NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 21, 24 June 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Postal. A notice appears in the "Gazette," stating that the designation of the Post Office at Waihi crossing will, ; on and after July Ist, be known as Winchester.

Schoolmasters' Examination,—The examination of schoolmasters for third-class certificates, and of assistant teachers, commenced yesterday afternoon in St. John's schoolroom, and will be continued to-day. Deputation.—On Monday a deputation of the Mandeville and Rangiora Drainage Board waited on the Provincial Government with a view to procure a grant for carrying out the drainage works in hand. They were favorably received. l

Bills Thrown Out. —In the Provincial Council last evening the Executive Council Ordinance and the- Municipal Revenues Ordinance were thrown out. The former on a motion for reporting progress without leave to sit again, and the latter on the second reading. •

Legal.—ln the Supremo Court yesterday his. Honor gave judgment in Moir and another v Hiorns, making the rule absolute, but without costs, which is a verdict for the defendant. The case was an action to recover possession of the Central Hotel, on the ground of a breach of the covenants of the lease.

The Cab Case. —In consequence of Mr Travers being unable to be here before Tuesday next, to argue the demurrer in Gregg v Langstreth and another, the case will be taken on that day, and the cab case has been fixed for Friday next instead of Tuesday, as originally agreed upon.

Width op Tikes/ — In the Provincial Council last evening Mr Knight's motion for regulating the width of tires on the roads of the province created some discussion. _ The Provincial Solicitor expressed his opinion thut the Provincial Council had power to pass a Bill containing clauses regulating the width of tires. Upon this understanding, Mr Knight withdrew his motion, intending to bring in a Bill to carry out the objects intended to be arrived at by the resolution proposed. «. Good Templar Demonstration.— The committee appointed to make arrangements for the forthcoming Good Templar demonstration met on last Monday evening, when it was decided to hold a tea meeting in the New Oddfellows' Hall, in July ; after which addresses are to be given'by several ministers and other gentlemen, who have kindly promised to be present that evening. The tendersf or supplying the teawere then opened, when that of Mr Poole, Colombo street, was accepted,

Free Passes to Members. —In wiswor to a question from hon Mr Buckley last evening in the Council, Mr Jollie stated that the Government intended to place a sum of money on the supplementary estimates for the purpose of defraying the fares of the members of the Council on the railway during the recess.

Drainage op Kaiapoi Swamp. Some time ago attention was drawn to the necessity for drainage works to carry off the overflow of the flood, and it now appears that the Mandeville and llangiora Road Board intend to carry out the work. Application has been made to the Government for a grant of £4OO, and with an equal amount in the hands of the Board, they will be prepared to carry out this much needed work.

St. James' Wesleyan Sunday School. The usual quarterly tea meeting was held in the church last evening. Tea was provided by the lady teachers, to which about 100 sat down. A public meeting was then held, the Bev J; Buller in the chair. The secretary read the quarterly report, which was of a satisfactory character. Addresses were delivered on Sunday school subjects by Messrs Cawsey, Munnings, J. W. Smith, Shierlaw, B. Dewsbury, jun., J. Edmunds, J, Sheppard, W. Harris. A vote of thanks to the ladies who had provided the tea was moved by Mr Q-. Daltry. The meeting terminated with the benediction,

Kaiapoi Ploughing Match.—A meeting of the committee was held at Harris's Kaikanui Hotel on Monday evening. Present, Messrs Edwards, J. Birnie, Lorimer, Coup, Vale, W. Birnie, J. Strachan, C. Young, B. Monk, W. Boss, and W. Birnie. It was decided to hold the match on Thursday. July 23rd. The offers of land were considered, and it was decided that the paddocks offered by Mr Coup, Kaiapoi Island, were the best suited for the match. The committee could either have two or three paddocks, according to the number of teams which might be entered.

