NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 6, 6 June 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Earthquake. At about twenty-one minutes to eight this morning a slight shock of earthquake, was felt in Christchurch, with a horizontal oscillation which lasted for nearly four seconds, succeeded at a short interval by an abrupt shock. Though no damage has been done, the shock was sufficiently strong to rattle the crockery, and to shake those persons who happened to be sleeping in upstair rooms. It seemed to be travelling from N.B. to S.W.

Bankruptcy Sittings, The next monthly sitting of the Supreme Court in Bankruptcy will take place on Thursday next, when it is expected his Honor will have returned from the Court of Appeal. Provincial Council. The morning sitting yesterday was occupied exclusively with formal business. The Secretary for Public Works and the Provincial Secretary have announced their intention of making the statements referring to their particular departments on Tuesday next. The Bill to alter the tariff on the railways was to have been introduced yesterday, but Mr Maude obtained leave to postpone it and it will very probably not be brought in until after the financial and works statements are made.

Legal. —The Registrar sat iu Chambers at 11 a.ra. yesterday. The only case was that of Wm. Broad in which the debtor in person applied for an order of adjudication, and fixing of first meeting of creditors. The Registrar made the order, fixing the first meeting for Monday, June 15th, at 3 p.ra.

Hospital at Ashburton.— ln the Provincial Council yesterday, in answer to a question from Mr W. C. Walker, respecting the advisability of erecting a hospital at Ashburton, the Government stated that they had had the matter brought under their notice by the Magistrate there, and as large buildings had been erected for immigration purposes, a room or two might be used for the hospital, as pointed out by the hon member for Ashburton.

Dunsandel. —The opening of the Town Hall was celebrated on Wednesday by the best entertainment ever given at this township. Mr Fitzroy occupied the chair, and gave an opening address. Madame Mantalina played a solo on the piano. Mr M. Smith gave a beautiful song, and the singing class under the leadership of M. A. A. North sung several selections of music very creditably. After an interval of ten minutes Madame Mantalina gave a solo on |the piano ; Mr J. Canning a comic song, and received an encore, to which he responded by singing, “ The yellow gal that> winked at me.” The trio, “ Merry sings the lark, by Messrs North and Stranger and Mrs North, evoked great applause. Mr Smith created great amusement by a song in character. Miss Bennetts sung, and in response to a well-deserved encore sung “ Good night.” The farce of the “ Lost mummy” was well received, and the singing of the National Anthem closed the entertainment, after which the floor was cleared, and dancing was kept up with great spirit until the small hours of morning. Good Tbmplarism. —The usual weekly session of the Dauntless Lodge, No. 14, was held in Gee’s schoolroom, and was very largely attended. Eleven new members were initiated, and several proposed. At the conclusion of lodge business an entertainment, to which members of the Order only were admitted, consisting of songs, recitations, and pianoforte pieces, took place, each item being given in a very creditable manner. The Onward Lodge, Waikuku, met in the district schoolroom on Wednesday evening last. There was a very good attendance, notwithstanding the unfavorable weather. Several members contributed songs and readings, after which the lodge was closed in the usual manner. Kaiapoi Borough Schools.—Considerable progress has been made with the new buildings, and the principal roof timbers are being put in. In reference to the education rates, a notice issued by the Provincial Secretary states that all rates due if not paid before the 9th inst will be summarily recovered. The Turkish Bath and Lunacy.— The “ Otago Daily Times,” in a review of a book entitled “The Philosophy of the Bath,” has the following remarks on the use of the hot bath as a remedy for lunacy The wonderful remedial powers of the bath are now recognised by many eminent practitioners, and especially in the treatment and cure of lunacy have the most salutary results followed its use. The Turkish bath has been attached to several lunatic asylums in Great Britain and Ireland, and the reports of the medical superintedents of those institutions show conclusively that the bath is the greatest remedial agent in the treatment of mental disease, restoring the healthy action of the system, and removing those impurities which induce mania. Indeed, so conclusive is the evidence on this head, that we wonder so economical and effective a mode of treatment has not been adopted in New Zealand, so very many of the inmates of our lunatic asylums being there through derangement of the system caused by the strain and excitement of colonial life, and the consumption of the poisonous compounds which spiritdealers are licensed by the Government to sell. The hot-air bath has also been attached to several of the hospitals and infirmaries of the home country, and the reports from these establishments of its efficacy leave no room to doubt its remarkable curative powers. With the ample means at the disposal of the Provincial Government, we trust that the enlightened experience of modern times will induce them to introduce the Turkish bath into the Dunedin Hospital and Lunatic Asylum. Were the baths built on the plan of Dr Barter’s baths at Cork, Dublin and elsewhere, we have no doubt whatever a considerable saving in the annual estimates might be effected. At present these institutions are conducted on the Old-World systems, which are certainly a quarter of a century behind the van of medical practice. It is exceedingly difficult to more the medical profession to adopt any new thing in Europe or America, but iu this new country we hope to find less of “ the conservatism of the drug school,”

