INTER-PROVINCIAL NEWS

Oamaru Mail, Volume X, Issue 4071, 28 March 1888, Page 2

INTER-PROVINCIAL NEWS

(BY TELEGRAPH.) WELLINGTON. March 27. Mr Higginson, 0.E., lirb been appointed by the Governor to make inquiries into the Giaborne Harbor Board and report thereon. Mr Higgioson leaves here next week. Instructions have been issued to sheep Inspectors throughout the colony to collect rates due, which amount in all to about LI6OO. The non-commissioned officers and some of the men in the defence force have been reduced 63 per day, except those in the third class, who are redoced Is. The nautical inquiry into the wreck of the ship Pleione will be held on Thursday, At an inquest on the body of an infant found in Oriental Bay on the 17th inst., the verdict was found dead. M. Dumas, who has been running the Restaurant Fran go ia, is believed to have left town. He left a note that the books should be handed to his creditors, and stated that he could no longer carry on the business. He is believed to have gone to Auckland. Mr Arthur Ball, a son of Sir D. Bell, has been asked by the Government to represent New Zealand in the conference of colonial delegates on the rabbit pest, and will probably consent. DUNEDIN. March 27. Edmonds, the landlord of the Tuapeka Month Hotel, was fined L 5, and 47s coats, for selling liquor on Sunday, and the conviction was endorsed on the license. The evidence Bhowed that liquor had only been Bold to M'Rory, who is charged with the- murder of Oonnell, and to Walsh, both of whom were travellers. The Magistrate held, however, that, as these men had shouted for others who were not travellers, it was a breach of the Licensing Act.

At the annual meeting of the Otago Bngby Union, the report showed that a balance of L2 remained in hand. The team which weat round had not received a penny of gate-money, nor had the Union found it necessary to appeal to the public. With reference to forming a Union for New Zealand, as suggested by Auckland, it was decided that the matter was premature.

Mrs and Misa Joseph and two children were accidentally wounded on Saturday by a young man named Conn discharging a gun. Though in one case the shot penetrated the ribs, fatal results are not anticipated.

OHRISTCHURCH. March 27. Alexander Dunbar was committed for trial to-day on a charge of unlawfully offering LSO to T. Brydone, manager at Dnnedin for the New Zealand and Australian Land Co., to abstain from bidding for a Bectlon on February 29. The charge was based on certain letters written to Mr Brydone by Dunbar, who pleaded ignorance of the law on the subject. AUCKLAND. March 27. In a letter to the Chamber of Commerce, Mr J. A. Connell suggests that the Chamber should appoint a special committee, consisting of persons of experience in mining matters, and with power to employ experts, for the purpose of investigating all matters in connection with any mines that may be placed upon the market, more especially mines proposed to be floated in Australia or London. The experts are to examine the mines in questioo, and report to the committee as to their bona fides, in reßpect of which a certificate can then be given. The Hospital and Charitable Aid Board last night negatived a motion of Mr May's to build a refuge at Ellerslie for old or inficmed people at a coat of L4OOO.

It has been decided to establish a choir of music in connection with the Auckland University College, Herr Schmidt, of the Auckland Choral Society, is to be asked to assume the directorship of the musical studies at a salary of LIOO a year and ordinary college fees. A number of gentlemen interested in the matter have written to the Government protesting against the resolution to dispense with the services of Mr James M'Laren, as Inspector of Minos in the Thames district.

NEW PLYMOUTH. March 27. A local option poll was taken in towH yesterday, but only 79 votera availed themselves of the privilege. The result was against any increase in the number of licensed houses. A lad of about 17 years of age, named Brophy, has been lost in the bush at Okaito since Sunday. Search parties have been out every day, but have failed to find any trace of him. He had only his shirt and trousers on when he left, and it is very improbable that he will now bo found alive, the weather having ■ been ao inclement and cold. His father is a settler living at Okaito. TAPANUI. March 27. The continued wet stormy weather is ruining the grain crops in this district, and it is now feared that two-thirds of the grain crop will be destroyed. GREYMOUTH. March 27. Thos. M'Closky and Wo. Bradley, two jockeys, were sentenced by the R,M. to two months' imprisonment in' Hokitika gaol for using obsene language in a public place.