NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2125, 14 January 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Shoals of herring have been pertinaciously frequenting the breakwater of late, but the owners of fishing ro els lines find them very discriminating in the matter of bait, and few are caught. The following from the “ Lake Wakatip Mail ” might be a hint to our anglers:—Perch fishing has become quite a favorite pursuit from the Queenstown Jetty. The means used are nets fastened to iron hoops. These are let down with some weight in them, and after a time raised up. Some good finds have thus been secured. The largest fish caught was over 21bs weight. The Waitara bridge has been nearly burned down. Some men passing it early in the morning found the floor burning, and succeeded in extinguishing it, but a large hole has been burned in it. Another perjury prosecution at the instance of J. Johnston against E. J O’Connor was commenced at Westport yesterday and adjourned, owing to the latters absence at Karamca. An application for the arrest of O’Connor, on the ground of tampering with witness with intent to evade service of summons, was refused. The litigation between the two persons which commenced over three months ago, about cattle, has so far cost some £SOO, and is not yet finished.

The annual meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board will be held on Monday next.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Coursing Club takes place this evening at the Royal Hotel, Tcmuka.

A meeting of the Otaio parishioners will be held to-morrow to make arrangements for the holding of divine service in the new church.

A charge has been instituted by the Government against Captain Lowry late pilot of Kaipara. A fund for the relief of the distressed tenantry of Ireland has ben started by the Mayor of Auckland.

At the civil sittings of the Supreme Court, Auckland, in an action, Lyons v. Wills, of Papakura, for seduction of plaintiff’s daughter, in which damages were laid at £l5O, the jury awarded £IOO. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Waimate Public Library Committee was held on Monday evening. Present —Messrs Goldsmith (chairman), Clement, Connell, and Major. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read intimating that the Borough Council would grant a suitable central site for the library in the event of the Government refusing to set aside the post office site for that purpose. A donation from Mr E. O. Thompson of Green’s “ History of the English People,” was accepted with thanks, and it was resolved to act on the accompanying suggestion of the donor, that an Atlas, price £l, should be purchased and added to the library. It was further resolved that the “Magazine of Art” be ordered from London, and that the proprietors be asked to furnish the South Canterbury Tuies for the use of the readers. The secretary reported receipt of subscriptions during month of £3 11s, making a total at the bank of £lO6 Cs Id. Accounts amounting to £5 were passed for payment, and the meeting adjourned.

At a meeting of the North Otago Coursing Club yesterday, it was resolved to open the coursing season in April. It was also resolved to write to the other clubs agreeing to co-operate with them in the appointment of one judge for all clubs.

Over 1500 persons of all denominations attended a Church of England pic-nic at Hokitika yesterday, held in honor of the Primate and Archdeacon Harper.

The lavish expenditure of human life involved by the South sea slave-trade, has received an additional exemplification by an incident that occurred on board the schooner May Anderson which has just arrived at Auckland, from Samoa. - While on a labour cruise and working round Cape Cumberland, a Pentecost Islander named Paddy, became mad and killed two natives, and wounded a boy and Charley, one of the ship’s crew. Having vainly tried to secure him, and as he was armed and attempted the lives of those on board, one of the ship’s crew, Peter Fabricus, a native who had been to Queensland, took a rifle and shot him. An inquiry into the affair took place at Agua, Samoa, before Mr Swanton, Deputy High Commissioner, under the Order in Council. The master and crew were acquitted, the act being regarded as one of justifiable homicide. Mr Moss, M.H.R., addressed a crowded meeting of his constituents at Parnell last evening. He defended the Grey Government, and denounced the present Ministry. He submitted that more jobs had been perpetrated by the Hall Ministry in two months than by any other administration in two years. Unless more extended and powerful local self-government were given the colony would break down under the weight of centralism. The Grey Government had at least the merit of being patriotic, but the Hall Government could prefer no claim to public respect or esteem. Votes of thanks and confidence were carried unanimously. The following resolution was carried by acclamation: —“That the taxation recently imposed by the present Government is impolitic, inquisitorial, and

oppressive.” The white fish ova which arrived by the San Francisco mail steamer have been allotted as follows ;—Auckland, 00,000 ; Taupo and Tarawera, 15,000; Napier, 50,000; Christchurch, 500,000; Opawa, 100,000 ; Dunedin, 250,000 ; Invercargill, 300,000; Wakatipu, 250,000 ; and Nelson, 250,000.

