INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8288, 17 September 1903, Page 1

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

By Telegraph.

Peb Pbess Association.

WELLINGTON.

September 6. In the Earle divorce case, on the Court resuming after lunch, the respondent, about thirty years of age, went into the witness box. She said that when iier_ first child was born her husband 6aid their marriage had been a mistake, and after the second child was born in 1897 her husband made the same remark, and from that date_ withdrew from co-habitation. She had tried to re--gain his affections, but he had repelled her. She was uphappy because of this treatment. She did not particularly desire to go to England, and during her stay there letters she received from her husband disappointed her. They were so cold. There was no phase of her life in England of which she had reason to be ashamed. She admitted going to Noble's cabin on the Athenic and occupying the same room as he for two nights at the City Hotel. Noble liad promised to marry her. Respondent's crossexamination had not concluded when the Court adjourned. The police in Wellington have made inquiry regarding the missing man Wagstaff mentioned in a Wanganui telegram to-day, and are disposed to look upon the probability of suicide as doubtful.

CHRISTCHURCH. September 6. The North Canterbury Executive of theFarmers' Union decided to-day to move strenuously in the direction of getting correct grain returns for Canterbury, and agreed" to send printed forms to threshing mill-owners to facilitate the registering _ of tallies. The question of the revaluation of Crown tenants' land prior to the granting of the freehold was brought up, but was held over pending the receipt of the reports of the proceedings of the Colonial Council. The remains of the late Henry Thomson were interred in Linwood"~cemetery this afternoon in the presence of a- large gathering. Mr Thomson was first Grand Master of Masons under the New Zealand constitution, and Masons gathered in large numbers to pay the last honors to one who had taken so high a place among them. The Grand Master came from Wellington, and there were craftsmen from other parts of the colony.

AUCKLAND. I 6. Mr F. E. Baume, M.H.R., was presented with a gold watch and chain, subscribed by a few of his friends. 2*!r Baume disclaimed having as yet merited the present politically, but he "was proud to receive it as a testimony of friendship. He did not regard the meeting as a political demonstration, but as a purely friendly reception. The election of a new City Council of twelve, consequent upon the abolition of the City wards was held to-day. There was considerable interest taken in the elec-t-ion, twenty candidates having offered themselves. The poll was closed at 7 p.m., but in view of the heavy counting which will have to be done the result is not likely to be known before midnight. The boely of an unknown man was washed ashore last night at Mechanics Bay. In the pocket was a paper of discharge from the U.S.A. army.

INVERCARGILL. September 6. Another case of trafficking in liquor in the Mataura district was heard to-day. It arose out- -of a social tendered to a departing member of a football club. It was not denied that two cases of whisky were consigned from Invercargill to a relative of one of"the parties, but it was contended that it was not that used by -the accused, of whom it was proved that he had come to town and purchased five bottles of spirits. Mr M'Carthy reserved his decision. The Wellington-SouthlancTiootball match, played in a fresh cross wind, which made play most uninteresting, was won by the visitors by Bto 6. For Southland there was no score in the first spell, but three minutes after resuming Roberts scored for Wellington, the try being converted. Later, Reid (Southland) by great runs sc_qred twice, but no goals resulted. Then Gray got a try for the visitors. This closed the score. The game was remarkable for lines-out, and scrums were innumerable, caused by the wind.

HOKITIKA. September 6. The Westland Land Board expressed .its intention to-day not to grant in future any extension of time to lessees of flax mills during which to erect their plant unless most exceptional reasons are shown. Every effort is to be made to prevent large areas being locked up for speculative purposes. A report reached town this evening that rich gold has been struck in the new; shaft of the - Minerals Gold Mining claim (late Boys') at Blnespur, in their new shaft, at a depth of 57ft. One ounce of gold has been obtained .from a quarter of a load of dirt. NAPIER. September 6.. Mr H. -C. Cameron, of the Department of Industries and Commerce, gave.a lecture at Hastings , this afternoon, explaining the scheme for the distribution of New Zealand meat in Great Britain. There was a large a&tendance of farmers, and a number of. questions were asked concerning the scheme. The following resolution was carried, without discussion: "That this meeting, held under the auspices of the Hawke's -Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society, having-heard the explanation of Mr Cameron concerning the Government's proposal to advertise New, Zealand meat by demonstration in -Great Britain, hereby approve of the scheme/' * -