INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 417, 15 September 1868, Page 3

INTERPRO VINCI AL NEWS.

Some quartz containing the precious metal has been obtained at Urenui, and two prospecting parties (fully equipped) have left New Plymouth for the ranges in the Urenui district. Mr T. B. Gillies, of Auckland, has, it is said, leased a run of about 1800 acres at Wharekawa, opposite Shurtlaud, in the Thanres district* The convicts Bryaut, Goldsmith, Kerfiting, and. Campbell (of whose escape from the Auckland gaol, and re-capture, we lately gave an account), have been tried for that offence, and each sentenced to j two years' penal servitude, to commence at the expiration of their present sen- j tences. The Provincial authorities of Auckland ' have discontinued (except in extreme j cases) to give aid to the sick and destitute of that Province, owing to the people refusing to pay the poll-tax towards the same. Neither the amount (says the Southern Cross) in itself < f the tax, 10a. per male adult, nor the object for which it was to be raised, was the cause of the irritation felt against it ; but the principle on which it was to be levied waa so flagrantly unjust, taxing rich and poor alike, that it could not be accepted by the people. The Neio Zealand Herald states : — " The number un the ration list is, we believe, as follows :— Auckland, 100 families ; Onehunga, 15 ditto ; Pan mure, C ditto ; Otahuhu, 3 ditto ; Waiuku, 4 ditto ; Tuakau, 1 ditto ; North Shore, 2 ditto ; besides 30 aged and infirm persons, blind and epileptic, &c, lodged at the present moment in a portion of the old Lunatic Asylum." About £140 per month is required for rations only for the poor of Auckland City and Suburbs. One gentleman in Auckland offers £14 per month for the poor living in his district, and will continue doing so until proper arrangements are made for them. The Wanyanui Evening Herald of a recent date publishes the following : — ■ " The people of Patea are much incensed at a most unwarrantable stretch of power on the part of Colonel MD vnnell. Mr Bailie, a settler at Patea, for some offence — writing to the newspapers, we believe — incurred the displeasure of the Colonel, who sent for him to come to the blockhouse. As Mr Bailie had procured a substitute, who was then acting for him, he refused. A guard was sent for him, and without even a court-martial, he was sentenced to seven* days' imprisonment. His hair was cut quite close, and other indignities inflicted upon him ; he was liberated, after being in prison a day and a night. Mr Bailie had never been sworn in, and considered that as he bad procured a substitute he had no right to serve. Mr Bailie is most respectably connected, and his friends are going to commence an action against Colonel M'Donnell in the Supreme Court. The Assembly, it is to bi hoped, will not in this case pass a bill of indemnity ; but if they should, Judge Johnston has ruled that no Colonial Act can over-ride the law of England." ] A case of stabbing, of a serious nature , j occurred on board the barque Bengal at Port Chalmers, on Saturday. During the afternoon, three of the seamen, named M'Carthy, Murray, and Brett, had some wordsi — M'Carthy challenging the others to fight ; Brett declined until after tea, and the men continued their work. Tea o /er, a squabble ensued, and Brett pushed M'Carthy down the hold. M'Carthy, on coming on deck, squared at Murray, and using bad language to him, Murray closed with him, drew a sheath knife, and stabbed M'Carthy over the back — the knife entering between the ribs below the right shoulder, and penetrating the right lung. Medical aid was at once sent for, and Dr Drysdale went on board, sewed and bandaged the wound. On Saturday night, M'Carthy was considered dangerous, and it was considered advisable to take his dying declaration ; but yesterday the bleeding had stopped and the only danger was that of inflamation setting in. Information having been given to the police, Sergeant Mallard ai rested Murray, and conveyed him to the lock-up. On being taken into custody, Murray admitted having stabbed M'Carthy in a quarrel, and that he had thrown the knife overboard. — Daily Times, 7th inst.