South Canterbury Times, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1881. NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2462, 8 February 1881, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1881. NEWS OF THE DAY.

— A man named Dias was killed yesterday at Wanganui by the capsizing of a dray. At the annual meeting of the Canterbury Saleyards Company, the profit, after paying five per cent divided for the half year, was shown to be £-188 3s Id. The Wellington Dench has reproved the police by dismissing three informations for playing games of chance on the race-course. This will put a stop to needless interference with harmless recreations for the future. The Timaru Side School, which is situated to the south of the town, near the main entrance to the public park, and has been built expressly for the use of the younger children in that neighborhood, was opened yesterday. During the forenoon the attendance reached 120, but later on new additions gradually made their appearance, till eventually the school roll reached 150. Such a large attendance on the opening day shows that the school has not been erected before it. was wanted. It is to be regretted that the Education Doard, however, have already begun to exercise their traditional stinginess in dealing with this school. Although a neat and somewhat handsome building has been erected, it is situated in a wilderness of tussocks and wild Irishmen. At their last meeting the Board decided to clear the school grounds, and tenders were called for the purpose. The lowest tender was £ll, and instead of accepting it the Board coolly buttoned their pockets and offered the School Committee £5 wherewith to do the work. Comment is unnecessary.

The Timaru School Committee after a somewhat animated debate last evening, resolved on division by four to three to bring the compulsory clause of the Education Act into force. In. favor of the proposition it was urged that there were a considerable number of neglected children in the neighborhood, that the opening of the Timaru Side School provided ample accommodation for an increased attendance, and that the larger the roll the greater would be the revenue. On the other side it was contended that the cost of education should not be increased, that domiciliary visits on the part of the police would occasion a great deal of unpleasantness, and that unless very gross negligence could be shown parents should not be interfered with. It was also suggested that the resolution should be postponed in order that householders might have the opportunity of expressing their wishes. The chairman considered the passing of the resolution would have a wholesome eifect in cases of negligence, and the motion was carried, an amendment “ that the compulsory clause be not put in force in the meantime” being lost.

Dr. Walker, surgeon of the Armed Constabulary force, expired at Taupu on 'Christmas Day at the early age of 38, and after distinguished service in the colonial army for a period of 18 years. He. bore the decoration of the Victoria Cross for bravery under fire.

The following advertisement, which we clip from tit; Dunedin “ Star,” indicates a step in the right direction ; “ Dr. Hoskiug, Public Vaccinator; Port Chalmers, wishes to vaccinate a healthy heifer from another fur the purpose of obtaining pure vaccine lytnp. One guinea offered for use of suitable animals, which must be absolutely healthy.” Little boys who arc in the habit of playing beneath tee timbers of the new wharf at the Breakwater should take warning from a fatal accident that oocurr d at the Bluff last evening. A telegram states that a boy named McQuarric, aged eight, was in company with some other lads playing about the wharf when he fell into the water and was drowned.

The Cemetery Board met at I p.m. yesterday, Mr J. H. Sutter in the chair. Accounts amounting to £137 4s lOd were passed for payment, The Secretary stated that the balance in the bank was £679 12s lOd against which was to be set the above sum of £137 4s lOd, and other liabilities amounting to £383 6s. Mr Ormsby wrote resigning his scat on the Board. The letter was ordered to be sent to the Government, in whom the power of making appointments is vested. A general meeting of the members of the Rocket Brigade was bold last night, Captain Mills in the chair. The election of officers resulted in the appointment of Air J. E. S. Jackson as first lieutenant, Mr F. Clarkson as second lieutenant, and four members were recommended as petty officers. Mr E. Wood tabled a notice of motion, urging that the rales be amended so as to allow of the removal from office of the petty officers. Two candidates for membership were proposed, and the meeting shortly afterwards adjourned.

