NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2586, 5 July 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

A general meeting of the Timaru Working Mens’ Labor League and Political Union takes place to-night at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Barnard street, for the election of permanent officers.

The inquest on the body of John Tacon, which took place yesterday afternoon at the Resident Magistrate's Court House, resulted in a verdict of death from natural causes.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Board of Education will be held to-morrow, when in addition to the other business, the election of two members of the Board vice Messrs Lovegrove and. Postlt eh waite resigned, takes place. A libel case comes on for hearing at the R.M. Court to-morrow. Messrs Wildie, Allan, aud Stumbles being about to proceed against George Green, butcher, for alleged libel by him on their firm published in the “ Timaru Herald” on June 29, said libel consisting of an advertisement stating that Green had been misled in regard to a bill of sale given by him to Messrs Wildie and Co., and that he had been charged by the firm interest at the rate of 120 per cent. There was an exhibition with the gloves at the Grosvenor Boxing Saloon last night between Dan Lea and W. Hurcombe. About seven rounds satisfied them. It is stated that Lea and Hurcombe are going into partnership. In another column will be found an announcement by Messrs Robert Wilkin and Co., of Strathallan street. The Timaru branch of this well-known Christchurch firm has not been established many months but already the venture has been attended with the most gratifying results and its success is assured. The firm deals in the same class of goods here as at the head establishment, and farmers and others may obtain here as in Christchurch, agricultural implements, seeds of all descriptions, station stores, &c., of the very best.

Inspector Pender is conducting the prosecution of Ruxton, the Ashburton tailor, and Mrs Ruxton and her sister, in connection with the late fire at Ashburton. The Inspector stated that a few days before the fire two large boxes containing goods worth £IOO had been stored at Timaru. It will be remembered that immediately after the fire it was noticed that there were remains of few goods in Ruxton’s shop. This put Inspector Pender and Detective Kirby on the alert, and thej succeeded in finding out that articles of the above value had been secreted here. Inspector Pender then immediately proceeded to Ashburton and arrested the accused in their beds.

The usual weekly session of the English Lodge Victory, No. 12 1.0.G.T., was held last evening at the Foresters’ Hall. There was a large attendance of members and the chair was taken by Bro. J. Blackmore, W.C,T. One candidate was proposal for membership, and on being balloted for was duly elected. The Special Deputy announced that he had received a communication from the Grand Worthy Secretary, Wellington, relative to the publication of an official organ, under the English Constitution, in New Zealand, and having replied thereto, he would hold over what he had to say until a further communication was received. After a short recess, a little harmony was indulged in, when some excellent songs were given by Sisters Francis and Jane Jones, and Bros. Turner, Richards, Jones, Blackmorc, and Silvertom The accompaniments on the organ were played by Sister Jane Jones. It was announced that a second degree meeting is to take place next Monday evening. The lo ige closed at 9.30 p.ra. Very few people it would seem, if we may judge by the parties constantly appearing in undefended civil cases at the R.M., understand what asking a question means, extraordinary as the assertion may appear. The obstinate persistency with which some of these persons ignore His Worship’s reiterated “ Now then, you may put any questions you please to the witness,” is really wonderful. In ninety-nine cases out of a hundred the party so addressed utterly fails (apparently) to grasp the meaning of the words, and instead of questioning the witnees, will proceed to make a long rambling statement) sometimes addressing the witness and at other times the Bench, and generally contradicting the former directly he opens his mouth. What wonder, under such circumstances, that His Worship should exclaim, as he did to-day, “ It requires the patience of Job to deal with some witnesses.” Another claimant for the Tichborne estates has turned up near San Francisoo.

A Dunedin barmaid is about to sue a faithless lover for breach of promise. Damages, £IOOO.

From Dunedin we learn that the Government have decided to remove the passengers and crew of the Charles Worsley to Quarantine Island, and her cargo will be discharged into lighters.

