NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2290, 20 July 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

A conceit in connection with the Wesleyan Church look place last owning and was largely attended. Mr (Icorgc Hunter, formerly 41.11.11. lor Wellington, is dangerously ill from a sudden stroke of paralysis.

At Nelson, Ktbel Beggs, aged sewn, lias lost her right log through the falling of a tree.

]’c Wititu and about half a dozen other natives who were engaged in creeling fences across the road line near Baribaka, have been arrested and sent on to Now Plymouth.

On Saturday, over dOOO persons visited tliejCln istcluuch Industrial Exhibition. The total number of visitors for the throe days has been 18,500. The Exhibition will remain open up to and including AVedncsdav next.

A reward of CIOO is offered by Neil and Close of Napier for the conviction of the person or persons who sprinkled an unoccupied bouse with kcrozeuo and then set fire to it.

A 21 hours walking competition is to be held in Clnistchureh shortly. Tiimuu and Dunedin it is expected will be well represented on the occasion. Tire Jinal arrangements in connection witlr tire affair will not be settled until Wednesday next.

The amended forms of the property tax arc irow being issued. Under them the taxpayer is required to state his real estate, Hum iris personality, such as mortgages held by him, money in the bank, Ac., then make tire deduction of LoOO, the remainder being tire amount on which he has to pay. The amended schedules will be returnable on August Ist.

Mr Bryce stated in the House the othernight that our Army List was rather a formidable one. It consisted of three colonels nine lieutenant-colonels, 2k majors, 150 captains, and 200 lieutenants. The Government are considering the question of preparing an “ unattached ” list for the purpose of purging this formidable roll to some extent.

Thomas Burt, a miner, who was before tire Bench at Auckland, yesterday, for taming a now chum by pitching him down an embankment, was lined LlO for the assault and bound over to keep the peaceJohn McLean and Murdoch McKenzie were sentenced, the former to .a week and the latter to a month's Imprisonment, for stealing provisions from the steamer Waitaki. Provisions have been rnistcriously disappearing from the vessel for the last two months.

A telegram from Napier yesterday says : The natives at Mount Vernon to-day positively refused to leave, and warned the Shciiff and his men not to attempt to use force or they would offer determined resistance. As there wore only 100 men present the Shorin' appealed to the police, who had, however, received instructions from Government not to interfere. Thu Klicrifl therefore left the Maoris in possession of tiro held, and unless the Government will enforce the law Mr Harding will not get his propicrly in spite of the Supreme Court,

Bonnor, the Australian giant, seems to have excited some sensation in England, at the matches played by the Australian cricketers, both on account of his proportions and his batting. lie is about 17st in weight, and stands six feet six inches in height. JI c is only between 22 and 2d years of age. During the match with Nottingham he made a hit fully 120 yards, the ball dropping in the street leading down to the railway station, and nearly [alighting upon an omnibus waiting to take up passengers. On one occassion, by an off-drive, he sent the ball on to the top of a house in the town, and a worthy inhabitant had to “ shim ” up the water-pipe to recover it.

It will please many to learn that the goods traffic on the Tiiuaru section of the railway line is showing very decided signs of improvement. Large quantities of grain and farm produce is travelling north and south. Otago is beginning to make demands on this district for Hyc stock, and a consignment of fat cattle were despatched from the other side of Temuka yesterday for the Dunedin market. It is believed that in return for the coal that is coming from the South a profitable [trade in grain and live stock between South Canterbury and the commercial capital of Otago is beginning to spring up.

The fortnightly meeting of the Good Samaritan Tent, LO.IL, was held in the Hall, Unsscll Square, last evening. The Secretary read the report of the proceedings of last qnailer, which showed that the Tent was making good progress, the membership and I'uuds continuing steadily on the increase. Seven candidates were proposed for membership, one of whom was admitted. The others were elected to be admitted at next meeting on August 2. It was stated that certain parties were circulating a report that if a member broke the pledge lie forfeited all claims to the Order. The members wcic requested to contradict this malicious report and to represent that it was only after the fourth offence that a member forfeited any of the benefits, and even then the laws arc quite as lenient as those of any other Society. A committee to prepare byedaws was appointed, copies to be supplied to each member before adoption at the general meeting.

A heavy chopping sea from the southeast sprang up about nine last evening, and this morning the waves rose nearly as high as the Breakwater. The shipping in the port, [ultimately, sustained no damage, but the brig Emily, which was moored some distance out, was at one time supposed to be in considerable danger. Early in the morning it was noticed that she was dragging her anchor. The Young Dick was right in her path, and a collision was only avoided by the schooner lengthening her moorings. Captain Mills, the harbor master, wont on hoard and gave directions as to the best precautions to be taken. So far the Emily lias escaped injury. The sea, however, is unusually heavy, and the breakers hare been washing as high as the top of the railway viaduct at 'Whales’ Creek.

Tenders are invited for the election of pai t of the foundation of St. Mary's ( ’hureh. Messrs Davies and Murphy are about to enlarge their premises, and tenders for additions are advertised. The coal strike at Newcastle has been succeeded by an active competition among the retailers at Timuru. The reduced prices are advertised elsewhere.