INTERPROVINCIAL

West Coast Times, Issue 10536, 21 July 1897, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL

[Per United Press Association]. Westport, July 20. The most severe spell of bad weather and high seas for six yeirs past has been experienced on the West Coast since Wednesday last, but it shows Eigns of clearing to-day. Steamers had great difficulty in getting down the Coast. They raport the worst passage on record. The Corinna and Hawea are bar bouud here but expect to get out this afternoon. There was a heavy snowfall atDennistori and Coalbvockdale yesterday. There was also a light fall in Westport, about the third only on record. Wellington, July 20. A private cable states that the Premier and his family are at present guests of Mr James Talbot Power at Leoprtrdtown L Park near Dublin. Power is well-known in Couuuclion with the Irish whisky dis-> tillevy. One of the heaviest hail storms experienced here in the history of the observatory authorities fell between one and two o'clock this morning. The temperature in the shade by to-day's reading w*as 31, which is one degree lower than the lowest ever recorded, viz , in 1867. On the grass the temperature was 21 in 1891. The storm lasted 20 minutes, when it cleai'3d, and to-day is beautifully fine and bright. ' The Meat Expert Company have decided to have nothing to do with Hooley's amalgamation scheme. The Company have had a successful year and declare a dividend of 8 per cent per annum. While sailing on Like Muhuna, near llorowhcnua, Sir Walter Buller and party had a narrow escape from drowrfing through the sudden squall capsiging the boat. Two of the occupants were taken on board a canoe by Mr .Drake junr. but tho fraU boat would not hold a third and he was towed behind.. A}J were, very much exhausted, Hon. Soddon and party left Dublin for Annan, Scotland, yesterday and will probably embark at Brindisi on the return journey on the Ist inst. The Wool Freight Reduction Committee of Wellington, which holds} a guarantee from the wool growers in the North Island of nearly one hundred thousand bales, has successfully negotiated for the reduction of rates on wool from the colony to London substantially below those offered by the companies trading tq New Zealand.

Estimates have been received from the local ironmasters as to the cost of repair--: iug the Wainui in Wellington and have been forwarded to the headqaarter's of the Union Steamship Coy. at Dunedin in order that it may be decided whether repairs shall be dons here or in the south. Nelson, July 20. Heavy snow has fallen afs Top-hou.^ over three feet lying on the ground. Ten telegraph poles are down. There are three inches of snow at Belgrove and it is also heavy at Wakefield, Maungatapu, Sugar Loaf and Flatmcre. Other hills quite near the town are covered. Several went up the hills and enjoyed snowballiug. None has fallen in th.c cifcy but the weather is extremely cold and w.e.fc. * Dunedin, July 2,0." Mr Justice Williams has fixed M'Lsan's examination to follow immediately after Mr Ward's is over, a day being allowed Mr Solomon to prepare. W. Powell, aged 72, residing at Queenstown, died very suddenly last night. He went to bed complaining of not being well and dLed a few minutes later. Rebecca Ross, aged 86, was found dead in bed at Bell's station, Waihemo, thjs, morning, It is reported that Electric Dredge No 2, at work near Cromwell, obtained 600 ounces of gold for the first week's work. Auckland, July 20. The Minister for Public Works, Hon. 1 Hall-Jone3, went by special train to Kaukapahapa, where Mr Monk, M:H.R. introduced a deputation of settlers re the* extension of the North of Auckland trunk railway. After hearing a deputatiqp, who went in the train to the terminus, the Minister said the country was better than he was led to believed The line must be continued afterwards. The Cabinet would fairly consider the question this session.

Iv the case of Richard May, charged with unlawfully using the Elierslie race ground for the purpose of betting with persons resorting thereto upon °horse races, an adjournment was granted, till August 24 pending fuller informafo i with regard to the Appe.il Court case n England. tT

The divorce case, John Henry Edwards, petitioner, Agnes Edward respondent, the jury found respondent and co-respondent had committed adultery. A decree nisi was granted ateo costs aga'nsb the corespondent and custody of the children to the petitioner with leave to apply for a decree absolute at the expiration of three months. !