A slight shock of earthquake was distinctly felt in the northern district of Canterbury, yesterday afternoon, about six minutes past three o’clock.

Government have agreed to run excursion trains at one-third of single fares in conunection with the Dunedin Exhibition.

The Hero, which arrive' 1 at Auckland from Sydney yesterday will be quarantined for sis days. She has about eighty passengers on board.

A meeting of the Wai-iti School Committee was hold on Monday evening. There were present Messrs Ogilvie (chairman), D. Fyfe, Smith, T. W. Fyfe, and Charters. Mr Balfour, on the motion of Mr T. W. Fyfe, seconded by Mr D. Fyfe, was chosen for the seat on the Education Board, caused by the resignation of Mr Postlcthwaile, and Mr Stewart, on the motion. of Mr Charters, seconded by D. Fyfe, was chosen for the scat caused by the resignation of Mr Lovegrove. Mr Walcot had previously withdrawn his nomination, Mr Smith was appointed visiting member for the month.

Buxton, tailor, of Ashburton with his wife and sister-in-law, were brought before the Court yesterday morning charged with arson on the 24th June. They were remanded until Saturday, bail being allowed amounting collectively to £SOO. Bail was obtained.

A Wellington paper says that Mr Gordon Forlong the well-known preacher, has turned earthquake prophet. He is at present carrying on a church in Dunedin, but has a house at Bu. Ts. The chimneys of the latter were knocked down by the recent shook, and Mr Forlong was duly advised by telegraph of the fact. He therefore wired back that no repairs were to be made until after the 6th July, as there would be another shock of an equally severe character on that date,

From the “ Dunstan Times” we learn that Mr Todd, manager of the Cromwell Company’s claim, Bendigo, where the miners are now out on strike, has received a threatening letter, calling on him to stop working kc.

There should be no unemployed bricklayers in the vicinity of Wellington for the next two or three weeks, as it is said that in Foxton alone there are no less than 250 chimneys requiring re-building in consequence of the earthquake. In such an emergency the local supply is not equal to the demand, there being at present but one bricklayer in the place.

The revenue received by the Otago Uuiversity from its endowments during the last financial year was £3517 4s 3d. It managed its affairs (says a correspondent) with Scotch exactitude,for at the close of the year there was a balance of cash in hand of just 2s. Not so bad this, when it is considered that over £IO,OOO was received and expended. The Dunedin “ Herald ” supplies the following information :—There are 18 lakes in Lake County : Wakatipu, Wanaka, M'Kerrow, Alabaster, Diamond, Sylvan, Harris, Wilson, M'Kellar, Howdon, Gunn, Hayes, Moke, Diamond (near Frankton), Lochnager, Luna, Here, and Dispute. These lakes are at various altitudes, and cover about 247,440 acres, and have a length of shore line exceeding 250 miles. The Dunedin Licensing Bench yesterday refused an application for a renewal to the Dafley Hotel. The police had objected to it, and brought evidence showing most disgusting immorality on the part of the barmaid employed. Evidence for the defence was brought, but the Bench said they did not believe a single witness.

The charge of criminal libel preferred by Mr Massey, Town Clerk, of Dunedin, against Mr Allen, seedsman, comes on on Thursday, The alleged libel consists in a statement made by Allen that Massey and he being interested as mortgagees in coachbuilding premises in High street, offered him (Allen) a Hum of money to burn the premises down. The Hon Captain Fraser was a warm supportcroftheChine.se Bill, and in the discussion on its second reading he said of the Mongolians that they were most trenchcrous, as witness theNaseby murder. However, a Chinee had been hung for that, although it was the wrong man—(Laughter)—the other man having the benefit of a clever lawyer. His countrymen, though to their credit, Boycotted him, and he (Captain Fraser) hoped he ha i since cut his throat.

Tenders are invited for plastering a house at Fairlie Creek. Further particulars elsewhere.