NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2816, 3 April 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Dunedin Customs revenue shows an increase over, the previous year of £41,148 2s Od.

A sculptor is being selected in England to undertake the Moorhouse memorial. £IOOO has already been promised.

Waimate is entering into competition with Oamaru in building stone. Some splendid samples of white stone are being sent up to the Exhibition. | 60,500 shares have been applied for in the West Coast (N. 1.) Railway Company ; 500 in excess of the number to be issued, The customs revenue in Auckland for March is £4703 ; for the quarter, £11,947, being an increase on the corresponding quarter of £2495,

A mysterious case of poisoning occurred in Wellington on Saturday evening. A Mrs Thornton and her three children were taken ill after tea. The doctor has now pronounced them out of danger, but as no one knows how they were poisoned, .the police are making enquiries. Looking back only a year •or two and comparing the appearance olTimara present with Timaru past,* the people of this town' have a great deal of cause lor congratulation. The large increase in the number of public buildings, the Breakwater, the water-supply, are all of quite recent growth. Only a year ago it was a complaint in everybody’s mouth that there was no promenade where one might enjoy the sea view and breeze, while now the Breakwater offers a magnificent opportunity for the townspeople to enjoy both.

The Temuka School Committee have “ put their foot in it ” by their absurd resolution re the Head Master declining to take part in getting up an entertainment on behalf of the school. Several journals have noticed the Committee’s action as a good joke. During the month of March 22 births, 4 deaths, and no marriages were registered at Waimate. The returns for the quarter were 58 births, 12 deaths, and 2 marriages. The statistics for the Temnka district for the quarter were—Births, 44, marriages, 6, deaths, 9 ; and for the month—Births, 15, deaths, 2. The Committee of the Floral and Horticultural Society met on Saturday evening, M? J* S* Gibson in the chair. The following resolution was carried—“ That the Honorary Secretary be requested to write to .those gentleman who have encouraged the Society in the past by giving special prizes, thanking them for past favors, and soliciting their support in the future by allowing their names to be placed on the special prize list.” The amount of Messrs Furdie and Co.’s special prize was received, the schedule of prizes for next show was revised and a discussion ensued on the distinction between profes*. sional and amateur gardeners. As no decision could be arrived at, the meeting was adjourned to the Bth inst. Several members promised prizes. Messrs Joubert and Twopeny disclaim any connection with Walpole and explain that no member of their staff is permitted to undertake any agency for exhibitors, and that the judging committee is composed of disinterested persons. This Mr Walpole is merely a tout working on his own authority.

The North Canterbury Board of Education have decided to direct the attention of the Department to the utter inadequacy of the means prescribed for auditing Committees’ accounts. It will bo remembered that the South Canterbury Board some twelve months ago made a similar representation.

Things are improving in the North Island, Auckland advices state that busi* ness sites in that city are not now to be had at any price,

A first offender, before E. G. Stericker Esq, J.P., this morning, charged with drunkenness, was discharged with a caution. H,M.S. Miranda left Hobart on the 23th March, and is expected in Lyttelton about Wednesday next.

There are very few veterans to be found In British communities who were eyewitnesses of Napoleon’s march, on Moscow in 1812. One such has just died at New Plymouth, a Dr. Samuel, as will be seen on reference to the telegraphic news. Messrs Nelson, Moate and Co., the celebrated tea blenders of Christchurch, have an advertisement on the fourth page, they publish a list of their agents in South Canterbury. As tea mixers this firm is unequalled in the colony. Messrs G. Adams and Co., practical English watchmakers, Christchurch, announce in an advertisement before the leader that they have a splendid assortment of watches, jewellery, and inexpensive presents, which they are prepared to offer at reasonable prices to visitors to the Exhibition. .

Sericulture is being developed at the Thames in earnest. A company has been formed for the promotion of silk and a parcel of four acres of land has been secured for the growth of the mulberry tree. The computations made by the Company are , 400 trees per acre yielding leaves enough’.to produce 2500 lbs o! cocoons, or 200 lbs raw silk, Worth £3OO.

The return of patients in the Timaru Hospital for the month of March has been handed to us. It showspatients under treatment at date of last return: males, 16; females, 4; total, 20. Admitted during month: males, 15; females, 4 ; total, 19. Total treated, 39., Discharged during month: —Cured males, 9 ; females 1. Incurable, 1 male. Deaths : males, 1; females, 1., Total discharged: males, IB; females, 3. Bemaining under treatment : males, 18 ; females, s total, 23. There were 20 out patients treated during the month..

Messrs R. J. Walters & Co., house furnishers, Christchurch, have an advertisement in another column giving a list of prices of their large and splendid selected stock of furniture. This firm has made special arrangements by which postal orders will be attended to with the greatest despatch. A special railway time table for the opening of the Exhibition in Christchurch is advertised this evening. Ordinary single fare tickets to Christchurch issued during the time the Exhibition is open will be available for return the same as ordinary return tickets. Persons willing to attend the opening of the Exhibition can either go to Christchurch by a special train leaving the Timaru station on Saturday at 1.10 p.m. or by the special train leaving Timaru at 5 o’clock on Monday morning. Those wishing to return home on the same day may do so by a special train which will leave Christchurch on Monday night at 7.50 o’clock arriving at Timaru at 12.30 a.m. on Tuesday. ' The monthly meeting of the Timaru School Committee will be held to-morrow night and not to-night as erroneously stated by our morning contemporary. : We observe that Mr Charles Green is again at the helm of the “ Ship ” during the tempprary absence of the proprietor, Mr McGuinness, who is taking a holiday. His Honor Judge Ward (in Chambers) this morning granted an order for compulsory sequestration of the estate of J. M, Shepherd. This will enable the creditors to act for their joint benefit and dispose of the estate as it may appear advisable.