TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2136, 28 May 1889, Page 3

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS

[P>& Pbbbs Association,] Mr T. Bpurgeon* - — —- ~ AtroxujffD, May 28. The Be y Tbomai Spargbon has resigned the pastorate of the Baptist Tabernacle. At • meeting last night tbe reason given ni that hU health had broken down under the strata and he would hire to go away and retire Into private life, Hli wlfe'a health had also given way. Tbe resignation created a very painful impres* •lon amongst the oongregatf ou who were wholly unprepared for the annonnoement The resignation had no oonneotlon with the oablegram published last evening, Mr Spnrgeon was not aware till after the meeting. He then broke down completely. Volunteers. Wcllinozox, May 28. Binoe the present Government bn taken offioe tbe number of Volunteer Companies In the Metropolitan districts of Auokland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago, have deoreased by twelve, bat there bai been a satisfactory Increase In the number of men enrolled, and the total number of Volunteers In those distrlots Is larger than last year. The Government have forwarded instructions to the Agent General to seonre 500 MartfoNHenrl rifles for the nse of the New Zealand Rifle Assoolation meeting at Dunedln* It is expected that these will shortly arrive m the colony. It Is understood that Gvvernment Intend to Inorease tbe capitation to Volunteers. Arrested. Qebtmouth, May 28 A very flub looking young man, named Sinclair, who wai pasting off at Brunner* ton as an eleotrlo light agent, has baen arrested for alleged theft of clothing and jewellery. He has only baen In the dlstrlot a few days

Discharged. It is reported that another batoh of men will be discharged, next pay day from the coalpit Heatb mine, Half-holiday Movement.

Timabu. May 28. Tbe Thursday half-holiday here is m some danger. The Woollen Factory Company, and following their lead other manufacturing firms, ask the Borough Couooll to exempt them from the operation of the looal order, ohanging the Sstutday half-holiday from Saturday to Thursday, as breaking work m the middle of the week would be a- sonroe of loss. Other business people petitioned that If any exemption be allowed it only being m favor of ateam users: Tbe Mayor thinks the Oounoll oannot fix tiro day's under tbe Employment of Females Aot. The matter is 10 ue further inquired into and brought under the notice of members of Parliament*

A wbarf hand named Matbews was oaught last night carrying a 221 b box of Slog tobaooo ashore from the. Janet NlooU. Ir Cooper Collector of Customs, sued for for the penaly of £100, and dsfend»nt pleaded guilty. Tbe RM. reduoed the penalty to one fourth. Mr Cooper stated that the man told him he oly wanted to a pound, and was told he could not have a pouob but must tske the box.