NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 14, 16 June 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Sheep Killed. —On Saturday, the 5.45 p.m. up train from Rangiora ran into a mob of sheep standing on the level crossing near Mr Thorne’s, Raugiora, and killed seven of them. The train was pulled up, but the guard having ascertained the damage it proceeded. The sheep were owned by Mr J. Wheeler, butcher, and had only a few days before cost him 17s 6d a head. lie states that the paddock in which they were was properly secured, but it is probable some one had wilfully taken the slip-panels down, thus allowing the sheep to stray. Registrar's Returns. During the month of May the following births were registered in the Christchurch district : City of Christchurch : Males, 21 ; females, 17 ; total, 38. Christchurch district : Males, 155 ; females, 27 ; total, (J2. Deaths —City of Christchurch : Males, 8 ; females, S ; total, 16. Christchurch district : Males, 12 ; females, 12 ; total, 24. ■ Marriages—City of Christchurch, 36. Christchurch district, 5. During the same month of 1873, the returns were Births—City of Christchurch, 47; Christchurch district, 47. Deaths —City of Christchurch, 20 ; Christchurch district, 15, Marriages—City of Christchurch, 20 ; Christchurch district, 4.

The City Council’s Petition. —Cr Hobbs, referring last night to the channeling required throughout the city, remarked that those members undecided how to vote on the question of remitting to the City Council the license fees collected in the city, should visit Kilmore street, near St Luke’s, the North town belt, Park terrace, and the various outskirts of the city, when they would have occular demonstration of the necessity for the Council having farther funds to maintain the streets of the city.

Immigrants per miip Northampton.— The general si ate of the health of tne immigrants is satisfactory. The following is a list of cases in hospital : —Mrs J. Mears, 20 years, doing well ; Edward Jeffrey, 40 years, convalescent ; Emma Everitt, 5 years, doing well ; Lilly Everitt, 2 years, doing well ; Mrs B. Laity, 18 years, doing well ; Walter Gaiger, 27 years, doing well ; James Atkins, 20 years, doing well ; Miss E. Rudd, 18 years, doing well ; Mrs Emma Gowen, 25 years, doing well ; E. Brewer, 27 years, doing well ; E. Atkins, 23 years, progressing favorably • M. A. Symraonds, 22 years, doing well; Baldwin, 30 yeais, doing well ; E. J, Harvey, I year, doing well. One death is reported, that of James Berry, on June 13th, of colliguative diarrhoea. Rangers. —The following gentlemen have been appointed rangers within the province of Canterbury under the provisions of the Protection of Animals Act, 1873 : —Messrs Frederick Herbert Wilson, of Cashmere; Cathcart Wason, of South Rakaia ; David Middleton, of South Rakaia ; John Campbell, of Southbridge ; Richard Westenra, of South Selwyu ; Parker Westenra, of South Selwyn; William White, of Greendale ; Alexander Barnes, of Saltwater Creek ; A, Smith, of Newbiggen, Upper Riccarton ; C. E. Mai thus, of Selwyu ; John Barker, of Little Akaloa. Educational Districts. —The boundaries of the German Bay educational district are given in the “ Government Gazette” of June 13. The same “Gazette” contains the boundaries of the Akaroa educational district. A.O.F. —The eighth annual performance by the members of the Ancient Order of Foresters on behalf of the Benevolent Fund of the Order, will take place on Thursday next at the Theatre Royal. The pieces selected are the nautical drama of “ The Lost Ship ’ and “The Spectre Bridegroom.” The efforts of the various members of the order who yearly lake part in these performances has resulted in the netting of a very handsome sum for the fund, and as no pains will be spared by them in putting the pieces on the stage in good style, it is to be hoped the public will by their patronage make the 1874 performance as great a success—pecuniarily—as those which have preceded it. The Supreme Court House. —Dr Turnbull will move this evening in the Provincial Council that a sufficient sum of money be placed