NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2460, 5 February 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

At a meeting of the Executive Council yesterday, the Bth and 22nd of March, were fixed definitely as the dates for collecting the property tax. The victims will therefore have to brace themselves for the imposition. The Collector of Customs of New Plymouth has caused some of the illegally manufactured whisty of that district to be tested. It turns out to be about fifty-four underproof, and is altogether very queer stuff,

A notorious character named John Connell was arrested at Ashburton yesterday, on suspicion of being concerned in the late robbery at the North Rangitata Hotel, last Wednesday night. The accused wil be brought up at the Geraldine R.M. Court on the charge. The most cruel thing in connection with the Boycotting case in Ireland, is said to have been the merciless onslaught made on Boycott’s poultry yard, by the troops that were sent to guard his property. Police sentinels were told off to guard the feathered spoil, but the result was that the fowls disappeared all the faster, the soldiers and policemen mutually sharing the plunder,

The Eev Mr Lindsay, and Mr Moody,' having been nominated for the vacant seats on the Educarion Board without their consent, have declined to stand. The choice of the Committees at the forthcoming election, will be limited therefore to ten candidates instead of twelve.

At an adjourned meeting of the Timaru Mechanics’ Institute held" last evening, the. President, Mr Jackson, in the chair. The fo'lowing resolutions were'carried : That sufficient foundation must be included in amount specified in the general conditions to architects, as no extras will be allowed for the same beyond the contract price. —That the architect be instructed to call for tenders for the Mechanics’ Institute, according to plans and specifications prepared by him, as early as possible.

With reference to the jilted Timaru swain whose morsel of loveliness has been stolen from his lips by a spruce young ship’s officer, and to whose disappointment ,we referred in our issue of last evening, it has since come to our knowledge that a new cottage in a central part of the town, neatly and tastefully furnished, together with an elaborate and costly bride cake awaiting the fickle but faithless one.

It would appear by the following paragraph from the “Daily Telegraph” that persons visiting the Hot Springs would do well to exercise a little more than ordinary caution as to where they place their feet. Our contemporary says that Richard Wood, son of a resident at Hastings,who is on a visit to Taupo, accompanied by Mr McLeod of the same place, while visiting the springs iu the vicinity of the Crowe's Nest sank through a thin crust of earth into boiling water, scalding himself above the knees. Had it not been for his companion being near more serious consequences would have ensued.

Messrs Robert Wilkin and Co will hold their fourth wool sale of the season, at their wool stores, Hereford Street, Christchurch, on Feb 22.

A Board of Reviewers, to hear and determine objections in respect of property assessed under the Property Assessment Act, 1879. will meet as follows: —At the R.M. Courthouse, Geraldine, at 11 o’clock on Monday next, for the Geraldine and Mount Peel Road Districts ; at the Courthouse, Temuka, at 11 o’clock on Wednesday, for the Temuka Road District; and at the Courthouse Timaru, on Friday, for the Levels and mount Cook Road Districts and Timaru Borough.