INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1685, 12 January 1888, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

in reteronce to tne command jooara a application re alteration from “general” to “ strict ” average, the Hon, Mr Fisher points out that as Minister be is unable to comply, as the alteration baa been decided upon by Parliament, Elizabeth Hawkins, who has been suffering from consumption for some time, fell down dead on Wednesday morning in the street at Dunedin. A communication has been received by the Minister of Education from Bishops Luck and Moran, and Father Kirk, of Wanganui, relating to the establishment of Roman Catholic industrial schools at Auckland, Dunedin, and Wanganui district^ The Commissioner of Customs visited McDonald’s cement works at Dunedin on Tuesday, where several highly satisfactory lasts were made. The Minister considers the local cement equal to the best imported article.

The New Zealand Insurance Company’s annual report shows the net premium, less reinsured, to amount to £22,583, showing in increase of £524, over last year. After the settlement of all claims, which have been very numerous, there remains a balance of £19,145 from which the directors propose a dividend of 3s per share, which will absorb £15,000, leaving £4145 to be carried forward to next year.

The 3-too yacht Dido, owned by Messrs Phillips and Fetherick, is missing from the Auckland harbor. The man on the lookout at the pilot station on Tuesday saw a yacht corresponding to the description of the one stolen sail from the harbor in the direction of Tory Channel. Inspector Weldon, of the police force, Dunedin, denies that be has any intention of resigning. The Directors of the Dunedin City and Suburban Tram. Company recommend a dividend of 3 per cent, for the year, carrying forward £1307. The number of passengers carried wa* 1,720,759, a decrease of over 60,000 from the preceding year. A volunteer, while practising with a Remington-Lee rifle at Dunedin on Tuesday, had a narrow escape. The cartridge broke, and an escape of gas and fire from the powder was blown into bis face, rendering him almost unconscious for some time, and injuring his eye slightly. The breech action was bent and completely spoiled. An accident of a similar nature occurred at Camera on the same day, and the cartridges have been found to be faulty. The rifles are ganerally distrusted there. An amusing incident occurred just before the departure from Auck’and of the last mail steamer for San Francisco, A tradesman went down to the wharf for a stroll, and, seeing the mail steamer at the end of the quay, was about to step on board for a tour of inspection when he was stopped at the gangway and informed that visitors were not allowed on board. He proceeded to run his eye over the ship from an outsider's point of view, and observed his wife standing on the deck. He nodded to her pleasantly, and she responded with a bow, but did not seem over-pleased, He spoke to her, and expressed surprise that she didn’t come ashore when “ visitors were not allowed,” but got no reply. After some further conversation she flatly refused to leave the vessel. The husband then forced his way on board, and by rather

strong measures brought bis wife ashore. On making enquiries subsequently he discovered that his wife had taken her passage to San Francisco in company with another man, and was just on the eve of deserting her husband when the plan was frustrated in the manner described. A man named Henry Bell was found dead in Queen steeet, Auckland, on Monday morning about four o'clock. Death resulted from natural causes. Constable L. McDonald, of the Auckland Water Police force, has been awarded the honorary bronae medal of the Royal Humane Society for saving a man from "drowning on March 31st last, A lad named H. Brain was thrown from a horse on Saturday at Waiuku, Auckland, sustaining fracture of the skull. He died on Monday evening. A warrant was asked for in the B.M. Court, Wellington, on Monday morning against a solicitor in that city upon a charge of obtaining money under false pretences, on 31st Dec,, from Caleb Edmonds, brewer, at Petone. Informant stated that accused had presented a cheque for £2 to his (informant’s) employer, receiving goods to the amount of 18s and £l 3« in change. The cheque was drawn on the Bank of New South Wales, but upon being presented was returned marked “No account*” Informant then saw the drawer ot the cheque, who promised to pay up the following Saturday, He did not do so, and proceedings were accordingly taken. The presiding Justice declined to issue a warrant, as he thought the matter could be just as well proceeded with on summons. Mrs Lutgens, wife of an old resident at Qreymouth, died suddenly on Sunday evening. At the inquest a verdict of death from natural causes was returned. Ninety-seven passengers have booked for the first excursion to bo made to the Sounds by the Tarawera, starting on Wednesday, A large number are English tourists, and almost every part of the colonies and Australia is represented. Bishop and Mrs Cowie and family wore passengers by the s.a, Manapouri, which loft Auckland for Sydney on Tuesday. They proceed to England, where Bishop Cowie is to attend the Lambeth Conference. The boats belonging to the squadron were put through torpedo practice at Wei* lington on Tuesday. His Excellency the Governor made a visit to the squadron on Tuesday morning, and was received on board the Nelson by Rear-Admiral Fairfax with the usual ceremony. A little girl named Susan Dome, aged 8$ years, had a miraculous escape from being drowned in the Upper Hutt River on Monday. While wading across she was swept away by the rapid current. Her father went to her rescue, but being unable to swim was powerless to save her. The child was carried down the river about 150 yards, and was then caught on a snng. Her brother, aged eleven, swam off to her rescue, and placing a rope around her, she was pulled ashore in an exhausted condition. A private boarding house in Worcester Street Christchurch, kept by Mrs Harris, was discovered to be on fire shortly after eleven o’clock on Tuesday night, and the kitchen and seullery were totally destroyed. Several of the bedrooms were gutted. A good deal of damage was done to the furniture which was insured for £BSO. The insurance on the house, which belongs to Dr Wilkins of Auckland, is unknown, A lad named Powell while out shooting at Woodend, near Dunedin, lodged a charge, of shot in bis right arm. He is progressing favorably and it is thought will recover the use of the arm.