NEW ZEALAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2180, 13 March 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[Per “ Times” Special Wire.! Death of a Dunedin Identity. Auckland, March 13. Thomas Birch,.formerly Mayor of Dunedin, and member of the Dunedin City Council, died on the Penguin during her passage from Gisborne. He left Dunedin in order to recover his health, but the passage was exceedingly rough, and the deceased became worse, and finally succumbed. Mr Eolleston is a passenger per Penguin. Human Remains. The skeleton found at Great Barrier Island is supposed to have been lying there for two years. The Sea Serpent. A native affirms that he saw the sea serpent, and gives a circumstantial description of the monster. } The Cattle Plague. Plenro-pnemuonia is spreading. Yesterday the Inspector killed a cow on Ireland's farm at Panin lire, and found the right lung infected. The Cattle Board meets to-day to consider what steps arc necessary. Pedestrianism. "Wellington, March 13. Young Scott, started on his walk of 112 miles in 24 hours’ at 10 o’clock last night. At 2.45 this morning, he had covered 25 miles and at 8 o’clock 50 were finished, 11.30 he had made 66 miles. Scott is walking well, and is in good form. Two to one is offered and taken, about his doing 112, and level money about his completing 110 miles. Wellington is Dissatisfied. The I’aihvay Commissioner visited Eketatnm, near Masterton, yesterday, and after two hours delay proceeded to Woodville. The survey of Mongohae, the first of the deferred payment blocks has been completed, and ivill be thrown open at once for selection. Great dissatisfaction is expressed here that no tenders have been called for railway works. A public meeting will be called next week to consider the matter. Maintenance. Christchurch, March 13. —William and Alfred Hall, remanded from Timaru, were charged at the Police Court today with failing to support their mother. Complainant stated she had parted with everything, and only wanted a little help from her sous, the youngest of whom was married. Defendants said they were usually employed at the Timaru Landing Service, and their earnings were variable. The case was adjourned till Monday. Dogs. 732 dogs have been registered so far in Christchurch, as against 1357 last year. Prize Piring. The season’s district prize firing was opened this morning by, the Artillery. Eighteen fired,Corporal Sinclair topping the score with 63 points, and Sergeant Hill next, with 62 points.

Incendiarism at Waimate. Waimate, March 13. —To-day Mr Bectham, coroner, held an enquiry into the cause of the late fire at Manchester & Co.’s stores. After hearing the evidence, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that the premises were wilfully set on fire by some person or persons unknown. A Dunedin Solicitor Burned Out. Dunedin, March 13. —A fire in High street this morning totally destroyed the residence of John Stamper, solicitor. His house and furniture were insured in the South British for £6OO. Officials in Danger. A. meeting of Ratepayers is convened to call on the City Council to retrench in other departments, besides daylabor. The Christchurch Unemployed. i [prom our own correspondent.] Christchurch, March 13. —About two hundred of the unemployed signed the list of applicants this morning, at the Government Engineer’s office. Only eighty Government passes have been issued to the Waikara works,and these were distributed. The remainder will be issued on Monday. An opportunit} l, will be given married men to erect whares for their families. Mr Austin, engineer, proceeds to Dunedin to ar-

range for a uniform scale of wages to bo given at the public works throughout the Colony. Until his X’eturn temporary employment will be provided for the men.