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South Canterbury Times, Issue 4984, 17 April 1889, Page 3

Train arrangements for the Easter holidays and Wnimate Races will bo found in another column.

The Telegraph office in Wellington is to bo removed from the temporary to the restored buildings to day. Telegraph communication between the North and South Islands will be interrupted from 4 to 7 p. m. A runaway horse in a spring cart caused some excitement this morning. As it careered through the main street a good many people rushed out of shops and offices to see what all the clatter was about, but few attempted to stop it until one man bolder than the rest tried by throwing up his hands in the centre of the roadway to bring it to a stand. Failing in that, he mounted tho trap from behind, and getting possession of tho reins soon effected his purpose. Although the street from Owers’ corner to Pearson’s was traversed nt express speed by this dnvorless turn-out no damage was done. A special meeting of the Court Southern Cross, No. 3123, was held last evening in the Forester’s Hall, George Street, Bro. Worry. Chief Sanger, presiding. The attendance of members was very fair, considerable being taken in the special business of the evening, which was the election of u trustee in place of Bro. Jacob Hill P.D.C.R. who had resigned. Bro. John Jackson P. 0.5., Bro. Andrew Sherralt P.C.R., and Bro. Thomas Harney P.C.R. were nominated; the latter, however, declined to stand. On the ballot being taken the O.R. declared Bro. Jackson duly elected after very close voting. Tho trustees of the court at present therefore are Bro. B. H. Lough, W. Bcnshaw and J. Jackson P. 0. R’s. During tho evening six new members were initiated, and two candidates proposed for membership. There are now eight candidates awaiting initiation and it is exceedingly gratifying to note the rapid growth of tho court, most of tho now inombera being also young men, which will tend very materially to strengthen the value of tho funds. After a pleasant evening the C. B. Bro, Worry closed the court in tho usual manner.

Exports of salt from Britain last year were 1 033,334 tons, as against 994,726 tons in 18a7.

1 A special meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held to-day to consider the Pareora bridge question. A report of the proceedings is held over. The police are making inquiries and obser. rations with a view to prosecuting persons exploding dynamite in the harbour for tho purpose of taking fish. Let those the cap fits put in on. A meeting of ladies was held in tho school house Washdyke last night, to make preliminary arrangements for a soiree to be held in aid of the funds of the Sunday school, Notice of such in a future advertisement will bo given. Wo are requested by Mr Hay to correct the paragraph which appeared in our issue of yesterday dealing with the question of costs being allowed to unnecessary witnesses. Mr Hay wishes us to say that his complaint was not that it is tho [practice of the profession knowingly to call witnesses whose evidence is irrelevant, but that it often turns out that a witness who is called in good faith can give no evidence on the point at issue, in which case he submitted no costs should bo allowed against the other side.

The snake found on the East Const last week and reported in our telegrams, has been examined by Professor Thomas, of Auckland, [ who indentifies it as one of the species known as “ pelamys cicolor.” These snakes, says tho Professor, are sea snakes, and often enme ashore near swampy places, but do not get far inland. The snake caught on the East Coast is no doubt a reptile which has come from tropical latitudes, probably from the vicinity of North Australia or Malay Archipelago. Theso snakes would not live in this colony on account of the coldness of the climate. Tho Natives discovered tho snake alive in a waterhole, about 14 miles south of tho East Cape.

1 Tho Hew Zealand Herald mentions a bock which has been published by Mr G. O. Preshaw, entitled, { Banking under Difficulties.’ Air Preshaw was clerk and manager in the Bank of New South Wales about 1860, and saw much life on the goldfields of Australia and .New Zealand. He tells about a voyage from Hokitika to tho Haast river, when the journey concluded with a dangerous landing in a ship’s boat, in dread of ‘ blind rollers,’ and the traveller spent his first night on shore in a tent holding on to the pole inside, while his friend (Inspector Broham) held on to the ropes outside all night to prevent the tent being blown away. Wellington people had a bit of a scare last Friday night. At a late hour a shot was fired from the signaFgun on Mount Victoria. The report was heard all over town, and many were the conjectures as to the cause of the alarm. In some quarters it was thought that perhaps a vessel was in danger off the Heads, and that the gun had been fired to arouse the shipping authorities. The signalman on Mount Victoria states that he was asleep in bed at the time of the report, but his wife, who happened to be dressed, at once rushed out to see if any peraens were about, but could not discern anyone. The gun is usually left with its muzzle elevated 45degs, and pointing over tho town. Next morning an examination of the gun and the ground about showed that some one had lifted and propped up the breech till tho gun was horizontal —it would take four men to do it —and then a charge apprently of course or blasting powder had been fired from it by means of 7 feet 6 inches of minors’ fuse. Tho wooden tompion with which tho muzzle was usually plugged, was missing, and was supposed to have been carried away. Perhaps it was used as the missile.