NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2365, 15 October 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

It is stated that the Government have no intention of removing Mr Beetham R.M. from Timaru.

Mata is going up rapidly in the Melbourne betting market, being now backed for the Cup at 100 to 5.

An Adelaide telegram announces the arrival of the Orient Co’s steamer Orient from Plymouth.

An inquest was held on the body of the infant child of Mr Story of Temuka, on Wednesday. The child was suffocated by turning on its face while asleep. A verdict of accidental death was returned.

After two days moderate rain the weather cleared up to-day. The effect on reads and footpaths has been temporarily disastrous, for mud and shingle wont bind, but the country presents a most cheerful aspect.

It is stated that the new Temperance Hotel in process of erection next door to Coker’s Hotel in Christchurch, although a large three-story building will only have one entrance from the street. Not being a licensed house, the authorities are said to be powerless. Should a fire occur in such an establishment a cremation of lodgers such as occurred in the Octagon, Dunedin, about a year ago, will be inevitable. What are the use of building regulations if they cannot be applied in such cases? An imposter named Jackson, who is known as a frequent drunk and disorderly, has been arrested at Christchurch for going round with a list to collect subscriptions on behalf of one John Brown who had lost one hand by a surf-boat accident at Timaru, and wished to procure a hook in its place. Jackson had obtained about 15s mostly in sums of one shilling or less. When arrested he had about 8s in his possession, and had evidently spent the remainder in a “spree.’

Captain Steele of Auckland has accepted the Land Board’s modified terms for the sale of the Te Aroha block to Messrs Grant and Foster’s colonist party, on the promise that Thomas [Bussell's title should be extinguished. Mr Stratford, E.M. has been permanently appointed Magistrate for the district of Greymouth, Hokitika, and Nelson Southwest Goldfields, vice Mr James Mackay.

The house built for Eewi by the Government at Kihikihi is about completed. A large quantity of furniture has been sent up from Auckland for it, and workmen have been detailed to lay the floor-cloths and carpets, &c, and see that the place is properly fitted up as a residence for a chief. Although a circular has been issued to railway employes intimating that “privilege tickets” enabling them to travel at one fourth ordinary passenger rates are to be abolished, intimation has since been received that the issue of such tickets is to continue in the meantime, the matter being still under consideration.

A committee has been appointed at Christchurch to report on the feasibility of constructing a railway to the West Coast via Cannibal Gorge.

Captain Thompson, of Dunedin, reports that there was an earthquake wave on the 7th inst. at the Heads. The water is said to have risen 18 inches.

The Dunedin Chamber of Commerce have adopted a petition to the President and Congress of the United States, asking for such a reduction of the duty on imported wool as would foster increased commercial intercourse between that country and the Australasian colonies.

William Forsyth, a workman at Findlay’s timber factory, Dunedin, had his thigh broken by some heavy logs which rolled down on him yesterday. He would have been crushed to death but for the logs providentially crossing each other.

The “ Otago Daily Times” understands that the dismissal of Mr Inspector Mallard has had the careful consideration of the Cabinet, on the representation of the Otago members, who viewed it with great regret. It seems, however, that in the opinion of the Defence Minister no intelligible rule could be adopted in making reductions but that of seniority. Strong remonstrances have been received by the Government against every one of the twelve dismissals.

Operations at the Breakwater continue at a standstill in consequence of the want of a scoop dredge and the continuation of fine weather. The workmen have now been idle for upwards of a fortnight. This continued delay is to be regretted seeing that a dredge could have been made in the colony in a few weeks. We understand that the contractor declines going ahead with the block-laying and leaving the monolith to be finished in large sections after the blocks have finally subsided, as he deems the risk of damaging a £3OOO crane rather a serious responsibility.

Mr Witt, confectioner and pastry baker, has a substantial grievance. An old customer, measuring six loot odd, who owes him a debt of eight pounds and from whom no money has ever been extracted, entered his shop to-day in a beastly state of intoxication, and being expelled, deliberately sat down on the shop window and distributed a large pane of glass on the top of the pastry within. This is the second time that the same impecunious customer has smashed Mr Witt’s windows. The inebriate after the occurrence, was carted away by a constable. The “ Taranaki Herald” says : —“ Parihaka is at present in a filthy state, and fears are entertained that another epidemic similar to that of last year will break out amongst the Natives. We learn that a death occurred there yesterday under circumstances which would point to the presence of fever. Additional cause for alarm is to be apprehended from the fact that the Armed Constabulary camp is at present in the immediate vicinity of the Native settlement, and the epidemic would almost inevitably spread among the ranks of the Constabulary.”

