NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2167, 27 February 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

A new tramway is projected in Dunedin, to connect lloslyn, a hill suburb. Sunstroke has killed two dogs in the Oamaru district, both valuable.

The opera season at Wellington is to close a week earlier than was anticipated, owing to the indifferent business done there. The company proceed to Sydney direct.

A sweet thing is in store for the Oamaru Hatcpayers. The Town Council has made a special rate of Is lid in the pound, in order to defray the charges on the £OO,OOO Waterworks loan.

Tire next annual meeting of the New Zealand University, is to be held at Wellington. Steps will be taken to acquire for the senate the power of granting honorary degrees, such as that applied hy Sir George Grey.

Mr J. G. S. Grant, of Dunedin, is terribly indignant at somebody insinuating that he is the author of the letter describing Dunedin in the “ Ballymena Observer.” Mr Grant writes to the “Herald” as follows : directed to an advertisement in your paper, which covertly conveys an erroneous impression, to wit, that I am the author of a certain letter from the correspondent of the “ Ballymena Observer.” Now, Sir, I fling back with scorn in the teeth of my detractor such a cowardly and base insinuation.”

A religious debate has taken place in public, in the Oddfellow’s Hall Christchurch between Mr F. M. Lester and Mr Charles Watt, on the proposition: “ The Gospel which was preached by the Apostles of the Lord, as embodied in the following namely, ‘ That Jesus the Christ was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification.’ ” Mr S. lb Andrews, acted as chairman.

It will be observed by reference to our advertising columns that the District Court (Criminal Sitting), "dll sit at 11 a.m, on Monday and not at 10, as previously stated. A special meeting of the Borough Council was held last night, for the purpose of considering the proposed new bye-laws. Very little was done, the meeting adjourning till this evening.

The construction of the Breakwater is going steadily forward. Astonishing progress has been made with the work during the past three months. An 18ft. (jin, section was completed on Wednesday, and yesterday the diver descended to sec that all is right for the lowering of the blocks forming the next section. Strangers will not in future be permitted to walk on the Breakwater during working hours. It has been found absolutely necessary to enforce this rule.

The land revenue of the colony for the December quarter was £(5(5,039 9s 8d ; the consolidated fund receipts for the half year ending 31st Deeemqcr were £1,30(5,0(57 7s Id, with £7(51,(509 from Treasury and Deficiency Bills and temporary deposits. The actual expenditure during the same period was £l,B-19,712 l(ss lid. About twelve days ago a man named Edward Green went into the bush in the neighbourhood of the Lyell. His friends were diligently searching for him till Wednesday, when they found the body of the unfortunate man, which they buried. No less than £1.5011 changed hands through the agency of the Totalisators at yesterday’s Dunedin races. This means a heavy loss for the bookmakers.

The skating-rink was ojxai again last evening. To-morrow the 'skaters arc promised a skating steeplechase “ with water jump,”—a baking dish full of water. On Monday night (the last of the season) Madam Tailor will take a benefit, when a masquerade carnival will be presented. This affair, which is a decided novelty, promises to be a great success as the whole of the Professor's simply of fancy dresses, some 20 in number, have been bespoken for the occasion, while many visitors will doubtless wear their own dresses. 'Three prizes arc 'to be be given away. One for the best conumdrum on skating,?and two prizes for skating.

Professor Stanish, of Sydney, has received a special recognition of his skill as an aurist. It is a gold medal presented by Mr 11. P. Brooke, of Tasmania, bearing an inscription which states that it is given “ as a small token of gratitude for the miraculous cure of his deafness.” We are informed that Mr Brooke had been suffering from deafness for years, and had been treated repeatedly without success prior to his application to Professor Stanish.

The Waimatc Plains Commissioners have got through the bulk of their work and to-morrow they will move their camp to New Plymouth, It is believed that the greivcnces represented by the Natives who have come forward will be easily and satisfactarily settled.

The “larrikin element,” recently referred to by “ Quilp,” in this journal, was not wanting last evening at the Theatre lloyal, when the remarks of the performers were rendered almost inaudible, by the continued interruptions of some irrepressible person in the pit, whose attempts at annoyance were most persistant. Fellows like this should be promptly “ run out ” by the police, as their example is sure to be imitated by others. Mr J. Stanley' Bruce, architect, has abandoned his design of proceeding against the Ashburton “ Mail ” for £2OOO damages, for libelling the Ashburton County Hospital.

