South Canterbury Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1880. NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2183, 17 March 1880, Page 2

South Canterbury Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1880. NEWS OF THE DAY.

The “ Auckland Star ” gives a description of the baptism of some Mormon converts —“ The ceremony took place after the Mormon service, between 9 and 10 p.m., and the spot selected was the Graving Dock. It will be satisfactory to all concerned in this work that the dock has at least been turned to some more than ordinary purpose. The converts were attired in white smocks and took their “plunge” under the gentle handling of Elder Lorenson Elder Pearce pronouncing the benediction with outspread hands from the top of the coping stones above. The affair was witnessed by a select few. No serious consequences are anticipated, though one of the converts, the male, complained of the cold water and the shock to his system, the thermometer being about 80deg out of the shade of the moon of course.

The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand was opened in Auckland yesterday. Freights for schooners in the interprovincial trade is increasing, owing to the demand for timber. The annual election for the South Canterbury Education Board has resulted in Messrs Goldsmith, Postlethwaite and Wakefield being returned. An Auckland boy of nine summers, named John Thomas, has distinguished himself by tumbling down a well 80ft. deep, and again diving downwards when half-way from the top, without sustaining any injury. This beats Young Scott, the pedestrian.

One of the French ex-convicts at Auckland proposes to charm away the fears of the timid anti-refugees by warbling new and plaintive music through a musical journal to be called “ The New Zealand Muse.”

Relative to the charge of forgery against Mr Hermann Rockell, J.P., the “ Manawatu Times” says:—“ It is alleged that the forgery and uttering was done in the following manner: A letter was written to the manager of the bank at Bulls, purporting to be signed by Arthur Amend, and asking that a £SO note and three single notes should be enclosed in an envelope and forwarded to ‘H. Howell,’ to be called for at the Foxton post office. Mr Hogg, the bank agent, was supicious of the bona fide of the letter, and communicated with Mr Amond thereby discovering that it was a forgery. The police were next communicated with, an answer posted to ‘H. Howell,’ and Constable Draper placed on the watch. On Tuesday Mr Rockell called at the window of the post office at Foxton, asked for and received the letter directed to Howell, and immediately after was followed and arrested by the police. On his house being searched slips of paper were discovered with not only several efforts at producing the name of Arthur Amond, but also in a pocket the name of H. Howell, apparently as a reminder. Mr Rockell is a member of the Manawatu Highways Board, and some few months ago was created a Justice of the Peace. At the Fielding Court accused was formally committed for trial at the next Supreme Court sittings at Wanganui, bail being allowed—himself in £SOO, and two sureties of £250 each.”

Donald and Pascoe, brewers, of Wellington, have filed a deed of inspection under the Debtors and Creditors Act. The “ Chief” in “ Bell’s Life,” referring to the suggestion made by the “Globe,” that the third class target used for rifle shooting should he of the same size and shape as an infantry soldier kneeling ; the the second class target the figure of ari infantry soldier standing ; the first-class the figure of a cavalry soldier mounted, says : —“ That is not a had idea, for targets at present in vogue resemble nothing whatever that a man is likely to shoot at in earnest, either as a soldier or a sportsman. They are suggestive of no warlike idea, and yet 1 suppose the object of training men to he marksmen is not to win cups in time of peace,but that they may prove good soldiers in time of war. To the man who has never fired at anything except a square white target, with a black square in the middle of it, a human being must he altogether a puzzling object to aim at, hence the ludicrous expenditure of ammunition in a battle in proportion to the result of killed and wounded. In the late Zulu war, when our men were blazing at closely packed masses of savages, the execution done was really by no means great, when you take into consideration the wonderful combination of rapidity and precision in the fire of the modern breach-loader.”

A correspondent, who signs himself “ A Thin One,” appears to be greatly exercised about “ Allan’s Anti-Fat,” says the Auckland “ Herald.” He says:—Judging from a whole column in your journal devoted to “ Allan’s Anti-Fat,” there are too many fat billets knocking about now-a-days; and while some are getting too fat, there are others getting too thin. “Allan’s AntiFat ” is a very good thing, no doubt, and “ more work and less pay ” a very good substitute. “A Thin One ” recommends a few weeks of gum digging during this hot weather as an excellent remedy against obesity. A doctor once advised “ sawdust pills” as being very good, provided you made your own sawdust. “ A Thin One,” however, regards the suggestion as being “ too thin!”

At the Police Court, to-day, Henry Thos. Reid, ex-librarian of the Tiraaru Mechanics’ Institute, was charged on warrant, with embezzling £l5O, belonging to the Warrambul Building Society. The offence was committed as far back as August, 1877, and since that time Reid has been to England. After enjoying a holiday there he resolved to try a change of colony, and about four months ago he took up his residence in Timaru. He was just on the point of proceeding to Southland, to fill a good appointment there, when Detective Kirby detained him. An officer of police had at this juncture arrived from Victoria, armed with the neccessary warrant and depositions, and Reid was formally arrested in the police yard. • The Bench having heard the evidence committed Reid to gaol, pending the convenience of the escort to convey him back to Victoria. Lovers of music in Tiinaru are promised an unusual treat. On Wednesday and Thursday, March 2-1 and 25, the Carandini Operatic and Ballad Company will appear in the Queen’s Hall, and give two of their select and enjoyable entertainments. The Company comprises Madame and Miss Marie Carandini, Miss Dcakin, Mr Walter Shorwin, and Mr H. G. Gooch, of London —names so well known to lovers of good music in the colonics as to require no recommendation at our hands. At the request of the head teacher of the Timaru school, the present teaching staff will be altered, a pupil teacher and Mistress being abolished, and an assistant master at a salary of £175 substituted. Applications for the new office are to be invited. St Patrick’s day “in the morning,” opened unpropitiously. Moderate showers fell for an hour or two, but about noon the weather cleared up, and Jthe afternoon was fine. Beyond the fact of the Banks being closed, there was nothing in town indicative of a holiday. The special train for the Pleasant Point races, carried away a number of passengers, and several residents also winged their way for tho Oamaru races.

Messrs Jonas Hart and Wildie will sell at their rooms to-morrow, at 2 p.m., valuable freehold sections situate at Wai-iti, and a magnificent farm of 1(!0 acres, situate between the Point and Temuka.