INTERPROVINCIAL.

Press, Volume XXII, Issue 2794, 23 July 1874, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL.

OTAGO. The " Daily Times " understands that a requisition is in course of signature calling upon the Mayor to convene a public meeting to petition the Legislature with reference to Judge Ward.

The Waimatnku crossing, the locale of so many mishaps in connection with coach travelling between Invercargill and Riverton, was again, says the "Southland Times," on last Saturday evening the scene of a most melancholy occurrence, as the sequel will I show: For some considerable time a young girl, the daughter of Mr Roderique, boatman, at Orepuki, has been lying hopelessly ill of a fatal intestinal affection in the Invercargill Hospital. The medical officer having no hope of her recovery, this was made known to her parents, and they, wishing that she should be ministered to in her last hours by themselves personally, came into town at the end of last week for the purpose of taking her home to Orepuki, For this purpose the father and mother hired a coach on Saturday, and started for Riverton with their dying girl. Iα crossing the Waimatuku, the horses made some false motion, and turned round in the stream, and the consequence was that Mr Roderique and bis wife, with their sick daughter, received a severe drenching, which resulted in the poor girl's death shortly after their arrival at Riverton. While the vehicle with its paseengers, was still in the river, Mr M'lntyre'e coach came np, and much credit is due to the travellers by the latter for the generous and able assistance which they gave in rescuing the unfortunates, and for their humane conduct in parting with portions of their own dry clothing to benefit the poor drenched and dying girl.

The "Brace Herald" of the 14th inst. says:—"The manufacture of the first articles of pottery-ware for domestic use was begun at Mr White's works yesterday, when teapots, jugs, Sec, in some numbers were commenced. The unavoidable absence of His Honor the Superintendent from the province prevented his being present to initiate a most important industry—an industry which, though now receiving a short chronicle, need not, on that account, be the less valuable in the future.

We are pleased to learu says the " Otago Guardian," that the members of the Dunedin Athenaaum have shown their appreciation of the valuable services Mr C. B. Winter has rendered the institution, during the many years 'he has been officially connected with it, in a tangible way. Mr O. B. Winter, the honorary treasurer to the institute, has been appointed manager of the Bank of Australasia in Napier. A massive tea-and-coflEee service and beautiful salver were forwarded to him, per s.s. Ta anaki, by Mr David R. Hay, honorary secretary of the Athenaaum, in .the name of the subscribers. He will doubtless be "often reminded of Dun,edin when he sees the beautiful works of art adorning his own table.

The other day, we learn from the " Times," Cobb's coach ran risk of a most serious accident near the Beliance. Hotel, Otago. On passing Yeend'e coach one of the horses

(Cobb's) shied, causing the near wheel to ditch, thus throwing the driver off. The horses then bolted, and but for the praiseworthy and brave conduct of a passenger (who is, we believe, an old "• whip") on the box, who got down on the pole and holding the harness, worked along the pole until he secured the reins. Crawley, the driver, had one of the small bones of his foot broken through the wheel passing over it. His foot has been carefully attended to, and it is expected he will be able to move about again in ten days or a fortnight. We may state that Crawley brought the coach into town notwithstanding his accident.

The railway viaduct constructed over Abbotsford creek at so great expense, is (says the " Daily Times") now in a dilapidated condition, rents and. other signs of failing being exhibited in different parts of it. After the earth had been laid at the approaches, the slim Jbuilding began to show signs of weakness, the walls bulging out more than a foot on each side. It is stated that in the mortar used there was an excess of sand. Whatever has been the cause, the structure must be taken down and rebuilt before the engine goes to the mouth of the tunnel at the Chain, hills.