CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 23, 1 July 1871, Page 8

CANTERBURY.

(" Tmes" and " Press.") There seems to be some fatality attending the transit of the second steam fire engine for the City. It has been expected to arrive for some considerable time, but last night a letter was read from Messrs Shand, Mason, and Co., informing the Council that on the engine being sent down to be shipped on board the Coronilla, but it was found for some reason that it could not be stowed on board, and it was therefore left behind. The firm, however, promise to see it sent out as early as possible, so that we may expect to hear of its arrival in about a couple of months. A narrow escape from drowning occurred on Friday night to a seaman belonging to the brig Janet Stewart, lying alonside Peacock's wharf. It appears that he, in company with another sailor ; left the town between eleven and twelve o'clock to go on board the vessel, At

this time there was a dense fog, and while getting on board he missed his hold, and fell between the ship and the wharf. Fortunately Sergeant - Major Barsham and Constable Davidson happened to be at hand and rescued him. Great praise is due to the SergeantMojor and Constable for their prompt action in rescuiug the man. Illicit distillation appears to be becoming somewhat rife in Christchutch and its neighbourhood. Only a few days ago a conviction of this nature was obtained by the police, and on Saturday morning, Mr Inspector Pender, acting on information received, arrested two men in a building in Gloucester-street, formerly used as a baker's shop, but which has been unoccupied for some time past. The men were evidently no novices at the trade, as the still was in perfect working order ; and a quantity of whiskey, besides wash, was seized. They were brought up at the Resident Magistrate's Court on Saturday, and remanded, in order to allow of the police bringing forward more evidence. It is believed that others besides those in custody are implicated. The City Guards (late No. 6, C.R.V.) have offered their services to the Mayor and Councillors of Christchurch. We are not quite clear in what capacity it is intended to employ the gallant corps, unless, as was suggested by a facetious Councillor last evening, they intend mountingguard on Monday evenings during the debates of the city magnates. However, we congratulate the city upon possessing so efficient a body of men, an efficiency which, judging from the encomiums passed upon them last evening, appears to be fully recognised by the City Council. The Volunteers generally, too, have cause to rejoice at the expression of opinion on the part of the Council that it is their duty to foster, so far as possible, the volunteer movement, and we hope to be able to record that this idea has taken a practical shape.