NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2514, 11 April 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Mr W. L. Rees, the well-known solicitor and formerly M.HR., has for some time past been subjected to a number of vicious attacks in the “ Free Lance,” an Auckland periodical published by Mr Wickham. The attacks reflect strongly on Mr Rees’ honesty in conection with certain dealings that he has had with Maori land owners in the neighborhood of Gisborne. A telegram from Auckland states that Mr Rees has arrived there with the intention of prosecuting the offending journalist criminally. Eight or ten writs are to be issued for separate libels. Messrs Hesketh and Tyler are retained for the prosecution. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Timaru Borough Council takes place this evening at the Council Chambers at the usual hour.

It is a quaint but true saying, “ Once a criminal always a criminal.” Many of our readers may remember John Gildberg, a Russian Pole, who was convicted at the January sessions of 15G3 at the Supreme Court, at Dunedin, and was sentenced to eight years penal servitude for rape on a little girl under eight years of age, named Mitten, at Wa'kouaitu After his discharge from Dunedin Gaol he worked for some years on the diggings in the Hogburn district, and afterwards migrated to the North Island. He is now awaiting trial at Carlyle, near Wanganui, for a similar offence ou a little girl of the same age. On this occasion he has changed his name to John Lewis. Another well known character named Frank Emerson alias Christie, with whom the officers of justice in Otago are w T cll acquainted, is now in the gaol at Wanganui, awaiting trial on a charge of burglary, Emerson, under the name of Christie, actually joined the Armed Constabulary in the North Island a few months ago, but fortunately was recognised by one of his old prison associates in Otago, who reported him to the authorities, when he was immediately dis missed.

The “North Otago Times” :—lt is stated that Mr Henry Driver and Mr G. McLean have leased the lower portion of the Awamoa Estate, the property of the Hon M. Holmes, with a view to locating their studs there. A course has been laid out, and the lower woolshed is to be fitted up with loose boxes for the horses during the winter months.”

The “Grey River Argus”informs its readers that the proprietor of a racecourse “ little game,” netted £IOO in 10 hours at the Grey races. His stock-in-trade was a monkey, a lottery-box, some marbles, and printed tablets.

A smoker’s pledge-card is being circulated in Auckland. It pledges to abstinence from tobacco, the evil influence of which on health, it says, is attested by the “ sallow and pinched features” of youth who smoke.

An amusing instance of stupidity and ignorance of Court customs was displayed yesterday in the E.M, Court (says the “ Hawke’s Bay Herald ” of March 29th). A country witness, who admitted that he could neither read nor write, was being examined, and after giving some very unsatisfactory replies to the question put to him he was ordered to sit down. Thereupon he flopped down on the floor of the witnessbox, amid loud laughter from the spectators, who were somewhat taken by surprise at first by the sudden disappearance of the witness.