on the estimates for the purpose of improving the acoustic properties of the Supreme Court House. Entertainment. —An entertainment will take place to-morrow evening in the schoolroom, St Albans, comprising readings, songs, duets, &c. Clerks’ Association. —A general meeting of the recently formed Clerks’Association will bo held on Thursday evening next at Warner’s Hotel, to approve of draft rules, and elect officers. Secretary for Education. —The Hon Mr Buckley has tabled a motion for this evening to the effect that a sum of £450 be placed upon the supplementary estimates for the appointment of a Permanent Secretary for Education. Executive Council Ordinance. —This amended Ordinance brought in by the Government will be further considered in committee to-night. Considerable alterations have already been made in the Bill. Lire and Soot-throwing at Elections. —A letter from the Commissioner of Police was read in the City Council last night, stating that the inspector had received strict instructions to prosecute all persons found throwing soot, lime, or flour, at elections. Theatrical Items.— The “Grif” dramatic company, including Miss Rosa Towers, Mr Frank Towers, Mrs Towers, and several others, well known to Christchurch playgoers, will open a season at the Theatre Royal on the 24th instant. From the Auckland papers we gather the somewhat bewildering intelligence that “Master” H.N. Douglas, the “ evergreen juvenile” tragedian, and Miss Docey Mainwaring, will open a starring engagement in that city shortly. The Opera Company are drawing crowded bouses in Wellington, Miss Alice May having established herself as a prime favourite, receiving perfect ovations for her acting and singing in “ Satanella.” St. Andrew’s Temperance Gathering —Despite the very unfavourable weather, a goodly number of persons assembled last evening in St Andrew’s schoolroom on the occasion of the first of a series of Temperance Gatherings to be given in connection with St Andrew’s Lodge, 1.0.G.T. The chair was taken by the Rev. C. Fraser, A.M.. and addresses in favor of the temperance movement were delivered by the Chairman, the Rev B. J. Westbrook, Mr B. Connal, and Mr Exall, who also read a poem intituled “ Eliab,” by the Rev S. J. Stone, M.A., of Pembroke College, Oxford. The proceedings of the evening were greatly enhanced by some very excellent music, consisting of solos and duets by lady members of the St Andrew’s choir, assisted by Mr and Mrs Long, who kindly gave their services. Mrs Long also presided at the harmonium. Votes of thanks having been passed to the ladies for their musical services, and the chairman, the proceedings terminated by singing “ Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” ' Speed op English Express Trains An exchange says ; —“A trial of a special express with Pullman’s sleeping-car attached, made ou the Midland railway on March 17th, demonstrated the astounding fact that trains can be run with safely at the rate of seventyfive miles au hour. The train was timed very fast to see if the sleeping cars shook about ; and the trial was from Derby to London, St. Pancras. The engine had the steam brake, and the cars and tender had the now air brake, which is now fitted to all midland trains. The car-brake will stop a heavy express of twenty-five carriages, running seventy-five miles an hour, in 290 yards. The distance from Derby to London is 129 miles. It is all ou the block system, and all trains were shunted for this special express. The exact distance of 129 miles was run in 142 minutes, but this -does not show the actual speed, as three stops and three starts took six minutes, and speed was reduced to twcuty-five miles an hour, over thirteen junctions, which each took a good minute—leaving the time as 123 minutes for 129 miles, which averages over a mile a minute all the way. In one case on a level piece of line seventeen miles was run in ]3min IBsec, which averages about seventyfive miles an hour, aud twenty miles was run in 19rain. The cars ran as steady as tables at seventy-five miles an hour. The driving wheels of Ihe engine were Oft S^in,

