NEWS IN BRIEF. INTERPROVINCIAL.

Evening Post, Volume LII, Issue 58, 31 July 1896, Page 2

NEWS IN BRIEF. INTERPROVINCIAL.

" Wanted, a Choral Society," is the tenour of a number of letters just now in the Dunedin papers. The Rev. C. A. Fraer, of Selwyn College, Dunedin, has offered and has accepted the appointment of curate of St. Michael's, Christchurch, of which the Rev. Mr. Averill (formerly of St. George's, Hanover-square, London) is vicar. Mr. A. Riach, of Evansdale, who graduated in the Edendale Dairy Faotory, has been appointed manager of the Wainui factory, Akaroa. Mr. George Stewart, late of Fortrose, who was compelled to take refuge in a tree for 36 hours during the late floods, died in the Southland Hospital on Saturday afternoon, jleath being due to blood poisoning following frost; bite. At the advanced age of 96 an old Canterbury colonist, Mr. J. H. Bailey, who came to Lyttelton in 1850, passed away last Sunday. Owing to the late heavy rains Lake Forsyth was at a very high level, flooding the roads and low-lying portions of the land. The Akaroa County Council had to let the water out of the lake 'till it was reduced to its usual level. The Timaru Herald reports that Mr. J. S. Rutherford's male emu has hatched nine young ones out of ten eggs he sat upon. X He was found sitting on ten eggs on 19th May, so that the period of incubation for emu's eggs, in the climate of Albury, is about 65 days. All the wells in the town of Rakaia have beoome dry, in consequence, it is thought, of the river having changed its course. The relatives of the boy Vitaglich, who was drowned out of a boat as the barque Coromandel was leaving Westport for Wellington, -are making a claim on the Harbour Board for £500 compensation. The lad's body was never found. Between six and eight hundred tons of the latest gold -mining machinery and appliances have been shipped from England and America for Mr. Ziman's properties in Reefton and Hokitika, and will probably arrive in about a month's time. A petition has been presented to the Inangahua County Council, asking it to take steps to put down fire-raising in Reefton, and suggesting that a reward be offered for the apprehension of the delinquents. The County Solicitor's opinion is to be obtained. Owing to the increase in tiie coal traffic, the siding accommodation in the Westport railway yard is proving altogether inadequate, and it is proposed to expend some £600 in improvements. ! Another popular belief exploded! The other night 27 Nelson ladies entered' for a nail-driving competition, and ,the married lady who won it is described as being quite an adept at the art. In a Blenheim billiard saloon the other night a player set fire to his clothes through his cue coming rather sharply into contact with some matches,' which he had in an inside pocket o£ his coat. The members of the Nelson Education Board are to be each supplied with a copy of Dr. Richardson's Temperance Lesson Book, in order that they may read it and decide as to whether it is suitable for introduction into the Board schools, as has been urged by the Nelson Prohibition Council. Mr. Bevan, postmaster at Lyell for the past four years, has been transferred to Wellington.