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South Canterbury Times, Issue 2475, 23 February 1881, Page 3

The South express was crowded to-day with holiday-makers en route for the Dunedin races, the ‘sphieling’ element being largely represented. Mr Collet, purser of the Tui, drew Libeller in North’s £IOOO sweep, so that his loss by the sporting barber’s bolt is £540.

The Wellington valuation shows a depreciation of 121 per cent, in some places, and 17 in others, as compared with last year.

At a meeting of the Wanganui Agricultural and Pastoral Association held recently, it Was decided that after January, 1881, no money prizes will be given. Under the heading “ sheepfarmers ” in the last census we find enumerated altogether 5516 persons. Of these, 867 are runholders, 312 overseers, and 3818 station hands.

The following numbers have been drawn for the favorites in Cameron’s £SOOO sweep :—Randwick, 1916 ; Fishhook, 2735 ; Sylvanus, 2742 ; On Dit, 506 ; Sir Modred, 57 ; Foul Play, 4478. Abraham’s £6OOO sweep on Dunedin Cupi—Randwick, 4571 ; Modred, 4124.

The wedding of a membct of the express driving fraternity, took place to-day at the Presbyterian Church, the usual row of private broughams, being appropriately represented on this occasion by a long procession of express vans, which followed the happy couple to and from church, and to the railway station whence they took their departure per express train South. The following are the reSblutions agreed to by the Conference with reference to the Western Pacific Islands :— f ‘ That it is not desirable that the office of High Commissioner of the Western Pacific Islands should be vested in the Governor of any of the Australian colonies. 2. That more effectual means should be devised for the punishment of Natives of the said islands for any crimes or offences committed by them against British subjects. 3. That, in the case of capital convictions by the High Commissioner’s Court, appeal should be allowed to the Supreme Court of some one of the Australian colonies, to be selected by the High Commissioner. 4. That the more frequent visits of Her Majesty’s ships among the islands would tend to lessen in a great degree the crimes now so prevalent." Mr Dick dissented from the first resolution.

The “Westport Times ” thus refers to the Duller coal trade:—The coal export trade of the Duller has gradually improved since its inauguration, from 800 tons in the month of September to 2000 tons for January, the latter month’s export being at the rate of 500 tons per week. This increase is likely to continue, the Westport Colliery Company having secured extensive railway coal supply contracts, which they enter upon at once. There was a heavy surf on yesterday afternoon, and a few trifling accidents occurred in the roadstead. A surf boat belonging to the Government Landing Service was conveying goods to the s.s. Oreti, and was crossing the steamer’s stern, when the boat gave a sudden lurch, and one of the men, Mr Balsam, was thrown backward overboard. Fortunately he is a good swimmer, and he speedily found his way to the boat. Later on towards evening the Oreti parted with her ancnor and about twenty fathoms of cable. Steam was at once got up, and she was moored in another position until ready to sail. The anchor and cable were recovered this morning.

A funny incident occurred during the hearing of a civil case in the R.M. Court Christchurch, yesterday. One of the counsel employed, Mr Holmes—claimed £1 Is costs. His learned and liberal friend on the other side (Mr Joyce) evidently did not think the fee should be claimed, but “If you want a guinea,” said that gentleman to his erudite confrere, “I’ll give you one!” Quick to agree with his adversary, Mr Holmes promptly rejoined. “Very good, pass over one.” Mr Joyce—“ Very well, give me a blank cheque, and I will sign it.” Mr Holmes promptly produced a pocketbook, from which the desired document was taken, and threw it with an air of triumph across the table to his brother professional. But the challenge was not accepted, and, amid considerable laughter, the tables were turned.

. A lady who had been indulging “ not wisely but too well,” paid a visit to a certain Tiniaru office last evening, somewhat to the astonishment of the officials.' She presented a very dilapidated appearance, and her face being covered with blood, the result of a fall. Seating herself . comfortably in a chair, she began to express her opinions on things in general with much freedom, the blood running off her face the while and freely bespattering the plans, &c., lying on the table. Someone present thinking the visit had been: quite long enough, presently suggested the expediency of sending jfor an express van with the object of having the lady taken for a little drive down town add introduced to Mr Inspector Pender. She'did'not raise any objection, remarking that she would certainly go “ if they would be so good as to summon the carriage.” A livery servant in the shape of a constable now appeared on the scene, and the lady was hoisted into the express and conveyed to the lock up. Owing to the injury to her face, however, she was sent on to the Hospital, and would have been brought up before Mr Beetham this morning but was too ill to appear. She will no doubt make her appearance in Court as soon as she has sufficiently recovered.

At the usual sitting of the Waste Lands Board, held at ; Christchjurch on Monday, sales were made as follows :—Ashburton, 9a 2r 13p ; Geraldine, 16a ; village settlements, deferred payments, 2a. Total average sold, 57a 2r 13p, Total value, £126 3s 3d.

Mr Studbolme has altogether over 100 acres of grain at Waimate and it is expected it will yield an average of forty bushels to the acre.: Sixty bushels of wheat to the acre have been grown at Makikihi by Messrs Quin Bros.

We understand .that a movement is on foot to get a public road opened through the paddocks laying between the Athletic and Agricultural Association’s properties, so ns to form a direct communication between the centre of Tiraaru and the Otipua road via Church street or Elizabeth street. The promoters contend that the proposed road has become a public necessity, and can be easily secured by the cooperation of those residing in the western suburbs.

It is rumored that Major Atkinson, having squandered the remains of the last loan on Taranaki intends shortly to propose the raising of a new loan of three millions.

Complimentary! The editor of the “North Otago Times” designates the editor of the “N. Z. Times “a writer of blatant balderdash.” The terms are forcible, if not unmerited. The time for sending in tenders for the erection of Mechanics’ Institute, to Mr Duval, architect, has been extended to Tuesday Feb, 29. The Commiteee of the St. Patrick’s Day’s Sports meet at the Criterion Hotel, to-mor-row evening. For continuation of News see fourth page.