CANTERBURY NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXIII, Issue 3612, 23 March 1880, Page 2

CANTERBURY NEWS.

Christchtjrch, Maroh 19. At a special meeting of the City Council, tonight, to consider the i Charitable Aid question, the opinion was arrived at that the fund requisite should be allotted on population basis, and that the money should come out of the consolidated revenue. The action for libel, P. G. Stead and the directors of the Otago Daily Times and Witness Co., limited, was tried at the R.M, Court to day before his Worship G. L. Mellish and Mr John Ollivier. After a long argument between counsel, as to the necessity of all the defendants being present, it was decided, after hearing what evidence could be then taken, to adjourn to Monday. Mr Penwick waa the only defendant present. Mr Packman appeared for the complainant, and Mr Garrick for defendant. March 20. The number of bags of grain carried on the Christchurch section and branches for the week ending Friday, March 19, amounted to ninety thousand six hundred and eighty-two. Notwithstanding this large traffic, no block occurred on the lines. From Monday next, inclusive, hours for working goods railway traffic at Lyttelton will ba extended from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Star, to-night suggests that the Railway Commission who sit at Christchurch next week, should inquire into the practice said to exist of granting free passes to ship captains, during their stay in port, while they are withheld from civil servants who obtain a holiday, to recruit their health ; also, with reference to the alleged pressure said to be brought to bear upon employees in railway workshops, to record their votes in the manner most agreeable with the political sympathies of their chiefs. A letter from a fifteen years' resident in Christchurch is cited in support of this assertion. The Echo, issued this evening, is demy size.