INTERPROVINCIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1639, 21 April 1883, Page 22

INTERPRO VINCI AL.

John Kelly, who arrived iv Auckland in 1836, died on Saturday, aged 77. He was present at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

,All Mr Jacobsen's supposed diamonds have been submitted to Mr C. E. Button for analysis, and have failed to stand the oxygen tet-t.

On Saturday George Robertson, the Maori heavy-weight champion, and William Hudson, the light-weight champion, were matched to wrestle on May 12th, the former laying £25 to £10.

Mr Jacobsen's party of diamond prospectors returned to Christchurch on Saturday night, bringing in a large number of specimens with them. It is probable that some of them will be sent Home to be tested by London experts.

Mr J. C. Firth, of the Wharf Flourmills, Auckland, celebrated the completion of his new concrete wheat-granary by a banquet to his employes, contractors, and workmen. It is said to be the largest building of the kind in tho Colony, having a storage capacity ot 12,000 tons. It cost £10,000. The Agent-general cables, under date London, 10th inst., the departure of the steamer British Queen for Wellington with 205 emigrants, and the ship Forfarshire for Port Chalmers with 267 emigrants ; also that the Oxford, which was dismasted in the Bay of Bihcay, will probably re-embark her passengers and leave for Wellington on the 25th inst.

A fatal accident occurred at Nelson on Monday. A farmer named Tangelon was assisting to break in a young horse. A man had the animal hr. by a rope placed round a post. Tangelon struck the horse from behind. The animal at once kicked out, striking Tangelon in the abdomen so sevei ely that he died in a few minutes. Deceased leaves a, widow and family. On Saturday about 100 settlers met at, Hawera to consider the question of starting a butter and cheese factoiy, and a committee was appointed to secure further information. On the same evening, at Normanby, a meeting was held to consider tho advisability of starting hop culture. A number of settlers resolved to go into the venture, and agreed to secure the services of a practical man to give the thing a start.

At midnight a tremendous landslip occurred at the cliff at Point Britomart, near the centre of the city of Auckland. The cliff is about 80ft high, and against it John Lamb has for the last three years been erecting a flourmill and a retaining-wall about 150 ft iv length by 50ft in height. The wall gave way, about 2000 tons of debris coming down and destroying a portion of the mill and covering the roadway. A cabman passing at the time had a narrow escape. The damage by tho landslip is estimated at fully £2000. The mill is uninjured. The Society of Art Exhibition, "Auckland, was opened by the Governor on Thursday. In the course of his remarks Sir W. Jervois said: "The Colony presents an uncommonly fine field for landscape painting. Ido not know that I have over seen in my life any views finer than are to be found iv New Zealand, and especially in and about Auckland, for the exercise of genius for landscape painting, and I am glad to see that so much attention has been paid here to drawings which depict New Zealand scenes," The yacht Diamond, while sailing down the Wellington Harbour on Saturday, was struck by a sudden squall and capsized. Those on board wore Messrs Simpson and Bishop, and also a lad aged 10, the son of Mr Harris, proprietor of the New Zealand Times. All threa were rescued, though young Harris, who was kept afloat by Mr Simpson, was insensible when taken oil board a bout that pm, oit to their assistance. After careful treatment, however, he 'came to, and is now quite well.

There was a disgraceful exhibition of larrikinism at the Salvation Army meeting at Anckland on Sunday night. For two hours the larrikins threw gravel through the windows of the Temperance Hall, where tho meetings are being held,

" Captain " Wright found a youth- endeavouring to kick open the back door, and called for a,' constable, whereupon 30 men and youths ( rushed the (Salvationist, knocked him do\yn,i kicked him, and tore his uniiorm. .Francis James Hodgson, who was formerly a teller at the Nelson branch of the National , Bank, was charged at the Police Court, with; tlie larceny of 500 soys belonging to the Bank.', Mr Black, the manager, stated that the money was missed in 1881, but there was no proof until October last. Accused admitted having received from him a bag containing 2000 soys in error for 1500. Accused also said that he planted 300 in Christchurch, and speculated with the remainder in the hope of repaying * the whole. He was committed for trial, ,and bail was allowed — himself in £500, and two sureties of £250 each.