NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 160, 9 December 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Government Insurance.—The regulations under which loans of money nuder the Government Insurance and Annuities Act, 1871, may be ob aincd are published in the Gazette of December 3rd. The Resident Magistracy.—lt is understood that Mr G. L. Mellish is temporarily appointed Resident Magistrate for the Christchurch district, and Mr Whitefoord for the Kaiapoi district. Mr C. C. Bowen.—The members of the Christchurch Club entertained Mr Bowen at dinner last evening, which was well attended. Mr Tancred occupied the chair. Representation op Kaiapoi—Mr J. Stndholme, the member lor Kaiapoi in the General Assembly, being about to visit I'Jnglaud prior.to the meeting of the Assembly, has resigned his seat. Mr C. C. Bowen is a candidate for the vacancy. Drain Road.—Recently new metal has been laid on this road near Mr Cunningham's, and thence towards Rangiora, of such a kind as to bo quite dangerous. The road resembles a river bed, several of the stones averaging from six to twelve inches in circumference. Cricket. —On the Anniversary Day, 16th inst, a match will be played between U.C.C.C. and C.C.C. Wickets will be pitched at 9.30, and play will begin punctually at 10. U.C.CC—Messrs Cuff, H. Cotterill, Dickinson, Fuller, G. H. Lee, Macquarie, Ollivier, Souter, Stevens, A. C. Wilson, and Wood. C.C.C. —Messrs Alpe, Beard, Dixon, D'Emden, E. Fowler, J. Fowler, Mclntyre, Monk, Reeder, Sweet, and Turner. Emergencies—Kent aud Taylor. Mr and Mrs Hoskins.—These talented artistes are now playing a very successful season in Sydney, at the Victoria Theatre, where they were giving old comedies to crowded houses. Their opening night was a perfect ovation, when they appeared in "The School for Scandal," in which Mrs Hoskins, as Lady Teazle, and Mr Hoskins as Charles Surface, won golden opinions. They may be expected in New Zealand in about two months from date, and will, no doubt, be warmly welcomed. The Opera.—Last night the programme, owing to the continued indisposition of Miss May, was composed entirely of operettas, the first being Arthur Sullivan's " Cox and Box," in which Mr Vernon and Mr Templeton were capital. Offenbach's operetta, the "Blind Beggars," in which "The Chough and Crow " was sung, came next. The performance concluded with Offenbach's " Rose of Auvergne," in which Mr Hallam appeared. Popular Entertainment Association —A meeting of this association was to have been held yesterday afternoon, but lapsed for waut of a quorum. It has been adjourned until Friday next, when it is hoped that those who take an interest in the annual sports will make an effort to attend. We understand that Mr Greig has undertaken the work of erecting a grand stand upon the same scale, or nearly so, as that of last year. Interprofessional Boat Race—A meeting of the interprofessional boat race com mittee was held last evening at the Foresters' Hotel, Mr N. G. Glassford in the chair, The chairman stated the following entries repre Renting the various professions had been received. Squatters—M. S. Campbell, —. Campbell, A. S. Barton, T. S. Baker, emer gency man, G. L. Mellish. Bankers—J. Gray J. Knox. O. Jones, H. E. Templar, emer gency man. G. L. Souter. Mercantile —H. Gain, F. F.' Barker, A. Cuff, W. H. Gundry. Civil Service—Kilgour, M. Davie, G. A. Clark, J. W. Davis, emergency man, 11. H. Loughnnn. The chairman mentioned thai no entry had been received from the press and as all the boats in which the race was to be pulled had not yet been decided upon, they could not be allotted at that meeting. This concluded the business,

Kaiapoi Volunteer Fire Brigade.— ! A satisfactory practice of this brigade with all its appliances for extinguishing fires took place on Monday evening. Our New Governor.—Lord and Lady Normanby seem to have won "golden opinions from all sorts of men" in Queensland. The Brisbane correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald thus refers to them : —"There is a great deal of warmth of feeling towards his Excellency as a constitutional Governor; while the joint influence of the Marchioness and himself upon society lias been of the most happy kind, and will, I hope, leave an enduring mark upon every grade which has come within its operation. Government House for the last three years has practically had no 'backdoor,' while koo tooing'has been completely of place within its walls. A quiet, dignified, but kind and pleasant manner has pervaded the intercourse of Lord and Lady Normanby with all classes ; and although they have been always accessible at all reasonable times, nobody was encouraged by the fact to take liberties. Transit of Venus.—This great astrouomical event, for which so elaborate preparations have been made throughout the world, takes place to-day. Nearly every Government of any importance will take part in the great ei'tcrpiise of observing the transit. la these seas, the British, American, German, and French Governments have each selected an observing station, the British at Bnrnham, with six sub-stations ; the Americans, under Professor Peters, at Quecnstown, and also at the Chathams; the Germans at the Auckland Islands ; and the French at Campbell Island. The sub-stations in connection with the Burnham Observatory are—at Grahamstown, under Mr Severn ; at Auckland, under Mr T. Heale ; at Wellington, under Dr Hector and Archdeacon Stock ; at Dnnedin, under Messrs Pope, Boss, and Skey ; at Naseby, under Lieut. Crawford and Captain Williams ; and at Rockyside, under Messrs Thomson and M'Kerrow, The transit will begin at about lh. 15m., and end at about sh. 47m., New Zealand meantime. The prospects of a successful observation are, we are sorry to state, far from encouraging. Throughout the colony yeßterday, the sky was reported to be overcast, and at several of the stations it was raining, more or less, all day. At Auckland, the weather was cloudy, but towards evening appearances were more encouraging. At Wellington, according to the latest telegrams, it was raining, the barometer at 7.40 p.m standing at 2!).80 inches. At Duuedin a thick drizzling rain was falling and there was every appearance of its lasting. At the Bluff a similar state of things prevailed, but there were indications of its clearing up, and at Queenstown the weather was also threatening. At Christchurch, and we presume at Burnham, last evening the sky was also overcast, with heavy banks of clouds hanging all round. The barometer at 12 o'clock last night stood at 29 9-10 inches. At 1 15 p.m. to day, when the first contact was expected to take place, the sun was completely obscured by clouds. About half-past one, however, the sky cleared, and we should think Major Palmer and his assistants got a very good view of the bashful Venus. The streets of the city were dotted here and there with groups of amateur observers.

