NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXI, Issue 2341, 3 February 1873, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

We are informed by the Chief Postmaster that the s.s. Tararua with the Australian mails and English letters (via Suez and Brindisi) were landed at Hokitika, and will be brought to Christchurch by the coach, due on Wednesday evening. At a meeting of the Rangiora Cricket Club, held at the J unction Hotel on Friday evening last, Mr F. Thome in the chair, it was decided to accept a challenge to play the Leithfield Club, on the ground of the latter, on Saturday next. The match R.C.C. v R. 1.0.0 F. is therefore postponed, and- will not be played on Saturday next on the R.C.C. ground, as intended. " The Corsican Brothers'' was largely attended at our theatre on Saturday evening, the body of the house being well filled. The part of Fabien Dei Franchi was undertaken by Mr Rayner, and, as may be supposed, was rendered in most satisfactory style. We are nnable to congratulate Mr Keogh on his performance of the part of Chateau Renaud, one evidently beyond the range of his dramatic abilities. Mr Aveling also, as Mont-

geron, was not fortunate, and the drawback of hasty rehearsals was frequently noticeable during the evening. The ghost scene in the first and third acts was well managed, and received well merited applause from the audience. A Wellington telegram states that the difficulty mentioned in our correspondents letter about getting a crew for the fouroared outrigger race in the Star Club, is settled, and that four men have been selected. Some months ago, says the " Otago Daily Times," of the Ist instant, Mr W. A. Murray, M.H.R. sent a sample of tussock grass from that province to Melbourne, for the purpose of testing its qualities as a paper-making material. It has been tested twice at Ramsden's Paper Mills, and the results may be considered satisfactory. It is found to make an excellent brown wrapping paper; and the opinion of those who have tested is that it will also work nicely into news, common printings, &c, as it takes a good colour, aud is easily bleached. Samples of the paper manufactured from the tussock grass have been forwarded to Mr Murray, and after inspection we can safely say that they fully bear out the favorable opinion expressed by the experienced gentleman who tested the materialThe high charges for freight will probably render it impossible to profitably work the tussock grass into paper either in Australia or England ; so it is to be hoped that some one will be found enterprising enough to establish the necessary works in the colony, and by utilising the excellent material which exists in such abundance, secure the bonus of ,£2500 offered by the General Government for the first 100 tons of paper manufactured in New Zealand. We ("West Coast Times") understand that the Westland Racing Club have positively determined to hold a race-meeting at Easter on the new race-course, and there is

every reason to expect that it will prove exceptionally successful. The club having gone to considerable expense in clearing and levelling the ground will not be able to give a large amount in prizes, probably not more than £500, but that sum will ho doubt suffice to attract some good horses. But the course itself will draw a large attendance. Its situation is about the best that could have been selected. Within a very easy distance from town, it is nevertheless so surrounded with dense bush and lofty trees, that it seems to be removed many miles away from all evidences of town life. Its elevation gives on one side a commanding view of the Hokitika river, the old racecourse, and the Kanieri road. The course is about the'finest in the colonies, and reflects great credit upon those indefatigable members of the club, Mr Mace and Mr Christian, by whose zeal and perseverance work has been done which money alone could not have accomplished. The course measures about sixty-six chains, with a straight running to the grandstand of fifteen chains. This part has been grassed and is beautifully level, thus affording every chance to the best horse to win, and giving the spectators a clear view of the conclusion of each race. The approach to the course is excellent. A fine road, made by prison-labor, has been constructed, in continuation of Hampden street, up to the cutting on the Hau-hau Tramway, whence a short road is being made to the course by the prisoners, under the superintendence of overseer Fergusson. The work altogether is really creditable, and well deserves more assistance from the people of Hokitika than has been accorded to it. The Canterbury public are warned of the

circulation of spurious silver coin, the extent of which is not yet known. The returns of Customs revenue for the quarter ending on December 31st, show a total for the colony of £210.807, against £193,097 for the corresponding period of 1871. A prize fight took place the other day on the Grey mouth racecourse, and as many as fifteen were summoned before the Resident Magistrate, charged with being concerned in the affair. Further particulars are not yet to hand. A report was current in boating circles on Saturday that the crew of the Heatchcote Club to compete in the interprovincial regatta had broken up. We trust, however, that it is not too late for them to reconsider their decision, as the clnb contains some first-rate oarsmen, and they will have an opportunity of testing the famous eliding Beats ia their new boat.

The Auckland correspondent of the "Daily Times " telegraphs on January 31st as follows :—The Native Office is keeping the particulars regarding the Maungatautari meeting quiet, but I have it on the best authority that the Friendlies much discouraged the Kiug party. The latter were very conciliatory, but the Friendlies were very firm, resisting tbe suggestions made to tlrm, and they threatened, if necessary, to appeal to the higher power of the Lord God of Battles in support of their cause. They complain much of the Governor's absence from the meeting, and believe that he was kept away by Mr M'Lean, as the Governor sent a friendly message to Tawhiao by Ahipene, expressing a wish to meet him. They complain, also, that the Governor did not reply to Manuhiri's courteous letter to Mr M'Lean. These details are authentic, though suppressed. Auother great meeting is to be held at Rotorna as soon as the Friendlies have made up their minds how to act.

