NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2404, 30 November 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

A inquest was held yesterday afternoon before 11. Beetham, Ksq., and a jury, at Blcasant Point, touching the death of Alexander Murray Bell, a grandson of the late Louis Baddon, who was drowned while attempting to cross the Opihi river. A verdict of accidental death was returned. Some larrikins at Bakaia have been amusing themselves by smashing the windows of the new manse now in course of erection there by Messrs Kimbcll and Sharp. A cottage, the property of Mr Kitnbel, has also suffered similar injury. A considerable amount of damage has been done. The police are confident of tracing the offenders.

The “N. Z. Herald” pays the following compliment to the hands belonging to the Herman warship ITyanc, which left Auckland for Samoa on Nov 17. During the vessel’s stay at this port, her crew, from captain downwards, acquired the respect of all, and formed many friendships. For physique, good manners, education, and tidiness, they have never been excelled by any vessel of any nation that has ever visited Auckland.

What has caused Sir Julius Vogel all of a sudden to break out in profuse liberality to the Industrial school and other educational institutions asks a writer in the “ Dunedin Star ? “In the name of the prophet figs!” But after all the “ cask of figs ” —a curious way of packing them we thought at the time —turns out to have been a box of toys and it is explained by our contemporary that a typographical error is responsible for the delusion which certainly puzzled the public mind. Is there more that meets the eye in these pleasing offerings ? Do they presage the return of Sir Julias in time for the general election at the end of next year ?

A special meeting of the Borough ('ouneil was held last evening. His Worship the Mayor presiding. The meeting was called to consider a proposed deviation of tire water-race near tire reservoir. The engineer was in attendance , and explained tire matter to tire Council. Six acres of land he said would be required to carry out the alteration. A letter was read from the trustees of the Landsborongh Estate offering to supply the land at £2.5 per acre. Tire offer was accepted. Thomas Elliott, of Oainaru, wrote asking to be released from Ids contract (lately accepted) for cutting water-pipes, and further, requesting the return of Iris £lO deposit. It was resolved to accept the next lowest tender for the work. The consideration of the return of the deposit was deferred until next meeting. Mr Alfred Saunders, is strongly of opinion that Canterbury is not fairly represented. At a meeting at Ashburton the other day he said:—“l desire to call attention to the influence of Canterbury members in tire Mouse of Bcprcsentatives. The flist thing to do is to see that Canterbury is properly represented, which she is not at present. Taking the basis of population, Canterbury is entitled to six more members, and even in the proposed Representation Act introduced by the so-called Canterbury Government, provision is only made for four new members, and the representation of other parts of the colony is at the same time largely increased. This is a matter of such great importance, affecting as it does every measure brought forward, that I think every care should be taken to have it thoroughly ventilated.

The relath es of the late L. R. lladdon and Alexander Bell desire to publicly express their sense of heartfelt gratitude to the many friends who took part in fulfilling the sad duties entailed by the late fatal accident. Especially do they thank those who so disinterestedly searched for the body of the unfortunate child, and by-whoso untiring efforts the terrible agony of suspense has been removed from the minds of his sorrowing parents. A singular dilliculty has arisen in connection with an enquiry held at the end of last week ir the recent fire at Mount Eden road, in which Mr Edward’s house was burnt down, and for which Edward Jameson is in custody on a charge of incendiarism. When the inquest was nearly finished it was discovered that the foreman of the jury was the local agent of the New Zealand Insurance Company, in which the burnt buildings were insured for UioO. It is expected the proceedings will have to be gone through over again.

The Wanganui “Herald” of Nov. 20 published the following paragraph “ News reached town this morning that the Native owners of the land in the neighborhood of Tokano have tomahawked 100 sheep belonging to Messrs Morrin and Company. The land on which the sheep have been running has not passed through the (Joint, and the land speculators have not a shadow of title to it. Notice was given to remove the sheep by Tawhiri Matia and others who claim ownership of the land. Their right was questioned, so Tawhiri and his co-owners decided to exercise their right and proceeded to kill the sheep. 'The land-ring, who have coolly taken possession of vast tractsof country in the interior, arc beginning to find out that even a friendly Government cannot protect them when they arc trespassers. The days of Native nr fenced runs without title and no rent seem to be closing.”

The Sydney papers contain particulars of (he case in which a young man named John Cadman obtained £2 from Sir Alfred Stephen, by the presentation of a letter of introduction purporting to hoar the signature of Sir William Eitzherbert. Ivt., Speaker of the Legislative Council of Now Zealand. The letter introduced Cadman as the son of “an old college friend of mine,” the Rev. William Cadman, of Holy Trinity, Regent’s Park, London, and Prebendary of iSt. Paul's. It also stated that the defendant had been in the employ of Sir William. From what Sir Alfred had since learned by -communication with Sir William, and by other means, he looked on the letter as a tissue of falsehoods. Mr James Townsend, an ironmonger, residing at Ultimo, and Mr Chari cs R. Buckland, secretary to the Australian Museum, stated that they each well knew Sir William's handwriting, and that it was in no way like that of the letter which formed the subject matter of the prosecution. A general meeting of the Timaru and Temuka contingents of the C.Y.C. Corps will bo held at Temuka this evening. Tins being St Andrew's Day, the people of St Andrew’s have decided to celebrate it this evening by a tea, concert, and dance. Tea will be on the tabic at (> p.m., and the concert will take place at <S p.m. Special train arrangements have been made for the accommodation of Timaru visitors.

Special attention is called to the price list of the Rodanow Manufacturing Co., of Boston, published in these columns. All those wishing to secure an excellent and correct timekeeper arc recommended to address themselves to this old and reliable linn. No further evidence of the invariable good quality of their manufactures will he required beyond the following facts . The firm was established in LSI!), and since then have gained prize medals at the Exhibitions of London, Paris, Vienna, etc., for excellence of manufacture. They are appointed, by warrant, watchmakers to the Queen of England, Prince of Wales, the Emperor of Russia and the Bey of Tunis. fAdvt.J