NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2309, 11 August 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The gorse hedge question occasioned a rathcrlivcly discussion in that usually placid body, the bevels Hoad Board yesterday. A letter was read from Mr T. W. Hall, calling attention to the way in which the roads opposite the leasehold property of Messrs Scaly Bros, were overgrown by gorse. The Chairman suggested that action should be taken to compel the growers to clear the roads. One of the members rejoined that he understood tire land was leased for two years from the individual complaining, and suggested that the Board should not play into the hands of any landlord by compelling the tenant to trim his hedges. The Chairman and another member submitted that something would have to be done to prevent the roads from getting obstructed. Eventually, a resolution of a general nature was carried, to the effect that gorse obstructions would not be tolerated, and it was decided that, if necessary, one or two small ratepayers should bo sacriJiccd as a caution to the larger ones.

One of the liberated French Communists from New Caledonia is lecturing in Auckland in defence of the Baris insurrection of 1871.

The body of a man found in the Auckland harbor on Sunday has been identified as that of Henry Bayntorr, air elderly gentleman living on his means. He was near sighted, in the habit of taking a stroll along the wharf, and he is supposed to have plunged in accidentally.

The foundation stone of the new St Marys’ Church will be laid on Thursday, September !). A Service will be held at half past three o’clock on the same afternoon, to be followed by a conversazione tea-meet-ing and conceit at the Mechanics’ Institute in the evening. Major Paul, Sergeant-at-Anm of the House of Representatives who has just resigned his appointment ostensibly because the House reduced his salary to £l5O is said to have bought out the previous Sergeant-at-Arms—Hr Greenwood. It is alleged that the Major gave the doctor two years' salary to retire but this is denied by the friends of the buyer and seller, who say that the Major only gave Hr Greenwood a small sum to-make up for the loss he sustained by retiring sooner than he intended. However that may be the transaction has been more profitable for the seller than the purchaser, for the doctor enjoys his pension for life, granted by a liberal Legislature, while the Major is out of a billet.

An eccentric resident of the Thames named Otter was found in a creek on Sunday

Two Thames miners—both married and with families—named Richard Free and Glasson have been disabled, probably for life, by the accidental explosion of a blast. Free’s eyesight is gone and Glasson’s skull has been laid bare.

The receipts for the Auckland Race Club for the year arc £I(MJ and the balance over expenditure .£857. The Napier Jockey Club shew receipts, £2207 ; balance in hand, £227.

At I’apakuri, near Auckland, a bushman named Dave Livingston has had both of his legs chopped oil" below the knees. The accident occurred through the unfortunate man trying to get into a railway carriage while in motion, and slipping in front of the wheels.

Wm. Bmith, said to be of aristocratic antecedents, and heir to an English estate worth £20,000, has been arrested at Au ckland for issuing valueless chcfpies. The advantages of Auckland as a coaling station for cruisers is to be brought under the notice of the German Admiralty. Everything is quiet at Bamoa.

The “ Taranaki Herald ” hears that the Surveyor-General has telegraphed to the Chief Surveyor, requesting him to meet him on the Waimatc Plains, so that they may go over the land together and make arrangements for surveying. A lire, which ought to have a purifying influence, occurred at. Wellington last evening. One of the gigantic dens of infamy which flourish during the parliamentary session, took fire early in the night,, and in spite of the lire brigades and the seamen of H.M.S. Baleigh, everything but Mrs Baker and her soiled doves was reduced to ashes.

William Lee ex-constable, who was apprehended here recently and remanded to Oamaru on a charge of obtaining board and lodging by false pretences, has been committed for trial.

The Natives of New Plymouth continue to be swept into custody at the rate of four every morning.

A serious accident occurred yesterday afternoon to the stationmaster at St. Andrews. On the arrival of the mixed train from Oamaru to Tiraaru some goods trucks had to be shunted. While this was being done, the engine by some means accidentally collided with the door of the goods shed, which was thrown down with considerable force. The stationmaster, who happened to be behind it, was felled to the ground, and as the door weighs nearly half a ton it was thought he was killed. On being extricated he was found to be stunned and unconscious, but after half-an-hour he rallied, and we understand he is now fairly progressing towards recovery.