NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2392, 16 November 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Mr J. H. H. Sutter lias been re-elected Mayor of Tiiuaru, unopposed.

Another 17ft monolith was shifted this morning, and will be filled in this evening. Only two more sections, about 21 feet, are required to complete the present contract.

At Karori, near Wellington, on Saturday a lad named Craig was killed by his gun exploding while rabbit-shooting. A letter received by the Government from Mete Kingi, in reference to the Tohua Tragedy, states that the murder of Moffat was deliberately resolved on at a meeting of the committee of the district chiefs. A warrant has been issued by the Government for the arrest of the natives concerned in the murder, and the warrant will be executed as speedily as possible, with due regard to existing complications. •

Mr Shanks, M.H.R., was burned in effigy by the Mataura larrikins last evening.

The Premier has started in the Hinemoa on an excursion to Auckland for the purpose of meeting Sir Arthur Gordon

Mr Thomas Calcutt, Government land purchase agent has been, appointed to reform the unemployed system. In consequence of the appoinmtent of Sir F. D, Bell to the office of .Agent-General, Sir W. Fox has been left on the Royal Commission for West Coast Affairs, like the last rose of summer, “all blooming alone.”

The arrival in London of the following vessels is notified :—Alice Muir, from Lyttelton, left July 9th ; Rialto, from Lyttelton, left July 15th ; Lanarkshire, from Lyttelton, left August 9th ; Himalaya, from Timaru, left July 15th ; Leucadia, from the Bluff, left July 21th ; Dunbritton, from Port Chalmers, left August Bth ; Loch Dee, from Auckland, left July HOth.

Some of the schoolmasters of the North have a singular way of diverting themselves. The “ Auckland Star’' of Nov. 8 says:—A pugilistic encounter took place to-day close to the Waterman’s house on the Queenstreet wharf. One of the belligerents was a schoolmaster. On their way along the wharf they got into an altercation, but failing to agree they referred the question to arms, and having a secluded spot proceeded to strike several very heavy blowsfit the wind. Detective Jeffrey, who is always looming on the horizon on these occasions, arrived oh the scene a few minutes after the two distinguished pugilists had settled their difference.

A remarkable phenomenon was witnessed yesterday afternoon by persons who happened to be in the vicinity of the beach and breakwater. About three o’clock something like a formidable tidal wave was seen stretching from the shore and extending seawards as far as the eye could penetrate, and coming apparently from a southeasterly direction. In front, the sea, being moderately calm, was a beautiful bine, but behind the wave, which was edged with white foam, the water for miles out to sea presented a brown clay color. The wave travelled probably at the rate of three knots an hour, and in a short time it had passed the vessels in the wharf and reached the shore. The discoloration, which seemed to be general for a time, disappeared, however, after a short time, the water having evidently settled. Some of those who witnessed the singular spectacle ascribe it to a freshet in one of the southern rivers—probably the Waitaki —but judging from the extent of the discoloration, if it was the result of a flood, it must have been a most extensive one.

The adventures of Mr Hurst, and his Berkshire boar at the recent Auckland Show are thus referred to in the “ Star ”: - - Considerable sensation was ciinsed by the discovery of artificial color on the back of Bertie Savorna, and Mr A. E. Isaacs. lodged a protest against Mr Hurst’s pig receiving the prize. On rubbing the pig’s back with a pocket handkerchief, a considerable amount of coloring matter came off. The judge, stewards, and the general public assembled round the pig. Mr Hurst was asked if coloring had been used, and he said that a llUle lamp Mack and oil bail been used just to make the hair glossy—but that no white spots had been, or could be, concealed thereby. The merits of the case were widely discussed, and there is no doubt that the pig excited more attention during the afternoon than did the champion horse Musket. The employment of any artificial means to improve the appearance of exhibits was universally condemned. The result was, that though the judges did not unanimously approve of disqualifying Bertie Savcrna, the stewards were of a different opinion, and he was disqualified accordingly.