NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2262, 17 June 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The article on the Land Tax, which appeared in our issue of last evening, was taken from the leading columns of the Auckland “Herald” of June 5.

The heavy seas of last night have done some mischief at the Breakwater, having washed out a large hole in the lower left hand corner of the monolith which was completed yesterday afternoon. The cement has been entirely washed away from this corner, but the foundation blocks appear to be quite firm. The damage done, however, is not serious, and can be easily remedied.

At the Tcmuka Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before F. Guinness, Esq.. R.M., and Messrs Barker and Postlethwaite, J.IVs, a man named Teague was fined 10s and costs for using threatening language. Morgan Harper, for the larceny of a pipe from a shop in Temuka, was sentencsd to one month’s imprisonment. Webster and Hamer, the two men connected with the well known Orari shooting case, were charged with vagrancy. Mr Tosswill appeared for them,instructed by Mr Hamersley. The case against Webster was dismissed. Hamer was remanded at his counsel’s request for the production of further evidence. Several unimportant civil cases were also disposed of, and the Court adjourned.

Some literary men seem to be fortunate just now. The other day Mr Huxley found a cheque for £4OOO in his morning letters—the bequest of a Bolton admirer. Charles Gibbon, the novelist (author of “Auld Robin Gray,”) recently received a legacy of £IOOO from a Scotch Lady who had read his books, and wished thus to show her appreciation of them. Mr Wrigley, the famous papermaker, has just bequeathed £9OOO to the wife and family of James Payn, the novelist whose “ Lost Sir Massinburgh” is quite a modern classic in fiction. Mr Charles lleade has been remembered in the wills of more than one admirer. We never hear of any editors coming in for these windfalls.

The authors of the Auckland cock-fight-ing exhibition which was recorded in our columns were yesterday fined 5s each. The Bench declined to express an opinion as to whether cock-fighting should be approved or reprobated. A Veterinary Surgeons Association has just been organised in Melbourne. It is named the Veterinary Surgeons’ Association of Australia. The objects of the association are to protect the interests of professional men, and to assist stockowners, who are beyond the reach of medical assistance, to stamp out, if possible, diseases in stock. It has been resolved that the operations of the society should not be confined to Victoria only, but that members would be accepted from the adjacent colonies. A man named J. Hill was found dead by a milkman, in the streets of Auckland, yesterday morning. Hill was GO years of age, and arrived at Auckland in October, 1873, by the ship Ganges. He worked some years at Whiteson’s brewery, and acquired some property, which brought him sufficient income for his maintenance. Lately, however, ke had given way to drinking. At the inquest on the body the jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased died from exposure and continued intemperance.

Indiscreet marriages (says the “ Post ”) have always been and always will be celebrated, and there arc cases innumerable on record where the twain that thus became one flesh have had a difficulty in gathering together enough capital to pay the marriage fees, and have left the question of future subsistence out of the question altogether, relying on the proverbial kisses without the least regard to the bread and cheese associated. But one of the queerest of queer marriages took place a short time since in Wellington. An intending bridegroom waited on the Eegistrar, intimated his desire to be united to the fair object of his affection, and proceeded to give the necessary preliminary particulars. One of the first questions was the name of the bride select, but the suitor could not give her Christian or surname, her age, or any particulars whatever, and actually had to take a cab and.make necessary inquiries before the Registerar could proceed to fill up the certificate, This difficulty settled, the bridegroom again set out for the bride, the pair appeared, and the nuptial knot was successfully tied.

The report of Mr J. McGregor, C.E., on the Breakwater was submitted at a special meeting of the Harbor Board to-day, but as only a few members were present, it was decided to defer its consideration for a full meeting. Mr McGregor offers a number of suggestions as to the process to be adopted in protecting the work already performed. He considers a protecting apron of blocks to be necessary on the south side together with a course of blocks slanting outward and resting on the solid rock, this being the only means by which damage from the scour caused by the sea can bo prevented. He also recommends the construction as soon as possible, of a timber wharf on the north side coinunicating with the railway line, at a cost of about £3OOO. The report recommends a deviation from the present plan, the Breakwater being continued in a northerly direction for about 800 feet, while a rocky walling from the north shore would form an enclosed harbor, which could he improved and maintained by dredging. The report and accompanying plan will doubtless bo fully considered on the next ordinary meeting day.

Dr R. Robertson, the eminent surgeon of St. Kilda, Victoria, writes to the “ Argus” strongly recommending the use of copaiba as a remedy for diphtheritic croup in children. He says:—Copaiba is not a new remedy, but is little used or known among English physicians in this disease; the French have used it with marked success for some .years. It is a remedy well known amongst us for excessive mucus discharges, and is of a stimulating nature ; for these reasons it appears to me as particularly applicable in this disease, more so where the tendency is shown for the pharynx and air-passagos to become affected. The dose given, according to age, is for infants one drop of the balsam, a child up to nine years five drops every half-hour, rubbed up with mucilage and syrup of orange-peel ; milk diet; for adults administer the capsules. This treatment, if persevered with, is found in forty-eight hours to be of the greatest success.

A letter from the Minister of Public Works, in reply to one from the Mayor of Wellington asking what steps Government intend to take in view of the fact that numbers of men at present engaged by the Corporation will be shortly thrown out of work owing to the close of the works, states that Government are not losing sight of the necessity for providing employment as far as the means afforded by Parliament will premit, but the Minister trusted that the Corporation, on that acconnt, would not fail to push forward such works as may be calculated to afford relief.

Bell’s consultation on the Tally Ho Handicap will bo drawn to-night. A miscellanous Entertainment consisting of Songs Readings &c., to take place in the Queen’s Hall to-night in aid of the St. Mary’s Sunday School fund. A meeting of the Timaru Early Closing Association is announced for this evening at 8 p.m., at which tradesmen’s assistants generally arc invited to attend. Attention is called to the programme, which appears in our advertising columns, of the entertainment which takes place in the Queen’s Hall in aid of the St. Mary’s School fund.

The Zealandia Variety Troupe, which comprises some well-known local favorites, announce that it will appear at the Theatre Royal to-morrow night. The entertainment being of a popular kind, and occurring moreover on the race night, will doubtless attract a crowded house.

Mr J. M. O’Connor, champion seven mile walker of New Zealand, will perform a twelve hours trial walk, at the Queen’s Hall, Timaru, on Saturday next, commencing at 10 a.in. and finishing at 10 p.m. In order that there may be no dispute or mistake about the actual distance covered, the distance will be measured by a committee chosen from the audience, and the result of each mile walked will be chalked up and exhibited from the stage as it is completed.