Colonial News.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIII, Issue 1030, 22 May 1869, Page 2

Colonial News.

Advices received in Sydney from the Gulf of Carpentaria are to the effect that heavy floods had seriously interfered with the settlers, and had compelled the abandonment of some of the stations. Fears were entertained for the safety of the settlers on the Flinders and Clonctirry. A severe accident occurred at Karori to a son of Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald. It appears that the lad, who is about 14 years of age, was bursting a 'leg with gunpowder, and something going wrong with the fuse the charge exploded before he got away, driving a pointed piece of wood through his face. We hear that the wound is a very severe and painful one. Almost at the same time a child in the neighbourhood put a pin in its mouth, which got into its throat and nearly caused suffocation. It was found impossible to get the pin up, and accordingly it was with considerable difficulty forced down.

When the Provincial Council of Otago met an the 6th, Mr Duncan informed lion. members that he had been successful in forming a Ministry, which comprised Mr George M‘Lean, as Provincial Secretary and Treasurer; Mr Reid, as Secretary of Land and Works ; and Mr George Duncan and Mr Gillies, as members holding portfolios without office. The Provincial Solicitorsliip had not, he said, as yet been filled up. The gentlemen named took their seats on the Treasury benches, and Messrs Vogel Haggitt,* and Hughes occupied positions immediately below the Government, on the front Government benches A vote of want of confidence in the newly formed Ministry was moved, which was, however, temporarily withdrawn after a short discussion ; and the House adjourned shortly before ten.