A meeting of the 1.0.0. P., M.U., was held at the Royal Hotel, Temuka, on Wednesday. The following officers were present :—N.G. Were, V.G. Leach, P.G. Elliot, Secretary Louis, and Treasurer H. Hears; also a good number of other members. Bro 0. Louis stated that a branch of this lodge would be opened at Woodbury in a few days, when as many brethren as could find it convenient were expected to to attend. A dinner would be provided at Mr Baker’s Hotel, and the ceremony would wind up in the evening with a ball. A vote of thanks was given to Bro Louis for his efforts in the cause of Oddfellowship. Bro Louis responded in very suitable terms, and added that the branch would be opened by the district officer from Lyttelton.

The “ Southland Times ” denies that Mr M'Culloch, R.M. at Invercargill, is to be superannuated. The Owake, schooner, Captain Purdie, arrived from Dunedin this afternoon, and moored off the Breakwater. The Owake brings 400 casks cement for the Harbor Board, and some general cargo in addition.

A very curious wager was made at the Canterbury saleyards on Wednesday in relation to the weight of two heifers. Mr Judge, a well known Lincoln resident, bet Mr J. Sharp, also a resident of the same place, that a certain pair of heifers did not weigh UOOlbs. £SO a-side was staked in the hands of Mr James Stark, and the beasts were duly weighed yesterday morning, when it was found that Mr Judge was the winner ot the stakes. Very great interest was taken in the affair, and upwards of £SOO changed hands over the event.

Referring to the delay in getting out the lifeboat, when the Susanue Godeffroi was wrecked, the “ Sydney Morning Herald” says:—“ The demon of routine, or worse — an utterly incompetent management—stood in the way, and under the plea of caution or discretion the ill-fated Susanne Godeffroi and her still more ill-fated crew were left to perish or save themselves if they could. This sort thing has been allowed to go on too long. Newcastle must either have a real lifeboat service or else publish to the world that she is unable to maintain one.”

It is said of a certain Australian seaport during the goldfever that when a man made his appearance in the streets the children would set up a howl of “ Oh, mother, here’s a man.” New Zealand is xikely to be soon reduced to the same condition for we learn that the ships Opawa, Pleione and Wanganui have left home with Government immigrants. The Opawa, lor Canterbury, has 151 single women on board; the Wanganui for Auckland, 113 ; and the Tleione for Wellington, 112 ; or a total of 109 of the weaker sex, are thus to be added to the population of the country by the arrival of these vessels.

Messrs Wildie, Allan and Stumbles hold their opening sale of horses, drays, harness, &c., at their Bazaar, Beswick street, tomorrow.

Dr Wilkins desires us to mention that he will be prepared to see patients at the Grosvenor hotel up to 3 p.m. to-morrow when he leaves for Christchurch, As will be observed by advertisement the Camera Obscura will be open to the public for the last time to-morrow. We can recommend lovers of the pictorial to avail themselves of the chance of _ seeing this really wonderful and instructive novelty. We understand that the local School Committee have conceded to the proprietor the privilege of erecting the Camera for a few days next week on the school reserve, for the entertainment of the teachers and children attending the establishment, and we have no doubt that the treat, for which only a nominal charge is to be made will be appreciated.

The sale of jewellery at McCorkindale and Seller’s closes to-morrow and the Art Union will be drawn in a few days. Attention is directed to the announcement of an extensive shipment of choice wines, brandies, ales, <fec., which has just been transferred from the Lurline to the hold of the Ship Hotel. Oapt. McGuinness warrants his old Tawney port and Amontilado Sherry to surpass any luxury of the kind that has yet been introduced to South Canterbury. As for his aged_ brandy he boasts that it is milder than milk, stronger than a lion, and will put life hito the lifeless.