INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1697, 11 February 1888, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

The Greymoutb Borough Council propose to borrow £30,000 for town improveJohnston was committed for trial at Christchurch yesterday on a charge of attempting to extort money from Mrs Patience Morling by sending threatening A fisherman named Peter Antonio better known as “Cranky Peter” has been arrested at Southbndge for a criminal assault on a child named Reiter, 10 years Of ace. The offence is alleged to have been committed on Wednesday evening. At Maatertontho Mayor’s water supply ia so good that the street and footpath opposite the Post end Telegraph office are partially submerged and eels are being caught in the water tables. • At the Papakura Police Court (Auckland) yesterday Joseph Boyle charged with indecently assaulting a child named Martha Jane Lye, was again remanded. iUe accused's counsel complained strongly of the treatment of accused at the hacds or Constable McKnight. Accused bad since last remand been locked up in a cell 8 x o, and was allowed no exercise or even to

wash himself. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court,' Wellington, on Wednesday evening W. A. Chong (a Chinaman) and bis wife (a European) were on remand charged with the murder of the infant child of the latter. After evidence for the prosecution had been given, accused reserved their defence and were committed for trial, A shop occupied by Mr Christiesen, hairdresser, Oaroaru, caught fire on Tuesday, but wa* extinguished before much damage Sir George Grey on account of continued f illness will not be able to preside at the opening of the A rt Gallery at Auckland. The yacht Stormbird, which left Port Albert on the 28lh ult. for Wairoa, with Mr McCormey, the owner, a Mrs Cameron, and a boat band on board, has not since been beard of, and it is feared that a casualty has taken place. At Inglewood, near New Plymouth, on Thursday morning, two policemen, a bailiff and six other men were trying to execute a warrant on a man named Jacques, when be chased the police with an axe. Constable Rollo dosed with him and threw him. The police when potting on the handcuff* were attacked by the wife who used a big slick over Rpllo s head, but the constable stuck to his man. _ An action of considerable importance, the prof pect of wbichhaa already awakened no little interest in commercial circles, is like’y to come before the (Supreme Court in the comae of the next few weeks at Wellington. Plaintiffs are a well-known local hardware firm, who seek to recover damages for slander from a prominent Bank manager. The persons concerned are naturally reticent on the subject, but it is known that a writ has been served npcn the manager claiming £2OOO damages or an ample apology. The alleged defamation is said to have bean contained in a communication made to a third P flrs £ n in the course of business which had the effect of damaging plaintiff’s credit with that person. One of the largest and most destructive bosh fires that has ever occurred in the bush is now raging at Masterton. On Wednesday afternoon and evening the whole ot Haslwell’fl settlement, for a distance of one and a half miles was a burning mass. Traffic till Thursday morning was entirely suspended. Numbers • of settlers have been burnt out. From what can be gathered the following had-their holdings consumed by the flacoif sJ ames Capper, John Moorcock, John Fraser, Donald Askew, Douglas Robinson, and James Creighton. Capper and Moorcock are insured in the London and Globe for £SO and £125 respectively, but this by no means covers tbe loss. The others aro uninsured and lose everything; in fact »re ruined. With iheexceplion of Robtn•qd the settlers have large families. Anderson’s blacksmith shop and Janet and Co.’s swawmills are in danger. Bush fires ore still raging at the back of Carterton, and at the Upper Tanern and Farnbridge district. ' T The s s. Invercargill returned to Invercargill from Port Pegasus, Stewart Island, with the excursionists. The weather was . not good, but was fair. While the a«eamer was at the islands a party of digger* were found at work, but bad nothing of imj porfonce to show.' They were pined by others who went over by the steamer. Those who tried got color almost everywhere, but none seemed impressed with the district as a payable goidfleld, Sgme specimens f?om a rjn-f were brought over. Port Pegasus is a fine harbour, and the scenery arpund picturesque, but the > country is very broken and P‘*ftty tp the WSterls edge, |3everal petty waterfalls were seen, one of great height. The cutter Anne which sailed with some Christchurch gentlemen some weeks ago, was seen. They had very rough weather, and had made little progress on trip, which was to include the West Coast and Sounds.

Major-General Sir George Whitmore inspected the volunteers at Dunedin on Thursday evening. There were 330 on parade, and, after inspection, the MajorGeneral addressed a few complimentary remarks to the men complimenting them on their drill and on their good turn out. The temperance and moderate parties have each nominated five candidates at Dunedin.

Mr McColl, owner of the horse Fabrication, has commenced an action against the Wellington Racing Club tor the recovery of stakes in the Selling Race for which Fabrication came in first, but was disqualified at the Hutt on Saturday las .