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Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 201, 26 November 1880, Page 2

Wandering Cattle. Thomas Price was fined ss. to-day by the R.M. for allowing a horse to be at large on the 17th. . * . Civil Case.— The only civil case at the ■R.M, Court to-day was the one.Nealas v. Smithers. It was adjourned froin last Court day, and when called this morning, it was found that William Smith, a witness for the plaintiff, was in a state or intoxication and could not appear, A warrant for his arrest for contempt pf Court was ordered to be issued,

Quick. —A bushrnan came into Auckland to see Cole’s circus. In three days he knocked down L 63 in beer. A Black Lead Discovery. —A valuable seam of black lead has: been discovered near the Whitecliffs railway station, Lyttelton. Dead. —The young man Hartly, who dived too deep at the Wellington baths and bumped his head on the bottom, died yesterday in the hospital.

Alleged Larceny. —The man Butler, who was accused of stealing money from Anthony. Thompson at the Races, has been discharged, the evidence being insufficient to warrant his detention.

Moffat, the Maori Victim. —Moffat, the man murdered by the Maoris for trespassing on iapu land recently, left in Wellington the model of a sheep-shearing machine, for which he intended to have taken out a patent.

Cole’s Circus. —This mammoth show has closed its season at Auckland, and is now en route south. In one day 8,000 people patronised the exhibition, and during the short period it has remained in Auckland between 40,000 and 50,000 have witnessed the performances.

Too Honest Judges. —At the Oamaru agricultural meeting yesterday a letter was received from the judges of dairy produce at the recent show, in which they pointed out the bad quality of the exhibits. The meeting would not receive the letter, considering it a piece of impertinence. Neglected Children. —lnspector Pender yesterday visited a certain house in Waimate, and found three children in a fearful condition, being literally eaten up with vermin. One of them is in a dying state. The father deserted them some time ago, but has contributed towards their support. The mother, however, neglected them.

Bush Fibe..— From Oamaru we learn that, a destructive fire took place on Wednesday in the Hampden bush, and but for the exertions of several of the settlers would have resulted more seriously than it did. A quantity of fencing, firewood, and- tools wore. burnt, and one or two dwellings had narrow escapes. The Australian Team. —Referring -to the Australian cricketers the Dunedin Star says : —■“ We are given to understand that, ’as a result of recent negotiations, Mr. A. Halifax, the representative of the team hi this colony, will telegraph on Friday to Mr. Alexander offering the team a lump sum for a New Zealand tour, and freeing them from all risk and expense in connection therewith. The terms are such as will render them at once acceptable to the eleven, and it may therefore be couculuded that the visit of the Australians to New Zealand is settled.

A Foul Chimney.— Before Mr. Nugent Wood, R.M., to-day, W. Birtwell was cliarged with having his chimney on fire. He said it had been swept less than three months ago. "Win. Adams stated that he was Secretary to the Fire Brigade. Saw the chimney oh fire, and considered it dangerous to the adjacent buildings. His Worship said that in a windy district like this householders should use every caution in keeping their chimneys clean, and defendant and others ought to use due precautions against the probability of causing a conflagration. Defendant would be fined ss. and costs.

The Weather. —The crops were beginning to droop and with them the hopes of the farmer. For a considerable stretch of time the hot sun and the dry nor’wester had been at work, and the grain memories of 1878 began to be called up. Farmers looked melancholy, and men of other trades ruefully mentioned the word “ cooked ” as the. result of a further continuance of the dry weather. Towards evening yesterday, however, people’s faces brightened up as the face of the heavens began to lower and the clouds to gather slowly and bank up steadily. The rain began to fall about ten o’clock, and contnuod to-day, with a fair promise of lasting. The opportune shower, which appeared to be pretty general, will act, we feel sure, as the saviour of the crops of the district, and almost ensure a good harvest. Grain was certainly beginning to suffer, but the welcome rain will enable it to retrieve lost ground.