NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2351, 29 September 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

It will probably gratify Mr Bills of Christchurch who is wc understand an enthusiastic acclimatise!- to learn that some of the birds which were liberated “ for a consideration,” in Jonas Hart and Wildie’s rooms on Saturday have since taken wing from their purchasers. In one instance a handsome Sydney parrot which had been accommodated with a new cage, took the chance as soon as he had been fed, watered and placed in the open air, to deliberately open the door of his prison with his beak. He has since being doing the gum trees, hut he shows no iuciinatian to return to his bereaved owner. Other instances of wonderful sagacity on the part of Mr Bills’ small birds could be quoted, and from what we have heard of the numerous escapes, we should imagine Mr Bills will be vigorously prayed for during the ensuing fruit season.

A “ sorrowing parent ” writes to the editor of the “ Dunedin Star ” as follows :—“ Sir, Can you inform me if it is necessary to include freehold allotment in cemetery, including tombstone, in the property assessment schedule?” The editor heads this “ a pertinent enquiry.” James Andrews, the Auckland bellman, has received one month’s imprisonment for stealing a box of tea from the office of the Union Shipping Company. In extenuation he pleaded that ho had been stripped of everything himself, and lie stole the tea in order to raise money to defray the passage of his wife and family from the Thames.

John Gatcly, a brother of the Victorian hangman is almost a permanent inmate of the Dunedin Gaol. His latest sentence was on Monday last when he was sent for a month to his old quarters for stealing 56 lbs of old iron from the Public Works Store.

The following tenders for supplying the Timaru Hospital with necessaries for the half’year ending March 28, 1881, were yesterday accepted : —Groceries, Messrs Taylor and Bowie ; coal and firewood, E. Smith; milk, A. Bonnet; meat, Edmiston and Kidwill ; bread, A. Ritchie; furnishing funerals, J. E. Buckingham. Dr Hogg, the Hospital Surgeon, tendered his resignation, which was accepted. There was another capital house last night at the Theatre Royal to witness the production of a second drama from the pen of Mr Walter Reynolds. This was entitled “ A Christmas Mystery,” and was very well received. Mrs Walter Hill sustained the role of the heroine, and Mr Reynolds that of the chief male character, John Jackson. Mr Musgravc gave a highly successful impersonation of Captain Villicrs. Mr Burford, as a lover, and Mr Clinton as the villain of the piece, were also successful. The remaining characters do not call for special mention. To-night another of Mr Reynolds’ dramas will be produced entitled “The Sprissann.”

A lecture in Dunedin on the “ social evil” delivered by Miss Lottie Wilmot on Sunday night, was largely patronised by ladies.

The Dunedin suburbs arc becoming highly inflammable. The Standard Insurance Company will have to pay £2OO to Wm Grasby, of South Dunedin, in consequence of the alleged upsetting of a kerozene lamp. The relationship between kerozene lamps and insurance policies is becoming a matter of common comment.

A Gisborne telegram states that over 500 natives assembled at Tologaßay to commemorate the death of a chief. Speechmaking was freely indulged in and further land selling and leasing along the coast was strongly denounced. Lyttelton is agitating for a Resident Magistrate.

Messrs Matson and Co of Christchurch have received a letter from their clients in England stating that the first sample packet of New Zealand hops fetched £8 per cwt in the English market.