INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1698, 14 February 1888, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

“ Professor ” Shannon, a pugilist corndoctor, who has been fined and put in gaol for assaults at Masterton, applied to the Bench yesterday to assist him in getting his fop-coat and cap from a barmaid, together with £2 damages for detention. The evidence showed that the barmaid appropriated Shannon’s belltopper, and in the skylarking that ensued the couple waltzed through a bar window. The coat, which was detained for damages to the window, was ordered to be returned, but no costs were allowed. An extensive fire took place at Carterton at 1 o’clock yesterday morning, which destroyed a central block, containing an unoccupied corner shop, where the fire broke out, belonging to Harconrt and Co.; Lindofi, chemist; Town Hall ; and Colt’s, tobacconist. The Observer office and Marquis of Normanby hotel, at either end, had a narrow escape. The insurances amounted to £2500. The fire is believed to be the work of an incendiary. The same block was set on fire and narrowly escaped, two years ago. A fire at 2.30 onFriday morning destroyed two houses in Grey street, Auckland, causing damage to the extent of £IOOO. it originated in the residence of James Hill, which was destroyed, with W . Adams’ residence adjoining. Vaiknera tinsmiths shop was considerably damaged. Hearn, the sculler, and Sir William Fitzherbert returned by the s.s. Tekapo on Friday. The Wellington City Council have decided to erect a rubbish and refuse destructor. A young man who has been in the colony for two years, and who was returning home by the Tongariro, was eased of £7O here by means of the confidence trick, but subsequently recovered it with the exception of £5 by threatening the '‘spieler” with the police. Mr Vincent Pyke is leaving to float a Company in Melbourne to take over the Roxborough mines, Mr Cathcart’s jeweller’s shop in Oamaru was broken open on Thursday night and £ls in money, and a diamond ring stolen. The Rev. T, Spurgeon, of the Auckland Baptist Church, was married to Miss Lila Rutherford, at Dunedin on Friday. A letter box attached to a lamp-post at the corner of Barbadoes and Worcester streets, Christchurch, was broken open on Friday night. Two letters were found in it, but it is not known if any were stolen. Lillywhito’s cricket team play at Wellington towards the end of next month. While in New Zealand he makes arrangements for a visit of English footballers.

Captain Sommerville, chairman of the New Zealand Rifle Association, left Wellington for Oamaru on Sunday morning to make arrangements for the forthcoming meeting. The steamer Oreti is still on the slip. Counsel for the captain will apply for an order for the sale of the vessel as soon as the court sits.

It is stated that Captain Coleman, of the A.C. department, has been appointed instructor of cavalry for the colony. Serious bush fires are reported from Auckland (where a hundred square miles were on fire on Woodville, and Wairarapa. The destruction of forests lias been immense, and in numerous cases settlers have been burnt out. It is said that the fires at Auckland were started by gum diggers, who wished to get at the kauri gum.