NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 96, 21 September 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Political. —Mr W. Reeves, M.H.R, for Selwyn, will address his constituents at Loe’s Hotel, Leeston, to-morrow evening, at halfpast seven o’clock. Day of Atonement. —To-day being the eve of one of the most solemn of the fasts of the Hebrew faith, the respective places of business of our Jewish fellow-citizens will be closed. The Mayoral Salary.— The consideration of the notice of motion given by Councillor Raphael last Monday, that the resolution respecting the salary of the Mayor be rescinded, will form part of the business in the City Council this evening. Benefit to Mr Eastwood. —lt will be seen that a benefit is tendered by the Christchurch Amateurs to Mr H. Eastwood, who some time ago met with a severe accident at Tuapeka, Otago. Mr Eastwood is well known to all theatrically-inclined persons in Christchurch, and we have no doubt they will show their sympathy with him in his misfortune, by giving him a bumper house on this legitimate occasion of appealing to the public. Our Mail Services. —Says “Atticus” in the Leader-. —“l do not think that Mr Coppin should have been sat upon so completely when he suggested that Sydney’s difficulty was Melbourne’s opportunity, and that the present was a mighty convenient time to engineer a service from Melbourne to San Francisco by way of New Zealand. I happen to know that Mr Michiehad an offer from the agent of General Burnside to run a line of steamers from San Francisco by way of Wellington to Melbourne for a very small subsidy from Victoria; but perhaps the Agent-General did not think it worth his while to communicate the offer to the Victorian Government.” Oddfellowship.—A special meeting of the North Canterbury District, 1.0.0. F., M.U., was held on Thursday last, for the purpose of taking into consideration an application from the Loyal City of Christchurch Lodge, on behalf of a number of persons at Doyleston, for a dispensation to open a lodge at Doyleston township. The following officers were present, viz.:—Prov. G.M., Bro Thomas Napier; D. Prov. G.M., Bro Clark ; and Provincial C.S., Bro James. Delegates from the Loyal City of Christchurch Lodge, Benevolent, Volunteer, and Perseverance were also present. The application was unanimously granted, and the district officers were instructed to take the necessary steps to open the same. It is intended to open the new lodge on the 30th inst. Lyttelton Regatta Committee Meeting.—A meeting of the 1874 committee to wind up affairs, and make arrangements for calling a public meeting to arrange for a regatta for 1875, was held on Saturday night in the Colonists’ Hall. Mr H. N. Nalder occupied the chair. The balance-sheet duly audited was submitted by the treasurer, Mr Hawkins, and duly passed. It showed a balance to the credit of the club of £BS 7s. It was moved by Mr Packard, and seconded by Mr Agar, that the balance-sheet as read be adopted. It was resolved that his Worship the Mayor be requested to call a public meeting on Tuesday next, at the Colonists’ Hall to make arrangements for holding the next regatta. The chairman stated that he had received word from Mr P, Cunningham that he had succeeded in obtaining a silver cup, value £25, for the next regatta. A discussion ensued as to the advisableness of offering larger prizes for sailing races in future, and it was suggested that the new committee to be elected on Tuesday be authorised to offer to increase the prize for the schooner race to at least £IOO, The committee also considered that the publicans of Lyttelton ought to take a greater interest in the annual regatta than they have hitherto done, as they reaped a considerable pecuniary benefit from the regatta, and it was hoped that they would take an active part in future. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting. New Zealand Insurance Company.— This company has decided, in consequence of the great success hitherto attendant upon its operations, to increase the capital to one million by the issue of 100.000 new shares of £lO each, £2 paid up. Of these new shares 50,000 will be allotted to the public, the remainder being allotted to the present shareholders. The present amount of paid-up capital is £IOO,OOO, which will represent the 50,000 shares of £2 each to the present proprietors, the shares now offered to the public being at £2 10s premium, or £4 10s each. This will make the total capital one million, with £200,000 paid up and £40,000 re insurance paid. Of the 50.000 new shares offered 7000 have been reserved for Christchurch. The table given in the advertisement shows the marked progress made by the company since its establishment in 1859. In that year the premiums received amounted to £3729 4s sd, while for the year ending May, 1874, the amount had reached £107,648 17s 2d ; the losses paid during that time amounting to nearly half a million, and dividends to the amount of £72,171 6s 4d. or at the rate of 10 per cent per annum. In Canterbury, we may mention, the increase of business has been exceedingly rapid, and altogether the company may bo looked upon as having achieved a great financial success.

