NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2551, 25 May 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Mr Atkinson's specimens of Taranaki made Portland cement in various stages of manufacture and use, excite considerable interest in the Wcllingt n Industrial Exhibition. The “ Grey Eiver Argus” speaks of Taranaki as “ that somnolent settlement at the foot of Mount Egmont, more remarkable for Devonshire cream and curious family relations than for enterprise.” Moa bones, mixed with human remains were found last week at Whitehead Bay in such a conglomerate that scientists are puzzled as to whether the men eat the moa, or the moa the men. A crowded public meeting was held last evening in the Town Hall, Hokitika, to protest against the action of the Central Board of Education in removing their office to Greymouth. It was decided that the Mayor write to the Chairman of the Education Board, to convene a special meeting to receive a deputation next Saturday. A telegram from Auckland states that two Maoris were drowned in the Oruawatarua river, at Port Albert, yesterday. Their bodies have been recovered, o- e, that of a little girl, being found embraced in the arms of her uncle. The natives attribute the occurrence to spiritual influence.

News has been received that among those who perished at the burning of the Opera House at Nice, were three members of the well-known Kennedy family. There names were—James Kennedy, aged 23; Kate Kennedy, aged 19 ; and Lizzie Kennedy, aged 17 ; all the children of David Kennedy the Scotch vocalist who some time since made a professional tour through the colonies. From Hokitika we learn by telegraph that Falk and party, who have for some time been assisted by the Prospecting Association, announce the discovery of payable ground in the Arahura district. They state their tunnel is in 91 ft, and that they have payable sluicing ground for 70 feet, with a depth of wash dirt of 30 feet. They further state that they found good sluicing ground in many of the spurs and terraces in the district. Eight pro peats have been taken from different parts of their tunnel with good results. The discovery is causing some excitement in the neighbourhood. Friday’s Mataura Ensign says ; —“ The arrival yesterday of over 20 draught horses, a number of ( rays, ploughs, reapingmathines &e., from Canterbury, created quite a bustle at the Gore railway-station. They were the property of some of those who have purchased land from the New Zealand Agricultural Company, and who are now arriving in large numbers. Almost every train brings fresh settlers to this district with stock and implements ; in fact the township is assuming quite a lively appearance, and is showing signs of the fulfilment of our prophecy as to its future great prosperity.” South Australia seems to be going ahead. Its exports lastyear exceeded in value those of the previous year by over half-a-million sterling. The increase on the previous year over its predecessor was £BOO,OOO, the two years therefore show an increase of £1,300,000. The census returns for Brisbane City proper gives the population at 22,850 being an increase of 2347. In thecity and suburbs the population amounts to 39,530, or an increase 4419 in five years. Country returns are unfurnished. The American system of self-acting railway gate-keepers is being introduced on the Victorian lines. The machinery is connected with the rails, and acts automatically on the train passing. Elder Ferri-, a Latter-day saint, has been lecturing at Gisborne, and the local evening paper has come to the conclusion that he does not quite understand his business. He opened and concluded the meeting with a prayer for the welfare of the district,and expatiated considerably on its future in the matter of soil, and then asked them all to abandon it and go to the new Zion.

The “ Post ” states that it has been decided to erect a white stone beacon in the French Pass on the northern side, where the shore is low and deceptive. The beacon will be a cylindrical column, some 20ft. in "height and 10ft. in diameter, and will be distinctly visible on any night when the weather is clear enough for it to be safe to take the Pass at all. The high bluff on the opposite side is already sufficiently conspicuous, so long as there is an unmistakeablo distinguishing mark on the other side of the narrow channel.

Mr Berry, speaking at a complimentary dinner to Mr Munro, at North Melbourne, said the lime had come when the country expected a termination of the struggle, and would therefore accept substantially the Council’s amendment. But he was satisfied the country would not regard this as a final settlement, and that within a bnef period the struggle would be recommenced with renewed vigor. He was personally opposed to the acceptance of the Council’s amendments, but desired to proceed with other important measures, such as the abolition of plural voting and the increase of the L and tax. The “Age,” however, in a leader, says that as regards the question it is practically settled for a generatiom. An interesting story of a bankrupt estate and the profits derived therefrom by the legal profession, is told by the " Manawatu Herald.” The debtor was ore H. Brown, a baker at Foxton. The law expenses amounted to over £2OO, of which £l7O went to Wellington lawyers, and a* there were very small assets the fifteen or sixteen creditors who proved were levied upon to the extent of about £7 a-piece to make up the deficiency. The “Herald” thinks it will be admitted that in this instance the oyster has gone to tbo.Empire City, while the shell remains at Foxton, or to borrow a s : mile the debtor’s business, and a pun upon his name, the creditors have been decidedly “done Brown.”

From the Palmer Goldfield, Queensland, which was, even after its ‘golden days,’ capable of paying handsome wages for many years to 2000 whiteraen, the Ch'.nese have almost completely driven white labor. Referring to the coming session, the “ Pa'ea Mail" says “ Politics are in a state of stagnation, needing some leader of commanding ability to give them a push from without. The Opposition have nothing to offer t at can be called a policy. Though the Government are much weakened, ibey arc the only group of capable men who hive a decent claim to the colony’s confidence at present.”

At Lyons a servant girl was confined in the hospital of a boy, On leaving the establishment a midwife met her in the street, and bought the child for a rich family for lOOfr. Four days later the mother, a prey to remorse, demanded back her baby. The midwife said he was dead, and on the police arriving produced the coflin; but the mother swore the dead baby was not hers. In the course of a few hours her infant was returned to her, swathed in fine linen, and rolling in cashmere, silks, and white furs. At the rising of the Court of Queen’s Bench, London, recently, a St. Giles tobaconist who had had a verdict against him, exclaimed —“ This is a swindle; it is a robbery; this is twice I have been robbed and, pointedly addressing Lord Coleridge, said —“ I have been robbed, and by you ; you are a disgrace to the Bench." The bystanders cried “Shame,” on which the defeated litigant exclaimed—“ You are a parcel of lick-spittles.” Lord Coleridge left the Bench, and the man was removed by the ushers.

A brutal murder was committed in Little Bourke street, Melbourne, on April 80. A chimncj sweep named Dixon and his mistress disputed about a pound. Dixon became enraged, tore every shred of clothing from the woman, and beat her to death. He next poured two b ,ckets of water over her, and then adjourned to a public-house, leaving the unfortunate creature lying dead and perfectly naked upon the fLor. As usual, drink played a conspicious part in the crime. A number of half-beaotted men were outside the door all the time the struggle was going on, but none of them had the courage or manliness to go to the woman’s assistance. Dixon has been committed for trial.