INTERPROVINCIAL.

Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 3988, 7 May 1878, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

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THE POISONED RACEHORSES,

THREE MEN BURNED TO DEATH.

ANOTHER FATAL MINING ACCIDENT,

THE HIKURANGI MEETING.

MINISTERIAL VIEWS OF [DEFENCE.

Auckland, May 6,

lie colonial defence, Sir George Grey has forwarded the following resolution of Ministers to the Governor, in reply to the Imperial telegraphic despatch: — " Sir George Grey presents his respectful compliments to the Marquis of Nbrmanby. New Zealand Ministers reply to Her Majesty's Government that the colony will undertake the expense of the proposed armament. Her Majesty may rest assured that her New Zealand subjects will, in the event of any crisis, loyally and resolutely in all respects do their duty to the Queen and country. Sir George Grey requests that the Marquis of Normanby will be so good as at once to telegraph a copy of this memo, to Her Majesty's Government for their information."

A young daughter of Dixon, publican, struck a match, and ignited her nightgown. She is so injured that it is doubtful if she will recover.

Cooper and Bailey's performing elephant Titania died just beforetne Golden Sea sailed with the circus company. It had swallowed the contents of a man's pocket, including a large box of matches, which was supposed to have been the cause of death.

There are mountains of flour piled up at Hikurangi. Tawhiao came near Alexandra, on the opposite bank of the river, on Saturday, to witness a grand procession of Queenite

A messenger, who arrived from Hikurangi this morning, reports 2000 present, amongst whom are very few Ngatimaniopotos. Rewi is at Takanui, his settlement, near Orakau. • The late rains flooded Hikurangi, and the water ran through the houses. The Natives, under temporary cover, suffered much, and are growing very impatient. The piles of food are sufficient to last a fortnight. The numbers at Hikurangi are variously estimated at 2500 to 5000. The following are present:—The whole of the Waikatos, about 2000; Ngatiraukawaa; a small section of Ngatimaniopotos, from Te Kopua ; some from Wanganui, besides Te Wheoro's people. Tawhiao has long been anxious for the meeting to be the largest possible, and used every means to induce them to come long distances. Ngatibikairo are said to have left their crops to rot. Axexabdba, May 6. Mr Sheehan went up to Kopua in a canoe, and has returned. He saw no one. Rewi and Wahanui are still at their settlements. Procrastination appears to be the order of the day. Nothing is doing at Hikurangi. The weather is very bad. Sir George Grey and party have arrived here, and will leave some time to-day. Isitir. The Premier and suite hare gone on to

KopuaV-atakai as a matter of form, but will return this evening, and proceed to Hisurangi overland to-morrow. New Plymouth, May 6.

The Supreme Court opeued this morning before Judge Gillies. There are four cases for trial. . _ . Sir John Coode visited Waitar.i on SaturThe Grand Jury found no bill in Barriball's case. Lennox, for horse stealing, was found guilty. Sir John Coode leaves by coach to-morrow for Pate-a. Wellington, May R. Lpst night as Mr Clelland, agent for the Bank of New Zealand at Featherston, and his assistant Mr Luxford, were driving towards Featherston, the horse bolted, and the buggy capsized. Mr Clelland was dangerously injured, and is not expected to recover. Mr Luxford escaped uninjured. Dr. Hector haß analysed the contents of the stomachs of the racehorses which recently died at Castlepoint, and states that the stomachs contained a quantity of arsenic. Thirty-two thousand Bhares in the Colonial Insurance Co. have been applied for hero. Dr. Hector having, by request, tested the kerosene by which the late fatal accident was caufed, reports—" The dishing point of this oil is 105 degrees Fahrerheit, but after it has been warmca to 110 degrees it flashes at 100 degrees, or even less. The oil is therefore petroleum, and dangerous in the meaning of the Dangerous Goods Act, 18G9, and under the 1-lth clause should not be sold except in vessels marked 'Dangerous; no light to be brought near.' " Dunedin, May 6. Two hotels were totally destroyed by fire at Kingston at 6 o'clock "y.-sterday morning. The fire originated in Kerr's, upstairs, and extended afterwards to Anderson's. Throe men were burned to death. One was named John Dougherty, another R. McCann, and the name of the third is unknown. A small amount of personal property only was saved. There were no appliunces available for extinguishing the fire when discovered. Anderson was insured for about £800 in the New Zealand and National Companies. Kerr was insured for £600 only, upon the hotel. Both were new houses near the railway station. John Ahem, a well-known miner, was instantaneously crushed to death yesterday while working in shallow ground, only four feet deep, at the Eight-mile, Arrow. Dunedin, May 7.

Mr Justice Williams today ordered the trustee to prosecute a debtor named Millar for fraudulent bankruptcy. At a meeting of the Harbor Board to-day a resolution was unanimously carried, requesting the Engineer to report on the delay in carrying out the dredging contract. Mr Ramsay, who moved the motion, said that the feeling was prevalent that the contract would not be completed within the specified time.

[PBOM OUB OWU CORRESPONDENT.] Timaru, May 6.

A man named Abboteford Craig was committed for trial at the Supreme Court to-day for issuing valueless cheques. The Waimate Steeplechase is postponed to June Ist.