Ordination. —At morning service yesterday. the Rev D. O. Hampton, who is stationed on Bank’s Peninsula, was ordained to the priesthood. The ceremony was performed by the Right Rev the Primate, and the Very Rev the Dean preached the sermon on the occasion. At evening service an anthem, “ By the waters of Babylon,” composed by Mr G. B. Allen, was sung by the choir. Madame Goddard. —The return of Madame Arabella Goddard to Melbourne (says the Argus of the 10th iust) was signalised last night at the Opera House by a grand attendance. The house was full from gallery to stalls, and His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by his suite, occupied his own box in the midst of the crowded dress-circle. The Melbourne public, who were the first to welcome this renowned artist in Australia, know her value, and they know how to treat her. Horses. —The Argus, writing of the horses brought by the Otago, for Otago, says —“ The shipments consist of thoroughbreds lately purchased by Mr Combe. They consist of Flying Dutchman, one of the best and gamest horses of his day; Barwon, also an acknowledged good horse; and Right Bower, who has run well, though he never was properly brought out. Mr M‘lntosh sends the draught stallion Conqueror, for which, at Messrs M'Culloch, Campbell, and Go’s annual sale, he paid 600 guineas, and Renfrew Jock, a remarkably active young draught stallion, Messrs Blair and Blews sent thirty first-class mares, which they have selected from the best studs in the colony. Two of these mares are bred by Mr Steele, of Newbridge, and are considered very fine animals. The pair cost 250 guineas. There is also a fine black mare, bred by Mr Carmichael, which has taken several prizes. She has a foal at foot by Pride of Scotland, and a colt rising two years by Prince of Wales. There are also on board 10 draught geldings for ordinary work. In addition to the horses mentioned above, Messrs Lawson and Crosbie sent to Invercargill by the same steamer 23 mares and geldings, several of which have taken prizes at Victorian shows. Mr Blair sent the mare Young Heather Bell and the horse Young Emulator, both rising two years.” Fire at Waimate. —The South Canterhury Times of Saturday gives the following account of a fire at Waimate : —At au early hour yesterday morning it became known by telegram that a disastrous fire had taken place in the above township. Owing, however, to there being no other means of communication than the telegraph wire, we are at present only enabled to furnish our readers with an outline of the affair. It broke out in the building in Queen street, about six o’clock a.m., in the occupation of Mr W. A. Hobbs, as a tailoring establishment, and was discovered, as far as we are able to learn, by the young men residing therein, in Mr Hobbs’ employ. So rapidly did the devouring element obtain a mastery over this and the adjoining building, occupied by Mr R. Watkins, as a chemist’s and druggist’s, that the young men who had charge of the respective places of business, had scarcely time to escape with their lives, losing everything except what they hastily dressed themselves with. The whole range of buildings along that side of Queen street were quickly enveloped in flames, and at one time so great was the fire raging that fears were entertained as to the safety of the Waimate Hotel, the property of Mr F. Slee. In order to save the building, the butcher’s shop next door to it was speedily pulled down by the many willing hands. When the fire was consuming the house on the other side of the butcher’s shop, the wind suddenly changed, and to this circumstance the ulterior safety of the hotel may be attributed. As it was, however, during a brief space of time the following buildings were entirely burnt down : —Mr W. A. Hobbs, tailoring establishment; Mr R. Watkins, chemist and druggist’s ; Mr Dixon’s; Messrs Slee and Gascoyne’s, tobacconists, &c ; Mr Young’s, watchmaker, and the new billiard room of the Waimate Hotel; Mr Molloy’s butcher’s shop was pulled down; no damage was done to the hotel itself, and all thefurniture, stock, &c, therein, was removed. The loss, as hurriedly estimated, is about £IOOO, and the insurance offices affected are the Imperial, National, and the New Zealand Companies, though to what extent it is impossible to say. We learn, however, that all the occupiers of the consumed buildings are heavy losers, Mr Hobbs alone losing stock valued at about £2OO, and the young man in charge, personal and other property worth about £6O. The origin of the fire at present remains a mystery. Payment of Members. —The Australasian thus speaks of the payment of members of Legislative Assemblies :—“ Some of the New Zealand papers are very severe on the