THE SOUTHERN PROVINCES.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3938, 6 April 1870, Page 4

THE SOUTHERN PROVINCES.

By the arrival of the s.s. ' Wellington' yeatevclay, we are placed in possession of later files of Southern papcis. The latest commercial and shipping intelligence will he found in another column.

WELLINGTON. | Wo have files of the Independent, Post, and A dvertiser to the Ist instant. A meeting of the shareholders of the Never Despair Goldnuning Company took place at Barrett's Hotel, when directors were appointed, and rules Avere adopted. Mr. Wright, the' manager, submitted to the meeting a certificate of the analysis he had received from Mr. H. ; Smith t of two pounds weight of stone that he had given him, the result of winch was one grain of fine gold equal to 2oz. 6d\vt. 16gr. to the ton. A farewell tea-meeting was given to the Eev. Messrs. Kirk and Bigg, in the Wesleyan school-room, Manners-street. The ' Challenger' is about to paj>- a visit to the Middle Island, and she \vill sail for Lyttelton m about a fortnight. Eainer, Christy, and Weston's celebrated troupe of Minstrels have occupied the Odd Fellows' Hal], and have drawn crowded houses. The second day of the races did not pass off without the occurrence of one or two accidents. A young man of the name of Casey had ju3t ridden across the course to see the horses take the second leap, and he arrived just in time to come into violent collision with one of the hacks, which, instead of clearing the small portion of the hurdle before it, swerved round. Caseys leg was jammed against the racer's shoulder, and was broken just above the ankle. The rider of the other horse saved his leg by rapidly throwing it over his steed's neck. Casey was at once taken to the Hutt, and surgical assistance procured. Shortly after this occurience, a man riding recklessly about managed to knock down, a little girl, but fortunately without seriously hurting her. The Wairarapa correspondent of the Independent writes that, on the 24th ultimo, Mr. Lucas was alarmed by a smell of fire and smoke issuing from the staircase, which lie found to be burning. He immediately aroused his wife, and w ith some difficulty succeeded in getting her and the childien out of the room, and do ■> u the burning stairs. He then returned to the bedroom, in older to get some of his wife's clothing, I | but only succeeded in getting adressand apetticoat, the smoke being almost stifling. He was nearly suffocated in descending the stairs. He then alarmed Mr. Brown, Mr. Phillips's shopman, Avho was sleeping in an adjoining room, and Avho made his escape with great difficulty, aa by this time the whole of the rooms were in flames. Mr. Luoas attempted to stay their progress by the application of tho water which happened to be on the premises, bnt without success, Mr. Brown, Avhen he saAV the shop in flames, was almost paralysed. An alarm was given, and the whole neighbourhood rushed to render all the assistance they could, but so far as Mr. Lucas's house and Mr. Phillips's store, which were under one roof, were concerned, it was wholly unavailing. Mr. Phillips was at Whanganui at the time, and his stock, consisting chiefly of clothing and drapery, was valued at £1,300. Mr. Lucas lost all his^oods, documents, and deeds, and his wife and children all their clothing. The building is insured. Some damage was done to the house and goods of Mr. Moles, and he has no doubt they Avould have been totally destroyed had it not been for the exertions of his neighbours. Mr. Gngg was insured for £150, and Mr. Phillips^ stock for £500. As usual, the cause of the fire is unknown. OTAGO. We hare files of the Daily Times and Bta7' to the 30th ultimo. We extract the following items. A criminal prosecution is about to be instituted against Henningham, for alleged fraud. John Creagh, solicitor, was brought up on remand, charged with embezzling the sum of £114 Is., while in the employ of Mr. Cook. The prisoner was then committed to take his trial at the next criminal sittings of the Supreme Court. A foot race for the distance of 200 yards, for £200, has been arranged to take place between "W. H. Money and It. Boae, on the 23rd April. h Some of ? the telegraph lines in Otago are being re-constructed on iron posts. Two bicycles have made their appearance at Cronrwell. A Mrs. Keith, after coming out of the gate near to the new Athenteum building, ran against a portion of the scaffolding erected on the footpath, when her eye came in contact with a large nail, by Avhich the eyeball Avas severely injured. The consequences may be less serious than at first Avere dreaded. At Oamaru, a haAvker, named Heeles, left his wagon, loaded Avith drapery and clothing, standing outside some buildings on Messrs. Reid and Bathgate's premises, Avhile he went inside to ply his vocation. The vehicle Avaa covered Avith a tarred cloth, and the lamps were burning. From some cause or other, the horse, which was tied to the Avheel, became frightened and overturned the wagon, which with its contents was in a few moments in a blaze. The greater part of the goods Avas destroyed, and the body of the wagon burnt to a cinder. £48 in money was a lso burnt.

