NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume I, Issue 61, 10 August 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

Immigrants.—We understand that the immigrants ex Northampton, will be released from the Quarantine stations at Ripa Island and Camp Bay to-day.

Christchurch Volunteer Fire Police. —A special meeting of the members of above force will be held at the Lichfield street station this evening, at half-past six o’clock, after which the annual general meeting will take place, at which his Worship the Mayor will preside.

. Accident in Lyttlbton. — A man named Jones fell from the Sumner Raod, about 14 feet, into some gorse bushes, yesterday (Sunday) evening, about 6 p.m. Dr Rouse was called to attend him. He complains of his back, but it is doubtful if he has sustained any very serious injuries. Diorama. —Batchclder’s panorama was exhibited on Friday and Saturday, at the Colonists Hall, Lyttelton. There was a fair attendance on both occasions, and gifts were presented at the conclusion of each performance. The automaton rope dancer appeared to be the great attraction. No 5 Company C.R.V.— A general meeting of this corps was held at the orderly room, Kaiapo', on Friday evening. On the motion of private Marsden, seconded by private Ashworth, senior sergeant Perrin was unanimously elected lieutenant, vice Mr J. Craig.

Blast.—On Saturday afternoon a blast was tired, the most satisfactory in its results of any that have hitherto taken place in connection with the harbour works of Lyttelton, ft consisted of 300 kegs of powder of twentyfive pounds each. There were two chambers fired simultaneously, and about seventy thousand tons of stone were displaced with hardly any detonation. Another mine, containing the same quantity, will be exploded next week.

Lecture and Seance. —lt will be seen from our advertising columns that Dr Carr intends giving a lecture and seance in the Oddfellows Hall, Lichfield street, on Wednesday 12th, in aid of the harmonium fund of the Dauntless Lodge of Good Templars. The doctor is a member of the order, and we hope he will have a good house on the occasion we mention. The object being such a good one the members of the other lodges will most probably give a helping hand. The subject of the doctor’s lecture will be Self Culture.”

Fine Arts. —There is now on view at the shop of Mr Firth, High street, some very excellent water-color drawings by Mr Haworth. The subjects are both Australian and New Zealand, the former including views of some of the most romantic scenery around Sydney, and the latter the Tasman Glacier and one or two lake scenes, beautifully executed. They will be disposed of by art union. Mr Haworth will, we believe, shortly return to Canterbury—the climate of Australia not suiting his health—when we hope to see more of the undoubtedly artistic and finished productions of our grand and wild scenery, which has so deservedly made Mr Haworth’s name famous in Australia.

Smith’s Combination. The mid-day performance at the Theatre Royal on Saturday was well attended, aud judgmg from the laughter and applause of the juveniles, all were well pleased. In the evening there was also a capital house, when the programme submitted was gone through very successfully. On Tuesday the De Castro Family take their benefit, and we feel certain all who have seen their wonderful performances will join in making it a bumper. On this occasion, the smallest of the family young Australia—will make his debut before a Christchurch audience in a brown paper parcel.

Certificated Teachers’ Association. The monthly meeting of this Association was held on Saturday last, at the Durham street schoolroom. There was a very large attendance, the president (Mr Cumber worth) occupying the chair. The recent circular of the Board of Eduation requiring teachers to mark the attendance on wet days, was brought before the meeting and discussed at some length, A resolution on the subject was submitted, but ultimately the consideration of the matter was deferred until next meeting. Mr Mitchell then read his paper on “ Common school teaching.” On the motion of the Rev J. Camming, seconded by Miss Stothard, a cordial vote of thanks for his paper was passed to Mr Mitchell. The attention of the Association was directed to the recent dismissal of a master of long standing in the province ; bat it was decided to defer any action in the matter until next meeting. The president having announced that the hou. secretary, Mr Hill, would read a paper at the September meeting, the proceedings terminated. Lyttelton Colonists’ Society. — A committee meeting of this society was hold on Friday night, at the hall. Present—Mr H. Allwiight (vice-president) in the chair, and Messrs Weybourne, Hobbs, Plimmer, Whitmore, Rogers, Graham, Phillips, Fyfe (treasurer), and Rich (secretary). Messrs Plimmer and Rich objected to the meeting being held, as it was informal, as the meeting should have been held on the Thursday night. Their objections were, however, overruled, and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. It was moved by Mr Weybourne, and seconded by Mr Rogers, “ That the secretary apply to the Government for a share of the Provincial Government grant for public libraries.” There '”as some discussion about holding a conversaz> ,ne, but the matter dropped. Accounts were passed amounting to £53 8s 4d, Mr Plimmer moved, and Mr Phillips seconded, “ That the proceeds of the hire of the present piano be placed to the credit of a fund for the purchase of anew piano. The librarian reported that some newspapers had been stolen from the reading room, and a number of handsome engravings cut out of the “ Art Union ” and taken away. Every one present commented on the necessity of putting a stop to this very objectionable practice, and it was resolved that strong measures should be taken to prevent it m future. The meeting then adjourned.

