NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2369, 20 October 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY .

The only case at the Court this morning was one of drunkenness. The rash individual was fined us, with the usual alternative of “ taking it out ” in the lock-up. The Mackenzie Country shepherds held their annual ball at the Burke’s Pass Hotel on Friday evening last. About 130 persons put in an appearance on the festive occasion including 40 or 50 ladies. The sexes were thus rather disproportionately represented it would seem, but at any rate the gathering was as successful as usual and was greatly enjoyed by all present. Dancing was kept up until broad daylight. Messrs Thornton and Brown of Christchurch agreed ,to make a reconnaissance survey of the proposed railway line to the west coast for £IOOO and an effort is to be made to defray the cost by subscription, Mr Robert Graham, the irrepressible dealer in hot springs has secured from a committee of Maori chiefs, a valuable hotel site at Ohinemutu. The Government should take steps to prevent the natural sanatoriums of the colony from passing into private hands. Mr Foden, contractor, who met with an accident on Saturday last by tumbling through a calico verandah and two panes of glass, sustained more serious injury than was at first imagined. Mr Foden has injured his back, and cut his left thigh very badly, and it is probable that he will be laid up for some time to come.

An important fire insurance case has just been decided at Auckland. The Bank of New Zealand sued the Royal Insurance Company for £2850, being the insurance due on certain property destroyed by fire, together with special damages. The policy was for £IBOO, and the company at first proposed to restore the property, but subsecjuently abandoned their intention, hence the additional claim. The case after occupying the Supreme Court for two days terminated yesterday in a verdict for plaintiffs for £IBSO. Exception has been taken to the Judge’s direction by defendant’s counsel.

Te Whiti, the Maori prophet, is said to be suffering from the bite of a dog. For the sake of the Armed Constabulary it is to be hoped the wound will not prove fatal.

At the Palmerston Police Court yesterday Alexander Annan, Philip McCarthy, Mary Hood, and Martin Power were charged with unlawfully distilling spirits on September 28 last. Power pleaded guilty and gave evidence against the others, who were fined £2OO each, or twelve months’ imprisonment. Power was discharged. Notice of appeal was given. A sad accident happened off Crail Bay, Pelorus Sound on Sunday afternoon. A boat containing Mr and Mrs Finnie and two children, Mrs Miller and one child, and Robert Lindsay left the bay for a sail about 1 p.m., and when about a mile from shore a squall suddenly struck the boat and capsized her, throwing the occupants into the water. Mrs Finnie’s two children, aged about one and three years, and Mrs Miller and her child, aged five, were drowned. The rest clung to the boat and when rescued by some persons from a sawmill, were found in a very exhausted state. The bodies of Mrs Miller and Mrs Finnie’s two children have been recovered, and are being brought to Havelock.

Either a live moa or a runaway locomotive are playing high jinks with the people of Southland. Mr John Hay, a Government surveyor at present encamped near the Waiau states that on several occasions at night a ciy, which is supposed to be the call of the moa, has been heard, it is described as something like the whistle of an American engine with a little of the cross-cut saw sharpening melody thrown in at the finish. When once heard it lasted for at least fifteen minutes. Tracks of a bird with claws three feet two inches long, have been found by the cook of this party when out searching for stray sheep, and it is owing to this information, and the noises heard at night, that search parties have started to explore.

The Christchurch “Press” says:—"An Auckland publican has met a fate which he justly deserved, though probably not so much as scores who have hitherto fleeced their victims unawed by the terror of the law.” The local “ Star” says;—At Bega a man named C. Ramusen sued a publican named Maldon for £32 18s, amount of cheque spent on a “ spree ” at Maldon’s public house at Pabula. Plaintiff said he gave his cheque to Maldon, and five days afterwards was told there was only £1 left, for which he received two bottles of grog and 8s to go away. A set-off was put in by defendant for the full amount -part for refreshment and part for cash lent. The set-off was disallowed, only £4 being awarded defendant, for meals and horsefeed. A verdict was given for plaintiff for £2B 18s, and heavy costs.” Our contemporary’s knowledge of the North Island is evidently limited, Bega being in New South Wales, and the scene of a rush at present.

The following rich anecdote appears in the “Taranaki Herald” of Oct. 13: —A case of mistaken identity happened thi morning, in connection with a person who has recently become a bankrupt. It appears that a well-known store-keeper, at the camp - a name-sake of the debtor—was in town last evening, and a number of his creditors, on reading the notice of bankruptcy, jumped to the conclusion that it was “ their man ” who had filed. One creditor was very excited over the supposed loss he had sustained, and, on meeting the supposed debtor, immediately let fly a volley of abuse upon his devoted head, hinting pretty broadly that he was a swindler. The much-abused man perceived at once the mistake which his creditor had made, and, instead of hastening to explain the matter, he confirmed his creditor’s apprehensions by assuring him that the estate would pay 10s in the £. He said he would settle the creditors account by paying 12s 6d in the £ cash if the creditor would accept that amount, which offer was at once embraced. A difficulty occurred, as the supposed debtor had not the full amount of cash on hand to settle the claim, and while he was endeavoring to raise the amount, the creditor “ dropped down” to the little game, and refused to conclude the bargain.

We have received from Messrs P. W. Hutton and Co. the “ New Zealand Turf Review and Coursing Calender for 1879-80.” It is compiled by “ Mazeppa,” sporting editor of the “New Zealand Public Opinion,” and it contains a large amount of sporting information in a small compass. Tenders are invited for the erection of a shop and offices for Mr J. Shepherd. The annual meeting of the Caledonian Society takes place at the Grosvonor Hotel this evening at eight o’clock, to receive the balance-sheet and elect office-bearers for the year ensuing.