Christchurch Horticultural Society. —The committee of the above society held a special meeting last night at the Clarendon Hotel. The members had been summoned by the secretary to consider whether the society should send exhibits to the shows of the Christchurch Horticultural and Arboricultural Society. The president occupied the choir, and there were present—Messrs Chudley, Leigh, Greenaway, Crooks, Collins, and Allen. A letter was read from Mr B. C. J.'Stevens, vice president, excusing himself from attendance, and stating that in his opinion neither of the two societies should attempt to lay down a rule that its members should or should not seud exhibits to the shows of the other society. The chairman said that the secretary had misunderstood the object for which the meeting had been called. It was not to consider whether the society would send exhibits to the shows of the other society, but to consider to what extent the members of the society would support the exhibition of another society ; and it was moved by Mr Greenaway and seconded by Mr Crooks, and resolved unanimously, almost without discussion —" That the Christchurch Horticultural Society leaves it to each of its individual members to exhibit to any extent think proper at the proposed exhibition of another society." The secretary reported that the takings at the Rosr* Show were £l-1 Os 3d, and that the society's prizes awarded amounted to £lO 15s (id ; that the room and the arrangements made by the managing committee were very suitable for the purpose, with the exception of the lighting after nightfall, which was insufficient, and that the show was much improved by plants sent for exhibition only, especially by the president and Mr Wallace. The thanks of the meeting were voted to the president for furnishing the room for the show, which it was alleged he had done at considerable inconvenience and expense. Mr T. Wallace exhibited a very fine specimen of the white spine cucumber, known by the name of the Duke of Edinburgh. It was twenty inches long, and had been grown in seven days. Some accounts were ordered to be paid: and thanks having been voted to the chairman the meeting separated. New Theatre.—A. meeting of the Provisional Committee of the new Iheatre Company was hold yesterday, Sir Cracroft Wilson in the chair. Mr John Ollivier attended the meetiug to urge upon them the necessity of obtaining the present site of the theatre ; the owners of the adjoining property would be ready to make terms with the company, by which a right of way from Cathedral square could be secured. He was authorised to state that the present shareholders would be prepared to relinquish their interest in Mie old company for shares in the new under taking at par. He was further instructed to say that Messrs Baylee and Beatty would be prepared to take up £2OOO worth o shares in the new company. This proposition, it seemed to him, was so very im portantthat he thought they should considei the project before accepting a new site. Tin quarter acre section belonged to Mr Spencer Lyttelton, son of Lord Lyttelton, and M: B. C. J. Stevens, his agent, had said that In would write to Mr Lyttelton on the subject A number of sites were submitted to th< consideration of the commi(tee,butit was considered tba f - the exorbitant, rates demanded by the holders of land presented the com mittee dealing with any offers set t inti them. The meeting then adjourned for n fortnight.

