INTER PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1198, 31 July 1874, Page 2

INTER PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Some time since we reported a strange attempt-j made by a herbalist in Dunedin, to poison and strangle his wife. A lite Guardian informs us that ""the trial of Louis Buisson, for an attempt to murder his wife, has been concluded at the criminal sittings of the Supreme Court and resulted in thj acquittal of the accused. A magnificent piece of country is now being surveyed, says the Wauganui Chronicle, preparatory to its being offered for sale. It lies to the rear of the Fielding Settlement, between the Haugidkoi and the Orpria liivers, and is described by those who have personally traversed the block as beni" superior to any yet olfered for sale in the district, it is for the most part level, and a great portiou of it is heavily

wooded, the timber consisting principally of totara, and other servicable descriptions. Immediately the survey is completed this splendid piece of country will be submitted to public competition in blocks of various sizes. Dr Carr has a rival in the pleasant New Zealand pastures, over which he has so long grazed in solitary eccen. tricity. It seems that one professor Bruce, " after a successful tour through the Australian Colonies," has started busines as phrenologist and mesmerist. We presume that this gentleman will make the tour of New Zealand, and sooner or later pay a visit to the Coast. We are quite anxious to kown whether or not the spiritual affinities of the two professors promote the existence of a sweet concord between them as fellowlaborers on behalf of a suppressed science, or whether, like rival members of other professions, they growl and fight continually. Christcburch was visited on Monday week last by a snow storm of unusual violence, and weather reports in exchanges seem unanimous in stating that the present season has been one of extraordinary severity. In the Grey Valley a few days since, snow fell, and remained on the ground the whole day in the Ahaura and the neighboring flats. Ice two inches thick, the result of one night's frost was taken from a small lagoon in the neighborhood of Cobdcn, this being a remarkable thing for the sea level of the coast. At Westport the ice forming nightly on open water tanks and vessels has been nearly an inch thick. The Wellington correspondent of the Wanganui Chronicle thus recounts a little incident connected with the departure of Allen's Opera Troupe from Wellington. It appears that a very young gentleman connected with the legal profession had fallen a victim to the charms of one of the lady members" of the corps. He paid the lady assiduous attentions, and made her several costly gifts, in the shape of jewellery and a handsome gold watch. The lady received these with great complasiance, but kept the sighing swain in dancing attendance until the time of departure arrived, without affording him anything in the shape of an assurance that he did not sigh in vain. This being the case the youth awoke from his fond dream just as the steamer was about to leave and, rushing on board, impatiently demanded from the lady, in the presence of all assembled, a return of the presents he had made. Of course a scene ensued. The ladies were scandalised, the gentleman indignant, and strongsuggestions were made of ducking the ungallant individual, or at all events expelling him by a species of force a posteriori. However, the recipient of the presents was a girl of spirit, and indignantly returned them, whereupon the young gentleman sneaked off, amidst the jeers of the whole party present. Since then the life of that embryo barrister has not been a pleasant one, as he has been mercilessly chaffed by all and sundry. In future he will perhaps eschew the fascinations of opera and " pets of the ballet."

[For remainder of news see 4*lh page.']