NEWS IN BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10428, 28 April 1897, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF.

iVaihora gone to Sydney. Manapouri for the South to-day. Taviuni from the Islands to-morrow. H.M.B. Goldfinch expected from Sydney to-dav. The Harbour Board's foreman of works ii to be provided with a bicycle. There are twenty-seven cases of typhoid in the Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney. The Union Company's new steamer Hawea is due from the South on Friday. By the Waihora last evening • large eonsigdment of butter was sent to Sydney. There were three prisoner! in the lock-up hub evening, all on charges of drunkenness, A residence to cost £4000 is to be built for the Hon. \V. W. Johnston at Awahuri. The Agricultural Department is receiving further vine cuttings from South Australia.

While a black woman wag bathing in the Barron River, near Cairns (Q), she was seized and carried off by a large alligator, At Port Chalmers, the Union Company'! steamer Manapouri is to receive extensive alterations to fit her for the Island trade. A little girl named Eliza Healey died at Newcastle from injuries received by running against a sharp stick on Merewether Beach. Recently William Nicholls, an aboriginal prisoner at Narrabri Gaol, attempted to commit suicide by cutting his throat with a nnr.

The Governor of New Caledonia has ordered a French man-of-war to be in Brisbane for the opening of the International Exhibition.

At Temora (N.S. W.) a young man named McDonald was accidentally shot by his brother while hunting kangaroo*. He is expected to recover. More than £2000 has been expended in attempting to raise the Coromandel at Wellington. It is twelve months since the unlucky ship left Westport. The Perth (W.A.) City Council has accepted a contract for the construction of ■an electric tramway, and will also carry out a scheme for the electric lighting of the city.

At the Hobart gaol recently, a prisoner Darned Arthur Ryan, while sawing wood with a steam saw, was cut on the forehead by a flying splinter, which inflicted a gaping wound. There has been trouble in Queensland lately over the fact that some high-toned individual has been allowed to shoot deer at Cressbrook— privilege that ib under no circumstances ever extended to the ordi-

nary person. The area of land in wheat in Waitaki this year was 26.941 acres ; oats, 17,938; barley, 182; rye, 117; peas, 23. In Waimato the acreages were: — Wheat, 23,174; oats, 19,456; barley, 1100; rye, 252; peas, 13; beans, 3. Last week Mr. William Scott, of Waihao, met with an accident while returning home from Waimate. The trap was capsized and the occupants were thrown out. Mr. Scott was severely shaken and bruised, but tho other occupants escaped unhurt. The body of a young woman, who either jumped or fell into the Yarra, has been identified as Miss Elizabeth Cleaver, aged 24, who arrived in bourne three or four months ago from Lannceston, where abe had followed the occupation of barmaid.

The contractor for the extension of the Thames Goods Wharf (Mr. R. B. Martin) has commenced his contract, and is making good progress with the same, The distance contracted for is 100 feet, but it is probable a further 50 feet will also be added to the contract,

On Thursday last, at Waimate, a man named Michael Burke was crossing a small bridge over the Elephant Hill Creek, when his dray carried away the rail, and dray, team, and driver were precipitated some ten or twelve feet. The shaft horse was killed and the others bruised. The dray was badly broken and Burke severely cut.

According to the Mataura Ensign, onethird of the entire crop of that district is still in the stook, and sprouts make rapid progress. The whole of the wheat grown stands to the same position, bar the portion yet uncut. Many oat stacks are heating, and some have had their broadsides pulled out and been restooked, or put through the mill right away.

The following is the state of Her Majesty's prison, Auckland, for the week ending April 24 :-On remand, 2 males ; awaiting trial, 15 males, 1 female; boy, 1; penal servitude, 2 males; hard labour, 107 males, 10 females; imprisonment, 1 male; default of bail, 4 males; received daring the week, 12 males, 9 females; discharged, 18 males, 11 females. Total in prison, 132 males, 11 females.