NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2505, 31 March 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

J. K. Brown, Government Life Assurance lecturer, has been severely lectured for disparaging other offices. Mrs J. Devin, formerly of the Commercial Hotel, Auckland, died at Te Awamutu on Tuesday, from the effects of fright sustained in connection with the outbreak of fire at Lewis’ Hotel.

A number of old colonists including the Hon Robert Campbell, M.L.C., and Mr A. G. Horton of the N.Z. Herald, have taken their departure for Europe and America by the Zealandia.

The report respecting the finding of a payable reef of gold at Waihao, near Waimate turned out to bo incorrect; the specimens were brought from Otago by the manager of the Pudding Hill Station. At the East Christchurch Pigeon Flying Club, on Monday, the following birds were nominated for the all-age stakes, to he llown from Timaru to Christchurch, 100 miles, on the 10th of April : —J. J. Parker’s Dick Whittington, Juliet, and Stonewall Jackson ;E. Foulke’s Blair Athol; A. Walker’s Adventure, Satan, Stormbird, and the Governor ; W. Williams’ Strop ; W. Ashby’s Flying Scud and Comet ; FWilliams’ Piniirc, Warrior, and Blue Bell.

Sir William Fox and his suite have had an interview with the chief Titokowaru, at the Waimate Plains. The commissioner fully explained the position of all the land marked out on a map, which has just been lithographed, showing the native reserves. The old chief appeared fully satisfied, but thought his Pakeha neighbours should be compelled to fence their land, especially along the road lines as cattle trespassed on the native reserves.

Some of the frequenters of the Institute reading room, appear to have rather queer notions about the magazines placed there for the use of subscribers generally. For some time past persons have been in the habit of removing magazines and perodicals from the room, and the last number of “ Chambers’ Journal,” which is always in great request, is now missing, having been pocketed by some selfish individual, who would be very indignant, probably, if told that he had committed a petty larceny. In consequence of the numerous disappearances of magazines &0., the librarian has pasted printed slips on those remaining, bearing the words “not to be taken from the library,” in legible characters thereon. It is to be hoped that this step; will have the desired effect in checking a selfish and unscrupulous practice. Commenting on the “Position of Patetere,” the ‘Auckland Herald’says:—“We learn that a few weeks ago a calculation was made, when it was found that the cost of the land to the Company would belTsGd an acre. The expenses since have been very heavy, and some think that now they will amount to 25s per acre ; but taking it at £l, and the land they became possessed of amounts to 250,000 acres, the calculation of how much they spent is easily made. The accounts of the Company would be an interesting study. An inspection would show how much, if any, had been paid straight to the Natives in cash, how much in orders on grog-shops and stores, how much as hushmoney to Pakeha Maoris, how much to interpreters, and how much to lawyers. Patetere will no doubt be a factor in history for some time to come. Would that it were broken up and in course of settlement.

W. Evanson, a passenger to Auckland by the s.s.Eotorua, has been arrested under warrant on a charge of obtaining £9 by false pretences from Adam Armstrong Carterton. Evanson was supposed to be nt nmtr. for San Francisco when the detective interviewed him.

Mrs Clark, a passenger by the Eotomahana, who was supposed to have received fatal injuries a few days ago, has regained consciousness, and hopes of her recovery arc entertained. At a ladies’ card party the other evening one old lady said she did not like playing cards with any remarks. Being English, she pronounced it “ henny remarks.” Another lady, Mrs Marks indignantly rose from the table, saying “ Then the wife of Henry Marks will not play with you.”

The totalisator at the late Napier race meeting paid a dividend that makes one’s mouth water. On the Tradesmen’s Handicap there were 372 subscribers at £2 each, and the lucky three who put their money on Mavis, the winner, received, after deducting commission, £223, Bub more fortunate was the individual who purchased Mavis in a £9OO Calcutta sweep the night before the race for £3.

lu reply to a letter of the Dunedin Jockey Club, asking for an explanation of the cirenrastances connected with the horse Natator at the recent Dunedin races, Mr Robinson writes that he was not in Dunedin at the time of the races, and that he was therefore in Ignorance of the circumstances. Natator was then in charge of Mr H. P. Lance, who is now in the North Island, and to whom Mr Robinson has referred the letter.

Aleo Keene, the pugilist, is dead. He is the only member of the bruising fraternity who has ever died worth much. He is reported to have amassed £ 10,000, not by prize-fighting entirely, but by supplying hot meals to the public at race-meetings, a rule he assumed after retiring from the fistic arena. His real name was not Keene, but Findlay, by which it seems he was ashamed of his calling even in his fighting days. The Rev. Dr Somerville, whose revival services in New Zealand will be remembered has commenced a tour in Germany, and he is having a bad time of it. He commenced work at Elberfeld, a town a short distance from Cologne, and his first public service was well attended. It appears after one of his serivees, the Doctor received two communications, one a post card, the other a letter from an unknown friend—threatening him with death if he did not quit Elberfeld that evening. Notwithstanding these threatening letters, Dr Somerville went to the meeting which had been advertised to be held on that evening. He said he was at a loss to know what offence he had given, as he did not assail any party, and was not controversial. Dr Somerville then proceeded with his address to a large audience by means of an interpreter, the plan he has followed in Franco and Italy.

The Roman correspondent of the Melbourne “ Argus ” has the following on the attitude of the Pope towards Ireland: — “ When several Irish Bishops came here, and told the Pope in language far more frank than is usually heard by Pontiffs, that they were not prepared in all circumstances to place their authority on the side of the law, or, as they of course phrased it, of the oppressor in Ireland, the Pope was forced to take refuge in generalities, and dismiss them with vague instructions to the effect that they must not permit religion to be mixed up with political affairs and interests. But when the Archbishop of Cashel, one Dr Croke, a turbulent and nnserupulous man, went beyond this, and on his return to Ireland caused it to be believed that the Pope had expressed himself in terms showing that he approved of the agitation, the Holy Father became angry, and wrote the archbishop a very peremptory letter, forbidding him to indulge in such misrepresentations. Then came to Rome the Cardinal Archbishop of Dublin, Dr McCabe a man of much higher character, and whose views are much more in accordance with those of the Holy Father. He frankly condemns all resistance to law and illegal acts. And the Pope wrote a letter to him applauding his conduct and entirely endorsing it.”

Messrs Clayton and Co., of the Concrete Store, Elizabeth street, quote a number of their well-known specialities in another column and offer exceptional inducements to purchasers. Mr P. McArdlc, local manager of the Brunner Coal Company, Barnard Street depot, announces the arrival of a cargo of Newcastle coal, ex Young Dick, to be had at lowest current rates.

Pure soring water at the reduced price of Is 6d for 400 gallons, can be obtained at Cliff’s old mill, Sophia street.

Special Announcement. —New Winter Drapery—Wood and Smith beg to announce that they have opened a splendid assortment of Autumn and Winter Drapery, comprising an immense lot of Maids’, Ladies’, and Children’s Jackets and Ulsters, at exceptionally low prices. New Millinery. —Shepherd’s Buildings, Main South Road, Timaru. — [Advt.]