Yesterday there were three services in the Eomau Catholic Church, at which Bishop Moran was present and took part in. The morning mass was spoken by Father Ecuyer, and his Lordship preached a very eloquett sermon. In the afternoon the Bishop administered the rite of confirmation to 120 candidates whom he exhorted in an affectionate manner. In the evening there were Vespers and the Benediction, and the Bishop resumed his discourse on education speaking for upwards of an hour. Notwithstanding the inclement state of the weather the chapel was crowded to suffocation at each service, especially in the evening, many persons being unable to obtain admission. Facts that have come to the knowledge of the " Timaru Herald," incline it to the belief that the Government do not intend to utilise the Rangitata bridge for railway traffic, as previously considered a probability. The annual treat to the children attending St. Mary's Episcopalian school, Timaru, took place last Wednesday in a paddock belonging to Mr-Bargfrede. As many as 200 are reported to have been present, and the affair was a great success. We are glad to find that our Ljttelton friends have so warmly taken up the matter

of sending a crew to Wellington to represent them in the interprovincial race. Under the able coaching of Mr Roper, and with the selection of the best men they have, a superior crew will be able to be sent. The time for entries to be made for the Interprovincial Race has been extended to February 16th. This will give time for the various crews who may be willing to enter to send in the names of their boats. A meeting of the committee appointed at the late meeting on the subject of registration of votes, will be held at Mr Charles Clark's rooms to-morrow evening at 7.30 p.m. The anniversary services of the Manchester street Congregational Church were held yesterday, sermons being preached by the Rev. W. J. Habens, pastor of the church, and the Rev. A. F. Douglas. That the selection committee to whom has been entrusted the onerous task of selecting a crew to represent Christchurch in the Interprovincial race acted wisely in extending the time for receiving entries to train, is evidenced by the fact that at the adjourned meeting held at Coker's on Saturday afternoon no less than eight additional names were sent in, thus affording a goodly number from which the committee will be able to select a strong crew. A four took a trial pull down the

river on Saturday evening, comprising Waffoon, bow ; J. Dawson, 2 ; D. Reese, 3 . Herdson, stroke; and Morton, cox. Mr Glassford coached them from the bank, and will continue his labors every evening. A rascally piece of vandalism is mentioned in a report in the "Timaru Herald," from which it appears that on Wednesday morning, just before launching a cargo boat from Messrs Green and Maxwell's service, the manager fancied there was something wrong with the surf line, and on examination the line was found to be severed somewhere about the buoy—clearly cut with a knife. Had the boat been launched, a serious accident might have resulted—the least probably being the damage of the boat. _, A Melbourne telegram says:—The coal supply at present amounts to 4000 tons, exclusive of the stocks of the Melbourne Gas Companies, who have from three to six weeks' supply. The prices for steamers are from 60s to 65s per ton, and for ordinary use from 72s 6d to 75s per ton. A -number of engineers are using wood, and will do so until the price is reduced to 30s. From seventy to eighty vessels are lying idle at New castle. We notice that the Tokomairiri races are to take place on the 6th and 7th of March. An accident occurred on Saturday afternoon between the Rakaia and the Selwyn to a man named Bad, a waggoner residing at the Ashburton. It appears that Bad in company with another man named Muirhead, was on the road between the Rakaia and the Selwyn, going towards the latter township, when he got off his waggon to walk. In doing so his foot became entangled with the

traces, and he was thrown under the horses, one wheel going over his leg and arm. He was picked up by Muirhead, and brought on to the Selwyn. Here he was placed in charge of Constable Kennedy who, deeming the injuries he had received severe, had him placed in the train and brought to the Christchurch Hospital, where it was found that his leg and arm were broken. He was doing well last evening. Apropos of the recent flogging in Lyttelton gaol, we publish the following remarks by an English contemporary, on the subject of the "birch" in India:—lt appears from the prison records of India that in the year 1870 over 18,000 convicted persons were flogged throughout the different Presidencies in due course of law, this rough-and-ready penalty saying the State a large amount of money in prison maintenance, and apparently acting in a most efficacious manner upoa the malefactors. The flogging is inflicted not with a cat-o'nine tails, but with a cane, the superior advantage of which instrument of torture ia, that during the infliction of the former the cuticle soon became indurated and insensible to pain, whereas the sting of a good caning, while it does no permanent injury, remains for some time in terrorem. The ultra-phi-lanthropy of the present century revolting

from the merciless severity of our old criminal discipline in this country has had a tendency to err in the other extreme, as we are beginning to find out; and recently justice has been, obliged to revert to

the lash as the only deterrent tJ brutal ruffianism is capable of ftpp rCO ' But the experience of India almoEt 8l) Rg ' its extension, both as a reformative nt * and in regard to prison economies. °r! 5B aidering the enormous sum laid 0 n county lates for the maintenance of criminal population, it is only fair to h ''" men to see whether a wholesome flop • may not at the same time save their DU * and make the criminal feel, if he docs n\ see, the error of his ways. It h aß ' proved that in England there is nothing much dreaded by brutal ruffians (w_o a , almost invariably cowards) as the '• cat " •„*, wirh tho bulk of criminals fear is the o-' effectual deterrent. The native magi s t r J it appears have a morbid horror of senten ing a man to be flogged, not from a _» peculiar soft-heartedness, but becnußQ th law obliges the magistrate to witness tb» punishment. We do not doubt that the Baa» objection would prevail here if such a n c <& less technicality were enforced, for, as a ruU the Westerns arc more alive to suffering thn a the Orientals. But we wish that as soon v possible the punishment by flogging f or treme cases should be placed at the discretion of our magistrates. The Otago Eleven nrrived yesterday v the Taranaki. We believe that the Eleven includes Messrs Macfarlan, Tait, Hendlet Johnston, Glen, Muir, Hellicar, Andrei Allen (captain), Clark, and Rhodes, n\[\ Sutcliffe as twelfth man. Of these onlt Macfarlan, Hendley, and Allen have in the match before. Tho Eleven win practice on tbe U.C.C. ground every (j s . until the fmatch, which commences oa Thursday next, the 6th instant, and will \* continued on Friday and Saturday.