NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 182, 8 January 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Kowai Pass Races—A meeting of tho?e inreiesied in the above races will be held at Redfern's Hotel to-moirow evening at sevtn o'clock.

Licensed Victuallers' Association.— We understand that at a peneral meeting of the above association held last night at Morton's Hotel it was resolved that a picnic should be held, and a committee was appointed to carry out the details.

Avon Road DiSTBrCT.—We remind the ratepayer of the Avon road district that the polling for members to fill the vacant seats on the Avon Road Board will take place on Satur lay at the Road Board office, Bingsland district school, and Moir's mill, Telegraphic—The steamer Hero is expected to leave Auckland at 10 a.m. on Saturday, the 9th instant. Telegrams for the Australian colonies and Europe, via Java cable, will be received at the Telegraphic Office for transmission to Auckland up till 9 a.m. of the 9th instant. Supreme Court.—John Buchanan was yesterday found guilty on the charge of breaking into the house of Henry Hopkinson and taking therefrom a quantity of knives, scissors, &c. His Honor sentenced him to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labour.

Hoardings.—The new Government buildings, at the corner of Oxford street and Norwich Quay, are rapidly progressing, but it is a mere chance that no accident has happened. There is no hoarding of any sort round the building, and a good many bricks have been dropped from the scaffold on to the footpath, where passengers are passing continually. Some steps should be taken to remedy this at once.

Flaxton.—The Hon C. C. Bovven met the electors on Thursday evening at the district school. About twenty persons were present, Mr P. 0. Threlkeld in the chair. One or two questions were asked, and satisfactory answers given. Mr S. Bradley proposed, Mr L. Witchell seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr Bowen for his address, which was carried unanimously. American Circus.—The marquee was crowded last evening by a fashionable audience, all the dress circle seats being engaged early in the day. A very good programme was provided and carried through most successfully, the features being excellent exhibitions of horsemanship by Messrs Gil bam and Lewis, and some clever feats on the horizontal bar by Messrs Hutchins, iSeymour, Turner, and Romeo. To night Mr T. Bird takes a complimentary benefit, and tomorrow the company give a special midday performance, for which an exceptional programme has been arranged.

WOOL.—A recent Tasmanian paper, on the authority of a gentleman who recuntly paid a visit to Europe, states that one of the largest manufacturers and wool buyers in the South of Scotland informed him that much of the Australian wool was being ruined by hot water washing, that it was being overdone entirely, and that their house, after much experience, would not buy a bale of it. Between hot water and over dumping, a good deal of wool has proved to be utterly worthless when subjected to the action of the machinery in the mills. The above applies to New Zealand, and it would be well if woolgrowers would give this matter, woich so affects their interests, that consideration to which it is entitled.

Woodend.—The Hon C. C. Bowen met the electors at the District School on Wednesday evening; sixty persons were present, Mr (J. J. Norton in the chair. After his address Mr Bowen replied to questions put by Mr S. Ayres, to the effect that workmen to be able to regulate the hours of labour, but it be necessary to pass an Act tore£ulate the working hours of women and children. He replied at length to the cross-examination of Mr Isaac Wilson, M.P.C., in regard to the new system of government, viz., Shire Boards and Municipalities, proposed to take the place of Provincial Councils, so satisfactorily that Mr Wilson proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Bowen for his address. This was seconded by Mr Ayres, who reminded those present that they had still to hear Mr Beswick ; but who, having deceived them once, they would be rather suspicious about accepting again. With a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting terminated.

Saltwateu Creek Sunday School.— The annual treat to the scholars, &c, of this flourishing Sunday school took place on New Year's Eve. As usual, Mrs Cameron made ample provision for the enjoyment of the young folk. Games and races were heartily engaged in, and justice done to the many good things provided, the children enjoying tea, cake, and fruit, seated on the green sward. The weather was most propitious. Several hymns were well sung, accompanied by an harmonium. The teachers and scholars of the school took this opportunity of presenting Mrs Cameron with a mark of their esteem and regard. The gifts consisted of a very elegant writing desk and purse. Before separating the premiums for the year were distributed by the Rev Edward Freeman and the Rev W. H. Horner. The happy party then broke up after enjoying a very pleasant day.

