NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 4, 4 June 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The New Licensing Act —We understand that it is the intention of the Commissioners appointed under the Licensing Act to meet to-morro.v, to consider whether any recommendations can be made to the General Assembly as to the working of the Act. Salmon Ova.— lt will be interesting to many of our readers, “ writes the “ Oiago Daily Times,” no doubt, to learn how the young salmon in Southland are getting on, It is just about a year since the Oberon arrived at Port Chalmers, bringing as part of her cargo 120,000 salmon eggs. Of these, 100,000 were sent to the Makerewa Ponds near Invercargill, and the remaining 20,000 were despatched to Christchurch, where they were handed over to the local Acclimatisation Societ y. Whether the latter lot are now represented by live smolts we are unable to say. As regards the ova, however, which were sent to Soutuland, we believe the great mass of them turned out bad, but some fish were hatched out, and these have remained until lately at the Makerewa Ponds, under the vigilant care of Mr Howard, It seems, however, that not long ago, it was observed in one of the Southland streams that certain small native fish were in the habit of devouring the trout fry which had been liberated there. This led to an apprehension that a similar fate might be in store for the young salmon. A small pond therefore was constructed in the bend of a very nice little brook running into the Aparima; and on Monday last, the 25th ult., the Hon Mr N urse and Mr Howard conveyed the fish to their new quarters —a distance of about twenty miles. The salmon, when brought together, only mustered ninety-five—a small number out of 100,000 eggs which were shipped by the Oberon, but at the same time, when all the circumstances of the passage of that vessel are borne in mind, a sufficiently large number to bear testimony to the skill and the unremitting attention which were bestowed upon the young fish by Mr Howard. We fear that no great results can bo expected from the little lot of salmon which Mr Howard has now under his charge, but we hope that the General Government will see tneir way to obtain a shipment of salmon eggs from the Clyde before the next winter at home passes over, if for no other reason than that the same skill and attention which are being given to the few smolts that are now in the ponds will serve for the supervision of many thousands.

'I heatrical. —We are pleased to learn (says the “ Otago Daily Times ”) that an effort is about to be made to supply the existing want of anything in the shape of good dramatic entertainments. Messrs Steele and Co.’s theatrical company sailed from Wellington on Sunday, for Dunedin, with the intention of commencing a season here. The company will open with a new drama, “The Orange Girl.” Venison.— Some prime venison has been displayed at the shop of Mr Lane, butcher, the result of an accident in capturing one of the deer in the Acclimatisation Grounds. The animal, which belonged to Mr Caverhill, has been presented by him amongst the members of the Domain and the Acclimatisation Boards. Custom House. —The Customs’ officials have lemoved to their new premises in Hereford street, near the store of Messrs Maling and Co. Philosophical Institute. The next ordinary meeting of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury will be held at the Public Library this evening, at 7.30 p.m, when a paper will be read by Dr LI. Powell. The Opera Company. By a private telegram received from Wellington we learn that the opening nights of the company were very successful, “ Maritana ” being played to crowded houses. Provincial Council. —The sitting of the Council last evening was but a short one. After the disposal of a few questions and notices of motion, Mr Montgomery moved the second reading of the Executive Council Ordinance Amendment Ordinance, giving a brief outline of its provisions. Ultimately, on the suggestion of Mr Kennaway, the Government agreed to the adjournment of the debate until this evening. Circus, —There was a very large attendance last evening at the Siamese Circus The Japanese are by far the cleverest troupe taken all round, that have visited us. The legerdemain is done in a clean and dexterous manner, and the balancing on the bamboo and on the tubs is something wonderful. The children too are exceedingly clever, their gymnastic performances being capital, particularly the flight of one of them through a cage above a line of lighted candles without putting one out. The balancing of the sticks and balls must be seen to be appreciated. Of the Circus proper, it is enough to say that the various performers came in for a goodly share of applause, Messrs Brahme and SaWariro, and Mdlle Salvariro going through the usual scenes in the circle. As a whole the performance, especially the Japanese, is well worth a visit. The band is in point of musical merit far above the usual standard of circus bands, and last evening they rendered some operatic selections in a very creditable manner. To-night the performance will conclude in time for the last train. St. Andrew’s Lodge, I.O.G.T. — At the weekly session of the St. Andrew’s Lodge, 1.0.G.T, held on Tuesday evening, one new member was initiated, and others proposed. In pursuance of a previous arrangement, a discussion was commenced on the question—“ls total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors good to practise, irrespective of its influence upon society.” The discussion having been opened in the affirmative was then adjourned to the next session. Grand Lodge op Good Templars.— Pursuant to advertisement, a meeting of Good which, was numerously attended, was held last evening at the Temperance hall. Brother S. P. Andrews was voted to the chair, and having read the advertisement, stated at some length the object for which the meeting had been called. A resolution was proposed and carried—“ That it is desirable that a grand lodge of Good Templars be instituted for the south island of New Zealand,” and it was also resolved — “ That the sense of the various lodges be taken as to whether such institution shall be established in Christchurch or Dunedin.” Some routine business was transacted, and the meeting adjourned. Canterbury College, The Trinity terra of the Canterbury College will commence on the 15th inst, and continue until August 15th. The following lectures will be delivered during the term;—Classics. —B. A. Worthy, B.A. : Mondays and Thursdays, from 7.30 to 8.30 p.m.: and for University Scholars—Tuesdays from 9 to 10.30 a.m : Thursdays, 9 toiOp.m., at Christ’s College. Mathematics. —O. G. Corfe, 8.A.: Tuesdays and Fridays, from 8 to 10 p.m., at Christ’s College. Human and General Physiology.