INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 4999, 13 June 1891, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

(by telegraph.) (per press association.) WELLINGTON. June 13. Briggs, chief officer of the Linda Weber, who was suffering from dysentery on the arrival of the vessel from the Islands, died in the hospital. The Alameda, with the English mails (May 16) left San Francisco for Auckland on the 28th May. The Mariposa, with the colonial mails (May 23) arrived at San Francisco, from Auckland, oil the 11th instant; both contract date. DUNEDIN. June 13. A five-roomed house afc Mornington, owned by J. M. 'Donald and occupied by Jas. Wallace, was totally destroyed by fire early this morning. Insurances—House, L2OO in the North British; furniture, L7O in the South British. The Licensing Committee has confirmed the refusal of licenses to the Stafford, West Coast, and North Dunedin Hotels. CHRISTCHURCH. June 13. It is stated that it is the intention of the applicants whose licenses were refused by the Sydenham Licensing Bench, to bring separate actions in the Supreme Court against the individual members of the Committee, with the object of recovering damages for the loss sustained by reason of such refusal; the ground of action being that the circumstances attending their election and administration of the Licensing Act prove that the Committee did not bring an impartial or a judicial mind to bear on the question; but were actuated by bias, prejudice, and prohibition considerations. Experts estimate the depreciation in value of the properties affected at close on LIO,OOO. There were two large land sales to-day, one being the Hursley Estate of 550 acres, near Aniberley, which brought Ll3 10s per acre, being a total of L 7425. The other was 700 acres, situated at Kirwee, which brought L 8 5s per acre, or a total of L 5782 lis. The prices are considered remarkably good, and show increasing confidence in the future of the province® INVERCARGILL. June 13. The Wairio Licensing Committee have granted new licenses in the face of a local option poll declaring against an increase. The reason given for disregarding the vote is that the polling places were limited to one for the whole district, which comprises three ridings, and that, consequently, the majority of the ratepayers were prevented from voting. The Committee contend that the poll is not a true expression of opinion of the residents. Complications are likely to arise. The Invercargill South School Committee have unanimously decided to inform the head master that the use of Whitcombe and Tombs' books rind cards was objectionable to the Committee, and to request the householders to refrain from jjurchasing them. The school roll numbers 600.