It was until lately customary to lock the doors of railway carriages on the Victorian lines. They are now left unlocked, and, it is feared by some that the novelty of being able to step out of the carriage on to the platform whilst the train is in motion may prove too tempting for curious passengers, and that accidents will be the result.

The cattle belonging to the Church Missions and other speculators in the Nelson district are afflicted at present with a singular epidemic called sudden death. Over 50 head have dropped dead without any warning. A post mortem examination shows congested blood on the brain, all other organs being healthy. Mr Power, Inspector of Sheep says it is a sort of apoplexy, and recommends frequent change of pasture. Others think it due to the old pasture containing a large proportion of ammonia from continued stocking, recent rains having made the ammonia more active.

Paradoxical though it may appear, music sublime, refined and sacred, does not always imply harmony. A telegram from Adelaide states that a Sunday or two ago, two singers quarrelled in the little church at Rhyle, and both preacher and congregation left the building. At Sandhurst, Victoria, a miller and mining speculator named J. B. Loridan, has been committed for trial, for having on Dec. 19 feloniously stolen a piece of quartz containing gold of the value of ss, the property of the New Chum Consolidated Company. William Allen, braceman in the employ of the company, gave evidence to the effect that on the morning of the date mentioned the defendant, who was accompanied by Mr Henry O’Neill, one of the directors, arrived at the mine and proceeded to look over a pile of quartz, which had been placed separate from the other stone, as it was very rich. Witness did not then know defendant. Two other persons were also examining the quartz. Witness was standing on the brace 9ft above, in a position which enabled him to observe the actions of those at the heap. After about 10 minutes had elapsed witness observed X.oridan conceal a piece of quartz in the “ heel” of his hand. Loridan was standing some little distance away from the other persons. Subsequently saw defendant slip his hand into his pocket. A few minutes aftewards defendant repeated the operation,* described. A moment or two afterwards/' Loridan put a third and a larger specimen in his pocket. Witness then shouted out, “ Stop that man from pocketing specimens,” and defendant, quickly putting his hand in his pocket and withdrawing it, said, “ I have got the stone in my hand.” Loridan then threw one of the specimens on the heap. The mining manager then went up to Loridan, and on witness saying that defendant had more specimens in his pocket, insisted on the pocket being turned out. After a little hesitation Loridan turned his pocket out, and two specimens fell from it upon the heap. Loridan, who was prosecuted by the directors of the company, was admitted to bail. The following paragraph appears in the Jewish Chronicle of October 31: —“On the IGth Sir Julius Vogel, one of the Conservative candidates for the representation of Falmouth, delivered an interesting speech. Referring to personal matters, Sir Julius said that many attacks had been made on him by his opponents, but he took the attacks as compliments, as it showed that his opponents had some fears of his being successful. One imputation was against his religion, but he would say that not for the sake of 20 elections would he disown his religion. He was born of the Jewish persuasion, and would live and die in it,” By the mail steamer, a correspondent writes strongly in favour of direct communication between New Zealand and England. Complaints have been made by a passenger of the discomfort experienced, and, he says, that the Kent took fifty New Zealand passengers, and the Norfolk and Orient a still larger number. The P. and O. Company is the only line taking through freights, and they demand anything they please. Captain Ashby says he could have booked two or three hundred passengers for New Zealand by a direct steamer, who do not like sailing ships.

Just as the hopes of the farmers of this part of New Zealand were in their zenith the weather took an unfavorable turn. Last week there was plenty of sunshine and everything seemed propitious. Since yesterday morning expectations regarding the approaching harvest have rather declined, Rain fell, not very heavily, but pretty constantly for about thirty-six hours. At three this afternoon the clouds began to clear away and there are now prospects of fine weather again setting in. Following the example of this colony, Queensland has introduced “ urgent ” telegrams at double rates as a means of assisting the revenue.

