South Canterbury Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1880. NEWS OF THE DAY,

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2398, 23 November 1880, Page 2

South Canterbury Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1880. NEWS OF THE DAY,

Sir George Grey’s health is greatly improved. The Hon Mr Hall, Premier, is the guest of the Hon Mr Wnitakcr, the AttorneyGeneral. A man named Richard Owen, who was sleeping alone in the house of Mr W. Kibble Edwards, which was burnt down on. the night of the 14th inst, on the Mount Eden road, has been arrested on a charge of incendiarism. On Saturday last the N.Z. Shipping Company received a cablegram stating that the Araby Maid, which was chartered on their behalf to proceed from London to Port Chalmers had been wrecked at Deal. A Reuter’s message since received states that the ship ran ashore at Kingsdown. She is said to be badly strained, but it is expected should the weather be favorable that most of her cargo will be saved. The crops in many parts of the district, although well advanced are beginning to suffer severely from the drought. At Rangiora the wheat and oats are more forward than around Timaru, and at Orari the grain in some of the paddocks averages from eighteen inches to two feet in height, but unfortunately it is becoming red and discolored. On the Oamaru side of the Waitaki the country looks cheerful, some welcome showers having fallen there recently.

The premises of Mr Houston, ironmonger, were entered by some amateur burglars last evening. The thieves gained admission by a door at the back of the shop which was forced open, and some tins of nails and other goods were tumbled out into the back yard and left there, the pilferers having evidently been disturbed. The only property missed was about ten shillings, which had been abstracted from the till. The iWrJt- 'cordial was also burst open last evening by night prowlers. The padlock was broken and a crate and large box removed. Petty robberies of this kind have been somewhat frequent of late, and it is to be hoped that the police will be able to get on the track of the offenders.

Darriwell’s inglorious position in the Cup race is explained by “ Augur.” It appears that while the horses were at the post waiting for a start, Lothair kicked last year’s Cup winner twice, each time severely, and the victim has been lame ever since. When letting-out with his hind legs Lothair also came within an inch of Grand Flangur.

And so comes degradation! I am not rabidly opposed to payment of|members, as there is some force in the argument that it is a natural corollary of manhood suffrage. But it is an apt illustration of the force of bad example to find a shire counci or proposing and others agreeing, that the council should be paid. The paltry amount demanded, fairly fits the cap of ridicule on the suggestion. The councillor thought that the country members should half a crown per sitting, and those close to the shire hall should be satisfied with eighteenpence. The president spiritedly said that if such a proposal were carried he would have nothing to do with the council. Another councillor disapproved of the proposal because 2s fid was too little, and it was only by six votes fo three that an amendment was carried. It is a coincidence that this shire council is in the heart of the Kelly country!—“ ADgles ” in the “ Australasian.”

Some of the passengers by the north train from Timaru yesterday afternoon, had a series of rather unpleasant adventures. At the station, the train started off with a sudden jerk throwing several of the male passengers face forward into the laps, of the ladies. Fortunately the Maori form of salutation was avoided, for there was no rubbing or colliding of noses; but just as they were recovering their composure a new suprise awaited them. As the train approached the deep cutting near Mrßelfield’s house some mischevious juveniles shied a stone through one of the carriage windows, and the lady who sat opposite was covered with fragments of plate glass. The starting of the train and subsequent annoyance suggest two popular remedies—caution and cow-hide. Mr Symons, the well-known pianoforte tuner is once more in Timaru for a day or two and any orders loft at Small and Clemance’s, will receive his immediate attention. The anniversary of the Loyal Timaru Lodge, No 5308,1.0.0. F., will be celebrated by its members at the Oddfellow’s Hall, to-night, when a tea, concert, and ball will be given. The celebration promises to be most successful. It will be observed from a notification in our advertising columns that residents in want of water will be able to obtain a supply of excellent water for domestic purposes at half the usual cost. At present a large number of tanks arc dry and the opportunity of securing an abundant supply of wholesome water at a moderate price, will no doubt, be largely availed of.