INTERPROVINCIAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5576, 23 September 1889, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Pf,r Puesj Association. — Copyuioht.J \VELLIN( JTON, To-day. Since Mr Hislop's resignation, which has not yet been gazetted owing to the absence of the Governor, Mr Fergus lias been acting as Minister for Education. Thu Premier is somewhat indisposed, and has been confined to his house for several days. The Minister of Lands, with a view to stopping the practice of putting in half-a-dozen applications for one section at land sales, intends on the next occasion to put choice sections up to auction for cash snle. He thinks this- will check the species of dummy isin known to be carried on. Mr A. G. McGregor, a gentleman of long experience in the fibre trade at Home, who has been touring the colony for the purposes of pleasure, has made a report on the flax industry at the request of some millers. He. says flax can be made equal to the Irish or Russian line if it were properly dressed, but our machines are only equal to those used half a century ago in Scotland and Ireland. With proper appliances nax could be raised to the largest industry in N.Z. Mr McGregor suggests that millers should form an Association for the purpose of developing the trade, r.iul that Government should assist by getging an expert to conduct experiments as to the system of dressing fibre, and that different makers of flax should be properly branded. Additional surveyors are to be put on in Auckland, Hawke's Bay, and Wellington, to get land ready for settlement. DUNEDIN, To-day. James Shand, a well-known resident of the Taieri, has been missing since Friday last, and as his coat and stick were found on a river bank, his friends are very uneasy. He was in a depressed, state of mind, and suffered from insomnia. An active search is going on. AUCKLAND To-day A French gumdigger named Francis was drowned on Saturday while proceeding in an open boat to the field where he was working. The weather was so squally that his mates would not accompany him, and half an hour after he left the boat capsized in a squall. MASTERTON, To-day. The Rev. C. Andrews was fined L 2 for a broach of the Rabbit Act, in respect to the lea Station. David Menteath was committed for trial for larceny as a bailee of a horse, saddle and bridle, Viilued at L2O, the property of William Neill, in December last. NEW PLYMOUTH, To-day. There is a great scarcity of labour in the New Plymouth district, and advertisements appear daily for bushman (50 wanted), farm and mill hands.