Legal—His Horor Mr Justice Gresroa returned yesterday by the Taranaki from the

Court of Appeal sittings. Supposed Case of Suicide.—The missing man, who left the cloches on No 3 wharf, has turned up. The following account has been sent to us :—A man named Patrick Mulchey, who has been for some time drinking rather hard, came to Lyttelton in the last train on Sunday evening, and had some drink. Went on Monday morning at i a.m., while under the influence of drink, to have a swim, took off his clothes, but could not find them again, and walked through the tunnel with only his trowsers and shirt on. He returned to Lyttelton on Monday, but the clothes be : ng picked up he was unable to find them. Ho then left, walking round the Sumner road to Christchurch. He again appeared in port by the 3.10 p.m. train on Tuesday, when he was taken charge of and locked up for lunacy. Kaiapoi Institute.—The monthly meeting of the committee was-held on Monday evening. Present—Messrs McKenna (chairman pro tern), Balch, Dawson, Clark, Marsden, Kerr, Hassall (treasurer), and Brooke (hon sec). The librarian reported tbe arrival of a case containing £SO-worth of new books from Mr T. Hookhara's library, London, which were catalogued and ready for issue to members. The treasurer's statement showed a balance in hand of £B2 2s 7d. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Balch — " That the books be called in from circulation for one week." It was ordered that a report be prepared for next meeting on the furniture. Mr Smith moved, Mr Balch seconded—" That the secretary be requested to write, asking Professor Bickcrton to lecture in aid of the institute on the subject of " Chemistry." After passing sundry other business the meeting adjourned. School Examination. —An examination of the scholars attending the Lincoln road, late Bigh school, in the West Christ church district, was held during last week by Mr Restell, Inspector of Schools, the girls' and and infants' department haying already been examined by Mr Hammond, assistant inspector. At the conclusion of the examination Mr Restell addressed the boys, saying, however, that his remaiks applied to the whole school. The school was one of which the province of Canterbury and city of Christchurch might be proud, and he had observed with pleasure that the scholars themselves were proud and fond of their school. They had noble, largo, and lofty buildings and spacious grounds, supplied with almost every requisite, and he understood the committee were desirous of adding whatever might be essential to render it a complete and perfect institution. They (the scholars) should on their part aim at being perfect in their school work, be well mannered, and studious. He was glad to hear that the scholars attending the school was mostly of that character, and had been well pleased with the good tone and promising appearance of the school. The teaching was wise and good, not, too much attempted, and what was in hand was being well done. The examination had been a long and severe one, and the work done by the upperschool. so far as had been examined, was fairly creditable. The oral examination of the lower school had been generally satisfactory, and he had much pleasure in observing that several extra subjects taught in the upper school were done out of school hours, so as not to trench upon the time required for accuracy in the ordinary branches of knowledge. The competitive exercises in map-drawing (as a specimen of home work) were highly creditable, resulting in some of the best the scholars in this province had produced.

A lady was recently engaging a new cook, and had apparently settled all details satisfactorily, when the domestic enquired:--"How many servants do you keep, ma'am?" "Two," was the reply.—Oh! then your place won't suit me, ma'am, as I always like a game of whist of an evening, and I don't like playing with a ' dummy !' " Among the books announced for early publication is Karl Russell's volume, " Recollections and Suggestions of Public Life, 1813-1873." Another book in the press is a narrative written by Jacob Wainwright in the form of a diary of the latter days of Dr. Livingstone's life and of his own adventures during the journey to Zanzibar with the traveller's body. The proof sheets are being revised by the Rev Dr Matchett, rector of Trimingham, Norfolk. We take the following from the Home N eics ._« Xhe first cremation of a human body at Breslau, that of an old woman who had died in the hospital, took place last week, in presence of Professor Reclam, of Leipzie, a number of members of the Naturalists' Congress, and the President of Police at Breslau. The cremation was performed in an old gas retort. The fleshy parts were consumed completely after thirty minutes, and after an hour the cremation was complete, and the bones, with the exception of some particularly strong parts, fell to dust," A contemporary has the following :—One of the best things we have heard for a long time, comes in an English letter to an old and respected resident of Coromandel, as it has not been in print we have much pleasure in making it public: When Sir Garnet Wolseley was embarking his forces for the Ashantee expedition, a detachment of Royal Artillery was the first to embark. As Jack was handing the luggage up, he called out the address—" Captain R.A.," "Lieut. R,A.,"&c, &c. With a comical look he squinted to his mate, on deck and said " .Shiver my timbers, Bill, if Solomon in all his glory was R.A.'d like these fellows are." Bill exploded, and so have all Avho heard the joke, which is too good to be lost. An American at Paris went to a restuarant to get his dinner. Unacquainted with the French language, though unwilling to _ show his ignorance, he pointed to the first line on the bill of fare, and the polite waiter brought him in a plate of fragrant beef soup. This was very well, and when it was despatched lie pointed to a second line. The waiter understood him perfectly, and brought him vegetable soup. " Rather more soup than I want," thought he; "but it is Paris fashion." He duly pointed to a third line, and a plate of tapioca broth was brought him ; again to a fourth, and was furnished with a bowl of preparation of arrowroot. He tried the fifth line, and was supplied with some gruel kept for invalids. The by-standers now supposed that they saw an unfortunate individual who had lost all his teeth, and our friend, determined to get as far from the soup as possible. pointed in despair to the last line on the bill of fare. The intelligent waiter, who saw at once what he wanted, politely handed him—i bunch of toothpicks—This was too much : the American paid his bill and incontinently j left. ' I

Chicago has a street car that is propelled by steam, after the plan in use in New Orleans, viz, the boiler on the car is supplied with steam from a stationary boiler, the charge being sufficient for a run of three miles, a speed of ftwenty miles an hour being attainable. In San Francisco a very novel mode of propelling street carp has just been adopted. An endless steel cable is laid underneath the track, and the car attached by means of clamps. The cable is kept in motion by a stationary engine, and the cars are run at a much higher rate of speed than by horses. When the car is to be stopped the clamps are released and the brakes applied, the cable moving on; when the car is to be started the brakes are released and the clamps reapplied. The arrangement is almost identical with that used many years since on the London and Blackwall Railway, and is said to work well.