NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2538, 27 May 1882, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Supposed Lukatio.—The police, who went in search of the reported lunatic at the Heathcote Valley, scoured the hills yesterday without success. They believe the madman to bo a myth, and the story to have originated in lome fertile imagination, labouring under the impression that the man Thomas Resty, who recently escaped from Sunnyside Aey'um and was afterwards captured, waa prowling about the sparsely-settled village known as ths Heathcote Valley.

Mb Deans' Assaihakt.—Yesterday, a report was received at the Lyttelton station that a man who might prove, from hit descriptioD, to be the would-be assassin of Mr Deano, had been seen at Governor's Bay, and subsequently in the vicinity of Diamond Harbor. Mr Harvey Hawkins heard of the man's presence in the locality, and informed Sergeant Morioe, who left on Thursday for Diamond Harbor to investigate the matter. The sergeant returned this morning. He does not soem to believe there is anything in the reports as far as Mr Deans' assailant is concerned. Mr Gardiner, at Purau, generously offered to let the polioe have horses, so as to make a thorough search of the vioinity, and it is probable the police will avail themselves of his offer. It is more than likely that the mysterious party was one of the runaway ■ailors who have left ships in Port lately, and the idea that he was the would-be assassin is but the outcome of the agitation which the aooounts of the dastardly attempt on Mr Deans' life have caused throughout the province. WAIKABI Exotjrsion.—The second excursion to Waikari came off yesterday. The train, made up of sixteen carriages, was well patronised, and as the weather was beautiful, the excursionists enjoyed the trip thoroughly. ASHBUBTOIT COPNTT OOTTNOlH.—Oonsequent upon the resignations of Messrs D. (Jameron and Hugo Friedlaader, two_ extraordinary vaoancies have ooourred in the Counoil, and an election to fill the vacanoics is announced to take place at an early date. Wbathbb Exohahgb.—New ZealandFine all over, with light S.E. wind. Australia —On west coast light N.W. wind, with slight rain ; in the south, light S.W. and showery. In 'Xaamania—Sea moderate and oloudy. New South Wales—Light N.W. and tine. Barometer—New Zealand : Russell, 30 09 ; Wellington, 30.06 ; Bluff, 30.04. Australia : Albany, 29 8 ; Portland, 29.6 s Hobart, 29.5 ; Sydney, 29 0. The Drainage Qubstion. —A meeting was held last night in the Oddfellows' Hall, to consider the proposed Drainage Bill, when a resolution was adopted similar to that passed the other evening at Woolston. A report appears elsewhere. Sohooi. os Art. —In addition to the last term's roll of students at the Sohool of Art, which numbered ninety-one, twenty-one new names are enrolled, and at least twenty others have signified their intention of joining during the ensuing week. Mrs Hampson's Mission in Ashbubton. —An evangelistic service in oonneotion with the late mission in this town, was held in the Wesleyan Ohuroh on Thursday evening, when addresses were delivered by the Rev. C. H. Standage and several laymrn. Bicycle Acoidbnt. Yesterday, Mr W. Calvert, while riding a bioyole, lost control of it, and was oarried some distance before he got free from the machine. He fell, and, being picked up almost insensible, was driven home. Last evening he had nearly recovered.

A Possible Hoax,—A lad named Bailey, in the employ of Mr fleslop, bootmaker, of High street, pioked up a penoil memorandum in the street, signed A. M., stating that in the river, about 100yds on the New Brighton side of Stanmore bridge, the body of a child, with a stone round its neck, would be found, that had been plaoed there by a heart-broken mother.

A Litele Wandebeb. —Mr Davey, of Antigua street, near the railway gates, reported last evening at the police depot that a little lad, about four years of age, was found by him, unable to give any information about his home, or to tell his name. Mr Davey will take care of him till the parents claim him. He is described as wearing a dark kniokerbocker suit and black felt hat. Timaru Disastbb Rblief Fund.—Messrs Joubert and Twopeny have arranged for a very attractive concert in the Exhibition building in aid of the above fund on Wednesday next, when they will devote half the gross proceeds at the gates to the fund. The Cavalry and City_ Guards bands, together with several ladies and gentlemen, have proffered their services on the oooasion. The electric light will also be displayed for the first time in the Oonoert Hall. As this is a special occasion, an extra charge of one shilling will be made for seats in the gallery and in the concert hall, tickets for whioh can be obtained at the pay office till noon on luesday. In order to render the generous offer of Messrs Joubert and Twopeny a success, it is to be hoped the public will attend in large numbers on the evening in question.

Inquest. The inquiry respecting the death of the son of Mr Bevans was held at his residence, Opawa, yesterday afternoon, before Dr. Coward, ooroner, and a jury. From the evidence adduced it appeared that the little lad left his father's house about eleven o'clook on the morning of Wednesday last, and was last seen alive about noon by a playmate, who left him in the vicinity of the new bridge across the river Heathcote, in the vicinity of Radley, He was found about 3 p.m. in the river by G. W. Bainton, of Opawa. The medioal evidence was to the effect that he was seized with a fit and presumably fell into the water. The father stated that deceased w;u not subject to fits. The jury returned a verdiot of " Death from natural causes."

Thb Mayor's Festival.—Yesterday a large number of ohildren availed themselves of the invitation of the Mayor and Meßsrs Joubert and Twopeny, to visit Che Exhibition, where a substantial repast of cake, fruit, lollies, &c, was laid for them in the conoert hall. His Worship and Mrs Buddenklau, with other willing assistants, were kept busily employed serving their little guests. A thoughtful act on the part of Mr Arthur T. Edwards, one of the British exhibitors, deserves notice. That gentleman prooured a large number of very handsome Christmas cards, ono of whioh he presented to eaoh child. A special performance of Punoh and Judy, by oommand of hia Worship the Mayor in the concert hall, a visit to the learned pig, the armless lady, and the other side shows of the Exhibition, afforded the children infinite delight. A presentation which is well deserved, of an ebony and silver baton, was made to Mr Bowles by M. Joubert on behalf of Mr Twopeny and himself, and after three cheers for the Queen and similar compliments to hia Worship the Mayor and Messrs Joubert and Twopeny, the children dispersed to inspeot the various exhibits, finally leaving the building about 3 p.m., headed by the Burnham band, which played several selections during the day admirably.