The Polynesian Scheme.— The Auckland correspondent of the “Daily Times” writes as follows regarding the South Sea Islands scheme .—“ The Polynesian Company, with a Government guarantee of 5 per cent, on the capital of one million, and its intention to monopolise the Polynesian trade, was, after all, a great and concrete emanation from the treasurer’s fertile brain. Your statement of its existence three months ago proves to have been almost literally correct, despite the authoritative denials of the Government and the telegraphers. Nothing has created a deeper mistrust than this audacious denial, for it is now perfectly well known that Sir James Fergusson wrote to Lord Kimberley, and was himself thoroughly aware of the whole prospectus on llth March last. Nay, I will go further and state—strange as it may sound —that the approval of the Archbishop of Canterbury was sought, and his blessing, it is said, obtained, on an enterprise so well calculated to diffuse the benefits of trade and of Christianity throughout those benighted islands. His Grace, I hear on good authority, approves the scheme ; but I fear if the hearts of its promoters could be searched, they would be found to care less for the approval or the blessing than the subscriptions for shares which his influence and name may secure. No one, of course, mixes the Governor up with the affair, but people laugh at the manner in which he has been worked, and feel that his Excellency must have his weak side, which those about him have not been slow to discover. More worldly-minded men than his Grace of Canterbury, and shrewder business men than his Excellency the Governor, see their way, no doubt, to make a good thing out of the affair, for I am told that it has received the adhesion of a number of very influential people, as the cant phrase goeth. What right these influential people—each with his own private and particular axe to grind—have to conduct secret negotiations, which amount almost to a conspiracy against the public purse, and of which they are so ashamed that they dare not submit them to deliberate public criticism, is a question which the taxpayers of the colony may one day ask. In New York these things are called Kings, and we are righteously and justly horrified at their existence. One cannot help asking if they will one day strike the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Governor of New Zealand in the same light, and if so, whether they will be as much horrified at the “ Rings ” in a Conservative as they are in a Democratic community. The “ Cross” of to-day publishes the prospectus of the New Zealand and Polynesian Company, with a capital of one million, which may perhaps have reached you already. However, I enclose it in case it should not have done so, merely adding that I have good reason to know it is the identical prospectus of which the rumor reached you, and that its existence was, at the time you spoke of it, perfectly well known to the Government and to the Governor, despite the official denial given immediately after. If duplicity in diplomacy is becoming a questionable practice in Europe and being cast aside by all the great Powers, bow much worse mast it be in financial affairs in a new and popularly governed colony. But it is no part of my duty to moralise on these matters, I leave that to abler pens, merely stating, for myself, what I am prepared to maintain as indisputable, though almost incredible facts.” Football. —The annual match between the Past and Present Collegians was played on Saturday last. This is the third match that has been played, the Present having won the first and the other two being drawn. Messrs Hamilton and A. Ollivier were the respective captains of the Present and Past. The game was played as usual on the College ground, and was conducted under the College rules. Play commenced at a quarter past three. The College won the toss and selected the eastern goal ; the Past having the kick off. The Present almost immediately carried the ball down to their opponents goal, and although the Past worked hard, they were unable to get the ball beyond the middle of the ground, and after about twenty minutes’ play, Mr J. Barker kicked a goal for the Present. The ball was again kicked off, and the Past working better together and up to this time being one man short, were able to make a better show, and on more than one occasion pressed their opponents hard for a goal. The captain of the Past obtained a touch down, but the result was not beneficial. At half time no material advantage had been obtained by either side (although Mr Waxman obtained a touch down for the Past). Goals were now changed and the Past had easier work, although the Present played splendidly together and seemed never to tire, while some of their opponents were done up by the warm work. At about half-past four, Mr Deacon secured a third touch down for the Past, but again no direct result accrued. A few minutes after this, the ball being close to the Present’s goal, Mr L. Ollivier kicked it directly in front of their goal, and Mr A. Ollivier, making a safe drop with the left foot, secured the first goal for the Past. With as little delay as possible the ball was again in motion, and the Present were again hard pressed, but at a few minutes before five they made a well concerted rush and took the ball up to their opponents’ goal, and Mr H. Cottrell by a good kick obtained a goal for them. There now remained only about ten minutes to time, and the Past set about the task of obtaining another goal with a will, and before five minutes had elapsed Mr Deacon gained the desired object by a well judged piece of play. Each side had now obtained two goals each, and tko ball being kicked off immediately, the game was continued with great vigor by both sides ; the Past had evidently the best of it as the ball waskept well down at their opponents’ goal, and Mr A.Ollivier should have obtained another goal for his side, but the direction was not so good as it might have been. After this the Present drove the ball into the centre of the ground, when the clock struck five, and the game was discontinued, each side having obtained two goals. He omitted to mention that Mr Corfe obtained a touch down for the Present but it did not produce a happy result for them. All the players were very energetic, and as is usual in these matches there was no squabbling or illfeeling. The following are the sides :—The Present—Messrs Barker J., Bid well. Cotterill H. and W., Chapman W., Corfe, Gould C., Hamilton (captain), Mathias G., Peter, Robinson, Rhodes, Thomson 0., Westcnra, and TVhitcombe. The Past—Messrs Chapman T., Dobson E. and H., Hartland, Hawkes E. and J., Deacon, Moore, Ollivier A. (captain), Ollivier L., Heard 1, Thomson D. and J., Tosswill, and Waxman. The match between the club and Lyttelton resulted in a draw.

