INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1713, 20 March 1888, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

The body <f a man named Bolton was found near the Upckongaro Hotel, Wanganui, on Saturday morning. He bad been about the hotel on Friday, but left about tea-time to get his clothes from the wanherwoman. It is supposed that in returning he was struck by lightning. The enquiry into the beaching of the Bellinger at Waitara concluded on Saturday, and it was arranged that judguiput fhould be given on Monday. The evidence was most conflicting, some of the witnesses averring that the captain and engineer were sober at the time of the occurrence, while others said they were drunk. Captain Benson has agreed on hehalf of the owner of the Bellinger to lodge £2OBO iu the Admiralty Court so that the vessel may be reloaded. The amount so placed is to abide the issue of a Ralvage suit brought by the owner of the tug through ]V.r Samuel, aolicitor. Judgment was given yesterday. The Court suspended Obtain Benson's certifioate for six months, and recommended under section 24 that the certificate of a first officer be issued him instead. The Court censured the mate for turning in before he was properly relieved. _ His certificate was returned. The engineer'B certificate was also returned, as there was no evidence that he had anything to do with the casualty. No order was made aB to costs.

The Colonial Bank's profits for the halfyear »re £17,924, out of which a seven per cent, dividend will be dflclared, £4126 beiDg carried forward, aad £IOOO added to the reserve.

The s.s. Alameda with the English mail of the 22nd ult.. left San Francisco for Auckland on the 10th inst, three days late. The Mariposa which left Auckland on the 27th with homeward mails, arrived at San Francisoo on the 17th inst, one day before contraot date. Walter Walls was committed for trial at Ohristohuroh yesterday on a charge of criminal assault on a middle-aged womsn in Bedford row on the evening of March 16. The Minister for Publis Works yesterday morning went ten miles up the Otago Central line, and inspeoted the Wingatui viaduot. During the day he received several deputations at Dunedin and leaves for Wellington to-day, in order to be present at the opening of Major Ropata's house, whtn a large gathering of Natives is expected. tThe ten-mile champion bicyole raca at Inveroargill on Bat'urday was won by Hall (of Christohurcb) by half a mile, in 39aiin 20sec. A terrific electric sSorm pasted over New Plymouth on Friday night, which lasted for two hours. The lightning was most vivid and the rain fell in torrents. No damage is reported, although a whirlwind was seen to suspend sheets of oorrugated iron in the air for some seconds, and carry them thirty or forty yards away.