NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2412, 9 December 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

A Government township is to be laid off at Lake Rotorua.

Captain Hume, the new Inspector of Prisons, will shortly enter on his duties. Nelson gaol will be the first inspected, after which he makes a complete round of the South Island prisons.

The dispute between the Hawke’s Bay natives and Mr Sutton over the Omaranui block is likely to be settled by arbitration, the natives, who are to be allowed to harvest their crops, receiving a larger block in exchange.

Petca, an old Maori, and one of the prisoners recently liberated at Dunedin, was discovered drowned yesterday in a small tributary of the Waiwakau river. He was heard leaving his whare on the previous night, and he is supposed to have walked into the river in his sleep.

No further tidings have been received regarding the boat which left Cape Campbell for Wellington on the 29th ult, and it is feared the occupants have been drowned. The names of the men were Leandro Teodoli, Francesco Mori, and Christi Nicholas.

The “ Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette ” (Adelaide) waxes exultant over the fact that Hanlan has beaten Trickctt. It says that “ sensible people have for some time past been tired of the perpetual desire in Australia to set up and grovel before athletic demigods.” Pressing engagements in America prevent Dr Peebles from presenting himself before the Auckland spiritualists, otherwise than in the spirit, but Professor Dutton will shortly visit them in the flesh. W. A. Simmons, a trance medium, contemplates turning his trances into hard cash by commencing a lecturing tour. A young fellow named A. P. Cox, employed on Mr Ford’s Arowhenua station was yesterday guilty of foolhardiness for which he had to pay. It seems that when riding over the Temuka bridge his hat blew off into the stones of the river bed beneath. The rider dismounted from his horse and jumped down after his hat, a distance of fifteen feet. On regaining the bridge he found that he had left his whip behind him and so jumped down again into the river bed, this time alighting on his back, and sustaining serious injuries. Fortunately assistancs soon arrived and the sufferer was removed to the Crown Hotel, when Dr Gumming was speedily in attendance. The extent of Cox’s injuries are hardly known as yet.

The prosecution of nine publicans at Wellington yesterday for neglecting to destroy or deface beer-duty stamps, resulted in the infliction of fines amounting to font shillings. The bench apparently had a delicacy in inflicting any penalty at all.

A serious accident occurred at Pleasant Point yesterday morning. Mrs Thomas Powell went to the township leaving two children at home. On her return she found the eldest aged four years severely burned, its clothes having caught fire and being completely burned from its body. Dr Macintyre was sent for, and although at first the injuries appeared to almost forbid the hope of recovery, we learn that to-day the child is progressing favorably

On November 30 Dr Madden called attention in the Legislative Assembly of Victoria to the fact that at Sandhurst a girl aged twelve had been sentenced to three weeKs’ imprisonment consequent on her inability to pay a fine imposed on her for having removed a slip-rail without the authority of the owner of the land over which she had driven her cattle. The “ Age” says the recital of this act of magisterial severity caused an evident feeling of indignation amongst hon members. The Attorney-General, amidst cheers, said that he would inquire into the matter, and order the girl’s release from custody at the earliest possible moment.

The Editor of the “ Otago Daily Times” who is evidently able to speak with authority on the subject after inveighing bitterly against the unemployed as “ loafers, ” “ idlers,” “ rapscallions ” and “ traitors,” concludes a long article, replete with the choicest Billingsgate, as follows': —“ It is absolutely necessary that, even at the cost of a little hardship, the working ciasess should be taught self-reliance; anfi we are perfectly certain that in this fine Colony no really capable and industrious man need be long out of work.” The writer of such sentiments ought to pny that he may never have to break windows for a living. A general meeting of the South Canterbury Caledonian Society took place last night at the Grosvcnor Hotel. Present — Messrs J. Bruce, president (chairman), Meikle, Sinclair, Ford, Bell, Maclean, J. R. Jones, Fraser, and Fergusson. A letter was rend from the secretary to the Friendly Societies, asking the society to unite with them in fencing and mowing the ground, and in erecting a band stand. Resolved—- “ That Messrs Jones, Meikle, Bell, Sinclair, Ford, and D. Stuart be a Ground Committee, and that they confer with the Friendly Societies and arrange with them re preparing the ground.” It was resolved to provide seats for ladies on the ground, to be ticketed specially. Resolved—- “ That the gates and privileges at the society’s gatherings be sold by Messrs Maclean and Stewart on December 20.” The meeting then adjourned until December 22 at the same hour and place.

We have received a copy of the Southern Provinces Almanac, Directory and Diary for 1881, printed at the “ Times ” office Christchurch. The 250 pages of closely printed and tabulated matter is well arranged and replete with useful informa" tion. A plan of Christchurch and suburbs forms an appropriate frontispiece. The contents include the usual statistical information relative to local bodies, Friendly Societies, national education, immigration, etc. One of the imposing features of the work is New Zealand’s magnificent pension list, representing how £21,2(52, or the interest on half a million of the colonial debt, travels annually into the pockets of a few individuals who are mostly rolling in wealth. For some reason, however, which seems inexplicable at present, the Hon Dr Pollen with his pension of £4lB 15s a year is omitted from the list of destitute persons receiving State relief. The sporting community have their requirements attentively studied, for the almanac combines a year book with its other versatile accomplishments. To the farmer, the gardener, the cook, and the housewife it has many attractions. In a word it is well compiled, neatly arranged, beautifully printed, and altogether a credit to the “ Times ” office.

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 are recommended to address themselves to tlm old and reliable firm. No further evidence of the invariable good quality of their manufactures will be required beyond the following facts ; The firm was established in 1849, 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. [Advt.J