INTER-PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1195, 21 July 1874, Page 2

INTER-PROVINCIAL NEWS.

When tbo Superintendent of Otago wag ct liiverton, oa the discission of turning the first cod of tho Western railways, he Wad presented with an address by Miss Daniel on behalf of the G-nod Templars : —" Hi 3 Honor in thanking Mies Daniel, said ho believed

he exercised true temperance in the exercise of moderation, and in the obeying the apostolic injunction to ' take a little wine for the stomach's sake.' He nevertheless sympathised with the object which the Templars had in view, and regarded them as engaged in a great and good work, destined to produce very beneficial effects in the community in checking the spread of intemperance. Perhaps when he was older he might join the Order."

The Dunenin Star remarks : — " In conection with the Samoa hoax, we ere informed by a well-known resident in the city that the island was thoroughly prospected more thau twenty years ago by experienced miners from California, and not the slightest trace of gold was found. We learn that many sheep are dying in the Wanganui district, chiefly in consequence of scarcity of food. The mortality exists principally among the lambs, and perhaps in their case is attributable, to some extent at least, to the cold, which is exceedingly severe in the district at present. A suitable building for the Civil Service Club of Wellington is talked of. It is proposed that a building, with over seventy bedrooms, should be erected ; and it is understood that the promoters have made application for a site on the land proposed to be reclaimed from Pipitea Point southwards. The capital is to be found by a company with limited liability. The new apparatus for sending and receiving two messages on one wire is now in active and successful operation at Blenheim station, thus effecting an economy in the quantity of. wire necessary to the extent of one-half. A correspondent of the Ilawke's Bay Herald suggests that, as a bachelor's tax will soon come into force in that province, some of our sapient legislators should endeavour, now that the Council is in session, to get a clause added to tho Education Act, imposing a tax on old maids. It is reported on good authority that the Government will propose to -j/tasion off Judges Chapman and Arney, also Dr Peatherston. The Attorney-General will probably succeed Judge Arney, Judge Ward will succeed Judge Chapman, and Mr PtusBell Dr Peatherston.

The Wellington Tribune says : —The carriage of the huge water-pipes now lying along the breastwork, and some few at Lyttelton, aro likely to cost the Government a, large sum of money. Considering the number of small v?csols which have been loading with them vfe have heard an estimate of freight amounting to something like £20,000. Tho consumption of alcholic liquors in the Tur.peka Hospital has lately been the subject of some discussion. A correspondent of the local paper, who signs himself " Growler," says : —'■ Commenting on the amount of money expended in grog fcr the patients of the Tu?.peka Hospital, it appears at a glance that sixteen sick man drank four hundred pounds worth of fermented liquors in tho year ; and to spoak plainly there must bo some good drinking men in the institution. I noticed a bad Templar last night staggering along the street, rnd I at once settled in my mind that ho was ciek and had been in the Hospital." The following paragraph has appeared in a "Wellington paper : —" Mr Mackay, ft member of the Geological Survey Staff, examined the coal at Picton, but it turned out to bo a local deposit of no value or importance."