NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 215, 16 February 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Opening of Routiibridge Bailway.— Owing to the want of points and crossings ordered from Dunedin, it is not likely that this line will be ready for traffic for about a month. The first section will be opened to the Selwyn. Waltham. —A meeting of the members of the Church of England living in the Waltham district is called for this evening, in the district schoolroom, to consider the question of establishing religious services in that locality. The Cab Cases— There was very little new matter imported into these cases at last night’s meeting of the Counci 1 . An application for a license under the new bye-law caused some strong remarks, and was eventually postponed for a week.

Another Case op Measles,— Cr Jones mentioned laet night that another case of measles had appeared in the same family referred to on a previous occasion. If found necessary, the sanitary committee intended to take action with reference thereto during the week. Insurance Agents. James Calder, Leithfield, is gazetted an agent for the industrial branch of the Government Insurance department, and Hr Morris is appointed medical referee. The postmaster at Kowai is appointed a superintending postmaster. Cricket. —On Friday a match will be played on the U.C.C.C. ground, between the Leithfield and Papanui teams. The following will represent the latter mentioned side, viz :—J. T. Matson (captain), F. Pavitt, J. Davis, R. Triggs, W. Horner, J. Horner, C, Jennings, T. Hill, J. Jackson, G. Dickinson, and U. Dickinson. Play will commence punctually at 11 a.m. Fire.— On Sunday afternoon a disastrous fire occurred on the farm of Mr Andrew Millar, of the Mount Grey Downs, by which four stacks of wheat were totally destroyed. It appears that while the three elder children were absent at the Sabbath School, the younger ones, of whom the eldest is a boy of six years, managed to get some matches, by which the fire originated. District Prizes. —As will be seen by the scores elsewhere, the firing for the district prizes was commenced yesterday, when the members of the cavalry competed. The prizes were won by Troopers Rentoul and Duncan, Bandsman Hunsley, and Sergeant Anson. The Christchurch artillery will fire to-morrow at 6 a m.

Nelson REGATTA. —This regatta is announced to take place on February 25th. Among the events announced we notice that there is to be a yacht race (not exceeding 25ft on keel), Ist prize, £25; 2nd, £7 10s; an open sailing boat-race, for which £7 is offered, and a professional whaleboat race, fur which a prize of £ls is offered. Money Orders —The following is a summary of the transactions in the money order department during the quarter ending December 31st, 1874:—Number issued, 16,331; amount, £68,136 IBs 9d; paid, 11,575; value, £48,864 19s 9d. Corresponding quarter of 1873 lid; paid, 9726; value, £10,095 8s 9d. Savings Bank. —The following is a summary of the transactions for the quarter ended December 31st, 1874. Nunher opened, 2515; closed, 1743; number of deposits. 12,857; withdrawals, 8670; amount of deposits, £174,179 19s 2d ; withdrawals, £166,246 7s 4d; excess of deposits over withdrawals, £7933 12s 2d, During the same period in 1873 the deposits were £148,327 13s lid, and the withdrawals £112,854 11s 4d; excess of deposits, £35,473 2s 7d. Mr John Anderson.—This gentleman left Christchurch yesterday by the 3.10 train, and was escorted to the station by a number of gentlemen—some forty or fifty—to show their respect and appreciation of him. A large number of persons had congregated on the platform, and Mr Anderson had quite a busy time of it taking leave of his old friends. He proceeds to England by the Suez mail boat.

Sculling Match.— A match, for the purpose of deciding on a representative of the Canterbury Club, in the Scullers’ Match at the Heathcote Regatta, took place last night on the Avon, over the oneimile course. The competitors were Messrs M. Bowron and W Sibbald, Mr Bowron rowing iu the Swan and Mr Sibbald in the Moa. Bowron got away with a slight lead, but was soon overtaken by Sibbald, who kept ahead for the remainder of the distance, winning by about a length and a half. Immigrants per Ship Rakaia.— All the single men. about fifty, were landed from Quail Island yesterday morning, and may be engaged at the depot, Addington, to-day The Health Officer and Mr March visited Ripa Island yesterday. The health of the immigrants was good, and there have been no fresh cases. A meeting of the Board of Health will be held at the Government Buildings this morning, and in all probability the immigrants at Ripa Island will be released from quarantine to-day.

