NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2991, 26 October 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

News from the Southern Cross oil springs near Gisborne is very encouraging. Mr Gordon, the newly-appointed Inspector of Mines has started on a tour of the Otago gold fields.

The evidence taken at the departmental enquiry into the late railway accident at Waitati will be sent to Wellington. It is intended to request the sanction of Government to the formation of a new Volunteer corps in Christchurch.

The Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association show, takes place on Nor. 9. The value of the prizes exceeds £IOOO. The Langdon quartz mine at Greymouth looks exceedingly well. The reef has been traced for some distance, and it continues widening.

The privileges for the Metropolitan Race meeting ac Christchurch have been sold for £453, as against £317 obtained last year.

Alfred Wright and Kdward Malley have been committed for trial at Auckland for stealing a gold watch and chain from -Mrs MoKellar.

Mr Bryce is to meet the Maori King to-morrow, at Whatiwhatihoe. A number of natives from up the country have arrived at Alexandra, to attend the meeting.

A workman named Thompson fell yesterday from the railway foot-bridge, Lytlelton,. breaking his right arm. and leg. A portion of the wood work had given way. The Acting-Governor remitted the fine and costs imposed upon Patrick O’Hara, junior, some four months ago, for alleged assault upon certain Chinamen in the Auckland Domain, .....

Special prizes were distributed at the Woodbury School on Tuesday last. They were given for excellent work and conduct and. regular attendance, during, the halfyear ending June SO. A banquet to Mr A. McDonald, M.H.8., at Gisborne on Tuesday night, was very successful, Sir G. Whitmore and distinguished visitors from Auckland, and. Napier being present. The whole Company numbered 100,

The Comiques had an excellent, house last night, and their performances gave general satisfaction, encores being frequent* Mr T. J, Kennedy also .took-part, and it is' needless to say he was enthusiastically rece ved.

Two member's of the Christchurch Bioyole Club started at -5 a.m. ; ou.luesday intending to ride to Hm.unui and baok (112 miles) in the day. They would probably have done it, but that a heavy storm came on, and they had to take refuge at an hotel.

The Timaru Brass ba d played on the Show ground yesterday and .drew a large number of people to listen to them. Their playing was much admired. • The armless lady also exhibited in a tent on the ground and she seemed to be well patronised.

A reliable correspondent signing himself significantly '• Spot-him” informs us of an act of gross and culpable recklessness on the part of the driver of a vehicle (a few days ago, on the Wai-iti Road) in dashing at full speed into the middle of a mob of merino sheep. When remonstrated with, the offender deigned only to hurl an oath at the man in charge, and passed on. Such a statement needs no comment, and we trust it will warn carelesss drivers.

Attention is directed to the alteration in the advertisement of the Metropolitan

Temperance Hotel, Christchurch. The building is, without exception, the largest ot its kind in the city, containing about 100 rooms, well furnished .with every necessary with regard to comfort and cleanliness. The new tariff of charges ii extremely moderate, and be ng in the centre of tho city, the house should command substantial support. Visitors to Christchurch from this district would (0 well to give this institution a trial. The Government yesterday morniig notified to the Wellington City Oourcil that it is their intention to tike over the whole control and managemertof the Wellington Hospital and Charitible Aid. Applications for tho position of iesident Surgeon were to ba considered b r the Council to-night, but the Governmenthavo requested that the applications ba hmded over to them unopened. Tho numier of applicants for the position of Riaideut Surgeon was 8; for that of Stewa'd, 30 and for the office of Dispenser, 12.

: Af the Agricultural show yesterday there were three entries in the special class lor (he bed four pound loaf of bread. The prizes were awarded as follows J. Young, Timiru, first ; J, Burford, Timatu, second;. Davidson, Oamaru, highly commended. All the exhibits were of good quality. -Wehave been requested to draw attentionto the sale.of furniture at Parah street, by Messrs B. Turnbull and to-morrow.

. Another ■ notoriety got, two years for vagrancy at ■ Dunedin yesterday. Her name is Bridget Kane, and morally she is a fac-simile of Mary Allen, who recently got twelve months for vagrancy. Both these ladies had 116 convictions recorded against them.

The “ Mataura Ensign,” on what ground it is not stated, doubts the probability of Sir Julias Vogel coming back to New Zealand. He will remain in Melbourne over the races, and then return to England by the Orient steamer. Unless he sees a chance ef picking up a few sovereigns by a visit, it is not probable tbe great man will trouble himself about us, He is not likely to come for sentimental .reasons.

The Dunedin “ Star ” says The Otago Cricket Association have, we understand, received advices from Melbourne to the effect that Mr Halifax was only empowered * o reoeive offers from the various towns in the colony, for visits from the Hon. Ivo Bligh’s team, and this at his own suggestion. Final arrangements, have therefore to be made with the Melbourne Cricket Club.”

The Gisborne Agricultural Society held a show yesterday at Pahitaki, but in consequence of the inclemency of the weather, it was a failure.

, A man named Smith, of Lincoln, appeare.l before the B.M. at Christchurch yesterday, for Biasing his wife. A .witness who saw her after the assault, said she looked Half murdered, and the doctor said her state was critical. The' case was adjourned., Mr Waeckerle, hotel-keeper of Akaroa, appears to be a marked man. Some individual has written him an anonymous letter, threatening to burn down one, of his bouses. A look-out is being kept, and the Mayor has ordered two men to patrol the town at night. That is not the way to catch the incendiary. f The City Council of Christchurch are doing their utmost to press the West Coast raUway construction on the Government. They are inviting local bodies, and Political and Labor Associations to cooperate with them, A meeting of delegates from these bodies will meet the council.