Judge Harvey has a contempt for the bouncable attorney. In delivering judgment in the case of Spedding v. (.lore, at the District Court, Dunedin, the other day, he said: —Mr .Stewart (counsel for plaintiff) had in his address to the Court remarked that if he (His Honor) gave judgment for the defendant, it would be a monstrous and iniquitous thing, and, as he had no wish to do anything that was monstrous or iniquitous, he would offer plaintiff the option of taking a nonsuit. Mr Denniston (who appeared for Mr Stewart) accepted a nonsuit. The excitable publican received a good scolding in Dunedin, on Wednesday. Mr Thomas, of the I’eacock hotel, applied for a temporary license for a booth on the race ground, whereupon Inspector Mallard mentioned that the applicant had displayed some temper at the last Caledonian games. Mr Simpson, H.M., said that he would not refuse the temporary license, but applicant must bear in mind that he must be very cautious, for there was no doubt that his temperament was a dangerous one. In the face of recent disturbances at Christchurch and at Timarn, it could not be denied that great care must be exercised in the granting of licenses to persons of a similar temperament to applicant.

The Czar has made no attempt at constitutional reforms, although Prince Bismarck is understood to be trying to influence the Russian Government, to make concessions to popular demands. It is stated to bo the intention of the Russian Government to make a friendly appeal to England asking that the Nihilist agitators who take refuge in England and plot against the Russian Government may be properly watched.

Binsden, an Auckland schoolmaster, was prosecuted the other day by a foolish parent for whipping an incorrigible young truant. The Bench dismissed the case, leaving teacher and parent to pay their own costs. The master’s expenses were defrayed by public subscription. The wife of a Kopua laborer named Phillips attempted suicide on Wednesday by cutting her throat while suffering from drink. Unfortunately for the husband she is likely to recover.

A man named Michael Keevey was charged at the R. M. Court this morning with being drunk and disorderly, and was fined 10s, or the usual alternative.

Mr and Mrs Charles Florence will give their second entertainment at the Theatre Royal this evening. Last night’s entertainment was most enjoyable, and for this evening a change of programme is announced.

lire meanest industry out is the stealing of the shirts of the inmates of the Dunedin Benevolent Institute while being bleached and dried. This has lately been carried on to a large extent, and on Wednesday a man named Kennedy received three months for the oii'encc.

The big ditch between Dunedin and Bort Chalmers is expected to be so far completed in about three weeks as to enable vessels drawing 12 feet to come up to the city wharves. Similar expectations have been indulged in for the past five years.

A localised version of “ The Happy Land” is being played in Christchurch. Messrs Hydes and Alexander make up as the Minister of Lands and the Premier, and the firstmentioned is said to be a very faithful caricature. The local papers view the adapter's work from political standpoints. The “Lyttelton Times” says:—The adaptation is a pungent satire upon certain New Zealand public men. It is evidently from the pen of an opponent of the present Ministry, of one well read in New Zealand politics, of a facile writer accustomed to hard hitting. The dialogue also betrays that its author is familiar with the weak points of Christchurch municipal, hospital, and legal management, both present and recently past. The language is much of it — rythmical without being absolutely blank verse.” The “ Press” on the other hand, considers “the dialogue, though smartly written, simply a repetition of the arguments and statements which appeared daily and nightly in a section of the local Press during the late general election. Laudation of Sir George Grey and the wholesale condemnation of his opponents, the point of much of which is lost by the time which has elapsed, form the staple of the piece.” The Hindon railway laborers, who were lately turned adrift by the Government, have held a meeting, interviewed the Hon. llichard Oliver, and have been authorised to return to their work. So much for popular pressure and the r ights of labor. A regimental inspection of the C. Battery N.Z.A. Battery Cadets, took place at the head-quarters of the Artillery, High street, yesterday evening.

A girl named Ann Ward, a servant at Fidler’s Auld Scotland Hotel, Dunedin, where she had been for only a week, gave birth to a child yesterday, which was afterwards found dead in the water-closet. The girl was taken to the Hospital.

At Dunedin yesterday', David Wilkins, aged five, while playing beneath the Battery street Wharf, slipped into the water and was drowned. The boy was the son of Mr Charles Wilkins, cordial manufacturer, in the employ of Messrs Lane and Co.

Messrs Peacock and Heaney’, announce having completed their improvements to their West End butchery. The alterations, to which we have already alluded, have enabled them to nearly double the space for display, and visitors will be rewarded with one of the finest shows of meat to be witnessed on this side of Smithfield.

Of. Cliff and Co. will sell to-morrow at their rooms at Ip.m. horses, drays, harness, poultry, lamb, Ac.

Messrs Jonas, Hart and AVildie will sell at their rooms to-morrow, a fine lot of horses, drays, buggies, harness and also one magnificent draught horse. Bale at lla.nr

The public are respectfully requested to inspect, to-night and to-morrow night, Peacock and Heaney's display of ileef, Mutton, Lamb, Veal, Pork, Smoked Mutton Hams, and a large variety of Small Goods of excellent quality. [Advt.] Mr Moseley, who, like Nemesis, is following closely on the heels of Pastor Chiniquy, announces his intention of enlightening the people of Timaru as to the doings of the Pastor, in the Theatre Royal, to-mor-row evening.