members of the House of Representatives, who, amidst the toils of legislation, have been attending to their own interests by voting themselves an increased allowance for the current and future years. They have increased the amount they formerly held by no less than 50 per cent This is rather a startling recognition of their growth in political capacity, but they still fall far short of the self-appreciation of Victorian politicians. Instead of paying themselves £3OO a year, they are even now content with the comparatively modest honorarium of £157 10s. We do not observe that, in emulation of American members of Congress, they purpose doing justice to themselves in the matter of back pay. Really, considering all things, our patriots, although not wholly forgetful of themselves, are very moderate in their appropriations. Remembering their opportunities, and perhaps regretting them, they may live, like Clive, to be astonished at their own moderation. The effect of payment of members in New Zealand seems to be to cause a shortening of the session. Instead of lasting about 100 days on the average, it has during recent years been shorter. If payment of the gallant band of statesmen who mustered with such alacrity at the caucus convened by Mr W. C. Smith to consider this subject could be shown to have a similar effect, few would be found to grudge the cost of so great a boon. If what is said in the New Zealand press about some of the members of the House of Representatives is true, there is an additional reason for looking with leniency on the course they have adopted. The Canterbury Tress says—- ‘ There are men in the present House who are known to be in needy circumstances, of whom it has been publicly said that they dare not pass an Insolvency Act for fear of becoming its first victims.’ That men whose own private affairs so much require their utmost attention should yet be found to devote themselves with such zeal to their country exhibits au example of self-sacrifice that, for its moral effect alone, is very cheap at the price charged for it,”

Theatre Royal. —Stirling Coyne’s play of “ The Woman in Red ” was produced on Saturday evening at the Theatre to a good house, considering the weather. Mrs Hill as Rudiga, was fairly successful, but she was indifferently supported by the other characters, except Messrs Musgrave and Steele. To-night, the Loyal Troupe, who have amalgamated with the dramatic company, will make their appearance in their entertainment, instead of appearing at the Music Hall, as originally intended. A dance, and the farce of “ Cupboard Love,” concluded the performance on Saturday evening. Kaiapoi Choral Class, The first annual meeting of this society was held on Friday evening. There was a fair attendance considering the unfavorable wet weather. Mr J. Lowthian Wilson was voted to the chair, and briefly stated the object of the meeting, calling upon Mr J. H. Evans, hon sec and treasurer, to read the report, which reviewed the progress of the society for the year. Credit was taken for its having been the first and only musical association in the town, which had combined and flourished so well for twelve months. During this time two concerts had been given at the institute, and preparations were making for a third, which was expected to be as successful as the previous ones. The average number of members was about thirty ladies and gentlemen. The receipts for the year were, £65 16s 9d ; the expenditure £sl 7s ; leaving a net balance of £ll 9s 9d. It was expected that the Borough school committee would kindly lend the use of one of the schoolrooms for the regular practices of the class. The members had to acknowledge the care and attention shown by their conductor —Mr J. T. M. Smith —and the report concluded with a request that an effort would be made to increase the usefulnefs of the class. The report was unanimously adopted, on the motion of Mr Wake, seconded by Mr Weston. It was resolved that a committee of Messrs T. Weston, E. Lock, A’Court, Wake, and Wilson, be appointed. Mr Evans was elected hon sec and treasurer. Yotes of thanks to the secretary and conductor were carried by acclamation. It was decided that the members make an effort to extend the interests of the class and a vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings. The Premier at Auckland.