NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2950, 8 September 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

There were no cases at the R.M. Court this morning. The outward ’Frisco mail closes at Timatu to-morrow.

The Wellington Naval Brigade will fire a match with all Naval corps in the colony.

Government do not intend pushing the Alienation of Lands BiU through this session.

A very heavy sea on the Qreymouth bar has stopped all shipping operations for the time.

The North Island Trunk Bailway Bill and the N.Z. Loan Bill were passed by the House last evening.

The Government are evidently not disposed to grant any annual allowance to Volunteer Fire Brigades. There are eight criminial cases for hearing at the ensuing session of the Supreme Court Wellington, none of them being serious. It appears that the Life Guards (or Household Brigade) were ordered to Egypt at the earnest solicitation of the officers, who smarted under the popular designation of carpet knights.

Some School Committees are in the habit of M passing ” salaries for payment. This being a statutory payment over which Committees have no earthly control, what is the meaning of this ceremony of “ passing?” Charles Smith, yesterday at Carterton, Wellington, was sentenced to sis months hard labor for assaulting one, John Sparge, resisting the police and using obscene language.

The punctuality of the 'Frisco mail boats is wonderful, the City of Sydney, with the August English mail, left San Francisco for Auckland on August 27, one day later than the time-table date. The Australia, with the August colonial mails, arrived at San Francisco on the 4th inst., three days earlier than the timetable date. One of the Government cottages at Waimakariti Gorge was completely destroyed by fire on Tuesday. It was occupied by Messrs G. Bond and R. Oliver, who lose property to the value of £7O, £l9 of which was in notes. This loss is the more unfortunate as in the course of a day or two it would have been paid away. The origin of the fire cannot in any way be accounted for. It is understood the cottage was uninsured.

Bussian army officers are in the fashion of wearing eye-glasses, and have so damaged their eyesight that eye-glasses are now prohibited except on a doctor’s certificate.

Card playing in Russia is more popular than in any other country. As no private person or company is allowed to make cards, the Government have a profitable monopoly. The one factory turns out 24,000 packs of cards a day, or mote than seven million a year, The ' World ' says of the Phcenix Park outrages : ” The resources of civilisation have been pitted against the resources of the secret societies, and thus far the former have been ignominiouuly defeated.” It Is a‘sad but true confession.

The Canterbury Industrial Association wants the Government to grant a bonus of £250 for the first 100 tons of twine suitable for reapers and binders made of European flax grown in the colony, and also £IOO for the first 2COO gallons of oil from colonial linseed/’ 1 "V"

The Kowai Licensing Committee has resolved that a suggestion be forwarded to the Government that a policeman from another district should make occasional visits in plain clothes, for the purpose of seeing that the Act is not infringed and that excessive drinking is not carried on. The Levels Licensing Committee yesterday confirmed the transfer of the Cave Hotel license from Mr Morgan to Mr McCprmick, and declined to take action for the relief of Messrs Geaney and Murphy, of Pleasant Point, who stated that they were much" inconvenienced by being obliged to close their hotels at 10 o’clock,

The corner stone of Trinity Church Greymouth, was laid yesterday afternoon, according to the rites of the Masonic Brotherhood, by P.M. Gordon. Bishop Harper and the curates of Ktuaara and Eeeftou were present. The day had been proclaimed a half-holiday and a large gathering of people was present, but the weather was wet and stormy. A great many people came from Brunner and the country,

The subscribers to the Christchurch Telephone Exchange are agitating tor a reduction in rates. At a meeting to-day, it was stated that if tire charge were reduced to £lO per annum, the number would be trebled in a few months. ’ It was also stated that the exchange ought tq.be kept open at night, and then a number of private houses would be connected. They suggested that branch offices' should be established where anyone on payment of a small fee might go in and use the telephone. A Committee was appointed to take action in the matter.

The Waimate Horticultural Society met in the school-house on Wednesday evening 6th inst, and proceeded to re-arrange the roles and engagements of the Society, and to elect office-bearers for the ensuing year; The following gentlemen were' elected patrons of the Society:—His Worship the Mayor, Messrs Studholme, J. Manchester, J. Douglas, A, Hayes, and 'Allan McLean. MrW.J. Steward was elected President; Mr W. Ward, Vice-President j Mr Collins, Secretary; Mr St, George, Auditor ; and Messrs J. Molloy, J. Henry* J* Clear, Q. H, Graham, Joseph Nind, P. Jqnes, Jaa Nind, J, Stemsou, and the officers a. committee for the ensuing year.

Messrs Davies and Murphy announce the arrival of their summer drapery. The proprietors of the Giant Balmoral Boot Shop are holding a clearing sale of their stock.

in emergency meeting, of St. John’s Lodge of Freemasons will be held this evening.

Mr Davidson has been appointed Timaru agent for the Australian Mutual Provident Society, in the room of Mr E. H. Tate (deceased). Mr Yardley,' bookbinder, will, on and after Monday next, carry on business in bis new premises at the rear of Messrs P. W. Hutton’s shop. Mr Tardley’s plant is of a very complete description.