— LI. Powell, M.D.: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 7 to 8 p.m., at the Museum. English Language and Literature — Rev C. Fraser, M.A.; Tuesdays and Fridays, from 7 to 8 p.m., at the Public Library. Modern Languages.—Rev, C. Turrell, M.A.; French and German Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Museum. Jurisprudence.—Dr Foster: Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 7 to 8 p.m., at the Public Library. University scholars will be admitted free of charge to all the classes, and ladies are also admitted on payment of the usual fees. Publications Received. —We received from Messrs Gordon and Gotch, of London, by the last mail, a copy of the “ Family Herald ” containing the first part of a tale of New Zealand life, by a lady, resident in Otago. We learn from the “ Otago Guardian” that the work itself is expected out by the next Suez mail. The London publishers are Messrs Low, Son, and Marston. We have also to acknowledge the receipt from Mrs Bradwell of an Auckland weekly publication called “ Saturday Night.” It is a journal of light literature, and contains novels, and, as stated in the introductory article, “ facts as well as fancies, realities of life as well as fictions of the day, notes for the housewife, and a few facts for the farmers, together with touching and tender as well as gay verses for the young and romantic.” Rangiora Literary Institute.— The committee of this institute met on Tuesday evening, being the last meeting of this committee previous to the annual meeting of members. There were present— Messrs Merton (president), H. Boyd, T. Boyd, Cunningham, Keir, Stalker, and Aherne, hon secretary. On Mr Boyd’s motion being brought forward, of which notice had been given, to the effect that any member absent from three ordinary meetings forfeited his seat, a considerable discussion took place, and it was eventually withdrawn. The secretary was authorised to ask Mr C. E. Tribe to audit the accounts previous to the annual meeting. It was resolved that a sub-com-mittee be appointed to undertake the hall arrangements for the concert on Thursday evening next, viz:—Messrs Keir, Stalker, and Aherne. The report as prepared for the annual meeting was submitted and approved, and the meeting adjourned,

The Museum. —As will be seen from the notices of motion, Sir C. Wilson will move this evening that the resolution of the Council relative to the opening of the museum on Sundays be forwarded to his Honor the Superintendent with a view to it being laid before the governing body of that institution. United Methodist Free Church.— The anniversary services of the above church at Upper Spreydon were conducted on Sunday last by the Revs T. R. Fisher and S. Macfarlane, the former gentleman preaching in the morning, and the latter in the afternoon. Collections in aid of the church fund were made at each service. On Tuesday evening a tea meeting was held, about one hundred persons sitting down to an excellent tea provided by Mesdames Milner, Carr, Kear, and Watson ; after which a public meeting was held, the Rev S. Macfarlane occupying the chair. Mr Carr, secretary to the building fund, read statement of accounts, which showed the total receipts (inclusive of £55 loan) to have been £192 8s 8d ; and the expenditure, inclusive of contract for chapel, to be £l7B 10s 6d ; leaving a credit balance of £l3 16s 2d to be appropriated in liquidation of the loan, and a debt against the trust fund of £4l 3s lOd. Under all the circumstances, the position of the church was considered to be very satisfactory. Addresses were delivered by the Rev B. J. Westbrook and Messrs J. Caygill, C. R. Leadly, W, Marcroft, and T. Thompson. A vote of thanks to the ladies for providing the tables, and to the Rev Mr Westbrook for his excellent address, brought the proceedings to a close. Fire at Timaru. —“ The Timaru and Gladstone Gazette ” gives the following particulars of a fire which took place there on Monday in the premises occupied by Mr Cassidy, baker, and Mr Padget, tailor, and situated on a block of land on the Great South road. So rapidly did the flames obtain a mastery over the buildings that Mr Cassidy had not time to save scarcely a single article, but Mr Padget was more fortunate, as most of his stock of clothing, &c., was saved, by being removed to the smithy ot the rear of the Atlas Foundry. None of the occupants of the two buildings, however, saved any of their wearing apparel, beyond the clothes they wore at the time the disaster occurred. Mr Edwards’ upholstery warehouse, and his dwelling house at the back, were speedily emptied of their contents, and wet blankets thrown upon the roofs, and the timber yard cleared at the back, and to this precaution it may truly be said that his buildings were saved, and not only his, but Messrs Sutter, Taylor and Co.’s range of stores adjoining. Had their premises caught fire nothing could have prevented another calamity, similar to the great fire of 1860. It was quickly seen that all efforts to quench the fire, now furiously raging in the burning block of buildings, were unavailing, the attention of the Brigade was directed to a lean-to, adjoining Mr Padget’s. and they succeeded, after a considerable time in pulling it down, although the northern end of it was a mass of flames. This lean-to was cobbed in the inside, and hence the difficulty both in pulling it down, and also in it catching fire. The wind, at the outbreak of the fire, was north-north-west, and at one time fears were entertained for the safety of King’s horse repository opposite, and a gang of men were placed on the roof keeping it continually wetted; the same precaution was adopted on Edwards’, and Sutter, Taylor and Go’s roofs, and we learn that so great was the heat on the latter, that several of the blankets had holes burnt in them and one lad had his cap burnt on his head. Mr Cassidy’s premises were insured in the Northern Insurance Company, for £IOO ; his stock was uninsured, and he estimates his total loss at about £SOO. Mr Padget’s building was insured for £3OO in the Standard, and £IOO in the Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Companies, and his stock for £2OO, and furniture, £SO in the latter company, making a total of £650. Mr Edwards, who will doubtless be a loser to some extent, consequent upon the hasty removal of his goods, was insured for £l5O on the building, in the London and Lancashire, and the stock for £250, in the South British Insurance Companies.