PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2828, 14 October 1885, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

[united PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dunedin, October 13. A verdict of accidental death was returned in the case of Alexander Kilgour, found dead in a creek at Ashburton asylum. The father of deceased stated that it was nothing unusual for his son to go on bis hands and knees to drink from a creek, and it was shown that he was subject to epileptic fits. Wellington, October 13. Mr M'Ewen, of the firm M'Ewen Brown, and Kitte, narrowly escaped death last evening. M'Ewen, owing to the arrival of some friends, vacated his bedroom in favour of the visitors and occupied a bed on a sofa in the dining-room. This morning at daybreak Mrs M'Ewen, intending to meet her mother, who was expected to arrive by an early steamer, went to the dining-room, where she found her husband lying in a comatose state, senseless, and all but dead. Investigation showed that the tap of the gasalier iD the dining-room had been left open, and hence the cauge of what so nearly proved to be a facility. The services of a medical man were availed and Mr M'Ewen was soon restored to consciousness. Auckland, October 13. Dunn, the celebrated burglar, was sentenced to 14 years for burglary at the Oxford Hotel. The Queen of Rarotonga is still awaiting a communication from the Government, as she has political business to transact, and is desirous of meeting a Cabinet Minister, The s.s. Zealandia sailed this afternoon for 'Frisco. She shipped at Sydney 30 boxes of sovereigns valued at £150,000 ; four boxes of gold £24,267; shipped al Auckland for the National Bank gotd valued at £IO,OOO, and for the Bank of New Zealand £48,208; total £230,675. James C. Stuthbury, seamen on the s.s. Aorangi, was arrested on the wharf last night with 20lbs. of tobacco in his possession. He was drunk and said he had taken the tobacco ashore to get it sold, but failing to find a purchaser was returning with it to the ship. He was sentenced at the Police Court to pay 50s and costs. All the miners in the Kamo Colliery have struck work again on account of a reduction of wages.

Edith O'Gorman Cheffray, an escaped nun, brought to the colony by the Orangp organisation, lectured on ''Convent Life" to a large audience last night.

TOTAL WRECK OF THE STEAMER WALLACE. Greymouth, October 14, 3.10 p.m.

The screw-steamer Wallace, while crossing the bar at about two o'clock, from Hokitika, was caught by a sea on the quarter and landed on the shelf of the breakwater, near where the Star of the South was lost. All lives were saved, but the vessel is likely to become a total wreck, as there are several holes in her. PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FEVER. Wellington, October 14. The Government intend to enforce a strict examination of all vessels arriving at any port of the Colony from the Pacific Islands in consequence of the endemic fever epidemic. THE QUEEN OF RARATONGA. The Government have forwarded a formal invitation to the Queen of Raratonga to visit Wellington and see the Exhibition. If she wishes to visit Canterbury and Otago, every facility will be offered. It is expected that she will come down in the Janet Nichol ; hut, if not, probably the Hinemoa will be sent for her. DUNEDIN GARRISON BAND PROTEST. The Dunedin Garrison Band to-day forwarded a protest to Wellington against the Band Contest award, on the ground that the Judges' published report will not have the criticism of musical experts.