the April Cup there were 9 entries. It was won by J. Howe’s Grace Darling. For the Templeton Stakes there were 16 entries. It was won by D. Mahoney’s Agent, by Belisarius— Lina.

At the Supreme Court, New Plymouth, on Thursday, John Maclean was acquitted on a charge of attempting to murder Fred Iredale at Hawera. It was alleged that the prosecutor had cohabited with the prisoner’s wife. Emily Newland, a servant girl, was convicted of forgery, and was sentenced under the First Offenders’ Act to six months’ probration. There are only three remaining cases on the calender. The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court at Blenheim closed on Thursday. John Sandiford was convicted of perjury. The jury recommended him to mercy. The Judge said it was not a fit case for probation, and passed a sentence of three months’hard labor. The Earl of Aberdeen cables to Auckland from Sydney to the local Committee that he will arrive by the s.s. Wairarapa on Tuesday next. He expects to spend three weeks in the colony, visiting the Hot Lakes, etc. He and the Countess return to England by the next, San Francisco steamer. About midnight on Thursday an alarm of fire was given at the Whan Lunatic Asylum. It proved to be in a carpenter’s shop connected with the institution, a wooden building apart from' the main block. Despite the efforts of the attendants the carpenter’s shop and building were completely destroyed. The main building was not m danger, and excellent order was preserved among the inmates of the asylum. The cause of the fire is a mystery, and a strict enquiry is expected to be made.