NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1764, 15 October 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Law Reporting. —During the hearing of the case of Barker v the “ Lyttelton Times ” this morning in the Supreme Court, His Honor Judge Johnston made some remarks on the amount of license possessed by the Press to comment on the proceedings which take place in Courts of Justice. The defendant had stated in the witness box that the case of the Queen v Greenwood had been in some respects incorrectly reported in the “ Lyttelton Times.’’ His Honor said it did occasionally happen that incorrect reports furnished the groundwork for subsequent articles in the public papers. Ho remembered a case where bo himself had, during the progress of a case, made use of the expression cui bone, and he was reported to have said “ kye-bosh,” instead, whereupon, an article had been written on his (Judge Johnston’s) use of improper language on the Bench. The anecdote created a roar of laughter from every person in the Court, which was revived when Mr George Harper, after putting the defendant through a searching cross-examination, pointedly alluded to the time ho 1 ad been in the witness box as “ the bad cmrter of an hour,” which formed the last paragraph in the article in the “Lyttelton Times” which contained the alleged libel.

Inquest. —At the inquest at Barrett’s Hotel to-day on the body of Thomas Fenlon, a verdict of “ Death, by appoplexy ” was returned. Resident Maoisteate Couet. There was a clear sheet to day at this Court. The Thus Cube fob the Rabbit Pugub —lf the accounts that reach us (“ Dunstan Times ”) of the deadly effect on the rabbits by the poisoned wheat that is now being scattered broadcast over the country be true, the occupation of the rabbit shooter will soon be at an end, and the time expended by the County Council at its last sitting re the Rabbit Nuisance Act will be wasted. We are informed that wherever the wheat is scattered the dead rabbits are to be seen in thousands, and that where a shooter could previously bave bagged his hundreds a day, it is difficult now to get a shot. And, moreover, the sheep and lambs do not appear to notice it. We most certainly hope the accounts we hoar are correct, as there is but little question, despite the thousands that were being shot daily, that had some other measure not been adopted for their annihilation, they would soon have had the entire country to themselves, as it would have been impossible for any other grass-eating animal to have lived. Theatbe Royal. —There was no change in the performance last night, the comedy of “ Old Bachelors ” being repeated to a very poor house. This evening a special version of “ Pink Dominos,” announced as written for the exclusive use of the Lingards, will be performed, supplemented by the burlesque entitled “Pluto and Proserpine,” in which Mr W. H. Lingard will sustain his original character of Pluto. The part of Orpheus, originally sustained by Miss Alice D. Lingard, will be undertaken by Miss Marian Melrose. On Saturday evening “H.M.S. Pinafore ” will constitute the attraction.

South Waimae abibi Conseevatoes.— At a meeting of the Board of Conservators held yesterday, at noon, a letter was read from Mr W. Rolleston, M.H.R., stating that it was the wish of a number of the Avon ratepayers that the Board of Conservators should be an elective instead of a nominative body, and stating that he had obtained leave to introduce a Bill to amend the Canterbury Rivers Act, 1870, but delayed going further till he should hear from the Board. On the motion of Mr Duncan, the Board passed a resolution in favour of the principle of electing the members.

Ashbueton Town Hall Co. —A meeting of the shareholders was held on Monday night at the Ashburton Town Hall, Mr Bullock, chairman of directors, in the chair. The meeting was called to consider the advisability of extending the borrowing powers of the directors. Power was granted to the directors to borrow any sum required up to £2003, but a suggestion to increase the value of the shares was negatived. With the borrowed money it is proposed to turn the front of the hall into two shops, which can bo let at remunerative rates, and to form the present gallery into a billiard room, for which Mr Shearman, of the Somerset Hotel, has offered a good rental, as well as defraying a portion of the cost of alteration. Native Mattebs at the Thames. —The Ohinemuri correspondent of the “ Thames Advertiser,” writes under date 2nd October: —I do not know whether the present calm portends a storm ; but, in my opinion, without wishing to be considered an alarmist—l fancy so. People on the spot cannot help seeing and noticing the difference in the demeanor of some of the Natives. No doubt, on the other hand, there are many loyal and well disposed Natives in the district. The arms and ammunition sent by Major Murray have been all applied for and issued ; but some people seem to think that the action taken by those settlers who applied for them was not advisable. They say we do not only require a few stand of arms, but a force of armed men to protect our wives and families in the event of an outrage being attempted. For myself, I agree with this view of the case ; at any rate a feeling of insecurity has been engendered, which not only affects one’s sleep at nights, but if allowed to continue will affect the pockets of owners of property. Reefing in Maelboeottgh, —An official report to the members of the Picton and Havelock Gold Mining Company states that the contractors, after excavating a tunnel to the distance of 165 feet, had succeeded in cutting a quartz lode with gold visible in the stone. Although this run of stone presents a variety of features greatly resembling the reef prospected 250 feet higher up the hill, the directors have good reason for thinking it is not the same but a “companion lode.” Several distinct bands of auriferous quartz (the report adds) are known to traverse the whole of the company’s property. The directors have thought it beneficial to cease driving along the course of the tunnel for the present, and to devote a portion of the funds to prove the value of this new discovery. A contract has, in accordance, been let to drive 30 feet along the course of this lode ; and the quartz there obtained is to be brought to grass, and paddocked for future operations. On the completion of this contract the directors will then be in a position to advise the desirability of erecting crushing machinery, or further developing the mine by carrying the original tunnel to such distance that the main lode may be out. Peesbytbrian Chuech, Lyttelton.—A well-attended meeting of ladies and gentlemen connected with the congregation of St. John’s church was held in the vestry of the church on Monday night, to make arrangements for the annual tea meeting. The chair was occupied by the pastor, the Rev. James Hill, and, after some discussion, it was decided to hold the annual gathering on the 30th instant. Messrs Yule, Mcßeth, and Crawford were appointed a committee to carry out arrangements. The Ghost. —Considering the inclemency of the weather, there was a very good attendance at the Oddfellows’ Hall last evening, when Professor Jonas’ Ghost entertainment was repeated. It will be exhibited again this evening. Sudden Death. —A man named Thos. Fenlon died suddenly at his lodgings, Bt. Asaph street, on Monday evening. It appears that he went out for a walk in the evening, and becoming suddenly ill in Cathedral square, returned home in a cab, and although medical assistance was obtained, the man died in a few hours. Deceased was about thirty years of age. An inquest will be held at two o’clock this afternoon.