NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2211, 19 April 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The postal revenue of the Colony for the quarter ended March 31 was £46,025, and for the financial year £115,680. The word rate for telegram to Europe is now in force. The charge right through from New Zealandjjto Europe is 11s lOd per word.

Parliament is convened by proclamation for the despatch of business on May 28.

It is reported that Longhurst, recently sentenced, at Wellington, to ten years and two whippings for rape is suffering from heart disease. Should that be proved, he will escape the flogging. A quartette of Auckland gam, diggers have been sent to gaol for digging on private property. The Auckland police arc in pursuit of five deserters from H.M.S. Cormorant.

A civil servant from, Invercargill named Hay, had his leg broken in two places above the ancle, while playingjat the Christchurch Football Clubs’ match on Saturday.

Throe bycicle races, under Pic auspices of the Pioneer Bycicle Club, took place at Hagley Park, Christchurch, on Saturday. A mile event was won by L. B. Hubbard in 3 mins 141 secs ; a five mile spin, by E. C. Farr, in 21 mins 30 sees; and a twenty mile race by G. E. Dalton in 62 nfin.s 10 secs.

Something like a flying bunyip, moa, or else an angel in disguise, was observed the other day in the Oamaru district. The “N. O. Times" says ,l A correspondent, who dates his writing as on the 11th inst., sends us the following communication : “ On my way home to-night, at (5 o'clock, I drew the attention of two of my fellow workmen to a sight we never saw before, in the shape of a. monster bird, beast, or fish between the sky and sea. It came in sight off the Awamoa Creek, and passed through the air nearly fo gakanui. It then turned back, stopped half way and lr,o};ccj of immense size. Then it proceeded back to the place where it was seen first, and disappeared in the sea. It looked like a huge black object—l thought a balloon, but I cannot form an opinion of what it was on account of its immense size. U appeared to be about two miles off, close in to land, and say 200 yards high in the air. It was quite distinct to look at, but what it was we could not tell. I hope others besides myself and my mates observed it, so that something like definite knowledge concerning its character may be arrived (it- The object was certainly most wonderful in its appearance.”

The frustrated “ New Zealand Herald” for this month is not altogether devoted to scenery and incidents belonging to other colonies. It contains a view of the North East Valley, Dunedin, One of the ipost interesting illustrations is a comic sketch representing the Marquis of Normanby in the form of a wooden-headed old man beseiged by a crowd of doll-like figures, with wide aprons and uplifted frying pans. As the result of the collision with a patch of sunken rocks off Cape Koamoroo, the s.s. Stella has been found to be slightly cracked. She has been patched and refloated.

A correspondent of the Eangitikei “ Advocate ” the following social anomalies which at one time would have bren thought paradoxical, but which, owing to the present exigencies of fortune fanners arc daPy becoming accustomed to : —A bushel of wheat cost 4s. and the millers will give 3’ou 42 lbs of flour for it, or charge yon Ills for lOOlbs of flour, or not quite 2J bushels of wheat, which, at 4s per bushel are w'orth 10. Moral—Grind your own wheat. Ancmally No 2—A laborer obtains 0s per day for binding; oats are sold for 8s per bushel. ergo, a binder this last season was paid !) bushels of oats for his day’s wages. Moral; Sell your farm and go to sea.