CRICKET.—A return match between eleven of the Latimer C,C. and eleven of the Avonside C.(J. will be played on Latimer square on Saturday next. The following are Ihe Latimer eleven :— G. Turner, H. Turner, H. Fisher, FT. Scott, F. Nation, Ft. Blanchard, W. Round, B. Pye, 0. Elvines, J. Costley, A. Amos. Emergency men—J. Belgrave and E. Tomer. The above eleven are requested to muster at two o'clock sharp on Saturday. Tai TAPtr. —The second annual picnic of die scholars, parents, and friends of this school took place on New Year's Day at a pleasant bay situated about four miles from the district school on the road to Akaroa. !'he party, numbering about 150, arrived by means of vehicles of almost every description, at half-past 10 a.m. The children were at once treated to a liberal supply of buns, milk, &c. After this a general scramble was made for the surrounding hills, affording a capital view of Lake Ellesmere. Racing with the little ones was now commenced, nearly all the scholars getting some memento of the day. In the meantime the ladies had laid on the green sward a capital luncheon, and willing hands had prepared tea. Outdoor games and racing were resumed with great spirit, the running of married and single ladies creating great amusement. Mirth and humor were now at their height, when a steady shower of rain brought the proceedings to an abrupt termination. Notwithstanding the unpleasant clo3e, the day will long be remembered by all present. Carriers' Meeting.—a largely-attended pteliminary meeting of carriers in the different branches of the trade was held last evening at the White Hart Hotel, to arrange for a general picnic. Mr R. Offwood, B*m., was voted to the chair. The chairman stated the object for which the meeting had been called, and asked those present to make any suggestions for carrying out the picnic. ,Mr Christie moved —" That a carriers' picnic be held." Mr R. Offwood seconded the motion, wliir.h was unanimourly agreed to. A resolution that Mr Badden be treasurer was also carried. On an amendment, moved by Mr Falloon, it was decided that two carriers, two cabmen, and two 'bus men form a committee to carry out the arrangements, the names to be decided at a future meeting. It was resolved that a sports committee be elected to arrange a programme for the day. After some discussion, it was agreed to apply for the services of the orphan band, the remuneration to be given in any form desired, and to be equivalent to what would be paid to a professional band. Financial matters were discussed and arranged, and the meeting adjourned.

Railway Management in Auckland. —A recent telegram informed us that|the people of Auckland were greatly annoyed at the excessive rates charged for excursion tickets to Ellerslie, and that they had appealed to Sir Donald McLean on the subject. The telegraph agency, however, has not taken the trouble to inform us of the result. The Auckland correspondent of the Evening Post furnishes the following particulars : Popular irritation is kept awake by fresh scandals in connection with the railway management under Mr F. Passmore. Four miles from Auckland, on the railway stands the future township of Ellerslie, Robert Graham, resident proprietor, has expended eight thousand pounds in forming public gardens, but as Mr Graham had touched somebody's pride, on Boxing Day the return tickets for Ellerslie were fixed at 2s 6d, and during the afternoon, after public refusal, Is fid, while the return tickets to Penrose, further on the line, were 9d, and to Onehunga, twice the distance, only Is. Such a gross wrong created quite a furore. To prevent continuance of the outrage, Mr Stewart, acting manager, telegraphed to Mr Passmore urging that the rates to Ellerslie should be reduced for New Year's Day and tl;e day following. Passmore did not condescend to reply. Mr Stewart telegraphed again, and was curtly answered, no. The case was represented to Sir D. M'Lean, now hex". He was astonished, and once, without consulting Passmore in any way, to-day ordered the fares to be reduced proportionate to the other stations. The public were delighted, and amused at this snub direct. It appears that many years ago Mr Graham gave, at nominal price, three acres for the station house, on condition expressly that it should be built on his side of the line which is nearest Panmure, Howick, and the whole settled district, as well as the garden. He also stipulated that, he should also have a site for an hotel beside the station. The hotel was built, but the station is built on the opposite side of the line, and not this alone but Mr Pa?smore has just f.ent orders to have a fence erected along the front of the hotel so as to prevent passengers having access to the hotel, and intimation is also conveyed to Mr Graham that the gatekeeper's lodge will be built before the hotel door. The Star had a scathing article on the subject yesterday, and promises to have it brought before the Assembly. Both morning papers as well as the Star have had a succession of leaderetts on the Passmore management.

A dissipated young spendthrift, when remostrated with by his wife, replied, " I am like the Prodigal Son, and will repent by and-bye." "Yes," .said the better half; '' and I am like the Prodigal Son, too, for I will arise and go to my father." A married lady, who was in the habit of spending most of her time in the society of her neighbors, happened to be taken ill, and sent her husband in great haste for a physician. The husband ran a short distance, and then returned, exclaiming, "My dear, where shall I find you when I come back ? "