Sir F. Roberts (says the “ Home News”) is “ an exceptionally fortunate man,” as he may, before he is -18, without help either from birth or interest, have obtained, by fighting, a full general’s commission, a baronetcy, and an appointment—the Madras command—worth £IO,OOO a year, with of course, the possible reversion of the still richer post, the supreme command in India. But instead of describing him as an exceptionally fortunate man, we should style him au exceptionally great general. We also learn that Sir Frederick Roberts is about to have conferred on him the Grand Cross of the Star of India, and the Parliamentary vote to him will, it is stated, be the substantial sum 0f'£25,000.

The “ Bruce Standard ” is responsible for this yarn : “ A short time ago the. wife of one of our townsmen look into her employ an amiable (and, by the way, good-looking) servant. The young lady did the work wished by her mistress in a most satisfactory manner, aud, as a mark of appreciation, was presented with a dress very similar to one often worn by the donor. The other day Mr had occasion to come homo earlier than usual, and just as he entered the door of his house, noticed (as he thought) the esteemed partner of his life busily engaged preparing something for the forthcoming meal. Her back was turned towards him, and he gently crccped up, reached over her shoulder unnoticed, and implanted such a loving kiss on her beautiful cheek. Mrs has heard all about it, and says she will have the dress changed for a different pattern.

The value put on property in Melbourne, as compared with the rental, may be judged from a sale which took place a few days ago. The first lot offered was two three-story brick shops in Collins street cast, between Elizabeth and Swanslon streets, one of which was offered by Mr Mullen and Messrs Foster and Martin at a rental of £1275, and the other; by Mr Fletcher and Mr Andrews at a rental of £7BO, or together, £2,055 per annum. £20,500 was bid for the shops, but they were withdrawn from sale, the reserve being 32,500. The next property offered was the Clarendon Hotel, in Elizabeth street, near Collins street, let at a rental of £SOO per year. It also was withdrawn, as the biddings did not come up to near the reserve of £8,500. The stores occupied by Messrs. AY. Young & Co., in Elizabeth street, and by Messrs. Hocke, Tompsitt, and Co., and Raphael Bros., in Flinders street, were also submitted for sale, but failed to attract buyers.

A recent decision of the Privy Council and an earlier one, both on appeal (remarks a Home paper), determine how far a slanderer can safely go without getting within the law. For instance, the words “ I have a suspicion that you and M. robbed my house, and therefore I take you into custody,” did not bring the speaker within the law, as they ««/// asserted a suspicion, and did not make an absolute charge of felony. And “ Have you not heard that X.Y, is suspected of having murdered AY. Z., his biother-in-law. ; A proclamation offering a reward for the murderer is now in ray office, and there is only one link wanting to complete the chain.” The plaintiff in the latter case had been nonsuited on the ground that only a xu*j')irioiv of guilt, and not actual guilt, had been alleged, and the Privy Council confirmed the nonsuit.

That colonial institution—the swagger—is becoming a bore. These fellows literally swarm over the country just now, some doubtless looking for work, but too many it is to be feared, hoping they may not find it. The large stations arc besieged with them,but it is the small farmers who chiefly complain of the tax upon their resources winch these men become. A farmer in the neighborhood of Timaru had as many as ten swag-men to breakfast one morning recently, and before 11 o’clock seven others turned up and asked for refreshment. Ihe swagger’s favorite time for putting in an appearance as is well-known is dewy eve, when having partaken of tea, he turns in, gets his breakfast on the following morning, and goes on his way rejoicing, and in many eases the farmer is afraid to refuse board and lodging to his unwelcome guest for fear of after consequences in the shape of burning stacks or broken fences.

