NEW ZEALAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 6752, 5 February 1892, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

(Bt Dbleorapk.)

Damage by Lightning- * MABTEETGN, Feb 5. The rumour that a man had been killed by lightning at Opaki turns out incorrect, although two men had a wonderful escape. They were unharnessing in the stable at Captain Holwood’s when a flash of lightning passed through the building and struck six horses dead. Both men were knocked down, and it was thought one was killed. Dr Beard on his arrival found this was not so, the men s were only paralysed. The horses killed were I valued at £l5O. No other serious damag* is reported. Civil Service Resignations. WELLINGTON, Feb 5. The following Customs officers resign on pension on March 31st : —J. Robertson, landing waiter. Dunedin ; Jackman, guagar for the colony, and the following collectors : Patten, Napier; Lundon, Wanganui; Rigarson, Westport; Woon, Hokitika ; Rich, Timaru. Dog ShowThere are 193 dogs in show to day. The New TaxesMr Crombie, Commissioner of Taxes, who has not yet recovered from the effects of influenza by which he was seized two or three months ago, is at present on his way to Tasmania upon sick leave. He will be absent for fije or six weeks, and in the meantime Mr McGowan, Deputy Commissioner, will have full charge of the Department. Some seventyfour extra clerks are just now employed upon work connected with the change in the taxation system. About three-fourths of the assessors appointed for the different parts of the colony have already sent their returns to the Department, but. it will take some months to prepare and send out notices to landowners and carry out all the other works of detail. Rain Spoils The FunNELSON, Feb. 5. It is again raining hard and it is not likely that the volunteer review will take place, and the bowling tournament will be postponed. DrownedCHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 5. Mrs Beattie was drowned this morning in trying to cross Iho Hapuka river, Kaikoura, in a van, and deceased with the van and horses, was washed out to sea. She was the wife of Mr Beattie, of the firm of Black, Beattie and Co., Christchurch. Fatal Spill DUNEDIN, Feb. 5 A boy named Murphy, tk-ven years old, son of a Fairfax settler, has been killed by a fall from a horse.