NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2768, 6 February 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The monthly meeting of the Timaru School Committee will be held to-night. Foundations for a temporary engine shed are now being laid at the Railway station. "'Mr Williamson’s "Struck Oil ’’company will make their appearance at the Theatre Royal on Feb 13. The Washdyke Meat Preserving company intend commencing tlaolif meat; preserving season'- on March 1. 1 * ‘

The Premier visited the Auckland In* dustrial School on-Saturday, and expressed himself as pleased with the condition and working, of the institution. The residence of Mr Von Sturmer, a Hamilton, in Auckland, has been burnt. His furniture was insured for £llO, and the house by Jolly, the opener, for £3OO, but the policies had been allowed to lapse Joseph Merrick was brought up at Auckland on Saturday,'changed vvith arson in setting fire to the dwelling house of D, Garner in Albert street, the wife and children of the latter being therein at the time of the fire. He was remanded, bail being iallowed himself in ,’£lso and two sureties Of £SO. ' Constable. Young .at Port Chalmers effected a clever capitnre of a burglar on Friday- night. Bearing footsteps in a jeweller’s shop he tried the door, when the burglar escaped by the back. The constable gave chase and overtook the man, who struck him in the facie. ! A struggle ensued, but the constable managed to lock up his prisoner. A brooch was found on him, and watches were found in the grass. A great dealof other property is missing, and it' is surmised: an accomplice is still fit large. Captain Cullen and officers of the German warship Hahicht visited the Thames goldfields on Saturday. ;Itis'understood that the Boyal Commission to be appointed to investigate long-standing Volunteer claims will consist'of three members, and that these will be Mr Henry Bonny, late M.H.B. for Wairarapa; Mr James Fulton, M.H.B. for Taierii j and Mr Thomas McKay, late Deputy Commissioner for the property tax at Nelson,

A large number of Wellington Volunteers are expected to. take part in the ensuing meeting of the New Zealand Bifle Association at Nelson.

. Messrs Joubert and Twopeny intend holding a grand competire musical festival lasting a week during the Exhibition in Christchurch. Gold, silver and bronze medals will • be. giyen for class singing, band contests, vocal and instrumental solos, and school children’s glees. The contest will be open to the whole colony. About three o’clock on Sunday morning the fire-bell rang out an alarm, and the Brigade, police and a large number of townspeople soon mustered atjthe Brigade station. It soon trahspired that'the scene of the fire was the building in George 1 street, near the railway station,’occupied by Mr Goxhead, photographer. The fire was confined’to the chemical room at the back, and it is supposed that it was caused by the combustion of some of the chemicals, bnt the real origin of the fire is not known. Water was turned on without delay and the fire did not, spread from the room in which it originated. The damage to Mr Coxhead’a stock is estimated at about £SO, but the loss is covered by insurance. The stock was insured in the New Zealand office. This is the second fire that has taken place in this block of buildings, i which are old and of an inflmamable naturo. Had not the constable oh duty noticed the .fire at such an early stage the adjoining .premises of Messrs Wood and Smith, Wadlow, and Turnbull must have been totally destroyed, v > ;

The Premier, in answer to a deputation of Congregationis and Baptists, who waited on him at Auckland on Saturday and pointed out the disadvantage under which they labor«with respect to the solemnisation of marriages and the management of trust property, replied that he would submit the matter for the consideration (of the Colonial Secretary. At Auckland, on Saturday, the (Premier was waited on by a deputation, comprising Sir George, Grey and Messrs Sheehan, Harris, and Cadman, for the purpose of urging upon him the desirability of deferring the leasing of the Otago runs till alter the meeting of Parliament, and if necessary the calling;together of'Farliamen.t immediately. Mr Hall promised :to bring the matter before the Cabinet and obtain for it every consideration, but expressed it as his opinion that it was quite unnecessary. If the system had been found objectionable ample time had been offered during the past four years to have it amended, and even now the Government had the power of determining the leases on giving a year’s notice. , 'V

Mr Andrew Turnbull,! for many years manager of the N.Z. and Australian Land Company’s Fareora estate, was presented with a handsome gold watch, chain, and locket, at the Grosvenor Hotel on Saturday afternoon. The presentation 1 was made by Mr M. Studbolme, on behalf of the subscribers, about forty of whom were present. Mr Turnbull is about to undertake the duties of travelling inspector of the Company’s estates in the colony, a promotion which'his many friends consider he deserves. The watch bore the following inscription, “ Presented to Mr A. Turnbull, by his South Canterbury friends—January Ist-, 1882." The last exhibition of Mr Thompson’s diorama of the Zulu war was given at the ■Theatre Royal on Saturday night. There was a large attendance, and those present appeared to thoroughly enjoy the entertainment.

At the usual sitting of the Waste Lands Board, held at Christchurch, on Thursday, Yeb. 2, sales were made as follows Ordinary : Akaroa, ÜBa; Geraldine, 15a Ir 15p. Total acreage sold, 163 alr 15p. Total cash received, £32613s 9d, Refunds on account of former purchases were made in the amount of £9 18s 9d.

In America it is estimated, on an average, that 2,500 murders are committed annually. The average number of executions is 100 and lynohings average 100.

The Singer Company have opened .a; branch establishment for the sale of their sewing machines, next door to Messrs Gabites and Plante, Main South Boa?, under the management of ‘Mr J. O. Bruce, who has filled the post as local agent,,for I the past two years. There is now on view a i large variety of hand and treadle machines and all requisites for repairs, which Mr Bruce is prepared to undertake at moderate charges.