Immigrants per Northampton.—The married couples and single women by the above vessel may be engaged to-morrow at the Immigration Depot, Addington.

Drinking Habits op Different Nations.—Dr Schlosser, of Holland, has found that his own countrymen are the largest consumers of coffee in the worlk, and, next to them, the Belgians, In England the annual consumption of coffee by each person is one and one-eighth pounds ; in France, two and one-half; in Germany, four ;in Denmark, five and one-half ; in Switzerland, six ; in the United States, seven ; in Belgium, eight and one-half ; in Holland, ten and one-half. It is to be considered, however, that the English are notoriously a teadrinking people, preferring it to coffee, not only for the evening meal, but for breakfast as well.

RUNAWAY, Shortly after five o’clock yesterday afternoon a horse standing in a spring cart in the lane at the “Times” office tookfrightand bolted through towards Cathedral square, bnthaviug arrived at the footpath urned sharply round, the wheels of the cart grazing the fronts of the windows as it sped along, some of the mouldings in front of Messrs Hobbs and Son’s shop suffering before it turned into Colombo street. It then made down that street, and ran into a horse and carriage standing near the Golden Fleece, and threw out a little boy who was seated in the latter, but was fortunately not hurt. The force of the collision snapped short the shafts of the cart and turned it completely over, when the horse was secured. The second horse also bolted, but was caught near Gloucester street.

Inquest. —An inquest was held on Saturday on the body of Thomas Biggs, who was killed by falling from a cliff at the Camp Bay quarantine station on Friday last. It took glace at the Canterbury Hotel, Lyttelton, at 4 p m.. Dr Coward, the coroner, presiding. Mr H. J. Perrin was chosen foreman of the jury. The body having been viewed, the following evidence was taken ; J. B. March ; 1 am superintendent of the quarantine station at Camp Bay. I knew the deceased, who was an immigrant by the ship Northampton, and was removed with some others from Ripa Island to Camp Bay about ten days ago. I was informed yesterday afternoon that deceased was lying dead on the rocks. By my directions the body of doce ised was brought to Lyttelton in order that an inquest might be held. The body lay close to thequarantine station. Deceased left a wife but no family.—Constable G. D, Dance deposed : I was in charge of the immigrants at Camp Bay yesterday. I knew deceased, he was an immigrant. About 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon a boy named Oliver came running to me and told me that Biggs had fallen from some rocks and hurt himself. Dr Parkinson and I then went to the place where the accident had occurred, and found deceased lying doubled up, his head underneath him and his body turned over it. The skull was smashed and he was quite dead. The accident occurred w'thin the limits of the quarantine ground. I saw deceased about an hour before the accident, and he was quite sober. He must have fallen about 30ft. J. T. Oliver (a boy, one of the immigrants ex Northampton), deposed—l was at the Camp Bay Quarantine Station at the time of the accident. About two o’clock in the afternoon I saw deceased walking along the rocks. I saw him turn and try to go up the cliffs. I then turned away and when I looked round again I saw deceased falling down the cliff, with a rail in his hand. He fell on the rocks and then lay quite still. I then went to Dr Parkinson and told him of the faccident. I should think deceased fell 40ft. Ambrose Cant, a boy, also one of the immigrants, also gave evidence, but it was merely a reiteration of Oliver’s statement. This closed the evidence, and the jury returned an immediate verdict of “ Accidental death.”