NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2270, 26 June 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

An acciflont occurred yesterday to Mr S. McMeckan, commission agent. He was riding out to the Three Springs, and was passing the bridge at Waahdykc when his horse beginning to back, be was pitched on the ground on bis head. Mr McMeekan received a nasty cut, and he was stunned for a few minutes, but his wounds having been dressed at Mr Bred. Watson’s he was enabled to resume his journey. Magistrates, like doctors, differ. Mr Watt, E.M. of Dunedin, sent a boy of 15 to gaol for three months the other day for stealing some candles. Mr Bcctham, H.M., ordered a boy of ton this morning to bo thrashed by his father for stealing several shirts. Air Watt is evidently the best Magistrate for manufacturing young criminals. Mrßcetham, fortunately for Timain, does not believe in the manufacture of juvenile gaol birds.

Assessment papers arc being scattered about Dunedin like snow Hakes and the Government organs arc looking upon this distribution of waste paper with wonder seeing that new and amended schedules under the property tax arc in process of preparation. Sergeant Major Bovin and his army of constables have returned from the Shag Point Colliery as they went, the disaffected miners having assured them that their intentions arc peaceful.

It is proposed to take the next census on April :•], 1881. The Wellington “ Chronicle” of Wednesday night credited Mr Macandrcw with a speech which he was expected to deliver, but which ho did not make. The “ Chronicle” said that the honorable member in supporting the no-confidence motion, made some remarks which although not brilliant, “ bristled with hard facts and figures most damaging to the Government, and so forth.” Mr Macandrew and the “ Chronicle” are now undergoing a vigorous chaining.

Mr W. G. Grace, that model of what a gentleman cricketer should be, has (says a Victorian paper) been giving our colonial cricketers a little advice on matters which everyone will agree ho is singularly fitted to judge. In a letter to Mr Joseph, a London gentleman, who some time back expressed his regret that no matches had been arranged with the Australians at Lord’s and at the Oval, he says that it is a matter of regret that the Australians arc going to play so many gate-money matches. He considers that they should play as gentlemen or professionals, and it ought to have been understood before they got Home who should play as gentlemen and who as professionals.

In a recent lecture on his visit to Australia, Dr Eoseby, of Dunedin, quoted statistics to show the condition of the people of New Zealand, as compared with the other colonics : —“Just note, in passing” observed Dr Eoseby, “ how high New Zealand stands. In Queensland and New Zealand more people get married ; in Queensland and New Zealand more children are born ; in Victoria and New Zealand fewer people sign the marriage register with a mark ; in New Zealand public morality—in the particular aspect above indicated—is higher; and in New Zealand fewer people die, in proportion to the population, than in any of the Australasian •Colonics. It is a very noteworthy fact, in regard to the relation of the climate of Victoria to the disease known as consumption or phthisis, that the death-rate from that source in Victoria, is little more than half that of the United Kingdom.”

Fresh tenders arc invited for the erection of new school buildings at St. Andrews. The Oriental Exhibition attracted a large audience last evening, and the curios were much admired. The exhibition will be open as usual this evening.

Attention is called to the announcement over our leader, respecting the City Hotel, Christchurch. It will be observed that that well-known and centrally situated establishment has fallen into the very best bands that could possibly be secured for it. Mr E. Cookson is undoubtedly one of the most popular of New Zealand landlords, and his name and _ reputation arc as familiar with the travelling public of Thnarn and South Canterbury as they arc in Christchurch. We have no doubt that in his new house “ the City,” Mr E. Cookson will find his extensive accommodation frequently taxed by the many visitors to Christchurch, who have, in days past, enjoyed his hospitality at the Garrick, Barrett’s, and the Commercial. We trust the new landlord of “ the City ” in Christchurch, will enjoy a long lease and a prosperous connection.