NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 6750, 3 February 1892, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

At the Resident Magistrates Court at Temuka, on Tuesday last, before 0. A, Wray, Esq, 8.M., Robert Lavery and John Hooper were each fined 5s and costs, for allowing cows to wander at large in Denmark street, Arowbenua. Similar charges against Amos Hope and Molnnes were dismissed. In a civil case, David Taylor v. Cope, claim £3 7s 6d, judgment went by default. There was no other bminei?.

The following will play for the Star Cricket Club against the Colonial 2nd eleven on the Domain to-morrow afternoon: —J. Thomson, J,- Findlay, 0. Home, A. Berry, W. Cotter, F. Emmerson, B. Belly, W. Bichards, J. Butler, A. Findlay, W. Mitchell. The Colonials will bo represented by Wade (2), Knight, Hooper, Bohn, Denby, Niall, Price, Pringle, Bentoul, and Hill. Play to commence at 2.30 sharp. A rather peculiar case came before an Auckland bench a few days ago. A respectable looking man, named Samuel Johnston, was charged with having deserted bis wife. Mr W. J. Napier, who appeared on behalf of the wife, explained to the Court that the couple had only been married a fortnight, and while the hone;moon was yet unfinished | the husband for some reason or another took it into his head to pay a visit to England, leaving his newly-married wife behind. In pursuance of this resolution be went as far as New Plymouth, and then for some unexplained reason stopped his journey and returned to Auckland. The case was remanded-

Th 3 committee of the Tourists’ Cycling Club met last eveiing at he headquarters, Grosvenor Hotel. The President (Mr 0. K. Meredith Kayo) was in the chair. The Pioneer, Bicycle Touring, atd Dunedin clubs wrote acknowledging receipt of sports programme, and cyclists from North Canterbury, Christchurch, Ashburton, Temuka, Pleasant Point and Waimato also intimated their intention of competing at the approaching sports. It was decided to offer the privileges for sale. The prospects of the sports meeting were discussed, and the committee adjourned to meet again on the evening that the entries close.

Mr A. B. Woolcott, the advance agent for the Burlesque Pantomime Company, now showing in Dunedin to crowded houses, arrived yesterday by the express train, and is making arrangements for the company to open at Timaru next Monday and Tuesday. TLe burlesque pantomime “ Little Bill " will bo the first piece produced, “ Little Monte Christo" to follow. It is over fifteen years since a legitimate adult pantomime company visited Timaru, and the depsrture from the ordinary routine should be marked by substantial appreciation. The company come here with an excellent reputation, and the Dunedin papers speak well of the manner in which the smallest details are carried out. No pains have been spared to produce a brilliant spectacular effect, The scenery, which is all new and is said to have wonderful effects, has been painted by the well known scenic artiste Mr Neville Thorntoo. By all appearances, the theatre goers have a real treat in store for them.

A gentleman, who has recently travelled overland from the West Coast to Christchurch, thus writes of the magnificent spectacle presented by the rata blossoms (his year:—“l have just come through the Otira gorge for the second time in three weeks. Something new for me ; but it is a rata year. The rata only flowers in special splendour once in ceven years. I have been nearly 40 times across the bills, and never saw anything half so gorgeous. It is all on the West Coast side, of course; and on the flit most of it has faded. But on the high land in the Otira gorge it is still in full beauty. The mountains are fairly sheeted with ruby from the bod of the torrent to their higher crests. Every landscape painter in New Zealand and Australia ought to have been there for the last fortnight, but I doubt if any living artist could do the rata justice. And if he did he would be abused for gross exaggeration. One thanks God for having been permitted to see it.”

The Assembly Rooms were crowded last evening to welcome the well known Payne Family on their return visit to Timaru. The programme was, as is usual with these well known entertainers, a first class one, and every item on it was received with the heartiest applause. In the part songs the v Mieses Payne, Messrs Payne and Steele, acquitted themselves splendidly; while the handbell playing by Messrs W. J. Payne and B. Steele, and the Misses Payne, was a great treat. Popular airs were chosen, and played with a taste and precision that pleased the listeners greatly. Mr Steele’s selections on the musical glasses were finely given, and much appreciated. Of the quartettes, '‘Little Sailors,” was given with groat vim, the alternate singing and playing being a novelty which was warmly appreciated. The Misses Payne were most successful in the humorous trio “ Merry Zingaris," and brought the first part to a fitting close. In the second part the items were most successfully gone through, “ Sweet Chiming Bells,” being loudly rodemanded, for it showed that the company’s hand-hell playing is wonderfully good. Altogether the Payne Family have reason to be proud of their reception last night.

The Press remarks s—The health authorities at Napier cannot be congratulated on the •%ay in which they bandied the Inverurie. The circumstances of the case are brii fly as follows : The Inverurie loft Santos on the 6th November, and arrived at Otago Heads on the 28th December, and was ordered by her charterers to proceed to Napier to load for London. On arrival at that port the Health Officer went off to the vessel, as is cuetomary, but instead of going on board, ho lay to windward and communicated with the first officer, from whom he learned that the captain had died on the 11th November, and that two of the sailors had been sick, but no sickness had occurred for six weeks. From the symptoms described it was doubtful if the captain bad died of yellow fever. After communicating with Wellington the Health Officer ordered the Inverurie to the ballast ground, but did not give any instructions to fumigate the vessel. Subsequently he sent the harbourmaster off with a letter to the officer in charge, the effect of which was that the ship left the bay next morning and eventually tamed up at Wellington. Now, observe how the Wellington Health Officer acted. Ho went on board, gave instructions to fumigate and paint the holds of the vessel, and as soon as that was done he admitted her to pratique. Why, we ask, could not that all have been done at Napier without putting the owners to the expense of shifting ports and conse quent loss of time ? Mr George F. Cluleo, whoso deep interest in the welfare of amateur athletics is well known throughout the colony, has placed at our disposal letters which he on Monday night received from the English Amateur I Athletic Association, and from the Huddersfield Cricket and Athletic Club. For the benefit of those who have an interest in the proposal to send a representative team of amateur athletes to compete at some of the English fixtures, we have pleasure in making the contents of the letters known. In the letter from the Association the hon. secretary states that the following resolution was unanimously passed : —“ That this Committee will most cordially welcome any team of New Zealand amateur athletes coming to England under the auspices of tho New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association.” The Huddersfield Cricket and Athletic Club write, asking if the team of New Zealand athletes will compete at the club’s gathering on June* 18th, 18P2. The club ask the New Zealanders to accept their hospitality during tho stay iu Huddersfield, and promise to make the visit as pleasant as possible. The Huddersfield gathering is said to bo the finest in the Old Country, and at it the New Zealand team will meet the best of the world’s amateurs, and see a sight such as no other athletic ground can offer. The news these letters contain should be very welcome to the many competitors and supporters of the championship amateur athletic meeting at Christchurch on Saturday next, for it is evident that the New Zealand athletes will have a very cordial reception, if the proposed visit to the Old Country is ever carried out.

The Canterbury and Otago Almanac is now published and may be obtained from all booksellers, country storekeepers, and agents of the Timaetj Hee4XD. The book contains a mass of useful information and is good value for one shilling. Penrose’s great summer fair and stocktaking sale is now on. See catalogue for prices Wonderful inducements to buyers.—[Advt ] Although most people woro disappointed at the poor display of water at the blowing up of the Lyttelton, they are not disappointed at the results of “Can’t Be Beat” baking powder. It is “ bound to rise " and is more satisfying than gun cotton. —[Adyt.]