Lyttelton Breakwater. —A very successful attempt to discharge one of the chambers of the great blast took place yesterday afternoon. In this instance the mine was fired by fuse, and the result was that an immense quantity of stone was brought down, and the cliff shattered from end to end. As soon as the debris is cleared the remaining chambers will be fired. Convenience of Members.— Yesterday morning at the sitting of the Council hon members rose up one after the other in a perfect chorus, to complain of the want of accommodation for members in the Council. One hon gentleman pointed out that there was not sufficient table accommodation, a second suggested that a box should be placed in the buildings for the reception of letters for post, and a third brought before the library committee, the necessity of the library being open every day during the session.

Rangiora Fire Brigade.— A meeting of the committee of this brigade was held yesterday afternoon, at which Messrs D. Craig, J. A. Bird, and Harris, superintendent of the Christchurch Fire Brigade, were present. A code of rules was drawn up and adopted. Afterwards a practice of the brigade was held at which Mr Harris took the command and offered a number of suggestions, which will be carried out, but the practice was not a good one, the hose being faulty. The Hoad Board intend to erect an engine station in a central situation for the two hand engines, at present in the custody of the brigade.

Rangiora Musical Society. This society gave their fifth entertainment at the Literary Institute on Thursday evening, in aid of the piano fund. This entertainment included a repetition of part of the programme of one commenced on Easter Monday, which was postponed on account of the non-arrival, through the flood, of several performers expected from Christchurch. During the interval the society has practised regularly, and had prepared a number of fresh pieces for Thursday evening, and were also assisted by a few friends from town. The hall was fairly filled, the front seats being crowded. The first and second parts were commenced with an instrumental selection by the violin, violoncello, and piano, which were well rendered, and deservedly applauded. The glees ny the company were also nicely given, and included—“ In the lonely vale of streams,” “ Delightful May," “ The men of Harlech,” and “ Lutzow’s wild hunt,” in the first part; and “ Bird of the wilderness,” “ Swiftly from the mountain’s brow,” and “ See the chariot at hand,” in the second. Mr Merton sang two songs, “The bridge,”and “ Ring on, sweet Angelus,” both being redemanded and responded to. A lady also sang two songs—“ Kathleen mavourneen” and “ Tapping at the garden gate,” and being encored, repeated the latter and sang *• Kattie’s letter.” An instrumental piece for the violin and piano during the first part, was beautifully given and received an encore. As a variety, a gentleman of the class gave a short recitation “ A cheap dinner,” which amused the audience and was encored. Mr Aherne, the secretary to the institute, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Merton and company, especially those coming from a distance for the evening’s entertainment, which was carried with acclamroation. He also intimated that theannual meeting would take place on Tuesday next, for the election of officers and other important business. The entertainment concluded with the National anthem. The Misses Dudley and Humphreys presided at the piano the greater part of the evening, and accompanied the songs and glees in an effective manner. Oxford Railway.— lt was expected that by the first of June, trains would have been running along this line to the Gust. Two locomotives have been set up and three passenger carriages fitted together. One of the engines has been run up and down the line several times with materials, but having lain idle for a fortnight or so, when it was tried on Thursday it was found to be out of older. The engineers were engaged overhauling it yesterday and were successful, as it ran a trip satisfactorily. A shed is necessary to cover the engine and carriages from the weather, either at Rangiora or some other part of the line. At present they are left uncovered on the open line. Circus. —There was a capital house last evening at the circus, when a varied programme was gone through very successfully. The various feats by the Japanese were cleverly executed, and received well merited applause. To-day there will be an afternoon performance for children, when the performance will commence at 3 p.m., doors being open at 2.30.

Harmonic Society. The Harmonic Society held its usual practice last evening, when Romberg’s “Hay of the Bell ” was put into rehearsal. We are glad to see the society taking up works of a lighter character, feeling certain that their success in the rendering of this class of music will be much more marked with those of a more difficult character such as “ St Paul.”

