SOCIAL & GENERAL.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7262, 23 January 1889, Page 2

SOCIAL & GENERAL.

Following upoh the Christmas and New dear's holidays a reaction seems to have supervened in the social as well as in the political worldVand there are few events of Importance to record since oar last Summary was published A somewhat important libel action has just been eondndeu at Welungton. An ex-minister of the recently left Ne* Zealand for "Victoria and began to-mak j MsrprfipsrstkmßJoT£omg awaydmangtoe lastrSessfflonaof Parliament. On moretha 0

igatvftflf nhs«iraxrcinthißlegißla» five dntaes wasgranted to-him-by "the and the TSessJZeaLsssd Mafald,&Qoaxasl published at Auckland, Jjeing misled by soma observations made.byone of tie member 8 published an article in which it was suggested that Mr Labkach was •unable to attend the House on account of his removal to Melbourne, aad the leave of. absence was simply a device to enable him to go on drawing his honorarium. Upon this artidje and another of similar tenor Mr Lassacr brought an action for libel, and at the trial was able toshowthata* *he time of his absence from the House his daughter was seriously iIL and that he waa in fact called home by an urgent letter from the doctor in attendance. The' proprietors of the ■ newspaper, on finding out' the mistake which had been made, Bent a telegram to M* expressing their *egret, aad also poMshed an apologetic article in the paper. This, however, was not deemed sufficient, and the jury returned a verdict for plamtiff for JBSOO damages, costs being allowed on the middle scale.

Within the last few days a shocking ta%gady has occurred at Chertsey, a few sales irom Ashburton. A man named Fkkscxb Fahxt shot his wife with a re* Toiffer, * and then committed suicide with thesmse weapon. .Faust had been given toidrinking haMts, and his wife had had

to complain of his conduce toiler. In fact on the day of the murder a fwtwwwau was on his way to the house to inquire *"<** complaints made by the wife, and toe traeedy actually occurred in his Bigot as he was approaching toe cottage, being perpetrated before he could interface to prevent it.

Some interest has been excited during tbe month by toe Championship Chea 3 'Oaafptn held in Christchurch, and the Championship Lawn Tennis Meeting held atFarndon, sear Napier. At the former 42*8'-Chess Championship of New Zealand ira&caraedoff by Mr A. M. Oumu, of

At the latter the Cantertmry ■representatives were very successful, wissang three events and assisting in yrrmfn|r another out of the five principal ■jOJßtehes.!E»e Chanrpionahip was won, after a mf lg« l »ft ) 'w.ti, contest, by Mr P. C. Faxwxcx, of ,- Napier. The Ladies' Championship wasrwon by Miss Goaixnr, of Christchurch; toe Championship Doubles by Messrs R. DBabzak and F. Wiuhxo, of Christchurch ; and ifae Combined Doubles by Miss Gordon Whjhxo.

We hare to record the death of Mrs Gsessdn, wife of tiie Hon. H. B. Gkbssoh, fozxoerly a> Judge of the Supreme Court o* tH» colony. Mrs Gxxssok was a lady greatly esteemed for her kindness and beaarrolenee, and her loss will be severely •tea.

Tie weather has been very fine and dry Hmmg the month, and the crops have coma on famously. At present there is every prospect of an exceedingly good harvest.