INTER-PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1176, 15 May 1874, Page 4

INTER-PROVINCIAL NEWS.

At a recent sitting of the Ofcago Waste Lands Board, Mr Strode, one of the members, brought under notice the fact that for the last four or five years a very valuable coal scam near the Teviot township had been on fire. The coal is of a very superior character, far above the ordinary lignite. The Chief Commissioner said lie knew of one other seam in the proyinco that was on fire in the same way. It was suggested that the master should be at once brought under the notice of the Government, who should bo requested to turn a water-race on from the adjacent property, and so put out the fire. Noticing the report in a Boston paper that in 1873 not less than 80,000 tons of lobsters were taken on the coast of Maine, a Southern contemporary remarks :—" The crawfish of New Zealand is quite as good to eat as the Maine lobster, and is very abundant. When, however, shall we have to report that eighty thousand tons of them have been taken on the coast of New Zealand. On the coast of the North Island the crawfish abounds. And on the last trip of the Luna to the AVcst Coast sounds of the southern islands these fish were seen in abundance, and baskets full caught without trouble. Macfarlane's case is adjourned until Thursday. Mr Home, the one presiding Magistrate, said if Mr Keddell, KM, was not present then he would dismiss the case. Mr Ree*, counsel for Harris, replied that he had never heard such a statement from any bench before, and would report it to the Government. Mr Home corrected himself, and said he meant to proceed with the case if Mr ICeddell was not present, and would apply for a warrant to compel attendance. Mr Loeko held a native meeting at AVairoa on Saturday to consider the question of extending lines from there to Poverty Bay. The natives demanded 2s Gd for every pole, but after a korero of several hours duration,

agreed to let the line be constructed without compensation. This portion of the liuo will be commenced at once, the natives agreeing to supply posts.