NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2264, 19 June 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

An important - meeting of the Early Closing Association took place p:at the Queen’s Hall on Thvrsday evening, There was a large attendance, and the utmost interest was evinced in the proceedings. An executive committee was appointed to conduct the business of the Association for 3 months ; a new committee to take office at the expiration of that time. It was resolved to forward circulars, stating the objects of the Association, to the local clcrgj-, head of the various district lodges, etc. It is to be hoped that their energetic measures will result in the accomplishment of the desired reform, and that Timaru may be induced to follow the example of other towns, in according the boon of early closing to’ drapers and shop assistants generally. An enormous skate, measuring Ift. 2in. across and Gft. from the nose to the tip of the tail, was caught by some fishermen just outside the Breakwater this morning. Mr George Jones, M.H.E. for Waitaki, was no sooner elected than he was waited on by a deputation of brewers and hotelkeepers in - reference to the beer tax. Mr Jones, in reply .to .their representations, gave no hope of the tax being abolished, but said it would probably be reduced onehalf.

The question of holding quarterly instead of half-yearly sessions of the Supreme Court at Invercargill is to be referred to the judges.' We presume the interests of Timaru and other localities where halt yearly sittings arc now held will also receive consideration.

A bi-wcckly newspaper will shortly be started in the Fik'sinoic district by Mr Joseph frees. At the Nelson criminal sessions yesterday th Brand Jury presented a true bill’against Acton .Adams, 51.11.11., who is charged with perjury. The honorable member will be placed on his trial on Wednesday. A. L. Sweat was sentenced to two years imprisonment, and Antonio Nett, for assault with intent, to two months.

As showing tVc immense wealth possessed by some persons in England, it is worth noticing that in .the. last number of the “Homo News” received here, there arc published the wills of 17 deceased persons, whose aggregate amount of personalty totals up to tiro enormous sums of £1,055,000, or an average of over 11208,000 each individual.

For driving a horse nine miles in the llakaia -district, with its leg so much injured that it had.to walk on its pastern joint, a waggoner, na’med William Mchancy has been lined £5.

A large bundle ot clothing, stolon from Ilallenstein and Co.'s establishment at Christchurch, was discovered on Thursday secreted among some willows near the Avon. Near them were some garments belonging to a man named Wood, the supposed thief.

The Wellington correspondent of a contemporary telegraphs: There is a rumour that two promuenfc supporters of the Ministry arc about to institute proceedings against Mr Sheehan for an alleged misappropriation of .£IOOO in connection with the Waitara Native slecting held two years ago. Ficferring to the AVaitaki election the “ Saturday Advertiser” says:—The return of Air George Jones, by a large majority over such a justly-esteemed gentleman as Mr John lieid, is proof conclusive that Oainaru is Liberal to “ the backbone and spinal marrow.” The “ Auckland Herald ” complains bitterly of the paper used for messages by the Telegraph Department. It describes it as being “ of a dirty, dark brown color, and when written on with the very hard black lead pencils used by the department, the writing upon it is at times wholly undecipherable.” Our contemporary adds : “ Ifthc department continues to use the same brown wrapping paper for telegraphic messages which lias been in use for some time past, J )r Lemon should at least provide the operators with blue lead pencils, so that the written marks may be of a color different to that of the paper upon which the message is written.”

Leave of absence has been granted for another week to Mr John Sheehan, who appears to be unable to attend Parliament as usual this session. The Thames electors ought to feel happy. It is not intended to give effect to the recommendation of the Commission on Education, that a system of university education similar to that established in Otago and Canterbury should be conferred on the Noith Island, as its adoption would involve £2-1,001) for buildings, and .£BOOO per 3‘car for maintenance'

The only arrest made on the racecourse j-csterday was that of George Glccson charged by Detective Ivirby with gambling. The accused was brought before the Bench to-day and remanded until Monday.

Attention is called to the prospectus of the Timaru Grain, Flour, and Sawmills Company (Limited), which appears in our advertising colums. Raphael's troupe of gymnasts and acrobats will perform at the Queen’s Hall on Monday evening.

v Tllc settling up in connection with yesterday’s Steeplechases -takes place at the Crosvcuor this evening.

An exhibition of Oriental Curios is to be held at Tomuka on Tuesday and Wednesday, and will be opened at the Queen’s Hall Timaru on Friday next. The exhibits embrace fancy articles from the Holy Land, many of which arc said to be as beautiful as they arc interesting.