On June 4th last a son of Dr. Bouse, of Lyttelton, in getting off a tram-cat* fell, and had his leg broken, by the carriage.: wheel. The case was brought in the District Court yesterday by,' the , fathersuing the company for damages; Witnesses for the plaintiff swore that the guard told the boy to jump off while the train was still in motion, while the guard denied this. The engine-drivers’ evidence as to the train slopping was contradicted point blank. Judgment was given for the plaintiff for £IOO. Dr. Bouse said the lad was laid up for three months, and had never recovered his memory perfectly. Is Lady Burdett Goutts Married ?—lt has been persistently asserted in some quarters that the Baroness Burdett Coutts’ marairige with Mr Ashmead Bartlett really took place this week in private, says a correspondent cabling on the 31st ult, but I am assured on good authority that this is not the case. The report very probably arose from the fact that the Baroness and her Jltincr have lately been seen at the same hotels together. The publicity which hits been given to the whole matter is, 1 am informed, extremely distasteful to both and especially to Mr Bartlett, who sometimes has to hear unpleasant remarks, and necessarily to hear them in silence. You may depend upon one thing—Whenever the marriage is celebrated, it will take place in strict secrecy. The Baroness, 1 should add, has the sympathy of all classes.

The properly lax assessments by Government officials are (says the North Otago Times) causing much dissatisfaction, and bringing out innumerable protests in all parts ot the Colony, Such protests have been anticipated by the authorities beforehand, for they have printed replies of an accommodating nature ready for transmission when needed. A gentleman who owns a small section in Otcpopo, which he would be glad to sell tor £SO, was assessed in respect of it under the property tax at £3OO. A protest was sent, and a printed reply duly received, intimating that on reconsideration it had been determined to reduce the assessment by £IOO, and asking if the holder would agree to to that. The term “ £IOO ” was written in a blank space left for the purpose. The holder was not pacilied by this cool r.rparte settlement, and wrote back saying he would decidedly not consent to be taxed treble the value of the section, and challenged them to enforce the penal clauses with regard to him.

In connection with an application for discharge by a debtor at the Supreme Court Dunedin yesterday, Mr Justice Williams made some important remarks affecting the operation of the Land Act. He said that when deferred payment holders had a section which was likely to produce a good crop, the Legislature did not intend that a bankrupt should reap the benefit of the crop and become a rich man at the expense of his creditors. The application was adjourned till the result of the crop was ascertained, so that a compromise might be effected with the creditors.

Lecturing at Edinburgh on India, Dr Hunter gave a discouraging survey of the condition of the Native population. Their struggle for life, he said, was harder, owing to the increase of the population, which the construction of irrigation works and improved husbandry tended to augment. The only remedy lies with the people themselves, which involves changes in their domestic and social life. The position of Bengal and Ireland was aualagous, and the peasantry of the former will eventually win the day. The British administration in India at the present day is superior to that of the Mogul and even to the East India Company's rule. He pointed to the pure government, tl.c administration of justice, the establishment of police, extension of education, and institution of public works. Dr Hunter advocated the larger employment of Natives in the Government service; and what difficulties there may be in so employing them arc not due to any shortcomings of the Indian Government. The Natives must reform themselves, marry prudently, and migrate when circumstances press. He also said that representative institutions in India are necessary. Mr Plimsoll suggests that fire damp should be withdrawn from mines by pipes, just as the water is pumped up from the sump. He would make a “sump’' for gas in the highest part of the roof, and then allow the gas to escape from the workings up a vertia tube to the sump, whence it would be pumped to the surface, and employed for lighting the village. Mr Plimsoll thinks that such a plan would give absolute and immediate control to the manager of a pit over any gases which might be lurking in the recesses of the mine; and he suggests that if his remedy, if found useless, some scientific or philanthropic body should offer a premium of £20,000 for the discovery of a means of entirely preventing coal-mine explosions. M. Somzce, a Belgian engineer, proposes to utilise the safety-lamp for revealing the presence of fire damp in collieries. It is well known that the flame of the lamp elongates and acquires a higher calorific power when in the air which contains light carburetted hydrogen, or marsh gas. Apiece of metal is so placed as to be elongated by this flame; this produces electric contact, and causes a bell to ring.

The annual Parish and Sunday School Festival, in connection with St. Mary’s Church, is announced to take place to-morrow. No efforts will be spared to ensure an enjoyable gathering, and should the weather prove favorable a large attendance may be anticipated. The festival will be held in Mr Groen’s paddock at the top of Elizabeth street.