Free Passes to Members. —Mr Knight will move this evening, in the Provincial Council, that free passes should be granted on the Canterbury railways to members of the Provincial Council. As at present free passes are granted to hon. members while the Council is in session, we presume the motion is intended to go the length of granting the privilege at other times as well.

Southbridge. —Mr James Lewis has been appointed to receive the rate for the educational district of Southbridge, the ratepayers having failed within the time limited for that purpose by the Board of Education, to contribute the amount fixed by the Board as the contribution of the district for school purposes. Bifle Association Concert.— The concert in aid of the funds of the Bifle Association, which was intended to have been given at the Oddfellows’ Hall on Thursday next, has been postponed until Friday evening, in consequence of the annual performance of the Foresters taking place on the former evening.

Timaru and Temuka Railway.— The “Timaru Herald ” says :—“The locomotive for this railway was got into working order last week. On Friday it was drawn along the line nearly to the Washdyke by horses, and will be set to work as soon as the trucks are ready, which are now being put together on the beach. We observe with satisfaction that steps are being taken to strengthen the railway bridges on the northern boundary of the line, an extra row of piles and struts being placed along the seaward side of them.” Carriers’ Licenses. —The Commissioner of Police intimated by letter to the City Council last evening, that the police were instructed to prosecute all carriers plying in Christchurch, whoso names were not on the list forwarded to him. Deputation from tub Chamber of Commerce. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce, consisting of Mr Dymock (chairman ), and Messrs Lane and Nathan, waited on his Honor the Superintendent and the members of the Executive yesterday morning, with reference to the reductions in the railway tariff proposed by the Government, submitting the request of the Chamber, that those reductions should be of a more tangible nature. The matter was fully represented and discussed, when the deputation were informed that the proposed reductions were only tentative, and if, after they had been tried, the Government felt justified in doing so, further reductions would then be made. The South Australian Budget. —The following telegraphic summary of the budget speech is taken from the “ Argus —He stated the population of the colony to be 200,000. The statement that 2000 families had crossed the border into Victoria was incorrect —only CO families, averaging six persons, had departed, against 150 new arrivals. The Customs returns for the year ending March were exceedingly satisfactory. The total imports amounted to £4,033.000, being an increase of 25 per cent, on the preceding year. The exports were £4,500,000, showing an increase of 20 per cent. Cereals, wool, minerals, wine, and gold, showed an increase. Wheat this year would be 50,000 tons less than last, but the increased price partly compensated for the small quantity. They had occasion to rejoice at the present appearance of the weather, which dispelled all fears of a drought. The land sold on cash and credit last year was 259,495 acres, making a total of 4,620,444 acres now sold in the colony. The Savings Bank had 19,597 depositors, with funds amounting to £743,000. The bonded debt after Ist July next would be £2,284,400, and, added to £IOO,OOO of Treasury bills, would be equal to £ll per head, being less than the average of any other Australian colony, and not half that of England. Concerning the Northern Territory, the Treasurer stated that £72,000 had been paid to land-order holders, and nearly all the orders had been handed over. Upon the ways and means he congratulated the colony on having turned another corner, and he expected to bring forward a credit balance of £84,000 at the end of June. He was agreeably disappointed in regard to the elasticity of the revenue, From° the Ist October to the 30th June, the Customs brought in nearly £50,000 more than the estimated revenue. The lands showed an increase of £IO,OOO. The telegraph and other departments also showed an increase. He did not expect the Customs revenue to be so large during the coming year. For the year ending March, they had received £381,000, and he estimated that next year they would receive £350,000. Pastoral leases showed a falling off of £IO,OOO. Railways and tramways, which last year realised £160,000, he expected this year would yield £140,000. From the land sales he expected £250,000, as against £185,000 last year. The total revenue was estimated at £7OOO more than last year. The amount payable under the Murray convention would be reduced £ISOO. owing to an alteration in the New South Wales duties. £127,000 was required for interest on the funded debt, and £34,000 towards the payment of principal. The Treasurer concluded by explaining the estimates of expenditure, the chief items of which have already been given.

Hallwachs, a German scientist, has found that not not only green but also the redcolored carpetings frequently contain arsenic He particularly asserts that the brilliant dark red colors, now so greatly in demand contain enormous quantities of this poisonous substance. The goods burned with the blue Hame of arsenic, and gave its characteristic garlic odours. Men and women make their own beauty or their own ugliness. Lord Lytton speaks in one of his novels of a man “ who was uglier than he had any business to be and if he could but read it, every human being carries his life in his face, and is good-look-ing or the reverse as that life has been good or evil. A barrister, upon a circuit in Ireland, who was pleading the cause of an infant plaintiff, took the child up in his arms and presented it to the jury, suffused with tears. This had a great effect, until the opposite barrister asked the child, “ What makes you cry V—- “ He pinched me,” answered the little innocent, The whole court was convulsed with laughter. As a New York judge was delivering his decision in a case, the other day, he was interrupted by the vociferous braying of a donkey under one of the windows of the courtroom. “What is that/’ testily asked the judge ; whereupon the lawyer against whom he was deciding the case arose and re« marked, “ It is merely the echo of the court, your honor.”

A hungry friend said at Brummel’s table, after the beau had fallen in fortune, that “ nothing was better than cold beef.” “ I beg your pardon,” said Brummcl, “ cold beef is better than nothing.” A young fellow at college wrote to his uncle, on whom he entirely depended, ‘ My dear uncle —ready for the needful. Your affectionate nephew.” The uncle replied, ‘ Dear nephew—the needful is not ready. Your affectionate uncle.’

The '* Chico Enterprise” has the following account of a Californian agriculturist : '• H, J. Glenn, an enterprising farmer of Colusa County, will putin, on his little farm, near Jacinto, this year, 40,000 acresof wheat : from which we make the following estimate, At 25 bushels per acre—which is not a high estimate for the prospect of the present season—the yield will be 1,000,000 bushels, or 60,000,0001 bs. At 1371 bto the sack it will require 430,000 sacks. At 300 tons per barge load, on the Sacramento River, it will take one steamer two years to deliver it to San Francisco, allowing one trip per week, and will take twenty ships, of 1,300 tons each, to deliver it in England, But the most important calculation still remains to be made, especially to Mr. Glenn, and that is, the calculation of the net profit accruing from the 1,000,000 bushels that it will bring him on the ranch at 1 dollar per bushel.”