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Marlborough Daily Times, Volume IV, Issue 529, 15 May 1882, Page 2

We understand that Mr H. Dodson leaves for Wellington on Tuesday to enter on his Parliamentary duties. Two smart shocks of earthquake were felt in Blenheim last night, one at about 2 a.m. and the other at 5 o’clock. The Blenheim Literary and Debating Socioty meets this evening. One of the items on the programme will be an essay by Mr Montalk on the French Revolution. As will be seen from another column Mr Chittenden intends holding another of hi* popular Assembly Balls on the 24th May. Dancing will commence at 8 o’clock and we trust the affair will be a success. The Blenheim Footballers held a very successful practice on Seymour Square on Saturday last and wo are glad to say that a marked improvement in the play is already noticeable. If possible a match will be arranged for next Saturday between the Town and Telegraph Teams. The public debt of New Zealand is equal to sevenjand two-third year’s revenue of the colony. The national debt of the Lnited Kingdom is equal to years’ revenue,

The Committee of tho Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association met at Clark’B Hotel on Saturday. Present : Messrs Storey (President) Paul, Henderson, Barnett, Graham, J. L. Adams, Harding, and Allan. It was resolved to call for tenders for lease of the cottage on the Association grounds. The Secretary stated that in consequence of Mr Denton’s lectures the Hall could not be procured for use on Saturday next, and it was resolved that the show should only comprise roots, grain and foals, and that the whole should bo shown in Messrs Purkiss and Nosworthy’s yards on Saturday. The following were appointed Judges : For foals—Messrs T. Redwood, W. Blick, and T. Harding ; For grain and roots—Messrs F. Redwood, 1. Horton and H. Ball. The programme was arranged and ordered to he advertised. It was also decided that admission to the show should be free.

The local police force was hoaxed on Saturday in what appears to have been a most unintentional manner. It appears that a number of boys who spent their Saturday afternoon near tho Vernon Butt* observed what they took to he the dead body of a man on the ground near there, theia supposition being strengthened bj the fact that flies were hovering round him in strong force.. The boys were too frightened to make closer examination however, and they came into town and gave information to the police with all speed. The police proceeded to the spot described, but, to their astonishment, the dead had disappeared, and it was ascertained that the supposed defunct had only been enjoying a peaceful nap. At about nine o’clock last evening the Church and tire bells began to ring furiously and on examination it was found that a large fire was raging in the direction of Southside. In a very short time a large crowd had collected near the spot, when it was found that Mr Rayner’s extensive wool sheds were doomed to destruction. By the time the Fire Brigade could got on the scene the fire had nearly spent itself. Mr Rayner’s loss is we understand a very heavy one, as although the buildings wero insured in the Royal for Ll5O and the average stock for L2OO, the total amount is far from being sufficient to cover the loss. A threshing machine was also destroyed which was uninsured the policy having unfortunately lapsed a few days ago. No cause can he assigned for the firo, which is the moro extraordinary as no smokers were employed about the place, no lights were ever allowed to he used in it, and tho last in the place on Sunday evening was a boy, who was putting a horse in the stable at about 5 o’clock. The fire was observed at about 9 o'clock, and the theory which finds most favor i* that it was caused by spontaneous combustion. We remind our readers that Professor Denton’a course of lectures on geology commences to-morrow evening in Ewart’s Hall, when the subject will be “ The Fiery beginning of our Planet." A rumour is current to the effect that Mr Allen, who for a long time past has discharged the duties of Resident Magistrate at Picton, 13 about to be appointed Resident Magistrate in Blenheim. We trust that the rumour is incorrect, for the appointment of Mr Allen would be indirect opposition to the course hitherto pursued, aiid it is absolutely necessary that the Blenheim Magistrate should he a professional man, and moreover a resident in tho place. Mr Allen is woll competent to dischargo the duties of his present position, but we trust that if it is intended to appoint a new R.M. for Blenheim, the one appointed will be a professional man and a resident in the town.

The only case heard at the R.M. Court this morning was one of J. McKenzie, and Co. v. Leonard Wilson, in which plaintiff sought to recover L2 15s Gd for goods supplied. Judgment was given by default for amount, and costs, 12s.

The Sydney Morning Herald, in an article on Sir Arthur Gordon's conduct in sending for Sir George Grey, says :—“ It is very safe to predict that trouble and discontent will result from the action of Sir Arthur Gordon, a renewal of that trouble and discontent which have followed very persistently in that gentleman’s footsteps.

The Auckland Fire Brigade are paid a shilling an hour for every fire they are “rung” to, no matter whether the alarm be false or not. Someone gave on alarm over the recent display of the Aurora Australia, and the Brigade claimed as usual. The Corporation officials however, objected to pay, on the ground that it was “ out of the district.”

Saturday’s Post says :—We understand that the Bill to be brought dowu by the Government for the maintenance and management of hospitals and charitable institutions will be greatly simplified as compared with the measures introduced last year, and that the question is being carefully considered how far it will be practicable and advisable to place hospital management aud the administration of charitable aid in the ordinary local governing bodies, instead of creating new boards to exercise this special function. It will be remembeied that in debating the Bill of last session, a strong desire was expressed by many speakers that this should be done.