SOUTHERN NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 270, 14 November 1910, Page 6

SOUTHERN NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

POSTMASTER'S SERIOUS ILLNESS. KELSON, this day. Mr. E. V. Senn, chief postmaster at Nelson, who is just on the eve of transfer to Napier, was taken suddenly seriously ill on Saturday evening, owing ix> perforation of the bowels followed by peritonitis. His condition is regarded as somewhat critical. A NELSON SENSATION. NELSON, this day. A serious position has arisen wiuh regard to the Maifcai Valley and access ■to the river banks, which people have enjoyed ever since Nelson was founded. The legatees of the Richaradson Estate, who hold an old grant of practically the whole valley, intend fencing off along the whole length of road except where the road crosses the river, which the County Council will not permit them to encloseThus the picnic, camping and fishing resorts used .by thousands every holiday ■will Ibe practically closed .to the public. The City Council carried an urgent resolution asking Mr. Graham and t/he Hon. Roderick McKenzie, the local members, ■to induce the Government either to resume the Richardson Estate for closer settlement, wibh a chain on either bank of the Tiver and the river itself declared a public recreation reserve, or to acquire the whole area as a scenic reserve. Much public money in reading and foot and cart bridges has been spent in the course of years on the main valley, and the city has a waterworks reserve at the other end of the estate, which might cause repairing complications, as, by the old grant, the whole river bed belongs to the estate. Strong public feeling has 'been aroused, and there is great unanimity with regard to the State acquiring the area fox public purposes. NOT LONG PARTED. WELLINGTON, this day. Mr. Charles J. Holworthy, whose wife (formerly Lady Buckley) died less than a fortnight ago, expired suddenly yesterday on returning from a walk. He had suffered from heart disease for some time. FIRE AT NEW PLYMOUTH. NEW PLYMOUTH, this day. A six-roomed house belonging to Mr. Grayson, and occupied by Mr. Bennoch, was gutted by fire on Saturday afternoon. The house was insured for £150 in the Alliance, but the loss is estimated at considerably over that sum. The furniture was uninsured. It is believed tho firo was caused by children playing with •fireworks. WAXKAWA FATAETTY. GOKB, this day. Wiith regaTd to the drowning of Stanley at Waikawa on Saturday, dragging •for the 'body was continued, at 10-w water, but unsuccessfully. Deceased is believed to have resided at Port Chalmers, and is sold to have a sister living at Winton. This, is the first calamity of the kind for 20 years at Woikawa.