INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1694, 4 February 1888, Page 4

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

In view of the probable early return of the squadron to Auckland it has bern decided to exercise all possible haste in completing the new Calliope Dock so has to prepare it fcr receiving one or more vessels of the fleet. It will be ready by the 16tb.

The Minister for Lands left for the South by the Penguin for the purpose of inspecting the line of (he proposed rabbit-proof fence on the Otago-Oanterbury boundary. A man named Richard Burton died very suddenly in Qreytown last Tuesday night. Burton, it appears, belonged to the firstclass Array Reserve in England, his residence being at Winchester, and was on six months’ leave of absence in New Zsafor the benefit of bis health.

The Agent-General reports in a letter dated 14th December last, that he intends sending by the lotic, leaving Plymouth on the 31st December, the following Government passengers, namely For Auckland, 32 ; Hawke’s Bay, If ; Taranaki, 1; Wellington 46 ; Nelson, 5 ; Westland, 9; Canterbury, 30; Otago, 37 ; Invercargill, 10. Total, 190.

At the R.M. Court at Bulls on Wednesday Harry Laing, the boxer, was charged with stealing £l7 from the person of John Young, at Palmerston North. Accused was remanded to that place, bail being allowed in two sureties of £SO each. Mr. Parks’Wellman dredger for working gold-bearing sand on low ground was started at Hokitika on Wednesday, and proved an entire success. Tailings were afterwards tested for gold, but no traces were found, whilst the blankets looked well after the run, and contained gold as fine as flour, proving the gold-saving appliances were sufficient. The dredger put through twenty-fiye tons an hour, but can increase it by ten or fifteen tons more. Major General-Whitmore made his final inspection of the Dunedin volunteers on Wednesday evening, when 988 volunteers paraded out of a strength of 1234. The General in addressing the men thanked tho staff for the aid they had given him during the three years he had been in command. He said the Volunteers, like others, would have to submit to retrenchment. He advised the men to become proficient not only in handling arms, but also in military science. The tender of Messrs Carmichael and Co., of Christchurch, has been accepted for tho restoration of the General Postoffice, Wellington, subject to certain alteration in the plans, and the inclusion of a brick tower. The amount is between £14,000 and £15,000. Ministers have had a long Cabinet interuiew with Major-General Schaw regarding the state of the defences of the colony and local forces. He insisted strongly on the necessity for at once procuring several competent artillery non-commissioned officers from Homo as instructors. The foundation stone of the Jubilee Memorial Home at Christchurch for the aged poor was laid on Thursday, with Masonic ceremonies, by H. Thomson, D.G.M. (English Constitution), assisted by the Rev. J. Hiii, D.G.M. (Scotch Constitution), in the presence of a large gathering of Masons and others. A preliminary meeting of those interested in bolding an exhibition in Dunedin next year was held on Thursday night. It was stated that the whole of the Belgian exhibits at the Adelaide Exhibition, and also some from other places, would be sent to Dunedin. The idea was to form a company to give a guarantee which would be available to defray any loss which would not exceed £SOO to £IOOO. The manufacturers present formed themselves into a committee to ascertain the views of other manufacturers. At Christchurch Poofessor Bickerton has published a report on the supposed tin ore from Alford Forest, in which considerable interest is being taken. He says that the assay of several samples showed tin in small quantities, bat that the mineral supposed by some to be tin-stone is really pitchstone. He considers that, unless tin has been inadvertently or wilfully mixed with the stone, there is tin at Alford Forest but that the prospectors' are selecting the wrong stuff. A , letter received from Professor Black corroborates this opinion.

On Tuesday a hailstorm did considerable damage to the crops in the country districts around Christchurch. At Oust the loss is estimated at 10 bushels per acre. Between Oust and Moetaki windows were broken by the bail, which is as being as large as pigeons’ eggs. Similar reports have been received from Oxford and Amberlay.

A report by Dr Cremoni stated 16 persons were received in the Asylum at Auckland from August till January who might just as well have been cared for in the Uld People’s Refuge. The Hospital and Charitable Aid Board discussed the matter and declared they were not responsible, but put the blame on the Government or ,the doctors who certified to insanity.