NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2092, 5 December 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The rubbish and clay which has been deposited in the bay has caused serious impediments to the clearing of the Government landing of wreckage. Owing to this cause the work has had to be carried on by groping and has finally been abandoned till the water becomes clearer. Meanwhile the boats of the Service are exposed to the danger of being swamped when being launched. There is a resident of Southland named Patience who owns a comfortable farm but still persists in remaining a bachelor. Recently a young widow in the neighborhood was lamenting her misfortunes, and alluding to her beravement and loneliness burst out crying. “Never mind Mary” said a sympathising neighbor “ have patience woman have patience.” “Deed, I wad soon have Patience, if Patience wad have me ” replied the sobbing one.

A Dunedin book hawker named Seymour has reached the height of human audacity by selling the Holy Bible, and breaking the civil law in doing so. He has just been fined 40s, and mulcted in l‘2s costs with the alternative of a fortnight in gaol for selling a family Bible for TO and giving an unstamped receipt for the money. ' Like the Mount Somers M.L.C. who lost a valuable horse through stopping his newsjiaper, Seymour has been “ penny wise and pound foolish.”

Judge Weston has been cauterised at Reefton for dogbitc. An immigrant who had an addition to his family while en ruiUe for New Zealand has given his daughter the aristocratic name of Tristan D’Acunha Annabclla Flannigan.

Some very pretty residences arc being now rattled up between Dunedin and Green island with hollow concrete bricks. The bricks arc made of sand and cement, cast in moulds with hollow centres. They are light, easily handled, and vary in size from nine to eighteen inches, to suit the the thickness of the walls. The process of laying them is so simple that any man with half an eye, can run up a creditable cottage in his leisure time after work, in the course of a few evenings. Mr Hibberd, an unassuming but practical mechanic, is the inventor. We have seen the houses erected with these bricks, and they look so well that paint would only spoil them.

It is well known to the railway authorities that passengers on Saturdays frequently obtain return tickets, intending, after reaching their destination, to give them away or sell them for what they will fetch. A young man was charged in the Dunedin police Court on Wednesday with using a ticket which he admitted having purchased from another person. The guard of the train knew that the defendant was not in the place from which the ticket was issued during the day when it was issued,) and the information was consequently laid. His Worship intimated (says the “Herald ” that he would convict, but as Mr Dennison, who defended, asked that a case might be stated for appeal, he deferred giving his decision till Monday,

The usual weekly meeting of the Alexandra Lodge, I.Q.Gr.T., No. 24, took place last evening in the Eechabites’ Hall, Eussell Square. After the usual routine business had been gone through the lodge was duly opened, Bro. Barker in the chair. Several communications were read ; after which a resolution was passed that the lodge should hold its next meeting in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Barnard street. Three new members were initiated.

A meeting of the committee appointed by the A.O.F. and 3V1.U.1.0.0.F. was held last evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall with a view view of amalgamating to carry out the anniversary of both courts. It was decided to hold a fete at Timaru on Dec. 26, when there will be a procession through the town, headed by the band. Sports will be held afterwards, and the day will be wound up by a soiree and ball in the evening. A programme of 14 events for the sports was drawn up, particulars of which will appear next week.

A complimentary concert will be given in the Queen’s Hall on Monday, Dec. 16, for the benefit of the Timaru Eocket Brigade. We have no doubt the public, by crowding the building on this occasion, will give practical expression to their appreciation of a volunteer body, to which, on the score of usefulness, a premier place is assigned. The idea of recovering the wool lost in the Ocean Mail disaster at the Chatham Islands has apparently been reawakened in Auckland. The Colonist, a schooner of ■l7 tons has been chartered to convey timber, stores, and gear for a company which has been formed, for the purpose of diving for the lost cargo.

An attempted murder and suicide has enlivened the dullness of the times at Hawera. A man named John Douglas attempted to cut his wife’s throat, but his kind intentions were frustrated by that lady’s escape, before injury was inflicted. He then turned the instrument, a knife on himself, hut, as it was blunt, he only slightly wounded himself. At the preliminary enquiry the evidence was in favor of the act having been committed under the influence of drink, but the magistrate yesterday committed John for trial at the Supreme Court on the charge of attempted murder. The members of the Timaru Literary and Debating Society held an ordinary re-union last evening at which the attendance was very meagre. Following the disposal of the routine business, Mr D’Emden read a very ably compiled essay on the life and works of Thomas Hood. The next meeting of the Society will be the final one of the session and the order paper shews that after the ordinary business is disposed of the members will indulge in extempore speaking. As a termination to the session it is the intention of the Society to give an invitation concert.

The Day of Islands coal is apparently gaining favor as during the last month the shipments by the company reached 4500 tons.

The New Zealand Temperance Alliance has elected SirW. Fox as its president. The police in Christchurch have been making a raid on the bakers and during last month obtained twenty-eight loaves which on being tested gave the result of twelve full weight, and the balance under hy one or two ounces. The light weight men are in a quandary daily’ expecting a visitor in blue bearing an invitation to a magisterial reception. The new gold fields at Hamilton have attracted the attention of about 150 persons who are averaging about 10s or 12s per day’ wages. An action for damages is reported to have been brought against detective Lain for his unfortunate mistake in the arrest of Mr Tyrell the actor for "a man named Charles Stcinmetz. The damages arc said to be laid at £2OOO. There was a very sharp frost in the City of the Plains on the morning of Monday last. The potato crops in the Bllueskin district arc in excellent condition the late rains having greatly improved their appearance.

The unfortunate woman Laird was committed to the Sunnyslde Asylum hy the Resident Magistrate at the Hospital to-day, and was sent north hy the express train, in charge of Constable Sullivan. The man Neiber, mentioned in our Police Court report from Waimate as committed for trial at the Supreme Court on a charge of obtaining money by false pretences, came to town by the express train to-day, and was lodged in gaol to await the sitting of the Court, which will commence on Wednesday next.

The monthly returns from her Majesty’s gaol, Timaru, for November, give the following results:—ln gaol at beginning of month, 32 males, 3 females; discharged, 12 males, 2 females. Now in gaol: Awaiting trial, 7 males; hard labor, 11 males, 1 female; imprisonment, 1 female; lunatic, 1 male ; total, 21. Sir H. S. Pish, junr., is not to be permitted a rest after his victory in the late mayoralty contest. The defeated ex-mayor in conjunction with his nominator and seconder has lodged a petition against the validity of the election on the grounds that Mr Fish was at the time interested in a contract under the Corporation.

Mr Kirkwood’s trotting pair Blackboy and Titokawaru passed through here to-day cn route for Christchurch, returning from the Dunedin Spring meeting. Mr Butler’s racers Numa and Tc Whetumarama were also passengers by the same train. Immediately after the disposal of the assault case, King v. Gibson, at the Magistrate’s Court to-day, a shilling subscription to defray the line and costs imposed on the defendant, was started, and the amount, £3 t)s, was speedily collected and handed over to Gibson.