NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2511, 7 April 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

A visitor from the disturbed districts in the North Island, informs us that settlement is progressing rapidly in the Taranaki district, especially on the Waimate Plains. The land is being fenced and cultivated in every direction, the settlers speak cheerfully and hopefully of their prospects, and no molestation from the Natives is apprehended . Our informant tells us that the feeling seems universal in that neighborhood that Mr Bryce’s proposal for settling the Native difficulty should have been accepted by the Ministry, and that had prompt and decisive action, such as he suggested, been taken, the Colony might have been saved an enormous expenditure, and a final settlement of the Native difficulty facilitated if not achieved.

The Washdyke School Committee and the Education Board have collided over the appointment of a teacher. To save advertising expenses Mr Belfield submitted the names of seven teachers who are at present *• to let.” The Committee having been sampling teachers lately, believe in the adage “ Better an empty house than a bad tenant,” and insist upon advertising for applicants. The Board, whose Chairman is standing apparently in his own pecuniary light, refuse to advertise, and the Committee has been offered Hobson’s choice, for if they do not pick out a teacher from the assortment insolently thrown at them, the Chairman of the Board has teen authorised to take the choice out of their hands, and make an appointment himself. This looks like riding roughshod with a vengeance.

It is stated that the Chairman of the Education Board—Mr Belfield —was reelected for the ensuing year “ unanimously.” The “ unanimously ” consisted of Mr Goldsmith, who was the only member present besides Messrs Wakefield and Barclay, the proposer and seconder, and the gentleman elected. We have a respect for the term “ unanimously,” but at a select meeting of four it is scarcely applicable.

Temuka is to have a school —at least on paper. Representations having been made to the Board of Education that the present buildings were overcrowded, the Rev George Barclay made a powerful and emotional address on behalf of the scholastic wants of the township. The Board thereupon very generously decided to obtain a design for new schools, and, singularly enough, the member for Geraldine, whose treatment was somewhat rough lately, seconded the motion, '1 he good people of Temuka will, however, be comforted when they learn the Board has no money available, and that for some time past the Chairman of the Timaru School Committee has had to pay the incidentals out of his own pocket.

Some discussion took place at the Harbor Board to-day, arising out of a singular comedy of errors. At a previous meeting a Committee consisting of Messrs Teschetnaker, Evans, Sutter, and Gray was appointed to consider the charges proposed by the Railway Department for wharves. Instead of indicating what rates would be fair and reasonable for railway haulage, the Committee brought up an elaborate report on wharfage dues in which they enumerated every conceivable article of produce excepting parsnips and onions. Mr Moody referred to the resolution appointing the Committee, and submitted that in bringing up a wharfage tariff they had gone beyond their functions. An animated and very amusing discussion ensued in the course of which the Committee took conflicting positions and Mr Postlethwaitc suggested that the “ muddle ” should be settled by referring the report back to the Committee. This course was finally adopted. At the R.M. Court this morning before W. C, Beswick and E. G. Stericker, Esqs J.P.’s, George Whitaker alias Michael Murphy, was fined 5s for being drunk and disorderly and 40s for using obscene language, with the usual alternative. George elected to “ take it out.”

lii our report of the proceedings at the E.M. Court on Tuesday in the case of Corsair v Wiggins, we stated the case was adjourned at the request of the defendant. It should have been at the request of the plaintiff who had to pay the costs of the day.

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 Eoad, Timaru. — [Advt.]

Mr 11, M. Lund, E.A.M. (Stuttgart), announces a grand evening concert for tomorrow evening at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Barnard street. An excellent programme, comprising a number of favorite vocal and instrumental selections, has been prepared. Mr Lund will be assisted by several wellknown amateur artistes.

Travellers by rail will probably be glad to learn that an elegant pic house after the Melbourne style, has been fitted up within 50 yards of the railway station. The premises are so altered as to be almost entirely new, and the name of the proprietor, Mr Jcsiah Amos, is a guarantee that it will be satisfactorily conducted. The Melbourne Pie House is at the rear of .the railway station, and directly opposite the Club Hotel. At the back of the shop is a commodious and well lighted diningroom, furnished with elegant covered scats, tables covered with snow white linen, best silver dessert ware, ivory-handled cutlery, dclf of a unique and costly character, and fitted up in a most attractive style, everything being new and of the best quality. In addition to other appliances there is a hot-pie can constructed on the Melbourne principle, from which mutton and pork pies may be constantly obtained in a steaming condition. Fruit pies, saveloys, and all kinds of delicacies are available at a moment’s notice, and as the establishment is open from 6 o’clock in the morning passengers by the early trains will be able to refresh themselves with a substantial repast before starting on their journics. The Melbourne Pie Shop supplies an evident want, and we presume it will be well patronised.