NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 10, 11 June 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Bankruptcy Sittings.— His Honor sat in bankruptcy at the new Court House this morning. The cause list was not large. Final orders were made in the following cases, viz : Charles Fowke, Donald Potter, James M'Connell, Chas. Win. Dumeague, Bosville Place, and William James Falloon. In the case of Michael Welsh, an adjournment was, granted until next sittings on the 16th July. Re James Harris Brett. In this case Mr Joynt who appeared for the sole creditor Mr Lilly, had applied to his Honor for an order directing the bankrupt to execute a deed conveying to the creditor his interest in a reversionary legacy. Mr Garrick for the bankrupt, now appeared to show cause against the order. After a long argument between counsel, his Honor took time to consider the points raised.

Colonial Bank op New Zealand.— At a meeting of the managing committee held yesterday, Mr Edward Curry was appointed interim secretary. A large number of shares have Dcen applied for. A suitable office has not yet been obtained, but forms of application for shares may be obtained at the Bank of Australasia and the Union Bank of Australia in Christchurch,

SUICIDE. — A man named Thomas Swan committed suicide on Wednesday morniug after breakfast, at the Ashley Gorge flax works, by cutting his throat in a fearful manner. The body has been conveyed to Messent’s Halfway House, Moeraki Downs, in charge of Mounted-Sergeant Mullin, and where an inquest will be held. The deceased had been drinking heavily. Lincoln Fair. —There was such a meagre attendance of stock and buyers that no fair was held at the Lincoln yards yesterday.

RAIN. —The farmers throughout the province will be greatly benefited by the present rain. Owing to the dry season it has been impossible to do much ploughing, and, as a natural consequence, there is very litt’e wheat yet sown. Eyeeton. —The number of scholars attending the Sunday-school in connection with the church at Eyreton steadily increases. Although the weather is getting cold, aud many come a long way, from 35 to 40 attend out of a total on the books of 50, and last Sunday each one was rewarded with a book for such regular attendance ; and, when these were distributed, Mr. W. P. Wilson, lay reader, presented a prayer book, with hymns, to the twelve best at making responses and finding places. The elder children are studying hard to obtain two handsome books given byafiiend for the two most proficient in Bible knowledge. These will be given after an examination next Sunday morning. Three new teachers have lately joined, making five in all, and a further increase to the number of scholars is expected.

Ashburton Library. —A general meeting of subscribers was held in the library room on Tuesday, 9th inst, at 7 p.m, Mr Alfred Saunders in the chair. There was a fair attendance, including Mr J. Ward, treasurer, and Mr Greenwood, hon secretary. The minutes of last general meeting having been confirmed, the secretary read the report of the committee of management, which was, after some discussion, adopted. The financial statement showed that subscriptions to the amount of £l9B had been received, which had been supplemented by a similar sum from the Provincial Government. The last vouchers (some £80) had not as yet been paid by Government, but as soon as it was received there would be a balance in hand of about £SO. Mr Ward also stated that the Provincial Government had offered to supply books to the value of £SO, and the committee had chosen books to that amount from a list supplied by Government. They ought to arrive almost immediately. The secretary next read a set of rules proposed for the proper management of the Ashburton library, and these were, after some slight alterations, adopled. It was resolved that the secretary get these rules printed. A set of bye-laws, for the further guidance of members, was next read aud approved of. A long discussion ensued on the question of letting the hall for religious purposes : some of these present being in favour of letting the hall for purposes of worship gratuitously, others for a small charge, while some were in favor of not letting it at all for religious purposes. Finally it was resolved by a majority, that the hall be let for religious purposes at a charge of 10s 6d, payable in advance ; the first applicant to have priority, no matter what denomination he represented. It was understood, that the above charge would be for the whole Sunday, so that if two different bodies used it, they would only pay one half each. The price of the hall for public entertainments was fixed at one guinea per night; lectures for the benefit of the institution to be free, or to be at the option of the managing committee. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows President :Mr Alfred Saunders. Treasurer and librarian ; Mr J. Ward ; secretary : Mr Stephen Poyntz ; committee : Rev J. W. Wills, Dr Trevor, Messrs D. McLaren, W. Bullock, aud 11. Friedlander. The usual votes of thanks terminated the proceedings.

