South Canterbury Times, THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1880. NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2208, 15 April 1880, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1880. NEWS OF THE DAY.

Presence of mind had its reward on Saturday in saving a woman from being severely, if not fatally, burned. The “ News ” says :—“ The wife of a resident of Invercargill was pursuing the ordinary avocations in the way of cooking, when her outer dress caught fire, and, from the nature of its material, she was rapidly envelpcd in flames. Quick as thought another woman, who was fortunately present, threw her arms round the burning female, while her sister, with equal rapidity, snatched up a blanket, and enveloped her in it. This quickly extinguished the flames and, on the covering being removed, it was found that, though the dress was completely destroyed, no injury whatever had been sustained. To this the habit of wearing flannel underdo ing no doubt also contributed.

According to the Auckland “ Star ” Detective Farrell has been going in for a new line of business. Our contemporary says : —“ The footrace between Detective Farrell and Mr M'Minamen, of the Thames, will not come off owing to one of the parties backing out. Doth men weigh a trifle under 15 stone, and both appeared to be quite earnest in the matter, one of them staking his £5, while the other promised to do so the next day. Mr Farrell went in for vigorous training, rising before cock crow to take his spin, and living most abstemiously.”

The following, from a Dunedin paper, too plainly indicates the nature of the destitution so prevalent at present in our large cities :—A man named John Olsen, a Dane, was found lying among some timber in Bond street last night (Tuesday), about 8 o’clock. The attention of some boys was directed to the spot where he lay by his moaning. He appeared to be in a sinking state, and was removed to the Hospital by the police. Olsen, who is an old man without relations here, was suffering from diarrhoea and exposure. The clothes worn by Olsen were in a deplorable state, and it is almost needless to add that they were removed immediately on his arrival at the Hospital. He is said to have some friends in Wellington.

A board of Engineers are taking evidence ns to the cause of damage to Inch Clutha and neighbourhood during the floods of 1878.

McLeod Bros, candle and soap manufacturers of Dunedin, have shewn what can be done if manufacturing enterprise in New Zealand receives fair play. Eecently a trial of candles was made and their manufacture was proved to be superior to anything imported, from Belmonts to Neva Stearinc.; The firm has just received the following cable message from Mr Callis, deputy executive commissioner for New Zealand at the Sydney Exhibition : “ Your goods classed first degree before the world.”

The length to which some people go in depending upon the Government of the day to do everything is well illustrated by the following story, which conies from Victoria. A lecturer on surgery at the Melbourne University, whilst lately summing up the results of the season’s lectures, is said to have deplored the scarcity of dead bodies. “But now,” he added, “as there has been a change of Ministry, we may hope for better things!” A poor compliment indeed to Mr Service.

At the half-yearly meeting of the S. C Athletic Club yesterday afternoon, the fol. lowing new members were ballotted for and elected:—H. A. C. Fergusson, John Delemaine, George Helmore, J. C. N. Grigg, E. T. Ilhodes, H. J. Beswick, E. C. Strode, A. S. Baker, John Goodall, C. P. D. Luckie, A. Templar, J. E. Pickett, E. W. Seton, C. A. Jefferson, J. S. Smith, D. McLaren, G. J, E, Smith. E. J, Eckford, W. Potts, W. P. Chapman, C. St. Barbe, and E. iP. Ehodes. It was resolved —“ That all further nominations for election of members be accompanied, with the amount of the first year’s subscription, and in the event of the candidate not being elected the money be refunded.”

At the Auckland criminal sessions yesterday, George Byre, farmer, for cattle stealing, was acquitted. Henare Mona Pina, Hakumahi, Hone Honca, Wera Hotapera, andHunanui, were severally charged] with forcibly entering the premises of] Isaac Wilson, hotelkeeper, of the Lake district, in December last. The jury returned a verdict of guilty of forcible entry by intimidation. His Honor said it was a case which did not call for severe punishment, but he would order a fine of £lO each. Just before the re-sitting of the Court Mr Brookfield, solicitor, of Gisborne, fell down in a fit, and was carried out of Court.

A painter named Fotterell, living at Randwick Hill, near Dunedin, attempted to commit suicide yesterday morning. About a quarter to five his wife was awakened by hearing a heavy fall on the floor, and found that her husband had cut his throat. Dr Ferguson was soon summoned to his attendance, and the man is now out of danger. He had been out of work for some time, and had of late been in a very depressed state of mind.

A photographic show case which has long done duty as a standing advertisement opposite the raiway station was quietly demolished on Tuesday night.

