NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2471, 18 February 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The proprietors of the “ Waimate Times ” have somewhat damped the ardor of the Waimate Working Men’s Club, Yesterday the 11 Times ” Company preferred a claim for £l.l 7s, for advertising, against four of the Club’s men named Malcolm, Upton, Hawkins, and Pratt. Mr Beethsm gave judgment against each of the defendants for the amount claimed with £3 costs, pointing out that the members of a Club wore individually responsible for debts contracted.

A strange story of credulity and fraud was told at the Bow street Police Court lately. Mrs Hart-Davies, a lady of fortune and large expectations, made the acquaintance of a married couple named Fletcher, who persuaded her that in trances they received messages from h r deceased mother. One of these messages was that'Mrs Davies should give all her valuables to the Fletchers, which she did. thus disposing of diamonds, sapphires, pearls, plate, and lace, worth about £4U(K). The Fletchers, took her with them to America, where Mrs Davies found she had been duped, Mrs Fletcher was apprehended at Greenock, brought before Mr Flowers, and remanded for a week.

An American paper has the following amusing burlesque of Mr Archbald Forbes’ style. Mr Forbes is supposed to be replying to the toast of English Press—“ Mr Chairman—l am Mr Archbald Forbes. I have been everywhere. I have done everything. lam a smart fellow. lam not to be out done. I know the Emperor of China. I know the King of the Cannibal Islands. I am intimately acquainted with the Grand Lama I have lived with the Shah of Persia. I am the dearest friend of the Emperor of itussia.” The report comes abruptly to end with the editorial remark, “ Here our supply of I’s gave out.”

At the R.M. Court, Waimate, yesterday, the business was unimportant. An inebriate was discharged. M. Walsh. W. Doig, and J. Chatham, who had been larking on .the road near Potter's farm, two miles from Waimate, about midnight, were charged with having obstructed the high way by throwing some post and rails across it. Mr Hammersley appeared for the defendants, and as the evidence was not con. elusive the informations were dismissed. H. Hughes and A. Carter were tined 5s each for allowing cattle to stray, Homo civil cases were disposed of and the court adjourned.

In attempting to separate two dogs that were fighting in the street on Tuesday last, a little girl residing near Buchanan’s paddock was savagely attacked by one of the brutes. The child was endeavoring to part the dogs with her parasol, one of them being her own. The other dog thereupon rushed at her, threw her down, and tore her leg with its teeth, and there is no knowing how the poor child might have fared, had it not been for the interference of a boy named Blackmore, who drove the cur off. Dr Lovegrove was summoned to attend the girl, and she is now progressing favorably. The owner of the dog has promised to destroy it, and it is to be hoped that in the interests of other children he will keep his word.

What may be called a pleasant game of Yankee-grab or odd-man in, was played by the Waimate Bench yesterday. When the Court opened there were three presiding Magistrates, Mr Becthnm, R.M.,the Mayor of Waimate, and Mr Stewart, J.P. All went well till the civil business began, when it appeared that both Mr Steward and the local Mayor were plaintiffs. As their cases followed each other they disappeared from the Bench, leaving the Resident Magistrate all alone in his glory. Of course there is nothing illegal in Justices of the Peace presiding on the Bench up to the moment when cases in which they may happen to be interested are called on, but it would be better for the appearance of things if they exercised a little self-denial, and avoided the necessity for an indecorous jump off the Bench into the witness box.

There are about twenty of gastric and typhoid fever in the town at present and the disease is spreading rapidly. Three cases of the disease broke out recently in a single street, one of which has just terminated fatally. For this state of things the Timaru people have themselves, in a large measure, to blame. The sanitary condition of the town is disgraceful. The drainage all over the town is terribly defective while all sorts of rubbish is allowed to accumulate in too many back yards and gardens, and poison the air. The borough scavengers do their work well as a rule, but it is not fair to expect them to collect all the household refuse, as well as remove it and the Borough Council would do well to pass a law, compelling householders to provide receptacles for their rubbish, which could be easily and efficiently emptied of their contents when necessary. The police ought to assist the authorities in this way, if only for their own sake. Until people realise that cleanliness is next to godliness, and act accordingly, they must not be suprised at the outbreaks of fever and other sickness.

Intending visitors to the Dunedin races arc reminded that ordinary single fare tickets issued between Christchurch and Invercargill, to Dunedin from Feb. 23 to Feb 20, (both days inclusive) will be available for return up to, and including Feb. 28th.