CANTERBURY. We have files of the Lylttlton Times and Canterbury Press to the Slat. A fire occurred on the estate of Mr. Peel, contiguous to the Christchurch Quay, Ferry Road. A barn, filled with straw, was completely destroyed. It was fortunate that there was no wind, for, if there had been, there is no knowing where the conflagration would have terminated. Mr. Rolleston has issued his address to the electors,

WHANGANUI. The Wanganui Herald of the 26th ultimo saya :—"lt: — "It will be remembered thatTopine, who lives at the head of the Whanganui River, opposed the passage of Topia° and Kemp, by the river route, when they set out on the expedition after Te Kooti. During the time Topine has evidently been reflecting on the state of affairs between the races, for he has made up hia mind to attach himself to the side of the Government, and has given notice to the King of his intention. Topine has sent hia wife down the river with the intelligence that he and his people were anxious to come orer and be Queen ziatives, and she had arrived at Pehi'a place a few days ago. Topine requested that he might brin» his people down the river in Pehis and Topia's canoes, and we understand that Pehi has granted the request. I?he Whanganui Paver, from the source to the embouchwve, is now in possession of the friendly natives. " The Wanganui Evening Herald understands, upon good authority, that a portion of the section occupied by Mr. John Garner has been purchased by the Bank of New Zealand on behalf of the Mercantile Loan Company. It is their intention to erect a store upon it, for the purpose of storing wool. This company is in a moat flourishing condition, and ia one of the best modes for I settlers in disposing of their wool The neighbourhood of Whanganui seems to have been fruitful of accidents lately. The local papers furnish particulars of the following .-—About the time of the fatal accident to Mr. J. Lambert, two other accidents occurred to settlers ab Marton. Mr. Ingram, senior, was leading a horse, which stumbled' and in trying to recover itself struck Mr. Ingram violently on the ankle.— Mr. Mclntosh, pa<nter, whilst riding from Middle Rangitikei, was thrown from his horse, and dragged for some distance in the stirrup. I One of his ribs was broken, besides his right leg being seriously injured.— Mr. McGuire, a squatter on the Manawatu block, and his wife prepared to start on horseback. Mrs. McGuires horse began to buck, throwing her, and dragging her a considerable distance in the stirrup; but eventually she slipped from th« atirrup and fell, the fall rendering her quite insensible. She received t a very bad out on the forehead, besides bein^ '

badly bruised about the body. On the following Thursday she died, leaving a sorrowing husband and five children, the youngest ot whom is not quite two months old. The '■ Wanganui Evening Herald is responsible for the statement that the following order has been issued :— "The order of the sth March, 1870, p<ut five, lelativo to natives travelling through the district being obliged to be provided with a pass, is hereby rescinded. The district is now open to all travellers, natives»as well as settlers the condition imposed, and which officers commanding outposts will see is observed, that the natives are not to carry arms. Officers in charge of posts are not to interfere with any loyal natives who may desi.e to return to their kaingas, such as Pakaraka and other -Z^ilitw^™' Major Commandin *

TARANAKI. We learn that subsequent to the late coroner's inquest an information was laid by Sergeant Dunn, as chief of the police, against Annie Greenway for concealing the birth of her child, and a warrant was issued for her apprehensiou. Sergeant Dunn deposed on oath that George Greenway was a material witness, and not likely to attend to gire eyidenco unless he were, compelled to do «o. The Resident Magistrate issued a warrant for hi« apprehension, and he was taken into custody the same day.