NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2114, 31 December 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY .

In order that the staff of this journal may enjoy a holiday, the Times will not be published to-morrow. The petition to His Excellency the Governor re the Doherty case, which is being signed at Blenheim, contains the following clause: —-“Your petitioners arc of opinion that the said James Doherty at the time of his writing and publishing the said libel sincerely believed the same to be true and was not aware of the falsity thereof. And your petitioners therefore humbly pray that your Excellency will be pleased to take the case of the said James Doherty into your merciful consideration, and shorten the term of his imprisonment.” At Christchurch, on Monday, a married woman named Ellen Norton was sent to gaol for seven days for stealing a leg of mutton.

New Year’s Eve roisterers, says the “ Otago Daily Times.” had better take warning in time. No such license as was taken last year will bo allowed upon this occasion, for the police authorities are determined to keep the fun within fair and reasonable limits. Judging from the fact of a memorial from ratepayers having been received by the City Council at last meeting asking for the appointment of special constables, the more orderly of the citizens are disposed to aid the police in preventing a repetition of last years disgraceful conduct.

Sir George Bowyer in a letter to the Times” writes: —‘We are told that, so far from suffering from a plethora of business, the House of Lords has comparatively little or no business. This reminds me of a man who said that his correspondence gave him no trouble. He always put his letters into the fire unread. A man asked Mr Pitt for a certain place. ‘ I should have thought,’ said the Minister, ‘thata sinecure would have suited you better.’ ‘ True,’ answered the applicant; ‘ but if you give me the place I will make it a sinecure.’ A number of special prizes in the shape of silver medals will be offered for dancing and bag-pipe music at the Caledonian Sports to-morrow. Five of these medals are presented by Messrs Edwards, Richmond, and McLennon, O’Driscoll and T. B. Jones, respectively. The sixth medal has been purchased by subscription. The “New Zealander ” says The man who on the night of the Masonic Ball found and restored to its owner the gold bracelet, valued at over a hundred guineas, which was lost by Lady Robinson near the entrance to St. George’s Hall, has received the sum of 10s as a reward for his honesty. A great deal has been done to improve the condition of our volunteers and sailors, but there is much unaccomplished even yet. For instance, it is recorded that a few days since a large vessel was seen outside of Timaru making port —yet the crew did not get any.

At the Interprovincial Cricket Match, Canterbury v. Otago, which takes place on the 10th, 12th, and 18th January, the following gentlemen have been selected to represent Canterbury;—Mr D. Ashby (captain), and Messrs J. S. Baker, E. and J. Fowler, C. Frith, E. T. Fuller, M. J. Godby, J. Hartland, W. P. Beeves, G. A. Turner, and A. G. Sheath, An Auckland telegram states that on Monday a woman named Kobinson, living at Pokeno, tried to dash her child’s brains out by hitting it against the bed post, The child is not expected to live. Constable Walker has. taken the woman to the Asylum. Her husband was in the South at the time.

A fire broke out at the parsonage of the Eev Mr Calder, at Hamilton, Auckland, but was suppressed through the presence of mind of a girl fifteen years old. An extraordinary meeting of the shareholders of the “ New Zealand Times” Company was held to-day at Wellington. The business was in connection with the winding up of the company.

At the usual sitting of the Waste Lands Board held on Monday, Dec. 29, 1879, sales were made —Ashley, 22 acres 2 roods; Selwyn, 5 acres 1 rood 33 perches; Geraldine, 29 acres ; Waimate, 243 acres 3 roods. Total, 300 acres 2 roods 38 perches, producing £6Ol 9s 6d. Refunds were made on previous purchases amounting to £229 10s. During the month of December sales were made of 1463 acres 3 roods 4 perches, producing £3127 12s 7d, and refunds were paid amounting to £2066 Is 3d, thus leaving a balance credit to sales account of £lOBl 11s 4d.

The Stewards of the late race meeting at Albury will meet on Saturday next at Albury, to consider a protest lodged respect ing the District Flat Race. The Government have written to the Acclimatisation Society, stating that by the incoming mail they expect to receive 2.040.000 white-fish ova, which will be allotted as follows: — Auckland, 540,000 ; Napier 50,000; Nelson 250,000; Christ church, 300,000; Opawa (a private establishment near Christchurch), 100,000; Dunedin, 250.000 ; Invercargill, 300,000 ; Wakatipu, 250.000.

The Fire Brigade meet this evening to enjoy themselves after their usual manner on New Year’s eve. They will illuminate the buildings and burn colored fires at midnight.