NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 46, 23 July 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Domain Bill.—The petition to the Legislative Council' against the passing of this Bill was signed up to 3 p.m yesterday by 1253 persons. The Kennedy's.—Owing to the inclemency of the weather the Kennedy Family have been unable to leave Wellington, hence their first performance at Kaiapoi has been postpoued until Saturday next. The San Francisco Mail. The Cyphrenes with the San Francisco mail arrived at Auckland yesterday morning, but in consequence of the lines north of Wellington beiug down, the news could not be telegraphed.

Heathcote Parish Meeting.—Owing to the inclemency of the weather the meetiug of Church members in the above parish announced for tomorrow evening, has been postponed until Wednesday next. Templeton Koad Board. A public meeting of ratepayers in the Templeton Road Board District, will be held at the Talbot Hotel, Yaldhurst, at 12 a.m. on Monday, 10th August, for [the purpose of electing a new member on the Board.

St Luke's Entertainment.—The fourth of the series of St Luke's winter entertainments will be given this evening in the schoolroom. A varied and excellent programme has been provided, and if the weather be fine, should attract a large attendance.

The Colonial Bank. —We have authority to state that the total number of shares in this Bank applied for in Canterbury at the closing of the share list, is over 24,000. The demand for shares has been very active throughout the colony for some days past, and it is thought that the number will exceed the 200,000 to be allotted.

The Financial Statement.—We have received the following telegram from Mr Vogcl's private secretary : —ln the summary of the financial statement there was an error. " He would explain when he made his immigration statement the ' further vote' that would be required for immigration and for railway purposes," should have read, "the further authorities," &c.

Fatal Accident. —A youth named Green lost his life yesterday afternoon in Dampier's Bay, Lyttelton. It appears that the unfortunate youth (who is a sou of Captain Green, of the schooner Bee) was engaged in getting a kedge anchor into the dingy, and by some means the boat capsized, and he was drowned. The men on board the vessel did not observe the accident until too late. The body was recovered after being under the water some time. An inquest will be held on the body.

Footpaths at Rangiora.—A great improvement is now being made by the local Road Board in forming proper footpaths at Rangiora. That from Mr Cone's corner to Mr Good's store is also being kerbed, partly at the expense of the persons whose business premises front on to it. Nearly all people who visit Rangiora complain of the want of a footpath from the railway station to the Ashley road. Payment of Members.—The Wellington correspondent of the " Otago Daily Times" telegraphs : that Government is prepared to introduce a Bill providing for payment of members on the Victorian style of £3OO a-year, but desires some private members first to bring the matter forward. Mr Vogel's speech on Mr Murray's motion re members' telegrams, consented on invitation to do this, and several members are now prepared to raise the question. N.Z. Steam Shipping Company.—The " New Zealand Times" says:—lt is stated on reliable authority that a prominent and wealthy citizen is prepared to take over the New Zealand Steam Shipping Company's fleet of steamers for £60,000, which indicates a firm faith in the value of the vessels themselves, and the prospect of a profitable trade for them on the coasts of this colony. Whatever may be the results of the forthcoming meeting of shareholders, which promises to be a very turbulent one, there is little doubt that the proprietary of the vessels will remain in Wellington. Rangiora District School.—The ladies who had undertaken to provide trays and assist at the opening ceremony of the above school, met on Tuesday evening at the Road Board Office, to arrange among themselves the details in connection with it. There were about eighteen ladies present together with the Rev Canon Dudley and {another member of the committee, who explained the intentions of the committee, and took notes of the suggestions made by the ladies. The amount of interest taken in the proceedings was apparent, and it is expected that the affair will be a success in consequence. It was resolved that the soiree be held in the boys' school.

Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association.—We have received a copy of the premium catalogue for next November show. There are several additions, and we think, improvements on that of last year. The money prizes offered by the association amount to upwards of £7OO, besides about twenty medals ; in addition to these theie are a few private prises. The most noticeable alteration in the regulations refers to sheep, which must be penned by 12 o'clock the day previous to the show in order that they may be judged. This was deemed necessary, as owing to the large number of exhibits in the various classes under this head, the judges have fouud it impossible to get through their work in anything like reasonable time on the show day. The committee have also decided that to prevent errors entries will have to be made in writing oa printed forms supplied by the hon sec, and signed by the exhibitor or some person on his behalf.

Canterbury College. A meeting of the Board of Governors of the Canterbury College which was to have been held yesterday afternoon at the Public Library, lapsed for want of a quorum. A meeting of tlie general purposes committee was then held, there being present—the Revs W. J. Habens, J. Buller, and C. Fraser ; his Honor the Superintendent, and Messrs J. S. Williams, H. J. Tancred, and J. D. Enys, when the following telegram received from Lord Lyttclton, was considered : —" London, 2nd July. We have an excellent candidate for mathematical professorship. He cannot leave till November. He objects to the absolute power of dismissal, and wishes it to be as at Melbourne University. I r"commend compliance with both conditions." After deliberation the committee decided to telegraph to Lord Lyttelton. that the professor need not leave until November, but they could not alter the power they had reserved to themselves of dispensing with his services under the conditions of which his Lordship had been advised.

Kaiapoi Ploughing Match.—The sixteenth annual match will take place to-day in two adjoining paddocks belonging to Mr George Conp, about three-quarters of a mile distant from the railway station. Yesterday the working committee were busily engaged in making preparations, and should the weather hold fine the match will be a capital one, as no less than twenty-six teams hare entered. The ground is said to be in excellent condition and very level. Teams have to be upon the ground at 9 a.m, to start at 10 o'clock, and finish at 4 p.m. Mr Middleton, of Middleton's Hotel, will have the booth on the ground. In the evening the annual dinner will be held at Harris' Kaikainui Hotel.

Etreton.—Our. correspondent writes : " This township is visited by diphtheria of a virulent form. It first occurred in the family of Francis Moore, farmer, adjoining the school, and in one week carried off his two eldest children. The mother and another child are suffering from it, but it is hoped that they will recover, an improvement having taken place this day. One other case appeared to be dangerous yesterday, but by skilful treatment at the hands of Dr Fletcher, the patient is now considered out o* danger. Other children had all the symptoms, but by prompt and strong measures being used, it has so far been checked. The great danger seems to lie in not seeking medical advice at the earliest, signs of the disease, where that was done the patient soon became better. The school has for the present been closed by the committee.

A curious mode of tryiug the title to land is practised in Hindostan. Two holes are dug iu the disputed spot, in each of which the plaintiff's and defendant's lawyer put one of their legs, nnd remain there until one of them is tired, in which case his client is defeated. In this country it is the client, and not the lawyer, who puts his foot ia it. The other day two lads, wishing to amuse themselves by using an old pump as as a cannon, took a quantity of gunpowder from the railway works, where the father of one was omployed, and filled their pockets with it. W.iile entertaining themselves as described, a flash ignited the powder in one tny's pocket, and he was so fearfully burnt that he died soon afterwards. An Irish friend adds, "And so saved his life, for the pump must have burst." He did not mc?n it as a joke—the subject being too serious.