INTERPROVINCIAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3296, 21 April 1885, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

(By Telegbaph.) Auckland, April 20. Telegrams from the Waikato state that considerable astonishment is felt there at the Government, m the Penuri railway contract, insisting on putting m a new clause m the contract providing that the work shall bo stopped if there is war with Russia. The contractor for the Turango section, Isaac Coates, expresses his willingness .to accept such clauses provided the Government would compensate him for the plant and material m use at the time of stopping, and pay for the work done. This the Public Works Department would not agree to, and a remonstrance was forwarded to Wellington, when it was stated the final reply should be made on Tuesday. The 2feto Zealand Herald ' says : — " We understood from the Minister of Public Works that the clause which has been inserted m the Turango contract is to the effect that m the event of the loan not being ' raised, Government shall have power to stop the work without being held liable to pay any excessive claim for compensation or for the loss of the contract. There is nothing about a declaration of war m the contract, but of course that event may form an element m not being able to raise the loan." ■

The Lizzie, from Norfolk Island, reports that a terrific storm visited Borfolk Island on the 16th March, destroying crops, blowing down trees, lifting roofs off houses and other damage. , At the inquest on McKelvie a< verdict of felo de te was returned, and on Charles Strong, waterman, an open Terdict of found drowned was returned.

At tho fire at J. W. Carr's buildings, Wakefield street, the tenants, ■ Dark and Dodswortb, were insured for £100 and £50 respectively m tho Colonial O£Gce, and Carr for £200 m the Standard. The origin of the fire was the accidental upsetting of a kerosene lamp m Dodsworth's bedroom. The building was gutted. Five thousand persons were carried yesterday by the ferry steamers to inspect the North Head defences. Gisbobnb, April 20. A man named Dan Jones was drowned at Ormond yesterday. He tried to swim the river when drunk. Wellington, April 20. The local option election m the Te Aro ward decided against an increase m the licenses. . , The Defence Minister arrived here yesterday. , His return waa rendered necessary owing to business m connection with the Defence Office accumulating and requiring tho attention of the Minister m Wellington. The following tenders were received for the Farewa contract of the North Island trunk railway (accepted) : .T. A. Johnston, Wanganui, £27,300. Declined : T. Denby, Wanganui, £30,494 ; Alexander and McFarlane, Wanganui, £31,821 ; J. Saunders, Wellington, £33,638; W. G. Bassett, Wanganui, £33,975; Taylor aud Barton, Wellington, £40,710; M.Danater, Wellington, £40,999. The Minister for Public' Works returns to Wellington by the Coptic on Thursday. ■Blrnheim, April 20. The carpenters have decided to give three months' notice to their employers that working hours be reduced from 43 to 46 hours per week. It has been decided to form a branch of the Amalgamated Society of Oarpmtere aud Joiner*.

Dpnbdiw, April 20. James Russell, a laborer,- was- found dead m Findlays' timber-yard yesterday. ; He had been drinking heavily of late. At the inqnesfc a verdict of died from heart disease was returned. ' '

A petition to adjudicate David Proudfoot, the well-known contractor, a bankrupt, came before the Registrar to-day. TJie Walton Park Brick and Tile Company's liquidator was the petitioner. Proudfoot was tho holder of shares m the Company, and the calls made had not been paid. A judgment had been obtained by the Bank of : New Zealand for £1416, and a writ issued, but the personal property seized was not enough, and the writ was not satisfied. The Eegistrar decided that an act of bankruptcy had been com* mitted, and granted adjudication. Proudfoot was stated to be on his way back to the colony.

Poet Chalmers, April 20. A- small majority decided against, an increase of licenses.