NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2520, 19 April 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY .

At Nelson a five broke out in the vestry of the Homan Catholic Church, yesterday morning, about two o’clock, when about £IOO worth of damage was done, including the destruction of a valuable set of silver ornaments presented to the Church by Bishop Redwood, Three altars were completely destroyed, but as soon as water was got on, the fire was quickly extinguished. Some of the Wellington Naval Brigade rendered good service.

Poor Oamaru I Unfortunate I. N. Watt 1 Friday's 11 North Otago Times ” has the following :—“ It is rumored Mr I. N. Watt has refused the offer of the Oamaru magistracy, which was said to have been tendered him by the Government. Mr Watt’s refusal, it is said, is owing to the opposition shown to his transference from Dunedin to this place.” We (“ Dunedin Star ”) have the best authority for stating that Mr Watt never thought for one moment of refusing to go to Oamaru as directed, buMhat it is his intention to proceed there without delay.

Rather hard lines 1 “Traveller” writ es to the Dunedin “Star” on Good Friday thusly I was an intending passenger by the 7.35 Oamaru train this morning, but so bad was the provision made for the issuing of tickets, that, although I was at the booking office fully twelve minutes prior to the train’s departure, by the time I got served, it had left the station. Surely the powers that be arc to blame for allowing (heir employes to issue tickets, these well knowing the required train to have departed.

The Juvenile “ Pinafore” company now playing in Christchurch received flattering notice from both dailies. The critic of the “ Press” appears indeed to have been so pleased as to have become slightly incoherent. He says in his notice of Saturday evening’s performance, speaking of Master Osmond, as Rackstraw. “He sang the music throughout excellently, and played the duced song in the second act, The Midship part with much success. Ho sang the intromite very nicely indeed.”

The following were the concluding events at the sports yesterday :— Walking Match (with a sweepstake aided), 2 miles —First prize, Jfl 10s ; second, £1 —J. La wry Ist, P. Walsh, 2nd. Temperance Handicap, G. Beckingham, Ist, J, Smith 2nd. 200 Yards Race, W. Bush, Ist, D. M’Kcnzie, 2nd. The womens race was not run off, owing to their being a difficulty in getting ladies to enter for it, The prize money was, however, added to that given for the last race, the 200 yards—this brought a very pleasant day’s amusements to a close.

A good specimen of the Colonial Jeremy Diddlcr has just been consigned to the Dunedin gaol for six weeks, On Saturday Charles Dalton figured in the police dock, charged with vagrancy. He wore a blue serge suit, walking stick, and spectacles, earned a stiff upper lip, and spoke with the polite air of offended dignity. The evidence showed that he went to the “ Otago Daily Times Office ” enquiring for the editor and laid the manager under con tribution for five shillings. Similar suras were obtained from hotelkeepers and boardinghouse keepers innumerable, and it was proved that he was in the habit of living in first-class stjde, but never paying his hotel bills. J. H. Jewitt, fishmonger, deposed that the accused came to his shop a short time ago, and asked for the loan of half-a-crown. Witness lent him the desired sum. He called subsequently when Sergeant Bevin was present and asked for a shilling, but witness told him he would rot lend him anything further until he paid back the half-crown, —Sergeant Bcvan gave evidence as to being present on the occasion when last witness refused to give accused a shilling which he requested. Accused had said “ Oh, dear me,” adjusted his eyc-glas-es, and walked out of the shop with great “ side.” Witness had taken notice of the accused, who might have been seen meandering about the streets at ail hours. He had always presented a most respectable appearance, and had by means of his ready address—for he was an educated man —succeeded intaking in ” several persons. He had never done any work.—Accused— I could not get it to do.—Mr Logan—You have rendered yourself liable to three months’ imprisonment ; but as you have not been here before, you will be sentenced to six week’s imprisonment with hard labor.

The Jews of London have departed from the custom of their religion by offering prayers for the repose of the soul of George Eliot, although not of their own faith, in recognition of her services as the literary champion of their race.

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 GhilcLren’s Jackets and Ulsters, at exceptionally low prices. New Millinery. —Shepherd’s Buildings, Main South Road, Timaru.— [Adyt.]