SOUTHERN

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2861, 17 June 1879, Page 3

SOUTHERN

CHBISTCHUKCH, Monday.

SAD DEAWOF A CHILD.

At fin inquest at Askborjton on the body of a chiU named Lancaster, wbiph died of congestion of the lungs, it appeared that the father hud been iv liquor for some d.aya, and was too intoxicated to go for the doctor when required, the mother being unable to leave the child. The jury returned a verdict of "died from natural causes" at the same time severely censuring the father. INCENDIARISM. Mrs Aahwin and her son, Martin, have been committed for trial from Akaroa, .on a charge of wilfully setting fire to the little Akaroa Sawmill, winch was burnt down a few weeks ago. At Wainui a labourer'employed on a wall contract tried to dry a dynamite cartridge by holding it on a shovel ov#r Q. nre. An explosion ensued, and the man was badly hurt. He will probably lose his eyesight. ~ A whale seventy feat long has been stranded at AkaroaJjH cads.

The Christehurch District Road Board have decided to introduce a Bill this sess on to amend the Christen urch District Drains Act now in force. A special meeting will be held on Monday to consider the matter for the electoral districts of Avon Heathcote, and Ashley. There was not a single appearance to oppose the Registration Oilicer's objections. This day. UNEMPLOYED. The City Council last night resolved to spend £5(10 in the city to give work to Lho unemployed. The Chiistehurch Tramway Company commence next, month. The first of the Town Hall designs was received from Auckland yesterday. DUNEDIN, Monday. THE RAPE CASE. John Moon, convicted for rape at the last sessions of the Court, has received a second flogging of 25 lashes. He suffered severely. Mary Edwards, with a baby in her amis, whose husband deserted her, pleaded guilty at the Police Court to wholesale robberies ofjdrapery, and was remanded to enable the police to make inquiry. -EXHIBITS FOR SYDNDY EXHIBITION. The Loan and Mercantile Agency Company have given free storage for the Otago Exhibits for the Sydney Exhibition. The Hogellist who operated upon the man flogged for rape was an old sailor who went about his work leisurely and thoroughly. A Chinamen charged with passing counterfeit coins has been remanded. It appeared that he had brought some Spanish coins from Hong Kong and attempted to put them into circulation here. BALCLUTHA, Monday. CALL TO HOKITIKA. At a meeting of the Balcluthn Presbyterian congregation this afternoon it was resolved to request the Presbytery to moderate in a call to the Rev G. W. Morrice, of Hokitika. WELLINGTON, Monday. THE HARBOUR BOARD. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce waited on the Premier by appointment to-day, in reference to the formation of a Harbour Board for Wellington, several members of the deputation pointed out the great necessity for a Harbour Board, the Premier replied that he thought the Corporation would have taken the matter in hand before, but if the Chamber wished to take the question up and would present him with a draft of the bill they intended to introduce he would consider the matter, and inform them what were the views of the Government upon the subject. THE HUTT CONTEST. Thomas Mason, of the Hutt, declares himself a candidate for that seat. He believes in the prosecution of public works, and raising a loan for that purpose, that Crown lands should be sold on deferred payment. He states also that the native question requires careful consideration, and land as well as other property should bear a fair portion of the burden of taxation. This day. FLOATING FIRE ENGINES. The question "f getting a floating steam fire engine is being revived. THE BURNED-OUT CONGREGATION. The Wesleyan congregation have secured the Arcade in which to hold their services and keep their school. KINROSS CASE. Kinross's case is occupying the Court all day, the greater portion of their time being taken tip with legal point. Little progress has been made yet. Mr Rees is conducting th case for the prosecution. The cjso has been again adjourned till Thursday next. UNEMPLOYED. The Borough Council has reduced the day wages to 63 Gd and increased the number of employed, so as to find work for idle htrffds. CHARtJES AGANIST A FARMER. A farmer named Day has been committed for trial on three charges concerning removing horses to defraud creditors, and obtaining monjy by false pretences. gPORT CHALMERS, this day. Arrived! Ship Otago, from Glasgow, OAMARU, this day. The body of a man named Donald McDonald, or Donald McGuinness, a Scotchman, aged 55, was found in the' lagoon to-day. lie had evidently been in the water some time. WESTPORT, this day. NARROW ESCAPE OF A M.H.R. Mr Henry, member of the House of Representative for Buller, was picked up a carter on Sunday night iv a stream six miles from Lyell. The carter put him in his dray, anddpposited him at the lirsthotel. He appears to have been coming homefrom Lyell, where he had been stumping, when on crossing the stream he fell off his horse which cantered off and left him, and he groped about, the water being very shallow, until he scrambled to a shingla hank in midstream, where the carter, attracted by his dog, found him.