.Railway Tickets—Mr Maskell's motion, which provides that passengers by the railway shall be allowed to purchase their tickets at any hour of the day on which they intend to travel, and also at places in the various towns, was agreed to last evening. It was I proposed by one member that the ticket might be used at any time, but this was looked upon as going too far, and the amendment was withdrawn. In the course of the discussion the Government stated that they would at once take steps to abolish the custom of keeping the ticket windows closed until within five minutes of the dispatch of the train. The Secretary for. Public Works also stated, that the Government would do all they could to carry out the resolution, in,its 'entirety. ' ,[[ ,. .'.', ~'.; "1;,,, ,; I.O.O.F.,M.tJ.—The annualmeetirig of the City of Norwich Lodge, Lyttelton,'took place'on Monday afternoon, at the lodge room, Sumner road. There was a good attendance of members, and the various lodges were represented by delegates. The minutes were read, and duly confirmed, and certain correspondence was discussed. 1 The next business Was the election of' officers, resulting as follows:—J. Sowden, G.M.; W. 11. Turner, D.G.M. ; W. Hillier, auditor ; J. S. Jenkins, corresponding secretaiy. The following degrees - were given :—P.P.G.M., W. W. Eoper. Purple degree : P.G., Sergeantmajor Kerr ; V.G., C. Burns. Secretary's degree to J. Tregcar and G, Dimond. It is gratifying to add that the district is irj a most flourishing state,-especially as regards the Norwich Lodge, twenty-five members having beeu initiated within the past six months. The meeting was diUy closed. In the evening the anniversary was celebrated with a ball at the Colonists Hall, and was a success in every sense of the word. The •catering by Bro. Burnip, gave the greatest satisfaction, arid the band, under Herr Biuiz, kept up the dancing till daylight.

Kaiapoi Wesleyan Circuit.—The first quarterly meeting since the ! division of this circuit was held on Mouday, ( in the vestry of the Kaiapoi- Chapel. The Rev R. Bavin presided. -Representatives were present from •Kaiapoi, Mandeville; ' Eyreton, and the island. The minister's report shewed that since the separation of the Rangiora circuit there had been a marked improvement in the congregations. The stewards' balanceflheet was adopted. The receipts were— Kaiapoi (exclusively for the fund for the support of the ministry), £57 2s 2d ; from Mandeville, £l2 lis 3d ; Eyreton, £2 3s 6d ; island, £3 4s 6d : total, £75 Is sd. Expenditure—Stipend, £G2 10s ; general expenses, £ll 19s 8d; leaving a balance in hand of lis 9d. An application was received from Eyreton for permission to erect a chapel on land given by Mr. Dixon, which was acceded to. Arrangements were made for holding a series of special services at Kaiapoi during July. Other business, relating to Sunday-schools and so forth, having been gone through, the meeting terminated by the chairman pronouncing the benediction.

Oxford Eailway.—This line is now completed, and rails laid about a mile and half beyond the Oust bridge, viz., to the site of the Oust station. The siding has been made, and timber taken up for a house on the premises. Beyond this point the formation works have been delayed by the deviation in the line for a distance of about four miles, and the contractor kept waiting for the levels. This deviation will not necessitate a cutting through the terrace, and will avoid the swamps. Mr Taylor, the contractor, intends to push the works on now, and confidently expects to have the line finished to Oxford within six months. If he accomplishes this he will not have lost much time. There are two locomotives for the line, which can now run up to the Oust station, and possibly that part of the line may soon be open for general traffic, especially as the Oxford-Rangiora road is at present in a very bad state.

1.0.0.F..M.U. —The half-yearly meeting of the Woodend Loyal Lodge was held at Bro. Conway's White Crane Hotel on Friday evening last to elect officers for the ensuing six months. The district officers were represented, and there were present visiting brothers from other lodges. The officers elected were W. Frascr, N.G., J. Conway, V.G., and W. Tinkler,." secretary. This lodge has only been opened a few months, but during that time has received an accession of about twenty members to the number initiated at'the time of opening. The halfyearly meeting of the Loyal Rangiora Lodge was held in the hall of the order on Monday evening. The district board was represented. The officers elected for the ensuing six months were, R. Aherne, N.G., G. .Terrett, V.G, aud A. Doggett, secretary, R, Truman becoming QM,

There arc some men who, without any difficulty, can adapt themselves to the most unusual circumstances. A Melbourne visitor to Berlin not ago was accredited to the great German Chancellor. With much frankness the Prince, upon being introduced, gave him his hand. Now, the visitor has a remarkably nervous grasp, and in the fervour of the occasion he unthinkingly pressed the palm of the Prince so firmly that the latter said, "Sir, you ought to be able to hold the strongest man in Europe." " Prince," was the courtier-like reply, " I think I hold him now."

A contemporary remarks :—The poetry of life is rapidly disappearing in the progress of civilisation, and the most hallowed spots on the earth are being stripped of their sanctity. The home papers state that a telegraph office, for the despatch of messages in Turkish and foreign languages, has now been opened at Bethlehem, in Palestine. We suppose it is only right that the • inhabitants of Bethlehem should enjoy the benefits of telegraphy ; but somehow or another we would rather they had been left to the old-fashioned Eastern modes of communication.