NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2359, 8 October 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Our Temuka correspondent informs us that there was great disappointment in that township on Wednesday through the non-ar-rival of the new magistrate—Mr Stratford. A considerable number of litigants assembled at the Courthouse and Messrs Hamersley and White of Timaru drove up in a buggy, while Mr Austin had been preparing his cases from an early hour-. As the time for the opening of the Court arrived and no magistrate the countenances of all parties visibly lengthened and eventually anxiety gave way to the visible delineations of disgust. - Mr Stratford, R.M. passed through Timaru the other day but either, he has not settled down to work or he must have been delayed in the Northern parts of his district. It is to be hoped that he has not yet been swallowed by the angry Ashburtonians,

The fourth annual meeting of the Timaru Boating Club was held yesterday afternoon, Mr W. Stericker in the chair The annual report and balance sheet were considered very satisfactory. The following new members were elected ; —Messrs Thomas. Luson, Henry Mitchell, J. E. Galbraith, and T. Turnbull, The following officers were elected: —President, His Honor Judge Ward; Vice-Presidents, Messrs F. Archer, and P. B. Luxmore; Captain. Mr R. Mackay; Treasurer, Mr Shirtcliffe; Secretary, Mr E. H. Campbell ; Committee, Messrs Hall, Hawkins, Gumming, Turnbull, and Stericker. The usual fortnightly drill of the Temuka Cavalry Troop took place yesterday under Drill-Instructor Scott, of Ashburton. There was a very good muster,- and the members went through their drill in a tolerably successful manner. Part of the drill was gone through with saddle stirrups across in front and at a trotting pace. This had the effect of trying the nerves of the riders and testing their horsemanship, and they were able to keep themselves warm, though a very cold wind was blowing. The Temuka Volunteers went through their drill with great satisfaction in the evening. Our suggestion re the appointment of duly authorised Government auditors has been adopted by the Timaru Permanent Building Society. At their adjourned annual meeting the members resolved to ask the Government to appoint an auditor to inspect their books in future. The boy who was tomahawked by a wild Fijian at Auckland lately is recovering. The Auckland Laborers Mutual Aid Society has been dissolved, the members’ roll having dwindled from ninety to nine.

Mrs [Crowley of the Normal School, Christchurch, has resigned because of the ten per cent reduction.

Drs ’;Hogg and Murdoch have been appointed honorary surgeons to the Timaru hospital. The Armed Constabulary who keep sentry at the Governor’s gate cost the taxpayers £IOOO a year, and yet (says the “N.O. Times ”) the taxpayers are as patient as certain quadrupeds of Oriental origin, and the Ministry are never done practising economy I An 'Auckland telegram states that yesterday the Rev. W. Fletcher, ;8.A., late Wesleyan missionary in Fiji, accompanied by the Rev. W. Wallis, paid a visit to the Fijian murderer, who lies sentenced to death. They found him in a state of ignorance in regard to his spiritual state and regardless of the future. Mr Fletcher revisits him to-morrow. A gentleman in Auckland, who states he is acquainted with the tribe of the group Joe belongs to, says probably more outrages on traders will take place when they become acquainted with his execution.

The Wellington “Chronicle” is responsible for the followinglt is not generally known that during last session there was a strong middle party in the House composed mainly of members who were elected as opponents of Sir George Grey’s policy. Messrs Ormond, Richardson, Wood, Wakefield, Saunders, and Gisborne were supposed to be of the party, and they greatly hampered the Hall Ministry by their exactions. When some of Sir George Grey’s party wore sounded on the question of coalescing with the middle party they bluntly said they would prefer to go over to the Hall party.” Mr W. L. Rees has been engaged in a civil war at Napier. He summoned M. J. Gannon, a Native interpreter, on a charge of using language calculated to provoke a breach of the peace. The language used was Maori, and its meaning was that Mr Rees was a corrupt lawyer and a slave. Further than this Mr Gannon appears to have shaken his fist in Mr Rees’ face, and according to the complainant’s own testimony, to have “ gesticulated frightfully.” Probably Gannon performed an impromptu war dance. One witness thought Gannon was merely “emphasising his words.” A fine of £lO, with the alternative of two months’ imprisonment, was inflicted, and and defendant was also bound over to keep the peace.

The conditions of the Sires Produce Stakes to be run for at the annual meeting of the Geraldine Pacing Club, in 1884, will be found in our advertising columns. The statement that money is extremely scarce in Timaru has received a flat contradiction at the hands of the jewellers who have lately established themselves next the Club Hotel and opposite the old Post Office. These tradesmen have been doing quite a flourishing trade, and windowloads of rare and exquisite attractions in gold, silver and precious stones have had to be repeatedly renewed. A good and attractive article at apparently ruinous figures combined with liberal advertising, is in their case drawing in the current coin of the realm with a rapidity which in these dull times is astonishing.

Pure water, which is the most wholesome of beverages is often a desideration in Timaru. Mr John Trist, sail and tentmaker, has come to the rescue of those who are being slowly poisoned by stagnant cisterns. His Australian water filters are so cheap and efficacious that they ought to be regarded as a household necessity. The apparatus is simple, and being made chiefly of canvas, it is light, portable and durable. By a process of evaporation, similar to that by which ice is produced in India, the water is rendered deliciously cool as well as perfectly pure. Por ten shillings the invaluable household luxury of an abundance of [clear, crystalline, healthgiving drinking water may be had all the year round. Mr i'rist’s filters are universal in Queensland and the Australian colonies, and people who have used them know that they are as essential to domestic comfort as the tea kettle.* As temperance reformers they are simply unapproachable and when housewives begin to know their value they will never be without them.