NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 194, 22 January 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Volunteer Engineers. —This corps will parade to-night for inspection by the Colonel commanding the district. Timaru Gas Company.— lt is stated that 2694 shares in the Timaru Gas, Coal, and Coke Company have been applied for.

Reserves —A list of reserves made temporarily under the 19th clause of the Waste Lands regulations, is published in the Gazette of January 21st. Late Accident at the Opihi.—We notice that Mr Isaac Collins, who was seriously injured a few months ago, by a dray running over one of his legs while crossing the Opihi, has died from the effects of the accident. Interprovincial Cricket Match.— The banks, leading merchants, agents, lawyers, and auctioneers, have agreed to close their respective places of business at noon on Thursday and Friday next, the days of the Interprovincial cricket match. Immigrants per Lady Jocelyn. —A portion of the immigrants by this vessel may be engaged at the Addington Barracks on Saturday next, from 10,30 a.m. It is the intention of the department to forward a moiety of these new arrivals to Timaru and the country depots, direct from the vessel. Female Refuge. —A meeting of subscribers and others interested in the Female Refuge was to have been held yesterday afternoon, at his Honor the Superintendent’s office, to decide upon the site, but only Messrs Jameson and H. W, Packer were present, and the meeting therefore fell through. We understand that a site near Stricklands, Cashel street east, has been offered, and approved by the Government. Boating. —We observe that the Wellington Boating Clubs have been making some valuable additions to their fleet. The Wellington Rowing Club has just imported a fine batswing gig, 42ft in length, built (by Greenland, of Melbourne) of polished cedar, with sliding seats and every modern improvement. The Star Club’s new importation consists of two practice boats, a pair-oar stump outrigger, and a stump sculler, boih built by Edwards, of Melbourne, expressly for our local club. Marriage of Mr James Brogden. —The Western Mail gives an account of the marriage of Mr James Brogden, of Tondu House, near Bridgend, who, it will be remembered, paid a visit to this colony a few years ago. The bride was Miss Mary Caroline, daughter of Major J, Picton Beete. The marriage was celebrated in the parish church of Ewenny, on November 26th. The esteem in which the families of the bride and bridegroom are held in the locality gave rise to a general manifestation of enthusiasm on the part of the inhabitants, who assembled in large numbers to witness the ceremony,

Lecture. —The Bey A. M. Henderson, of Melbourne, delivered a lecture last evening in the Congregational Church, his subject being: “ The creation of the Heavens.” The Rev W. J. Habens occupied the chair, and briefly introduced the lecturer, who began by referring to the subject of the creation, and then proceeded to give a most interesting outline of the present state of the science of astronomy. He concluded his lecture by dwelling at some length on Professor Tyndall’s theory as to the origin of matter. The meeting was brought to a close with a vote of thanks to the lecturer, proposed by the Rev Dr Rosi by, of Dunedin, seconded by the Rev Mr West, of Wellington.

Oyster Act —lt was stated a short time ago that the Oyster Act had been brought into operation in Auckland, but we notice by our Auckland exchanges that the saloons exhibit and sell as heretofore. The reason is that there is no law against selling oysters. The provision is against taking or catching for sale. The clause runs as follows; “ Now, therefore, I, George Augustus Constantine, Marquis of Normanby, the administrator of the Government of the colony of New Zealand, do hereby proclaim and declare that during the consecutive months commencing on the Ist day of January in each year, and ending on the 31st day of March in each year, it shall not be lawful to take or catch for sale any oysters, whether between high and low water-marks or not, within the district comprised within the boundaries of the province of Auckland, and which said boundaries are set ‘forth in the schedule hereto.”

