NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2864, 30 May 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

It will be observed on reference to the Cablegrams that the Victorian Humane Society propose to decorate the brave survivors of the recent attempt to save life in this roadstead, with their medal.

The members of Court Southern Cross, A.0.F., meet at 7.30 to-night to confirm a resolution granting a sum of money to the Timaru Relief Fund.

The annual meeting of the Titnaru Literary and Debating Society takes place to-night in the Mechanic’s Institute.

Acceptances and general entries for the Timaru Steeplechases close at 9 o’clock to-night. Full information can be seen on reference to the programme which appears in another column.

The Timaru School Committee met last night to consider applications for the post of teacher in the room of Miss Orammond, resigned. Out of the fourteen applications received the names of Miss Helen K. Martin and Mias Alice E. Chapman, were recommended for appointment in the order named.

His Excellency and Lady Gordon visited H.M.S. Nelson, in Wellington, yesterday afternoon. Natives are arriving at New Plymouth from Mokau in great numbers to be present at the Native Lands Court.

The larrikins who assaulted a Chinaman at Auckland recently have been very properly punished by the Bench. One of them, Holloran, was sent to gaol for a fortnight without the option of paying a fine.

The attendance at the Exhibition to date is 136.030, or a daily average o£ 3180, The Christchurch City Council have passed a vote of congratulation to Sir John Hall on his edevation. Sir John Hall was the first Chairman of the Council,

At the Heathcote races yesterday, Supple Jack won the Birthday Cup and Canary the Exhibition Steeplechase. £1617 was put through the totalisator.

The tramcars in Christchurch are not to be allowed to travel at a greater speed than ten miles an hour.

The Dunedin Finance, Loan and Agency Company have declared a dividend at the rate of 8 per cent, per annum. Many Timaru people will remember that this is the Company that purchased the Otago Building Society business.

Poor John Chinaman! The railway authorities have not been contented with running him down near Dunedin the other day and killing his horse, but they had him up at the Police Court yesterday and fined 20s. John’s counsel intends bringing an action against the Government for the value of the property destroyed.

The Otago Acclimatisation Society have attempted to introduce stoats and weasels in order to rid the country of the rabbit pest. People acquainted with the vermin proposed to be introduced will say they prefer the rabbit. ’The motion was only defeated by the casting vote of the Chairman.

The Dunedin Bible-in-Schools Association is again petitioning Parliament for the introduction of the Bible in State schools. Should the prayer of the petition be acceded to State schools are doomed, and denominational schools will soon be the order of the day.

The gift auction, in aid of the Relief Fund, held by Messrs W, Collins and Co., on Saturday night, realised £27 13s. The Union Steamship Company have subscribed £SO; the Fairlie Creek Racing Club, £5 os, and the Mayor of Christchurch yesterday forwarded a cheque for £IOO, subscriptions received by him in aid of the sufferers by the late wreck. The entertainment at the Theatre Royal last evening added £6O to the Fund.

A special meeting of the Timaru Borough Council was held last evening. Present —Councillors Jackson (in the chair) Bush, Gibson, Cullmaun, Filrncr, Gabites, and Sherratt. The meriting adopted the rate book for the year 1882, and struck three rates for the year—a general rate of Is in the £ ; a general water rate of Is in the £ ; and a schedule of special water rates for supplies varying with the rateable value of the properties supplied. Estimates of the probable expenditure and receipts during the year were submitted. The principal items in the estimate of expenditure wore Main Road, metalling and carting, £I2OO ; .salaries, £623 ; labor, £600; street lamps, £110; Fire Brigade, £100; law charges, £IOO. The total estimates (which includes an overdraft of £660 11s 9d at the beginning of tho year) amounts to £1172 Us 91. The estimate of available receipts was £3350, comprising general rate of Is in £2250 ; licenses, £900; fees under bye laws, £l5O ; dog registration £SO. This leaves a probable deficiency of £822 11a 9J.