PROVINCIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1488, 22 May 1880, Page 10

PROVINCIAL.

Oamabu, May 14th.

The waterworks are expected to be completed in three months, and the borough engineer has in consequence tendered his resignaAt the meeting of the Harbour Board to. day nothing definite was done in regard to wharfage, and dredging operations will have to stand in abeyance till a decision is come to, Oamabu, May 18th.

Mr Duncan Sutherland has retired in favour of Mr John Reid. Mr George Joneß announces himself as a candidate. Tnere are now two Liberals in the field. Mr Reid has not given any indication of his politioal views, but it is supposed he will be a, supporter of the present Government. ,

Baiolutha, May 13th. Alfred Shiels, aged IH. son of a Betoler at Puerua, was accidentally killed at 9.30 yesterday forenoon. He and his brother had got a young horse in the stockyard, and they were to break it in. The gate was shut by one rail, near which, on the outside, the deceased was standing. The horae leaped through the gate when the rail was displaced, and struck deceased on the chest. He fell, but at once got on bis feet again, then fell to the ground and expired in a few minutes. At the inquest a verdict of "Accidental death" was returned* A public meeting of settlers was held in the E&st Oluthft Schoolroom, last evening, to con-

sider the action of the Government in stopping the Catlin's River railway. Mr Jowitt, chairman of the County Council, occupied the chair; Mr Thomson, M.H.R,, was also present Thi following resolutions vrere passed :— " Seeing that the Government, after careful cousidera. tion, initiated a line of railway from Invertiel to Catlin'a River, the first section of which i-i formed ; that the New Zealand Parliament at its Jast session appropriated L 12,000 for the further prosecution of tho work ; that the present Minister of Public Works months ago promised to the settlers here that the Becond section of this line would be at once proceeded with, and that in accordance therewith tenders were called for and received, none of which were accepted; this meeting views with the deepest regret the sudden and unexpected stopping of this much-needed and very important line of railway, and would mo3t respectfully request the Government to reconsider their deoi-iiou, and proceed with the work without delay."

Tokomaibiro. May 18th.

At the District Court, before Judge Harvey and a jury of 12, Isabella Hamlyn was tried for concealment of birth. Mr Donald Eeid, who defended the prisoner, made a very able address to the Jury on her behalf. The Jury, after a few minutes' deliberation, returned a verdict of Not guilty.

Invercabgill, May 17th. On Saturday morning a small cottage^ at Lumsden, occupied by two lads (enginecleaners), was oba a rved to be in flames. On an entrance being effected, the occupants were found in an insensible state from the effects of the smoke. They were rescued with difficulty. The cottage was destroyed.