Official Scandal. —lt appears that another official scandal is exciting some talk in Wellington. The Daily Times says : —“lt is said that a young man connected closely with an ox-Minister, and in a responsible position in the public service, having charge of a large revenue-collecting department in a Northern Province, was recently discovered not only to have an amiable weakness for giving valueless cheques, but, further, to have appropriated to private purposes various sums of money, the property of the Govern ment. Instead of being dismissed or arrested, as many others similarly situated, but not so influentially connected-, have been, he was removed to head quarters, placed in an office where he had no opportunity for peculation, his salary stopped at the Treasury, and the proceeds applied to making gcol the sums' he had misappropriated, and then, when the Government loss had been made up, he was informed that he had better send in his resignation. He took the hint and the resignation has been accepted, but the affair caused a good deal of talk.” Judicial. —lt is stated on good authority, writes the Auckland correspondent of the Otago Daily Times, that Sir George Arney does not intend to resign his appointment as Chief Justice, but will go to Wellington, Very great indignation is felt at the proceedings of the Government in this matter, so far as they are known; and nothing could have struck a greater blow at the independence of the Judges, in the opinion of many leading people here. That they should be liable to be worried, and their positions be at the caprice or will of a Ministry, has startled most people. It was always believed that circuits and other internal arrangements were settled by the Judges themselves. This is now proved not to be the case, and confidence in the assured independence of the Bench has received a rude shock from which it will not readily recover. Sir George Arney personally commands the efttire confidence and respect of the community; and I speak with moderation when I say that there is no single ground of any kind whatever on which his resignation could be sought. The attempt to cajole or worry him into it is becoming a public scandal. No one ever hears of, from, or through Sir George Arney, a single word on the subject. Heathcote Rf-oattA;—A general meeting of the committee and others interested in the above regatta was held last evening at Warner’s Commercial Hotel, Mr N. G. Glassford in the chair. The minutes of the former general and committee meetings were read and confirmed. It was agreed that' the services of Mr Yalpy should be obtained to act conjointly with Mr Ctoffiie, as assistant hon secretary. It was also agreed that Mr MandrelTs name be added to the committee, and that he be asked to act in conjunction with Mr J. W. Davies as assistant hon treasurer. It was resolved that Mr Jameson be communicated with with reference to the race for his cup, and that he be asked to allow the distance on the programme to be altered to two miles, and that on Mr Jameson’s answer being in the affirmative, the item be altered accordingly. With reference to the junior pairoared race “for boys under eighteen” it was resolved that the term should include any that were under eighteen years of age on the Ist of January, 1875. In the Sculling race with coxswains, distance one mile, it was agreed’that steps betaken to procure the Moa, Una, Swan, and Cygnet for the purpose, each club to send one representative, subject to Messrs Coates and Co’s approval. The Sailing race for Mr Wakefield’s Cup. was left for the committee to decide upon after the receipt of a further communication from Mr Wakefield upon the subject. Subject to the foregoing alterations the programme was brought up and adopted. The details with reft rence to the race Sculls v Oars, were referred to the committee. The order of the various events was then discussed with the following result : —l, Junior Pair-oar ; 2, Rob Roy Canoe ; 3, Senior Four-oar; 4, Sailing race for open boats ; 6, Sculls v Oars ; 6, Senior Pairoared ; 7, Junior Four-oared; 8, Scullers’ race. The time for starting the first race was fixed for 12.30 o'clock, and the other races to follow as soon as possible in succession. Mr Day’s offer to lay out the course was accepted under the instructions of the committee ; the secretary to write to Mr Day fixing a date on which to meet the committee. Mr Monck’s offer of the use of his paddock was accepted. The following gentlemen were appointed as officers for the day, subject to their approval, viz. Timekeeper, c Mr G. Stead; umpire, Mr F. H. Digby Mr S. P. Andrews ; judges, Mr H. P. Murray-Aynsley and Mr Mellish ; committee for the day, Messrs A. F. N. Blakls.ton, N. G. Glassford, F. Pavitt, Herdsob, D. Reese, E. G. Kerr, W. Packard, together with all officers previously named. It was agreed that the U.R.C. be asked to man the Lurline for the use of the umpire, and the C.R.C. the Kiwi for the starter. The entries close on the 13th of February, to be sent in to the hon secretary, at Warner’s Hotel, with entrance fees, &c, on or before that day; colors to be named at the time of entry ; the committee to meet on the following Monday. The meeting adjourned after a vote of thanks to the chairman.

Carriers’ Pio-nic. —The carriers held their pic-nlc yesterday, meeting early in the market sqnare. About 9 o’clock a start was made, when a long string of expresses, decorated ’with evergreens and flags, and laden with carriers, their wives, and children, travelled in processional order along Colombo stre°t and down High street, the leading express containing a band, which played through the streets en route. Arrived at Sumner sports were improvised for the children, in which they entered into most heartily, while the elder portion of the party partook of a substantial lunch, and also enjoyed themselves in a quiet manner. As the weather seemed to be threatening, an earlier start was made than originally intended, and town was reached about half*past seven o’clock, the drizzling rain then falling seeming by no means to damp the ardour of the band or the excursionists, who seemed to be in the best of humors. Altogether a very enjoyable day was spent. "