The Lynch Family of Bellringers gave their final entertainment to an appreciative audience last evening. To-night and tomorrow evening they appear at Tcrnuka, where we have no doubt they will have a good reception. On Saturday and Monday they will entertain the people of Ashburton.

The Licensed Victuallers of Wellington have appointed a deputation to wait on the Commissioner of Police, requesting that active steps bo taken to suppress sly grogselling. If the Commissioner begins with Bellamy’s and winds up with the Working Men’s Club he may do some good. At Grcymouth yesterday a workman named John Henderson dropped down dead in the Government workshops.

Speaking of the next general election, the “Wanganui Herald” says: —“It is not generally understood that the present Parliament will expire by effluxion of time in February, 18S2, and that the dissolution, according to English custom, will take place at the end of next year, soon after the conclusion of the session of 1881. The dissolution may take place by the exercise of the Royal prerogative before then, and it is quite possible that, should the promised Representation Bill pass next session, the Governor may be advised to dissolve the Assembly immediately after the session is over, in which case we should have a general election in September next. The Government of course, will select their own time, and a good excuse would exist in a Redistribution of Scats Bill becoming law ; indeed, there is an impression among politicians that the passing of such a measure implies an immediate dissolution consequent upon it. The necessity therefore, of every man taking care to register his name will be apparent.”

A special train with tljc Frisco mail bags passed through Timaru at 10 o’clock last evening. The Timaru portion consisted of 1590 letters, 198 book packets, Ac, and 2194 newspapers. The letters were sorted at once and owners of private boxes were able to obtain their correspondence by 11 p.m.

At a legal investigation of a liquor seizure the judge asked an unwilling witness “ what was in the barrel that you had?” The reply was “ Well, your honor, it was marked 1 whisky ’ on one end of the barrel and ‘ Pat Duffy ’ on the other end, so that I can’t say whether it was whisky or Pat Duffy was in the barrel, being as I am on my oath.” At the conclusion of the case against James McLeish for perjury yesterday afternoon, Mr Beetham, K.M., intimated that it would not be necessary to call evidence for the defence, as he did not consider the prosecution had made out a case that would justify a committal for trial. The charges would be dismissed, but the prosecutor could, if he thought proper, bring the case into the Supreme Court, by taking advantage of the Vexatious Indictments Act, and prosecuting at his own cost and risk. Mr Hislop, who appeared for the prosecution said he would require to consult his clients before electing whether he should proceed further. It was agreed that the charge against McLeish for swearing a false information against Orr should be adjourned till Monday next.

A meeting of the committee of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday. The balance sheet showed a credit balance of £164 9s 6d. Accounts amounting to £49 were passed. The secretary of the Canterbury Society wrote, suggesting that the society in question should issue coursing licenses for the season, and at the close of it pay over to the South Canterbury Society the amount of fees for all dogs belonging to owners south of the river Eangitata; the only charge against the South Caantcrbury Society being the expense of license forms and postage. It was resolved to accept this proposal. The Temuka and Geraldine Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s annual Kara and Ewe Fair was held on the Society’s grounds near Winchester, on Tuesday. About 300 rams, 158 pure bred ewes, and 50 head of cattle were entered. Only a few were sold. The fair we understand will be discontinued for two years, the promoters being dissatisfied with the lack of interest taken in it.

A* the Tcmuka E.M. Court to-day Mr Guinness, R.M., suggested that as the days were shortening it would be well to make the time for opening the Court somewhat later than at present. The idea was received with evident satisfaction by some of the non-residents, and the Magistrate taking advantage of the favorable impression announced that in future the Court would be opened at 12.80 instead of 11 a.m. Considering that cases are ahnostjrcgulaiiy adjourned at this Court, from week to week, the look-out for clients now that the Court is to begin after mid-day is something serious.

A walking match has been arranged between O’Connor, of Timaru, and C, Bowley, of Christchurch, for £IOO aside and the championship of New Zealand. Xhc distance is seven miles and the match will come off at Hagley Park-, on or about May 20. A deposit of £2B was lodged by the pedestrians yesterday.

The non-arrival of the Rotomahana at Lyttelton yesterday forenoon created much anxiety. It seems that the steamer encountered a terrific sea. and made only seventy miles in fourteen hours during hex trip from Wellington.

A convenient and useful description of business directory has lately been complied by Mr T. Burton, for the people of Christchurch, Lyttelton, and surrounding neighborhoods. It is neatly printed in colors on cardboard, and shews at a glance the names of business residents. Of course its usefulness is obvious. Mr Burton is in Timaru engaged in compiling a similar directory for this neighborhood.