NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2550, 24 May 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Wellington Industrial Exhibition was opened yesterday by the Governor, who made the usual congratulatory speech on the occasion. Those old favourites Mr and Mrs Hart assisted by their daughter and Mr Walter Kerby, commence a four nights season, at the Theatre Royal this evening. “ Happy Hours ” was so exceedingly popular on the occasion of the Harts’ last visit, when they drew some of the largest houses ever known in Timaru, that they will doubtless be again well patronised. The wrestling match between W. J. McLaren and J. Reed (St. Andrews), for £9 aside, came off at Lea and Whitley’s saloon last evening. There was a big crowd of spectators, and much interest was evinced in the event both men having some warm backers. Some very excellent wrestling was shewn, the result being a victory for McLaren, whose style was much admired, and who disposed of the St Andrews man without much trouble, Hudson an ' Slade try conclusions this evening for £25 aside at Lea and Whitley’s saloon.

The usual weekly session of the English Lodge Victory, 1.0.G.T., was held last evening at the Foresters’ Hall. There was a fair attendance of members present, the chair be : ng taken by Bro.J. Blackmore, W.C.T. After the opening ceremonies, two members, late of the Amcr can Order of Good Templars, were admitted on clearance card, and three candidates proposed for membership. A short recess was granted for congratu’ations, and on business being resumed a very animated debate followed on the Chinese immigration question, reference being especially made to the late pre-sessional address of the member for Timaru, in which he advocated a partial Mongolian invasion. The Lodge being unanimously of opinion that any candidate for the suffrages of this electorate at the next general election, favoring this question, should be strongly opposed. A very pleasant half hour was spent in harmony, Sister Jane Jones playing the accompaniments on the organ. The Lodge closed at 9.30 p.m.

His Excellency lias received a despatch announcing that Sir Francis Dillon Bell, Agent-General for New Zealand, has been created K C.M.G., and that Her Majesty has been pleased to confer the honor of knighthood upon His Honor Chief Justice Prendcrgast, Wellington. Two four-roomed cottages at Avonside Christchurch, were burnt down on Sunday. The insurances are—£lso in the Transatlantic and £l5O in the National. The origin of the fire is unknown.

The Governors of the Auckland Grammar School resolved the Head Master should be paid a bonus of 10s per annum on pupils, and that the tuition fee of the Upper School be raiscdfiom £8 to £lO. The real cost per head of the Upper ScLool was stated to be £5 10s per annum.

A coaster arriving on Sunday at Dune.lin from Waikawa, was found to have aboard ladies’ cloaks, etc., to the value of £6O, which had been a portion of the cargo of the Tararua. The police searched the vessel and took possesion of the goods.

The Wellington correspondent of the Otago Daily Times says : —The preparation of bills for the session goes on rapidly, and the Licensing, Charitable 'Aid, and Registration of Electors Bills are in a forward state i f progress. The Representation Bill necessarily awaits the completion of the census returns. The other measures under consideration, including, it is said, one for faciliating the working and amalgamation of County Councils, Land Boards, and other local bodies and also one for enabling grants of land to be made in aid of important railways, the construction of which is undertaken by private companies. I have of course, no official information regarding these two, and am merely reporting current rumor.

The “ Eangitikei Advocate ” says : The curiosities of the census papers would afford an almost inexhaustible mine of wealth to the humorist. One of the enumerated on the West Coast wrote opposite the example given for filling up the religious denomination column—“ I consider this a disgrace to the man who drew it ; ” another, whose occupation was what is generally known as bullock-driving, dubbed himself an “ oxen-conductor.” Hence it appears that even bullock-drivers have occasionally “ high notions,” and would like to be deemed something above the common. A man who is an “oxen conductor” must surely be a person to whom his fellow men should look upon with reverence.

It is understool that a Commission of Enquiry has been appointed in regard to the working of the Stamps Departments, with a view to asertaining what steps should betaken to ensure better protection against fraud. The Commissioners are—Mr I. E. Fitzgerald (Comptroller General), Chairman ; District Judge Shaw, Mr E. C. Hammerton (Secretary for Stamps),and Mr G. B. Davy (Register of Deeds). The Cambridge correspondent of a northern contemporary states that some little idea of, the trade brought by the Native Land Court may be gleaned from the fact that a few days ago a Maori lady of rank died, and a great tangi is being held over her. One of the hotel-keepers was - engaged nearly the whole day in bottling off sixty-one gallons of spirits required for the occasion, actually selling on that day to one set of customers, three hundred and sixty-six bottles of spirits. The neW Czar of Russia enjoys the distinction of being the only male member of his family who is faithful to his wife. Royal personages, male and female, are apt to take liberties in their domestic relations which are not tolerable in ordinary society. The late Czar was credited with three families and lived openly before the Empress’ death, not only with the Princess Dolgourouki, but with her sister ; but so f r not a syllable has been breathed against the new Czar that Would stain his name as a husband or a father.

The Minister of Railways in Victoria has presented a statement showing that the revenue from railways has increased no less than £138,000 during the past ten months, including an increase of fully £20,000 on the Hobson’s Bay line. August Menzenheimef committed suicide in Louisville by freezing himself to death. Going under an open shed, on a very cold night, he removed all his clothes, laid himself down on a board, and was dead when discovered.

The Melbourne ponespondent of a contemporary states that Captain Standish is likely to be appointed to the secretaryship of the Victorian Racing Club, rendered vacant by the death of the late Mr Bagot. The “honorarium,” as it is termed, attached to the appointment, is £9OO per annum.

During a recent performance at a theatre in London, Mr J. L. Toole, the well-known actor, one fearfully cold night, ordered several pails of hot-whisky-punch to be made, taken up to the gallery, and tumblers of the drink to be given to each person in that, the cheapest part of the building, He is, in consequence, now by far the most popular actor in London with the working classes.

The results of Messrs J. Herman and P. J. Bells consultations on the Steeplechase events of to-day will be found in our advertising columns. Holders of tickets in either are requested to present them for payment on and after 26th inst. It will be pleasing to observe that both have been successfully filled.