Mr James Taylor, ex-Mayor of Cromwell who committed suicide last week by cutting his throat, was at the time of his death employed as supervisor or inspector of of the bridge being built across the Hawea. He left the works on Wednesday morning for Cromwell, and during the afternoon reached the homestead of Mr T. Anderson, where he committed the fatal act. The deceased leaves a widow with a family of four young children, the eldest being seven years of age. The “ Lake Wakatip Mail” states that a case of considerable interest to owners Of dogs in localities were sheep abound was heard at the District Court, Naseby, last week. It was'an action for damages caused by a dog to a flock of ewes and lambs, and resulted in a verdict of £25 damages and costs, amounting in all to £l6 Ms. The facts of the case, so far as can be gleaned from the evidence, were that a flock of ewes and lambs had been worried by a dog proved to have been the property of the defendant in the case, who, however, contended that he had sold the dog some time previous to the cause of action arising. Judge Harvey, in giving judgment, said that the owner knowing the dog to be a vicious one, ought to have killed it and not sold it.

The “ Ashburton Mail” approves highly of the suggestion in the report of the Timaru Mechanics’ Institute that large conveniences for cooking should be provided. Our contemporary considers domestic cookery one of the most valuable of feminine accomplishments, and compliments the committee on their excellent taste in urging the supply of culinary utensils as an auxiliary to literary recreation. The following additional particulars are to hand from New Caledonia respecting the recapture of the 16 convicts who attempted to escape in the ship Mondewai. Finding the night too dark to clear the reef at the entrance, the fugitives anchored until the morning. The Moindon, Government cutter, at daylight pursued the runaways and captured them. All 16 were condemned to perpetual imprisonment in irons. The Natives of Hawkes Bay are making great preparations for a tangi over old Tamahana, who was killed on Saturday by ahorse at Bell Block. Over 300 natives have assembled to take part. An exchange says, writing of the policy of the Government“ What was wanted was a less numerous, but well-worked oflicial staff. That the country in its present financial condition, will long endure the existing official brood (many of whom now while away the distressing tedium of from 10 to 4 by discussing the previous night’s billiard play, the last social scandal on the tapis, or caricaturing each other and their departmental and political chiefs on the blotting-pads—an innocent and highly intellectual pastime much affected by junior clerks, if report be true) is more than one can well believe.

The wires are working badly. The telegraph operators who struck against 24 hours at a stretch without any allowance for overtime have apparently got their backs up against Sunday labor. It appears that on Sunday night last, on the ’Frisco mail being telegraphed, arrangements were made at Wellington with Superintendent Lemon to keep the special wire open from Btolo to get the summary through. All special wire stations were warned just before seven to return at eight, but at eight o’clock the Christchurch operators were not there, and Blenheim endeavored in vain to get a reply. At last Christchurch was rung up by Wakapuaka for midnight service, and Blenheim tried to get Christchurch to take the mail news ; but Christchurch refused to do so, and therefore none of the Southern morning papers got any. Dr Lemon is said to be very savage at the way in which his orders have been slighted. He is making a strict enquiry, but a woeful (development awaits the Superintendent, for it is understood that the Christchurch operators will plead that they were down on their bended knees devoutly praying for the conversion of the Sabbath-breaking head of the department, when they ought to have been tempting Providence with their instruments.

The Resident Magistrate at Dunedin gave his decision on Monday in the case of John Wilson v. the Captain and owners of the ship Dunedin, claim £25, damages sustained by the'plaintiff through the supply of inferior provisions to" him on the voyage from Greenock to Dunedin. Judgment was given for the plaintiff for £2 and costs.

At a meeting of the Waimate School Committee last evening returns were submitted for the quarter showing the number of scholars on the roll to be—boys, 227; girls, 185 ; average attendance—boys, IG9 ; girls, 142. A letter was read from Miss Lillie tendering her resignation as teacher which was accepted. It was resolved to recommend Miss Fisher for the vacancy. Messrs Goldsmith and wakefield were nominated to represent the Committee on the Board of Education. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Goldsmith for the way in which he had filled the office of Chairman, A recent traveller in California describes the social condition of the country as slighty anarchical. Not only does everyone do what is right in his own eyes, but expresses himself very strongly—and generally in bullets—against whatever displeases him that is done by others. In a church—for there are churches—which our traveller chanced to visit, he noticed this touching appeal printed in large type upon the organ loft—“ It is requested that you will not shoot at the organist. He does his best.”

Mr W. Evans notifies in another column that he has samples of the celebrated Osborne Reaper and Binder on view opposite his office, Main North Road.