Important to Dependants. —His Worship the Resident Magistrate this morning made a rule that in every case in which money was paid into Court to the full amount of a plaintiff’s claim, or consent to judgment signed, the defendant would be liable to pay a fee to the plaintiff’s counsel for his attendance in Court on the case, unless notice were given to the plaintiff at least twenty-four hours before the time fixed by the summons for the trial of the action.

Baker’s HiBERNiCON.--The proprietors of this entertainment opened their season last night at the Oddfellows’ Hall, and their performances were received with great delight by the audience. In addition to the exhibition of paintings of some of the best known spots in Ireland, a good many Irish songs were sung. Mr and Mrs Baker were very successful in their efforts to please the spectators, and Mr and Miss Moran were also loudly applauded, while we may say that Mr Yerner established himself at once as a favorite. The entertainment will be sure to attract good houses during the proprietors stay in Canterbury.

A Tender Joke. — On Cr Calvert proceeding last night in his usual grave business manner to open some tenders for carting rubble, Re occasioned the immediate attention of his brother councillors by his expression of surprise when he discovered the first envelope contained a valentine dedicated to his Worship. Among the remaining tenders were discovered two other missives of a similar character—one addressed (inside) to his Worship, Or Gapes receiving the remaining favour. The intended application of the “ fair” senders was at once apparent, and created considerable amusement, Heathcote Regatta.— A meeting of the committee was held last evening at Warner’s Commercial Hotel, at which Mr Wynn Williams presided. Tenders were opened for the publican’s booth, confectioner’s booths, and horse paddock, and that of Messrs Maples Bros, of the Garrick Hotel, was accepted. An offer was also accepted for the sole right of the cards and sports from Mr Burmester. A document was received signed by all the bank managers, solicitors, insurance agents, merchants, &c, and others, agreeing to close their respective places of business at twelve noon on the occasion of the Heathcote Regatta, to be held on Thursday, the 18th inst. Mr S. P. Andrews, M.P.C., tendered his resignation as starter, on the grounds of a pressing engagement elsewhere, and Mr J. Hastings Herdson was duly elected in his place. The entries were then ratified, and the various events were prepared for the printer, and after a general expression of satisfaction as to the prospects of the regatta, the committee adjourned until the following Thursday, the 25th inst. Presentation at Oxford. —Mr J. G Seaton, the proprietor and driver of th( Oxford coach during the last four years having retired from that calling owing t( the railway being made to the district, i was thought a fitting time, by his numerous friends in the place, to mark their sense o: his worth by a presentation. Accordingly lists were got out some four weeks ago These are now to hand, and the appeal seems to have been very generously responded to A meeting of some of the subscribers toot place at Luer’s Hotel, on the 10th inst After a slight discussion it was decided tc give Mr Seaton a watch and chain, and it was resolved that the ceremony of presentatior should take place at a dinner at Luer’s Hotel, Oxford. Peal of Bells for Christchurch.— The City Council last night assented to the suggestions proposed at a late meeting of members of the German Church and other citizens, asking the former to give a lease of the ground on which the present bell tower stands to the Council for fifty years. That five more bells be subseribed for, and vested in a committee of eight (five to be nominated by the Council, and three by the trustees of the German church). That the five bells to be obtained remain the property of the city, to be hung in the German helltower, and be called the Christchurch bells; and that the peal shall be unconnected with any religious denomination, arrangements to be made to have them rung at suitable hours on Sundays for divine services

