NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2845, 8 May 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Borough Council meet this evening at seven.

Ihe Stony River bridge, near New Plymouth, is reported to be giving way, in consequence of floods in the river, i Patrick Ceilings had a close shave the other day in Auckland. He is a bus driver, and was thrown from his bus by the horses bolting. The the wheels passed along his body from foot to shoulder, only missing crushing his head by an inch.

Cash to the amount of £175, and a draft for £SOO, were found on Hargis when arrested. Mrs H. had collared £BOOO in sovereigns, it seems, before they left. The ; most astounding aud terrible piece of Irish news yet to hand appears to-day. The Secretary for Ireland and his subordinate officer have been stabbed in the Phoenix Park! Will the end never come ? The woman assaulted by Arthur Piercy, at Christchurch, has died in the hospital. The Agnes has picked up the second end of the broken cable, and the splicing will be prooccded with at once. The Kev. Mr Tanner’s successor as Incumbent of St. John’s, Invercargill, is to receive £4OO, exclusive of residence, Easter offerings, and subsidy from Clergy Maintenance fund. A monkey broke loose in Dunedin on Friday and inflicted some slight wounds and a great deal of fright on various children. lie also visited one of the public schools, but as there is no authority given by the Education Act to monkeys to inspect public schools, Jacko was collared by the police aud “ run in.”

The plans for a new Garrison Hall at Invercargill have been approved. The floor space will be 100 x 60 feet, with rooms for officers, band, and for the several companies.

Heavy rains in Auckland have brought thousands of logs down the river to the sawmills. ‘ Hurray 1 for’floods,’ cry the sawmillers.

A detective is trying to find out who fired the Wade public pound, and the Council is stimulating searchers by a reward of £2O. The detective may as well go about some other business, and the Council’s money is pretty safe.

Considerable doubts have existed among Dunedin publicans as to whether, under the new Act, notices of application for renewals must be advertised. On Saturday a meeting of members of the Dunedin Licensing Committee was held, and, by a majority of eight out of thirteen, it was decided that it is not necessary to advertise.

:In the Supreme Court the case of Parnell for indecent assault on Mrs Daniells, occupied the Court a whole day. The jury retired about half-past five, and after two hours’ deliberation brought in a verdict of not guilty. The Judge in discharging the accused, said it was the first case of a man being found unlawfull in a strange woman’s bed, whom he had-heard of getting off so easily. The Duke of Sutherland is rapidly breaking up. Pieces are floating ashore, and the Harbor Board have notified the purchaser that he must remove the wreck forthwith.

A private letter from Tonga states that some of the young chiefs had petitioned the King to remove the Premier, the Rev. W. Baker. The king was at Habau when the movement took place, but he returned on hearing of it, and. arrested the young chiefs and threatened to hang some of them as a warning to others. He was remonstrated with, and it was shown that these young men had only exercised the right of petition given them by the constitution. but the King still threatens to hang some of them.. Mr Baker recently left Auckland for Tonga. The difficulty has probably been settled peacefully ere this. Baker musn’t make the chiefs crusty.

Some ultra Good Templars in England have protested against the “ English and Colonial National Song,” recently published by Mr Tennyson. The great cause of offence lies in these words of the chorus, “To the great name of England drink, my friends." The G. T.’s say this is pandering to a vieious custom which they are trying to stamp out.

Not quite 200 persons availed themselves of the day excursion train to Christchurch on Saturday. There was a clean sheet at the R.M. Court this morning. This announcement is becoming pleasingly common. The N.Z. Grand National Steeplechase Club removed their disqualification from the cross country jockey William McKay, on Saturday, May G.

Colonists may congratulate themselves on immunity from that terrible scourge, hydrophobia. There have been several cases at home; the latest recorded is that of a ; lady in Ireland who died from hydrophobia cause 1 by her finger having been bitten by a dog.

The Laureate’s latest production, “ The English and Colonial National Song,” is a very washy production, there is too much of the •* made to order ” business about it. It is kindled by no burning sentiment, and it kindles none. Of course, however, it is the correct thing to say it is “ very good,”