NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2136, 26 January 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

A first offender was brought up at the E.M. Court this morning and fined 10s for being drunk and disorderly.

The Pleiades from London 86 days out, arrived at Lyttelton to-day, 114 passengers on board, all well.

The Level’s Road Board is now taking steps to improve the ford over the Arowhenua near Spillane’s. The high bank in front of the hotel is to be ' removed, and a good approach made to the river; and the river bank on either side of the catting is to be fenced in order to obviate the danger of driving over it.

The annual election of School Committees for South Canterterbury takes place at 7 p.m. this evening in the various sclroolrooms throughout the educational districts. The elections will he by ballot after the candidates have been duly proposed and seconded.

Three special trains from Christchurch to Dunedin, passed through Timaru yesterday conveying goods wagons, loaded and unloaded. Some of the wagons were for Timaru and were uncoupled here. The engines which have only just been imported from America, are intended for the use of the Dunedin section.

At the recent meeting of the Presbyterian Synod of Otago the Rev Banncrman compared the University Council to “ a Viper.” A writer sfggests that the comparison of the aged arose from the fact that the its professors and students is asleep half its time. Like vipers, they have a six months recess in each year. The Lincolnshire farmers, deputed by the Country farmers at Home to report on New Zealand as a field for immigration, may be expected in Timaru shortly. Should the verdict of these gentlemen be favourable, an influx of the better class of farmers from Lincolnshire to this clolony may be expected to set in.

Mr J, G. S. Grant of Dunedin tract notoriety having recovered from his late sickness, writes to the “ Star ” intimating that he is prepared to offer himself to the Presbyterian Synod, as a porpitiation. for the sins of the University Council, by accepting the new chair. The members of the Lifeboat Lodge No. 101, 1.0.G.T., held their usual weekly meeting in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Friday evening. Bro. J. R. Johns, W.C.T., presided. A member was re-obligated, and two were proposed and initiated. Several matters of importance were discussed .The election of officers takes place on Friday next.

The Licensed Victuallers of Christchurch are complaining of two publicans who have commenced to employ touts at the railway station to meet the passenger trains. A stable belonging, to George Horsdal, at North East Valley, Dunedin, was burned on Friday. The New Zealand Insurance Company will subscribe £l5O for the sufferer.

An “Argus” cablegram, dated London Jan. 23, describes a paper which was read at the Bradford Chamber of commerce on the colonial empire. This is very interesting, but it would be more so if the “ Argus” readers were informed who read this paper? Who is the author ? Who paid for the cablegram? and what was the object of having the important information cablegraphed at all?

Notice has been served on behalf of J. S. Williamson, on Wade, the lessee of the Theatre Royal, Auckland, prohibiting the performance of H.M.S. Pinafore. Wade refuses to acknowledge the exclusive right of Williamson, and is determined to play it till some better authority is shown. The Rev. B. T. Harvey, of St. Paul’s, Wellington, appears to be afraid of Pastor Chiniquy. He has warned the congregation not to take any part in entertaining the Pastor, who, he thinks, will do more harm than good.

The Dunedin Bench were entertained on Saturday with a milkboy’s quarrel. A charge of assault was preferred by a lad of about 14 years of age, named William Guy, against his brother Henry, who may be 20 years old. The dispute arose between the two as to who was to bring the milk to town one morning to supply customers, and the bigger one “walloped” the other for “ cheek ” and disobedience. Their Worships had some hesitation as to how to deal with the case, but they decided at last to bind over the elder lad to keep the peace for three months in the sum of £lO.

While the new firebell, presented to Christchurch by the Union Insurance Company, was being tried on Friday afternoon the large heavy clapper gave way and hung suspended in the framework of the tower immediately over a girl who had got out from the crowd. After some seconds of suspense, during which the onlookers were afraid of seeing a fatal accident, a man rushed out and snatched Jup the child* The clapper, after swaying about a bit, stuck in the framework.

Messrs Cliff and Co. have now commenced business as auctioneers, land, estate, and general commission agents in the premises formerly occupied by Mr Padget, tailor, Main North Eoad. The premises, which are commodious and centrally situated for business, have been considerably improved and enlarged with a view to their meeting the requirements of the new firm, and the sale yards at the back of the auction rooms are both conveniently situated and easy of access. A feature in the new premises is a public reading room on the upper floor, furnished with both daily and weekly papers and periodicals, while some shelves in a corner of the room contain a number of handy works of reference of interest to the farmer and breeder of stock. Adjoining the reading room is a smaller apartment, neatly furnished with desks and tables, stationery, Ac., for the use of persons wishing to write letters or memos, and both reading and writing rooms were certainly a happy thought of Mr Cliff’s, whose enterprise should ensure success.

A very handsome addition to the chemists and druggists establishments of Timaru has just been opened by Mr C. 13. Eichbaum, in the Main South Eoad. The position is central, the warehouse has been finished and decorated in a manner that would do credit to a first-class Loudon apothecaries’ warehouse, and the proprietor has stocked it with a complete assortment of drugs of the best quality.

Messrs Jonas, Hart and Wildie, will sell at the residence of Mr F. A. Finn, Wai-iti road, the whole of his household furniture and effects, the sale to commence at 11 o’clock.