NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3157, 16 May 1883, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Mr Rutherford M.H.B. for Bruce is very ill. The Rev. D. Gordon will lecture at Temnka, to-morrow evening on “ rreland, Past and Present,” Ninety-five additional persons took the pledge in Christchurch last night and joined the Blue Bibbon Army. Four women have been committed for trial in Christchurch on charges of concealment of birth,

Mr Joyce, M.H.R., for Awara,’ spoke at Invercargill last night, and received a vote of implicit confidence.

A man named W. Dougald has been arrested at Onehunga for indecently assaulting a Mrs Storey, aged 60. Three deaths were registered in Timaru during April, 1883—all male children, two of whom were under one yee v of age, and one over five.

Mr Sheppard, M.H.B, for Waimea (Nelson), last night addressed his constituents, and received a vote of thanks and confidence.

To-morrow evening at 7.30, in the Borough Council Chambers there will be a general meeting of the Industrial Association,

A cottage belonging to Mr John Dore, at Onehunga, has been burned down. It was insured for £IOO in the New Zealand and £IOO in the Standard Office.

The whole of the single women who arrived by the British Queen have been engaged at wages from 10s per week to £4O a year.

The Governor has gone in the Hinemoa for a two days cruise in Hauraki Gulf. Lady Jervois will give a ball in Auckland on the Queen's Birthday. The ship Opawa, now lying at the Bluff fully loaded with frozen meat for London, was visited yesterday by the Directors of the Frozen Meat Company, who dined on meat frozen over a month, and found it in excellent condition.

Trouble is brewing with the contractor for the railway reclamation works at Auckland. H e refused to relinquish his contract or accept notice of discontinuance from the Public Works Department. The Engineer to the Harbor Board reports that one man is still engaged on the work. The Auckland Harbor Board are of opinion that “no man oan serve two masters.” The Frozen Meat Company applied to the Board for permission to employ Mr MoDonald, the Board’s Engineer, in constructing the Company’s proposed reclamation works. The Board refused on the ground that the Engineer coald not serve both employers. The regular monthly meeting of Lodge 35 of the Orange Institution was very largely attended on Monday evening, members being present from distant parts of the colony. The occasion was taken advantage of to present Mr R, A. Kenti the Secretary of the Lodge, with an illuminated address and a jewel in recognition of services rendered by him in his clerical capacity. The presentation was made on behalf of the Lodge by Goddard Jackson, the Master.

The election of a member for the Wellington Harbor Board to replace Mr W. V. Jackson (the late Chairman), who resigned, took place yesterday and resulted in Mr J. Duthie being elected by a majority of nearly 2CO. Mr Duthie, in returning thanks, expressed his opinion that the construction of a dock in the harbor was quite within the means of the Harbor Board, and that he hoped before long to be able to place before the Board a scheme for the purpose.

An advertisement referring to the annual election of the Levels Boad Board appears in another column,

A conference of ministers in and around Dunedia was held last night, to consider the question of giving religious education in schools. It was attended by ministers and one lay representative of each congregation of every denomination, except Catholics and Jews. Bishop Neville of the Episcopalian Church was present. The following resolution was carried unanimously—“ This conference, recognising the fact that the Education Act affords facilities (subject to the approval of the School Committees) for the instruction of the children of the common schools in the Bible, hereby resolves to take immediate action to make provision for the imparting of such instruction, and that with a view to this a deputation from this meeting wait upon the School Committees of Dunedin and the suburbs, and also upon the Head Masters.” A deputation was then appointed. Considerable discussion arose upon the question whether the instruction should be denominational or undenominational. The Episcopalians alone struck out for the former. All the other denominations were united in agreeing to the latter. The point was eventua I ’y left unsettled. A resolution. was proposed to make it undenominational, hut upon the Episcopalians threatening to withdraw from the whole affair if it were carried, it was withdrawn.

The Canterbury Jockey Club’s annual meeting was held yesterday. The Treasurer’s statement showed £6676 to have been paid in stakes this year, as against £4974 lart year. The condition; of the Club is improving. The liabilities to the Bank have been reduced from £4388 to £2IBB. The New Year’s Day meeting was so successful that it should be a regular fixture. £420 has been expended on a shilling stand, etc., £l3l spent on the railway to the course, and £173 on improving the training gallop. It is proposed to lay down another gallop. The totaliiator realised £2838. The nominations for the Derby of 1883 are 38 and for 1884 52, A similar increa e was noted in the Welcome and Champagne Stakes. The grounds, etc., were in good order. It was proposed to carry out ornamental planting. The balance-sheet showed the receipts to have been £10,490 and the expenditure £7699. Exclusive of £6616 on account of the grand stand, the liabilities are £2654 and the assets £9168. A proposal to appoint a paid Handtoapper and ask other Clubs to accept him and contribute towards his salary was negatived. An increase of the Secretary’s salary was recommended by the Committee. A proposal fixing the minimum weight in handicaps at 6st 71b was lost. The rule of fixing the top weight at Bst 101 b was struck out.

A child has lately been bora in New Jersey with two tongues, and, horrible to relate, it is a girl. What a fearful time some poor fellow is destined to have of it.