NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2093, 6 December 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The usuil widely in jjbing of tin LifeBoat Lodge was held last evening. The Lodge opened in due form and after the usual business had been gone through a short recess was granted after which Bros., Saxon, Kennedy, Short, Lyell took part and Bro., Ansteys gave a short reading. Bro., Johns also read the official report of Bro., Jago GdV.C.T., showing that during the past 12 months events had taken a favorable turn towards the cause of Good Templary. The resignation of the W.C.T., by Bro., Short necessitating the election of a successor, Bro., Johns was appointed by ballot to the vacancy, and Bros., Kennedy and Davidson elected W,T., [and W,I.G. The Lodge was closed at the usual hour. The Christchurch papers publish the names and addresses of thirty Christchurch bakers from whom samples of bread have been obtained by the police, together with the results as to weight. This kind of advertisement is not likely to be popular with the tradesmen, as in the majority of the cases the weight is deficient.

The Christchurch Brass Band intend competing for the prize at the Caledonian Sports, in Dunedin, on New Years day. The bone of contention was last year secured hy the Invercargill band, but the condition at the coming sports promises to be very keen. This is how a writer in the Nelson “Mail” illustrates the effect of the proposed Property Tax;—l think it will be generally admitted that to tax land only, while all other kind of property remains untaxed, is unjust, but I submit that it is equally unjust to tax property and to allow large incomes to go free. An example 'will make this clear. Mr A. has £ISOO worth of house property, and manages in his old age, when unlit to work to live on the rents —his only source of income—but his small resources arc to be still further diminished by paying a tax upon his £ISOO worth of property. On the other hand let us take, say a Minister of the Crown, with an income of £ISOO annually, besides being furnished with a residence. This income, represents a capital of £15,000, upon which the recipient of the salary ought with all fairness to Mr A., to be taxed, but he is not. Extreme inquisitiveness is generally urged against an in-come-tax, but I think in that respect it can hardly surpass the measure now before the country. The action of the ex-mayor of Dunedin in attempting to oust Mr Fish from the mayoralty on a technical information, has not met with universal approval. Indeed, so indignant are certain of his brother Councillors, that it is rumored, they will, in the event of Mr Walter succeeding in turning Mr Fish out of office, pass a resolution reducing the mayoral salary, and cut Mr Walter off with a shilling per annum. We doubt if the “ Dead man’s shoes ” would be quite as acceptable under these circumstances as they previously appeared when £IOO per annum was hanging to the billet.

Hokitika telegrams advise us of heavy rains, and consequent heavy freshes in the West Coast rivers.

A fire was caused in Auckland yesterday evening through an apprentice in a cabinet maker’s shop going to sleep and leaving a candle alight. Several bags of wool lying close by were ignited, and one on which the boy was lying caught fire. The lad had a very narrow escape from death. The outward ’Frisco mail was despatched from the local office to-day per the northern bound express, which will comunicate with the s.s. Penguin at Lyttelton. A rumor that Neiber, of fraudulent pretences notoriety, is being assisted by the Freemasons at Waimate has been authoritatively denied.

An amusing scene took place this morning on the beach close to the landing service. An immense cel was seen close to the shore, and one of the boatmen|immediately swam out to recover it, but was unable to do so in consequence of the sli])pery nature of the fish, but obtained assistance he eventually landed his prey, which measured oft Gin in length and loin round the largest part. Three men who had the appearance of foreign sailors made things lively at Geraldine yesterday. After bailing up a farmhouse, where they were provided with food, the trio proceeded to the Crown Hotel and commenced to wash it down with strong liquors. Eventually they became somewhat riotous, and the watchful sergeant of police had to be called in to assist in their removal. This was not done very easily, but the sergeant is a man of courage and despite the rough handling he received, he landed the disturbers safely in the lockup. At a meeting of the Temuka Park Board, on Thursday, the tender of Mr Oldfield for the grass in the park (£ls) was accepted. It was resolved to suggest the appointment of Mr S. D. Barker to the vacancy on the Board caused by the death of Dr Bayner. Mr A. Wilson was unanimously appointed Chairman.

Anglers at the breakwater have been favored with good catches of late. During the present week fishermen could be seen angling for cod at all hours of the day, and in several mstances their patience has been rewarded by the capture of fish of two and three feet in length. Early morning fishing viz., at 1 and 5 o’clock a.m. has found favor as it is noticeable that the best takes are made at these hours.

There was a clean charge sheet at the Resident Magistrates’ Court, this morning.

The Timani Borough Council, at a special meeting last evening, passed the following resolution affecting the waterworks question, viz. That the proposals of Mr Mills, dated Dec. 2, 1879, for the hypothecation to him of L 12,500 worth of debentures, part of the proposed L 60,000 loan, to cover Bis claim against the Council for waterworks plant, be complied with; that the Council guarantee him ten per cent, on the amount of the said debentures until they are sold at par or redeemed by the Council, the payment of ten per cent, to cease on the debentures being sold ; that should MiMills or his agent sell the debentures, the Council will allow a commission of two and a half per cent, on the sale of the same ; and that the hypothecation of the debentures be made through the Council's agent for raising the loan.” The members of the Council present were his Worship the Mayor, and Crs. Gibson, Shepherd, Jones, and Boss.

The examination of the pupils of the Waimate Government school was concluded by the Inspector to-day. The results will shortly be made known.

The committee entrusted with the arrangements in connection with the regatta met last evening. The business transacted was of a purely routine character and the meeting was ultimately adjourned till Monday next.

We would remind our readers that the Gleesonv, O’Connor walking match of seven miles for £2O will take place this evening in the Queen’s Hall starting at eight o’clock. The name of Hamilton, which appeared as defendant in a claim for debt in last evening’s issue should have been S. Hamilton.

The Phoenix Cricket Club has accepted the challenge of the Temuka Club, and a match has, we learn, been arranged to take place on the ground of the latter on Dec. 1(>. The Phoenix team will in all probability include the following players : —W. A. Collins, Barlow, Drunton, Campbell, Burgess, Earle, Hall, Snodgrass, Williams and Bouquett. The work of repairing the 300 ft mole at the Breakwater has not yet been completed although good progress has been made' It is expected the repairs will be completed on Tuesday. The crane has been provided with two life buoys with lines attached these have been supplied in case of accident. The irregular appearance which the northern wall of the breakwater now presents has often proved food for the unfavorable comment of visitors. We are now glad to learn that Mr John (foodall, the Engineer to the Harbor Board, has made provisions in the specifications of contract No. 2, which will prevent a like uncouth appearance being given. It is specified that should any of the lower blocks be laid irregularly the contractor willbe liable to pull the offending portion to pieces and rebuild the same.

The bodies of the two men killed by the fall of earth at the Wakamarina mine yesterday have been recovered. The victims turn out to be, not Jones and Thomson, but two men named Pike and Edwards. They were single men. The Dunedin Battery of Artillery have challenged Captain Payne’s Battery in Auckland to fire a carbine match.

The “Northern Advocate” states that the inhabitants north of Auckland, suffering under a strong sense of past neglect, have formed a league to resist the payment of the property tax until justice be done them in the matter of public works.

We have been requested to draw attention to an advertisement in another column announcing the sale of the Esk Bank estate on Friday, Dee. 1!). Messrs J. T. Ford and Co., in conjunction with other firms, will offer the property, which has been divided into 21 farms, to public competition. To persons in search of a profitable ininvestment no better opportunity can offer. The land is of good quality, and for those who desire to make a personal inspection, conveyances will meet the trains daily at St Andrews, when Mr Cormack, who resides on the property, will point out the sections.