Meeivale Sunday School Entertainment. —The usual fortnightly entertainment to the children attending the Merivale Sunday school was given in the schoolroom last Monday evening. The Rev F. Knowles presided. In addition to a large assemblage of children, a number of adults was also present. The programme included songs by Mesdames Palairet and Duckworth, and Misses Little and Stringer, a duet by Messrs A. Bell and Merson ; piano solos by Misses Duckworth and Stringer and Master Duckworth, which were very creditably performed, and readings by the Rev F. Knowles and Messrs Shepherd, Abbott, and Matson. A charade was acted by some of the boys, which was heartily appreciated by the juvenile audience. The Rev Incumbent at the termination of the entertainment informed the children that in consequence of the disgraceful conduct of some of the boys that evening the next entertainment would be postponed for a month. He regretted to be compelled to adopt this course, and if on the next occasion of their meeting similar conduct was indulged in, the entertainments would be done away with altogether. Mr Shepherd followed with somewhat similar remarks, and stated that he had been struck on the temple that evening by a stone thrown by one of the boys. A vote of thanks was passed to those ladies and gentlemen who had contributed to the evening’s amusement, and the children dispersed to their homes.

Canterbury Jockey Club. —An adjourned meeting of members was held at Warner’s Hotel yesterday afternoon. Present —Mr G. B. Parker (chairman), Sir Cracroft Wilson), Captain Clogstoun, the Hon J. C. Watts Russell, Messrs Millett, Stead, G. P, Williams, J. H. Bennett, and E. G. Griffiths (hon sec). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from W. M’Kay, requesting that the disqualification of the C.J.C. might be removed. The club, being satisfied from enquiries that M'Kay had conducted himself in a proper manner for some time past, decided to remove the penalty of disqualification. Considerate discussion having taken place at previous meetings with respect to the course, which was said by many persons to be too large, a sketch plan was laid upon the table, and a lengthy conversation took place. Ultimately it was resolved that the committee of the club, with Captain Clogstoun and Mr G. P. Williams, should be appointed as a special committee to visit the course, and suggest to the next meeting of the club such alterations for reducing the course to about one and a-half miles as they might deem best. Mr Parker, having vacated the chair in favor of Mr Russell, moved —“That the remainder of the life members’ tickets for the grand stand be sold with the view of the proceeds being used for effecting permanent improvements on the course.” Captain Clogstoun seconded the motion, which was agreed tp, The meeting then terminated,

The Circus.—The inclemency of the weather last evening prevented a large attendance at this entertainment, but the programme was gone through successfully. To-night a new programme is announced.

Deutscher Verein. —The annual dinner of this society will take place this evening, at Carl’s Empire Hotel.