— The Auckland correspondent of the Daily Times gives the following account of what took place at the meeting of Mr Ycgel’s constituents “Mr Vogel’s meeting last night indicated so marked a separation between himself and his constituents, and shadowed forth so clearly the widening of political differences between the North and South, that I telegraph instead of waiting for the mail. The meeting was held in the Choral Hall, which was crowded with 2000 people. The curiosity to see Mr Vogel was very great, so few of his constituents knowing him personally. This led to their constantly rising in expectation as people entered on the stage, and at last the Premier entered in a crowd, and all stood up crowding over each other to catch a view. Mr Vogel evidently mistook it as a designed compliment, especially as there was considerable cheering, and was much pleased. There were not many on the platform except Mr Wilson and Mr Luckie, of the Southern Cross , and Mr Russell, chairman of the meeting, but a large body of strong supporters scattered through the crowd and led the cheering. The feeling of the meeting at the beginning was a compound of anger and curiosity—anger at being threatened with the abolition of the provinces while retaining them in the South, and curiosity to see a member of whom they knew so little, but had heard so much. Mr Russell made a mistake at starting by speaking of Mr Vogel as not only a member but holding in his power the Government of the country. There were loud and angry cries of dissent at this. Mr Vogel rose, and was applauded by knots of people scattered about, but coldly received by the mass. He told them he was going to leave for Sydney at midnight, and appealed to their consideration, and was gaining ground when he unhappily mentioned Gillies incidentally, whose name was greeted with three cheers. This angered Mr Vogel, who lost his temper. He maintained that a man must travel through the length||and breadth of the colony before he was able to give an intelligent vote in politics. Mr O’Rorke’s name drew more cheers. Mr Vogel then got worse, and told his constituency he could do without them, as every town in the colony had asked him to stand. They did not need to be told that it was considered somewhat an honor to have a Minister as a member. He said he was not likely to ask their suffrages again, and wanted rest from his very arduous labors. He had a burning desire, however, to see them in the same prosperous condition as the South before quitting the scene of his labors. Mr Vogel then gradually recovered his temper, and got on very well towards the end, but talked too much about the Colonial Government of this island, and leaving the provinces of the other to govern themselves. He, however, wound up with a peroration showing his usual good tact, although his speech before had been contemptuously defiant. He sat down amidst applause. Someone called for Mr Rees, and vociferous shouts for Mr Rees followed, and he got on to the platform. Mr Rees is a lawyer, impulsive and eloquent, great at cricket, great at football, and indomitable, often in scrapes, but popular because always seen on the weaker side. Mr Russell asked if Mr Rees was an elector for Auckland City East, and Mr Rees replied yes. Mr Russell said he was not on the new roll, and abruptly declared the meeting ended. Mr Vogel stepped for ward and said that time was precious, and that he could not afford, in his position, to bandy words with popular orators. He bowed, and retired through the side scenes amid shouts and groans, followed by the others in single file, each having his name shouted out with groans as he passed along the stage to the slips. A number of people left the hall with them. The remainder stayed ; but Mr Rees refused to speak against Mr Vogel behind his back, regretting only that he would not stay to meet him face to face, but had left in so undignified a manner. The meeting then dispersed. It is very clear that Mr Vogel wants to close his connection with Auckland City East, or else, like Rehoboam, was ill-advised by rash counsellers He spoke out plainly that the Land ' Fund was not to be touched, and directly contradicted Mr Wood’s statements that he had said to the contrary. The people here are very indignant at his proposing to put them under direct control of Assembly, with a nominee as resident Minister, while the South enjoys all its present privileges. They have shown great determination to have all the Provinces abolished, or none at all.”

KAIAPOI Island.— On Thursday evening, in spite of the exceedingly rough weather, a successful tea meeting in aid of the funds or the Wesleyan circuit, was held at the schoolroom, near Mr Contis’. Tea was provided by the ladies of the district, after which a meeting was held, and addresses delivered by Rev R. Bavin, Messrs Bate, Garlick, and Hookham. During intervals between the speeches, theKaiapoi Wesleyan Chapel choir gave a number of musical selections, which were highly appreciated. The meeting terminated with the usual votes of thanks to those who had contributed to make the proceedings enjoyable.