NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2152, 12 February 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

“Star-gazers” were doubtless disappointed last evening at not seeing the anxiously looked for comet. The night was all that could be desired for purposes of observation, but the “ illustrious stranger” failed to put in an appearance. Mr Andrew Shcrratt was the only candidate yesterday for the scat in the Borough Council rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr B. J. Lane, and was declared duly elected.

The Southern portion of the ’Frisco mail is expected to arrive in Timaru per express train to-morrow.

At a meeting of the Temuka Fire Brigade on Tuesday it was resolved that tenders be called for sinking a well near the Brigade station, and also for repairing one near the railway station.

Owners of canine pets beware! The Bcgistrar of Dogs for the Borough of Timaru is about to lay informations against all owners of unregistered dogs. At Auckland, on Tuesday, a blind man named Balph Smith, who had tried to commit suicide because his wife had bolted from him, was brought before the Bench and handed over to the charge of his friends.

The Auckland City Council have struck a rate of a halfpenny in the pound as a free public library rate. An Auckland girl aged eight, named Maggie Cowan, the daughter of a woman at ditto’s Whau tannery, was accidently drowned in the tannery dam. It is definitely settled that Judge Gillies goes Home by the out-going mail. He will be temporarily succeeded by Judge Richmond.

The making of concrete blocks is going forward actively at the Breakwater. Owing to the south easterly swell experienced lately, thatusefuljfunctionary, the diver, has been unable to descend for the purpose of seeing that all is ready below for the depositing of the new line of blocks. He will take the first opportunity of going down with this object.

Pot carrying away a few pounds of tobacco from the San Francisco mail steamer at Auckland, with intent to evade the Customs duty, two men named Nicholas Dinaford and William Gibson have been fined £25 each, with £3 10s costs.

The Lincolnshire delegates are making the best of their time in South Canterbury. To-day, we learn, Mr Grant inspected the land in the neighborhood of Waimate. To-morrow will be devoted to the Waiho. Mr Foster accompanied by Mr Lees, and Mr Ford proceed through the Wai. mate gorge to Waihoarunga, and thence, via Myers’ Creek to Hakateramca station, where they will stay all night, returning via Ross’s and’the Waitaki to Waikakahi. The delegates proceed to Oamaru on Friday morning.

It is rumored at Hawcra that Tito Kowavu has given notice to the Constabulary that they arc to clear out in three days. The rumor so far is without the slightest foundation in fact.

A man named Joseph Davis has been so affected by the supposed loss of several of his family on board the Knowslcy Hall that he has had to be committed to the Lunatic Asylum at Nelson.

Mike Murphy, the Christchurch moneylender, has been committed for trial for obtaining two guineas by false pretencesIn paying a client money he was advancing on a renewal of mortgage, he stated that he had paid Mr H. E. Alport, land agent, the two guineas for valuing the property, and this was proved to be false. From the evidence it appeared that Murphy charged £2 for the loan of £8 for three or four days. There was only one case at the R.M. Court this morning; an offender was charged with being drunk and disorderly, and was remanded until to-morrow.

The Minister for Public Works made a little tour of inspection through Timarn, on the termination of the proceedings at the Chamber or Commerce to-day. The Breakwater was first visited, and Mr Olliver gave Mr Archer notice that Mr Blackett should be sent down by the Government to report on the cause of the damage to the viaduct at "Whale’s Creek, and whether it was caused by the erection of the Breakwater, and the How of shingle on the south side. Proceeding up the line the Minister expressed satisfaction with the projected alterations opposite the old lauding service.