INIERPROVINCIAL NEWS

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 7100, 7 February 1898, Page 3

INIERPROVINCIAL NEWS

(by telegraph.

(FEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

WELLINGTON.

February 7

A strong syndicate is being formed to place two dredges on the Wakamarina and Pelorus rivers. Marlborough.

The Commissioner of Customs has agreed to refund the duty on goods destroyed in the Auckland fire in all cases .in which the Collector reports loss to the amount of the duty actually sustained. DUNEDIN. February 7. The Harbor Board nominations were received to-day. The Chamber of Commerce representative, Mr Joel, is opposed by Mr J. M. Ritchie. All the retiring members were re-elected.

CHRISTCHURCH. February 6. The directors of the New Zealand Shipping Company have decided co instruct the commanders of their steamers not to proceed through Magellan Straits, as the underwriters will demand a higher premium if steamers make the passage of the straits. The Ruahine and Rimutaka will not, therefore, go through the straits on their homeward fcrip as advertised. Insurance on the Hororata flour mill, burned on Thursday : —LIOOO, in the Manchester.

AUCKLAND. February 7. Landing's Hotel, Tairua, owned by H. Laycock, has been destroyed by lire. It was insured for L 1220 in the Commercial LTnion.

The State forest at Mareketu, near Whangarei, is on fire from end to end. It contained an immense quantity of valuable kauri.

REEFTOJN. February 7. Bernard Smith has been arrested on suspicion of setting fire to the State school on January 23rd.

WAKAPUAKA. February 7. Heavy rain set in throughout the Nelson district yesterday afternoon, and continued without intermission during the night. This morning it shows no sign of abatement. It will do an immense amount of good, as the country has been suffering severely from the effects of the long continued drought. The downpour also completely extinguished the bush fires in various parts of the district, which gave evidence of renewed vigor during the last few days under the influence of strong winds.

jSTELSO^. February 7. The long-continued drought broke up last night, when the first heavy rain for about three months past set in. Rain is still falling. The record for the past 24 hours was lfin. The slight fear of a serious shortage in the city water supply is thus removed.

A bush fire in Aniseed Valley, supposed to have been lighted by boys, on Saturday spread to a machinery shed at Champion's mining property and destroyed the costly plant. The house, which was in danger, was saved. The machinery was insured for L 240 in the South British. The Minister for Education left for Wellington, via Blenheim, this morning.