• — ; - ■ ___,- '"" : , San Francisco Mail;— The mail edition of the Canterbury Times, containing all the political, social and general news of the month, and a large variety of matter of Bpecial interest to English readers, was published this morning. Copies may be obtained ready for mailing at the post office book-stall, at the various news agencies or at tbe office of tbis paper. The mail for newspapers will close at 7.30 p.m., and will be due in London on May 24. The Minister fob Public Works. — The Hon B. J. Seddon is a passenger to Christohurch by the West Coast "coach to-day, and will go on to Wellington by steamer thia evening. Ltttelton Besident Magistrate's Court.— At this Court to-day, before A. Chalmers and J. Hamilton, Esqs., Harry Bowland was fined 103, or in default forty-eight hours' imprisonment for being drunk. Colonial Literature.— lt is gratifying to learn that the Prize Story Competition instituted by the Canterbury Times has been an unparalleled success, and that the pro prietors of the paper have determined to start a second competition on May 11, when I a large number of additional prizes will be offered for original Colonial stories. i A Bunaway Express Van.— A horse attached to an express waggon belonging to the Express Company, which was left standing in Colombo street with the wheel chained, bolted up Colombo street this morning in a northerly direction, and came into collision with a cart belonging to Mr G. Piercy, grocer, standing in front of his establishment. Both shafts of Mr Piercy's cart were broken by the collision. Large Potatoes.— We have been shown by Mr G. H. Jones, of Worcester street, four extremely fine potatoes, of the Blue Derwent variety, which vary in weight from lib 2oz to 15oz_, and have a total weight of 41b loz. They were grown on ground from which, early last spring, a very prolific crop of Early Bose and White Elephant potatoes was taken, and which has not since received any dressing or special treatment. Nsw Music. — A concert of original mußic, by Mr J. T. Macleod Smith, of the Christchurch Cathedral choir, will be given in the Oddfellows' Hall next Tues day evening* A number of our leading vocalists and instrumentalists will take part, and are *now busy rehearsing the music to be given. 