Theatre Royal. — Miss May Howard made her first appearance before a Christchurch audience last night in the character of Gabrielle De Brun, in the drama of “ The Geneva Cross,” written by George Fawcett Rowe, so well known to most Christchurch playgoers under the name of George Fawcett. Miss May Howard, having unfortunately been seriously indisposed since her arrival in Christchurch, has been prevented from making her appearance before last night, but has now recovered sufficiently to enable her to take part in the performance at the theatre. There wag a full house to witness her first appearance, and her rendering of the part allotted to her appeared to give much satisfaction to the audience. Miss May Howard was well supported by Mrs Walter Hill, though it is a pity to see such a firstclass actress as the latter lady with a part which allows her so few opportunities of displaying her ability. Mrs Searle was fairly good as the aunt Gassandre ; and Miss Arrah May also did her best with the small part she had to play. Messrs Collier and Booth, as the rivals for the hand of the heroine, received a fair share of applause for their acting. Altogether the piece seems likely to be successful for a short season in Christchurch, and we are promised others which will probably prove equally attractive. The Conference with the Native King. —A correspondent of the Nm Zealand Herald , writing on February Bth, says The late interview of the Native Minister with the King, at Waitomo, may be looked upon as only preparatory to the forthcoming meeting in March next, at Te Kuiti. I cannot, perhaps, give you a better idea of the conference than by giving it in as nearly a literal form as possible. While closeted together (the conference being private) the King said to Sir Donald McLean, "I have only one word of importance to say to you, for which I sent for you, it is this, let the Europeans of the Waikato go back and retire over the Maungatawhiri—the boundary settled by Potatau and Governor Grey.” The Native Minister asked if by Europeans he (Tawhiao) meant the soldiers or settlers; To which the latter replied, “ Soldiers, settlers, and all. let them go to the other side of the Maungatawhiri, and when they leave there, I will come into the Waikato.” Sir Donald intimated that to do so was beyond his power, but that he would lay the matter before Government. “ But,” said he, “I have a feeling of friendship towards you, and this I can do :—All the country lying on the western banks of the rivers Waiapa and Waikato, from Ngaruawahia to the Waikato Heads, I offer you, but the Governor still to be with you.” Tawhiao replied, “That is a plain matter—an easy thing. But ray word to you is : The Europeans to go to the other side of Maungatawhiri.” This matter was discussed several times over by both parties, and each time with the same result. Another thing said Tawhiao ; “ Say to the Governor I have a great desire to see him at the meeting in March, next month, at Te Kuiti.” Sir Donald replied in the affirmative, adding that he would deliver the message to his Excellency the Marquis of Normanby, and that if his Excellency could not attend, he (Sir Donald) would, most likely, come himself. Sir Donald then asked Tawhiao if he had any objection to having the place of meeting in March transferred from Te Kuiti to Kawhia, where a weather board house, if he (Tawhiao) agreed, should be built for him. The offer was not accepted by the King, who did not want a house built at Kawhia, or the scene of the meeting to be transferred there. It is. however, vaguely rumored that he intends shifting his head quarters to that harbor notwithstanding,

Grain Season at Kaiapoi.—lq this large district, favored with splendid weather, the farmers have nearly all harvested their grain crop, some have threshed and delivered their corn to the merchant, while the number of stacks to be seen around show the harvest to have been an abundant one. The yield is a trifle over the estimates published a few days ago, as our reporter made allowance for loss in the event of nor’-westers and other causes, which at the last sometimes lessen the appearance of harvest yields very considerably. As instances of heavy crops on the Maori run, one or two will thresh out from seventy to eighty bushels of oats per acre. In a small field of three acres near the town, seventy-six bushels of oats an acre was the return from the machine, and off Mr Kelso’s paddock of about fourteen acres, the return per acre is reported to be between ninety-three and ninety-four bushels also of oats. Over 5000 sacks of grain have already been received or passed through the Kaiapoi railway shed, and the thick of the work is just commencing. It is well-known fact that when Carbolic is used in Soap it is a thorough disinfectant, and strongly recommended.— [Advt.]