Wesleyan Tea Meeting-. —Last evening, the invitation given by the committee of the Wesleyan Bazaar, was responded to by a large number of ladies of the Durham street congregation and of other Wesleyan Churches in the town, so that the schoolroom was very well filled. After the good things on the table had been discussed, the seats were ad', justed, and the Rev J. Bullen took the chair. A hymn was sung, and the Rev G. Bond offered up prayer. The chairman introduced the object of the meeting, and invited any present to speak on the subject of the forthcoming bazaar. Messrs Ballantyne, Dawson, Smith, Patten, Roberts, and Rev G. Bond addressed the meeting. The evening passed off very pleasantly, and all present seemed in good heart, and resolved to put forth their best efforts to make the bazaar a great financial success, and at the same time to conduct it so that no one may take reasonable exception to any of its arrangements. Through the timely consideration of the ladies and their friends, they are receiving considerable contributions of goods from England and Scotland, and there is every reason to believe that the exhibition will exceed anything of the kind heretofore seen in Christchurch. Much praise is due to the ladies who have displayed so much energy in this matter. In addition to the stalls previously allotted, one is to be presided over by the Girls’ Bible Class, under the direction of their teacher, Miss Bourne. It was also resolved that a series of winter evening entertainments and n juvenile concert shall be got up in aid of the building fund for the new schoolroom, on which behalf the bazaar is instituted. It is expected that the whole cost of this handsome and commodious hall, now in course of erection, will be met by the zeal and industry of the ladies who have undertaken the responsibility,

. Papanui Library. — A meeting of the committee was held in St Pauls schoolroom on Thursday evening. Present—Messr o H. Matson (chairman),, Thomas Langdon, J. J. Jackson, and 0. 0. C. Duncan (hon sec.). The chairman reported that, the contractor for the erection of the library building found it difficult to get plasterers, and that he (the contractor) wished to be allowed to substitute three and a quarter inch tongue grooved lining for the inside of the building where it was formerly agreed that plaster should be used. It was proposed by Mr Thomas Langdon, seconded by Mr C. C. C, Duncan, and carried—“ That in consequence of the difficulty of getting plasterers, the chairman be empowered to make terms with the contractor for match lining acd varnishing the interior of the library, instead of plastering it as originally agreed, and that the chairman be authorised to arrange for the erection of a fence round the library ground. The chairman informed the meeting that he had received from the Government the promised sum of £IOO for building purposes, and £SO for books, and that he had handed over the same to the hon treasurer. It was resolved not to purchase books till the new library is ready to receive them, and that on the completion of the said building _ an entertainment or soiree be given in aid of the library funds. After some general conversation in reference to library matters, the meeting adjourned,

Newspapers in England. —Newspaper enterprise, especially in the provinces, is, as we have more than once noticed in these columns, one of the most remarkable features of the age. No provincial newspaper of note is without its London special wire. It would seem that soon the leading country journals will be edited direct from the metropolis. Recently, however, a practice has sprung up which appears to be as questionable as it is unfair—if it is not actually illegal—namely, the practice of getting, by hook or by crook —especially crook—early copies of the London papers, and telegraphing the cream of their contents for publication in second editions of provincial newspapers. Thus there are newspaper proprietors in Scotland who would as soon give a rival journal a pound of their own flesh as a stickful of news, but who persistently purloin the dearly-bought news of the London dailies. Now, the question naturally arises, Where is it all to end ? Take the " Times ” for example. It doubtless pays many thousands of pounds per week for its information and get-up. What is to prevent an “enterprising” printer laying hold of an "early" copy of the “ Times,” and, with a good printing staff, getting out soon enough for morning sale a penny paper containing all the news of “the Thunderer?” This could be done at fewer hundreds of pounds a week than the “ Times ” pays of thousands. But would it be legal, and would the authorities at Printing House square stand it ? Yet the idea is only the provincial one a little more extended; The entire question is, however, one which must soon force itself on the attention of newspaper proprietors—and the sooner the better. If the law of newspaper copyright does not extend to twenty-four hours, it is high time that it did. Some months ago, says the “Leader," a speculator purchased from the Tasmanian Government the right to fish for the first submarine cable laid in Bass’s Straits, and long since abandoned. He has chartered a vessel and procured a report from an experienced engineer, and a company is in process of formation to utilise the cable. All right to the cable was sold for £5, and if it is ever recovered from the vasty deep, the probabilities of securing a profit "on the purchase are good. The professional gentleman entrusted with the task of reporting thereon states the total amount recoverable to be about 160 nautical miles, and as to the condition of the long submerged wire, quotes as an illustration the case of the Dover and Calais cable, which, after a submergence of nine years, showed a loss of only two per cent, on the iron covering. He thinks the value of the recovered cable may be reasonably estimated at from £25 to £3O per mile.