NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2300, 31 July 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Wc arc glad to learn from an active member of the Timaru Harmonic Society that the information wc received about the Society retiring from public life was slightly inaccurate, the members about a month ago having resolved instead of selling tickets,to close the concerts in future against all but subscribers and their friends. It is still more ideasing to be assured that the latter arc sufficiently numerous to 1111 the Queen’s Hall at any concert. While regretting that the membcis should have deemed it necessary to exclude the public, and to assume an attitude of exclusiveness that must necessarily detract from the popularity which the society has hitherto enjoyed, wc must heartily congratulate them on the success which, wc arc assured, has attended their efforts.

The annual general meeting of the South Canterbury Jockey Club takes place on Monday evening at the Grosvenor Hotel, at 8 o’clock.

In a lit of generosity the otago Harbor Board has resolved to grant the sum of £2O to the parents of the lad who was killed on the Boards reclamation works, as funeral expenses. Captain Logan thought they should consider whether, in passing such a motion, they were establishing a wise precedent ; but other members thought the question of precedent did not apply, and the motion was carried without opposition.

So pleased are the Auckland Gas Company at declaring a 15 P er dividend that they intend reducing th e P r * ce of gas.

The Union Sash and Door Company, at Auckland, have declared a dividend of 10 per cent, carrying forward £3116. At the Hokitika Magistrates’ Court yesterday, J. ]_>. Klein, proprietor of the “ Star,” was charged on the information of T. Trcloar, with°libcl. Defendant stated that he had no knowlcge of the libel before it appeared in his paper, and was prepared through his counsel to apologise and pay the costs, and give up the name of the writer. Tire information was then withdrawn.

A country teacher, writing of one of his truant pupils, says:—he hates the three It’s ; but there is a fourth that he loves with a love that never grows cold, and that is Rabbiting.”

The infant child of Mr Wilson, of Saltwater Creek, who it will be remembered was attacked by a sow and. severely bitten a short time since, has succumbed to the injuries received. It expired last night at the Hospital, the immediate cause of death being blood poisoning. The height of impudence was reached by a Timaru rat to-day. The rodent which was about the size of a small poodle, started from the rear of a solicitor’s oillce, walked slowly and deliberately along the centre of Deswick street, crossed the Main North road and entered Johnstone’s butchery, where he was decapitated. It is believed that the rat, whose stately walk in broad day light was watched by scores of astonished bystanders must, have been bent on self-destruction.

An accident of a serious nature occurred to Mr I’. Stock yesterday. With several others he was coursing between Pleasant Point and the Levels Station. He was following the dogs, and rode straight for what appeared to be a gap in a gorsc hedge, but which turned out, on near approach, to to intercepted with wires. The horse collided with the wires, and Mr Stock was pitched over on his head. After alighting, he got up, staggered a few paces, and finally fell insensible. He was conveyed to town and attended by Dr Hammond, who found him suffering from concussion of the brain. To-day he has shewn signs of returning consciousness, and no serious results are apprehended.

We learnt from the Education office that we were in error in stating (with reference to the telegram received by the Chairman of the Hoard on the subject of reductions) that copies had been sent to the various School Committees. Copies have been sent to the members of the Hoard only and the subject will be discussed at the next meeting on Wednesday next. The contractor for the new wharf, which is to be erected alongside of the breakwater, is losing no time with his work. Although suitable timber is only jnocurable from Australia, he has already obtained a quantity of iron bark piles and driving operations will be commenced without delay.

The attention of those who desire to make a comfortable home in the Colony is called to the announcement over our leader respecting a farm of live hundred acres which is offered as a decided burgain. On Wednesday next the J 'yronic Company, who have lately been pciforming at Wellington, open for a short season in the Theatre Itoyal. Their first performance will be the emotional drama entitled “East Lynne,” which has frequently been burlesqued, but rarely, if ever, properly played in the colony. The leading rule will bo assumed by Miss Clara Stephenson, and as it is said to be one of her best impel sonations, lovers of the drama, familiar with the plot, may look forward to the satisfaction of seeing a play which is periodically murdered, produced in a manner worthy of the gifted novelist to whom it owes its origin. The company comprise fifteen artistes, and as they come direct to Timaru from Wellington and are fresh to the Island, we have no doubt the graceful compliment they have paid our play-goers will realise in return an overflowing house.