NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2459, 4 February 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

We learn that the author of the design for the new] Mechanics’lnstitute, which has been approved of by the Committee is M. De H. Duval.

Captain Hume, the new Inspector of Gaols is going in for economy. He has ordered the construction of baths at Mount Eden so that prisoners may be shampooed in the highest style of art.

Judges Johnston and Williams have ruled that trustees in bankruptcy are personally responsible for costs in suing or being sued as trustees.

Some splendid catches of mullet or what arc generally known as New Zealand herring are at present being made oil the breakwater. The fish are in fine condition and of unusual size varying from that of a full-grown herring to a good sized salmon trout.

A contemporary says that only the other day a man in Ilecfton endeavored to “Art Union” a horse and cart and a cow. It would be difficult to say what particular denomination of “ Art” a spavined horse or kicking cow fall under, but the effort, for a wonder did not succeed.

The concert given by the Tiinaru Harmonic Society at Trinity Presbyterian Church last evening, in aid of the funds of the Benevolent Society, proved a failure. This is much to be regretted though it can hardly occasion surprise, A good programme was prepared and in defiance of an empty building the musicians, sinccrs, and instrumentalists, acquitted themselves most creditably. We are unable to supply an elaborate criticism because our representative like the public was not invited. On several occasions we have suggested that the Harmonic Society are neither consulting their own or the public advantage in hiding their light under a bushel. If they desire their festivals to become popular they must invite their audiences in the usual way and include the lull-poster.

The Dunedin School Committee, which comprises an extraordinary compound of Plymouth Brethren, rigid Presbyterians, and Fr ethinkers have decided to let out the public schools of the city on Sundays for religious instruction, a nominal charge of 2s Od being made for the first room, and Is for each additional room that may be required. An application for the use of one of the schools for a Children’s Lyceum or Freethinkers’ Sabbath School occasioned a warm discussion, but eventually the concession was granted, the Rev Mr Green alone dissenting.

We have the authority of the Patea “ Mail ” for stating that an action for alleged breach of promise of marriage by Mr J. Fisher, M.H.R., is soon to afford fun for those ladies whose hearts haven’t been broken, and for those swains who have not had the courage to make a promise yet. The jilted plaintiff in this case lays her damages at two thousand pounds.

Some remarkable manifestations of the power of an American broom and a piece of plate glass were obtained (says the “ Nelson Mail ”) on Saturday, Jan., 2S, by a party of sceptical gentlemen who went to interview the “ electric boy ” now on exhibition in Bridge street. Under the conditions proscribed by the proprietary this remarkable youth succeeds in administering a shock to anyone shaking hands with him, but his visitors found that by placing the broom they found in the room, or the piece of glass they took with them, on the floor, and then standing upon either of them, the expected shock was delayed so long that they had to give it up in despair and left without it. The gentleman who •‘runs’’the “electric boy ” was not well pleased at the results, and indulged in a little vigorous language that shocked the bystanders, but that was the only shock experienced.

With reference to the export of frozen meat, the " Oamaru Mail” writes “ The Hon Robert Campbell fully recognises the advantages that are to be derived from joining in the competition. He will, within the next two months, pay a visit to Great Britain, and he has signified his intention of there making arrangements to secure a steamer to take a trial shipment of frozen meat from this port. So convinced is he of the advantages that would accrue from establishing this trade with Great Britain that he is prepared, if necessary, to bear the total expense of making the experiment. At the R.M. Court this morning before R. Beetham, Esq., R.M.,George Waters was charged by Joseph Loins and G. A. Oborn, assistant bailiffs, with assaulting them. It appeared from the evidence that the complainants visited the defendant’s house for the purpose of levying a distress for rent, and were, as they alleged, struck by him. The defendant asserted that the complainants had made use of objectionable language to him and provoked htm. The Court at this stage was adjourned for half-an-hour for the production of a witness, but when called she was unable to throw any light on the matter. His Worship told the defendant that he had evidently acted in a very high-handed manner, and was certainly to blame. He would be fined 40s for each assault and might consider he had had a narrow squeak at that. A civil case, Press Association v Robert Wood, claim £8 5s for telegrams, supplied to the “ Evening Telegraph,” and in which the defendant’s evidence is to be taken for sending to Wellington, was adjourned until Wednesday next at 10 a.m. The Court then adjourned.

“ Three-card men ” have the reputation of being particularly smart, and to “ have” one of the fraternity is considered equal tc the impossible task of “ taking the breeks off a Hielanman.” Yet at Palmerston races on Saturday the “Wanganui Herald” noticed a guileless countryman work a point which cost the manipulator of the cards six notes. The countryman wetted the corner of a bank note, and on looking at the cards managed to press the tiny piece of wet paper on the back of the knave. The mark was not visible except by looking closely at the backs, and although the trick was seen by all the spectators, the most interested, the professional, failed to notice it. The consequence was that the countryman managed to spot the knave six times, and won £1 each time. The crowd round were highlydelighted st the Egyptian being spoiled. The run of luck (?) was too much for the the pro,, and he concluded to retire from the business, a poorer but not a wiser man. A watchmaker at Copenhagen, of the name of Sondcrberg, is reported to have made a watch which requires no winding up, inasmuch as it performs that work itself by means of an electric current. An electric magnet fixed inside the watch keeps the spring perpetually in a slate of tension. All that is required to keep the watch going is to preserve the battciy in proper working order, for which purpose one or two inspections in a twelvemonth is said to be sufficient.

The dry weather that has lately prevailed has made good .fresh water a desideratum in many parts of Timaru, and of course the drying up of tanks has given an impetus to water-carting. W’th the view of turning the water famine to good account an enterprising purveyor oi spring wells and pump juice has taken a lease of Cliff’s deep shaft at the old mill. A portable steam engine with sundry iron tanks has been erected, and the public can have their barrels or tanks filled with Timaru mountain-dew at a mere fraction of what they have hitherto had to pay for it. Full particulars as to charges will be found in another column.