Extension of the' Point Railway.— The following petition, we learn from the “ Herald,” is being circulated in the Southern district :—To the Honorable Provincial Council of the Province of Canterbury in session assembled. The petition of the undersigned humbly sheweth that the railway from the Washdyke to Pleasant Point in the Timaru district may be extended for the following reasons : —lst. That so long as the railway terminates at Pleasant Point little benefit will be derived by the general publie, that district being already easy of access and limited in extent. 2nd. The present terminus touches on the margin of a very large block of splendid agricultural land, containing over 70,000 acres of freehold property which will continue to be almost dormant owing to its remoteness from a market unless the railway is extended. 3rd. The extension of the line for, say, eighteen or twenty miles along the main Mackenzie Country road up the valley of the Tengawai river would meet present requirements, and at once allow the existing freeholds to be made available for cultivation, and it would also bring into the market an extensive area of waste land which at present is unsaleable. 4 th. The extension would affect a very large number of holders, and would be of great service in the carriage of about 4000 bales of wool, which are annually conveyed to Timaru along the route proposed for the railway. sth—Beyond the bridging of the two or three small tributaries of the Tengawai river, the proposed line of extension is free from all obstiuction, and can be constructed at a very low cost. 6th. In opening what may be truly called one of the finest agricultural valleys in this island, we consider that it will tell most favorably on the general returns of the branch, and more especially when the increase of traffic is considered that will arise from the large amount of grain that will be grown for export, and the rapid increase of population. Pyramids. —Two matches at pyramids were played yesterday at Warner’s Commercial Hotel, between Messrs King and Buckingham, The first match was for £2O ; the first seven games to win. This was won by Mr King, he scoring seven games to his opponent’s four. The second match was for £4O, which was won by Mr Buckingham, the result be'ng—Buckingham seven, King five. Presbyterian Church, Timaru.— We learn from the “ South Canterbury Times ” that the Rev W. R. Campbell has resigned the pastorate of the Presbyterian Church, Timaru. East Christchurch Educational District. —A meeting of the committee was held in St. John’s schoolroom on Tuesday last. Present—Mr Wynn Williams (chairman), the Revs H. C. M. Watson and W. J. Habeas, Messrs Dymock, Pratt, and Anderson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The chairman reported that he had arranged to purchase the block of land which cuts into the Bingsland school site for £IOO, and that the Board of Education had sanctioned the purchase. A letter was read from Miss Percy, stating that she had obtained a permanent appointment in the Lincoln school, and that she desired to relinquish her temporary appointment at St. John’s. An application for appointment as teacher, accompanied by testimonials, from Mr P. J. Vincent, was ordered to be entered on the register. A letter was read from Mr C. Hull, offering his services as drawing master in the schools under the control of the committee, and staling that his system was based upon mathematical forms and involved a knowledge of geometry. It was resolved that Mr Hull, subject to the approval of the Board of Education, should be permitted to organise classes for tuition in drawing in the schools of the district, provided his fee does not exceed five shillings per quarter to each pupil, the committee not undertaking any responsibility. A letter was read from Mr Leach, educational rate collector, stating that the residents in Matheson’s road demurred to paying him the full household rate, and had offered him twothirds as their fair proportion, as they had already paid up to the Ist of May in the Heachcote district. It was resolved that the letter should be forwarded to the Board of Education. A letter was read from Mr Taylor, master at the Music Hall school, complaining that three boys from his school, who were quite unfit for it, had been sent up by their parents for examination for the Provincial scholarships without consulting him, and giving as his opinion that such a proceeding was calculated to militate strongly against the reputation of the school. He suggested that all intending candidates should consult with their teacher at least three months before the date of examination, and that applications should be endorsed by him. The committee fully concurred in Mr Taylor’s view of the matter. The Rev W. J. Haben’s brought up the sub-committee’s report on the teaching staff, and the salaries paid in the East Christchurch schools. The report was adopted, and the secretary was instructed to forward a copy of it to the Board of Education, Sundry accounts were passed for payment, and the Board then adjourned.

The Police.— Some little discussion took place last evening on the estimates for the Police Department, in the course of which Dr Turnbull brought under the notice of the Government the advisability of the Commissioner conducting the various cases in the Supreme aud Magistrate’s Court instead of as at present by the inspector or chief detective. The hon. member instanced the fact that in other provinces this was the case, and spoke in favor of it being done here. The recent presentation to Mr Inspector Pender was also alluded to, and a very general opinion expressed that such testimonials were undesirable. Immigration.— ln the course of his financial statement on Tuesday evening, the Provincial Sccr tary read an extract from a letter received by last mail from Mr Andrew Duncan, in which he stated that owing to a lock-out in a large agricultural district in England, where ho was at the time of writing, a number of very desirable agricultural laborers, who were just the sort of immigrants wanted for the province, had been unable to pay the £l for ship’s outfit which is required by the Government. Under these circumstances Mr Duncan wi it. s'he Government that he had made an offer to the Laborers' Union to select 1000 and pay the expenses of outfit, (ho immigrants leaving England in time to arrive here for the harvest. This announcement was received with cheers by hon members.

