South Canterbury Times. SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 1880. NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2306, 7 August 1880, Page 2

South Canterbury Times. SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 1880. NEWS OF THE DAY.

Henry Green’s produce store in Great Xing street, Dunedin, was reduced to ashes on Thursday night. Insurance £IOO. An inquest on Airs Young, who was murdered at Kyeburn, Otago, was commenced yesterday and adjourned. It is reported that two strange Chinamen disappeared on the morning of the murder, and the police arc after them.

The coroner at Hokitika, while holding an inquest an a wood-splitter named AVm. Taylor, who died from heart disease, made out a warrant for the burial of the hotelkeeper, at whose house the inquest was held, in mistake for the deceased. It is satisfactory to learn that the warrant was executed.

The Collector of Customs at Lyttelton has refused to give up tire Annabella’s papers till the men’s wages are paid who refused to go to sea in her. Other hands have been shipped in their place, and the vessel is only waiting for her papers to sail. An agitation is going on among the Justices of Christchurch for the appointment of a second liesident Magistrate. Mr Beswick is to be recommended for the post Pending the decision of the Government a roster of Justices will be formed to assist Mr Hellish.

John Backstraw was arrested at 10 last night, on the Wellington wharf, with 83lbs of tobacco in his psssession, which he is supposed to have smuggled. The report of the Eailway Commissioners’ has been denounced by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, and the people of Palmerston North.

Good news concerning the rushes to the West Coast continues to arrive. At the Seventeen Mile Beach, to the north of Grcymouth, Byrne and party, who have been working on the south side of Forgan’s Creek, obtained 81bs lozs of gold from a ton of washdirt. It is supposed the lead will extend for some miles along the base of the Paparoa Ranges. An Auckland nurseryman has had five hundred choice trees barked and destroyed in less than a week by two industrious hares. A consignment of such hares for the benefit of southern planters would be of priceless value to many a nurseryman who finds a difficulty at present in getting a reasonable price for his produce.

John Palmer, late schoolmaster in Canterbury,who arrived in Hokitika on Saturday is missing from his hotel since Tuesday. He left his luggage, and also money to pay his bill. The police have been in active search, but up to the present have found no trace of him. There are reasons to think that his mind was disturbed on private matters.

The Auckland teachers must be a lazy lot. The school committee bitterly complain of their frequent absence through sickness. The Canterbury unemployed who went to Auckland in the Hinemoa some time since, are choosing land about fourteen miles from Whangard, and they arc all well satisfied with their prospects.

Mr Symons, the; well known pianoforte tuner, will Ire in Timaru again on Monday. An adjourned general meeting of the S.G.J.C. will be held at the Grosvcnor Hotel on Monday evening.