Immigrants pee Ship Northampton. —The report from the Quarantine Station this morning is very satisfactory, no fresh cases have occurred. The names of the patients in hospital are as follows :—Mrs Mears, age 26 ; doing well B. Jeffrey, age {4O; J. Berry, age 33; E. Everett, age 5 ; doing fairly. Lilly Everett, age 2 ; Mrs Ostler, age 29 ; Mrs Laity, age 18 ; Walter Gaizer, age 27 ; James Atkins, 26 ; K. Rudd, age 18 ; Mrs Gowen, age 25 ; Mrs Breevr, age 27 ; slight cases, doing well. Delicately Put. —During the debate on the police estimates last evening Mr Jollie Stated that the increase in the amount required to be voted for the department was due to the fact that a large number of persons had been attracted by the prosperity of the province, who required the attention of the members of the force, a statement which was received with loud laughter from all parts of the House.

Superannuation Allowances. —ln answer to a question last evening, Mr Jollie stated that it was the intention of the Government to bring in a bill next session granting superannuation allowances, &c., to all employes of the Government as well as to the police. Provincial Scholarships.— The examination of candidates for scholarships in Class D was commenced yesterday at the College Library, when nine competitors were in attendance. Sunnyside Ayslum. —ln the course of a debate on the estimates for this asylum last evening, Mr Jebson suggested the propriety of the Government placing a sum of £IOOO on the estimates for the purpose of obtaining the services of a medical practitioner who had made insanity his peculiar study, with a view to greater results as regards curative treatment. Mr Jollie, after passing a high eulogium on the steward and surgeon of the asylum, stated that the Government thought it would be better to allow the asylum to continue under the present arrangement, which had proved so thoroughly satisfactory and effective.

Board of Education. —Mr Tosswill’s motion for granting an honorarium to the chairman of the Board of Education was was withdrawn by him last evening, in order to give further time to hon members to consider the question, but he has given notice of it again for this evening. Adulteration of Liquor.— During the debate on the estimates in the Provincial Council last evening, Mr Potts called the attention of the Government to the necessity that existed for an inspector of licensed houses to keep a watch over the quality of the drink sold. It was a well-known fact that in numberless instances lunacy resulted from the poisonous character of the drink supplied. As a professor of chemistry was now on his way to the province it would be as well if the Government considered this matter with a view of utilising his services in the direction pointed out. Mr Tosswill warmly supported the suggestion and stated —what will rather surprise some of our readers—that he had been informed by a medical gentleman in Christchurch that there was not 5 per cent of real pepper in the article vended as such in Christchurch. The Hon Mr Buckley, in speaking on the subject, disclosed a state of things which, to say the least of it, is somewhat discreditable to the province. He stated that in his district a house had existed for years where grog sellselling had been carried on openly without a license, and that not very long ago for two whole days men were running about in a state of semi-lunacy from drink, and further than this that from his own station alone every year two or three cases of lunacy occurred traceable solely to the poisonous character of the liquor sold at the house referred to. Hon members appeared to think the matter required consideration from the Government, and Mr Jollie promised that they would seriously consider the question with a view to bringing forward a remedy for the evil complained of.

‘ 0, for a thousand tongues !' said the lad when he crawled into a treacle barrel.

A California man tied one end of a rope round his waist, and lassoed a buli with the other, He thought he had the bull, but at the end of the first half-mile he began to susdect that the bull had him.

An American agricultural paper says this was this the most backward spring known ; to which a non-agricultural journal replies—- “ Hot such a backward spring as would be produced by our presenting a red-hot poker to your nose.” How is it possible to expect that mankind will take advice, when they will not so much as take warning ? A noted horse jockey ‘ down east ’ w&a re« cently awakened by a violent thunderstorm. Being somewhat timid he awoke his wife, with ‘ Wife! wife ! do jou suppose the Day of Judgment has come?’ ' fehut up, you fool,’ was the affectionate reply, ‘hovr can the Day of Judgment come in the night V