NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 232, 8 March 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Earthquake.—Yestesday morning, about 5.15 a.m., a slight shock of earthquake was felt in this city. Provincial Hospital, Auckland.—-A tender for the erection of a new provincial hospital for Auckland has been accepted. The amount is £15,833. Cricket. —The match Stage v Lyttelton Times played on Saturday on the U.C.C.U. ground resulted in a victory for the theatrical team by 17 runs, the match being decided on the first innings.

Legal.—The long vacation expires on the 10th inst, and his Honor the Judge will resume his usual Chamber Sittings on the 12th. The monthly sittings in bankruptcy take place on the 18th.

Narrow Escape.—One of the men working at Naval Point, Lyttelton, had a narrow escape on Saturday. An enormous stone fell and crushed the shovel he was working with to atoms, but leaving him entirely unhurt.

Telegraphic.—The Otago is cxoected to leave Hokitika at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, the 9th. Telegrams for the Australian Colonies or Europe via Java cable, will be received at the telegraph office, for transmission to Hokitika. up till 9.30 a.m. of the 9th inst.

Agricultural and Pastoral Association. —A meeting of the committee will be held at Tattersall's on Tuesday, 16th instant, at 3 p.m, to consider the dub-committee's report in connection with the mid winter show, and for the transaction of other business.

United Methodist Free Church.— The anniversary sermons in connection with the St Asaph street Church (Sunday bchool. were preached yesterday, by the Rev Lockwood and S. Macfarlane. The tea and public meeting will take place to-morrow evening.

Sporting. The Peninsula and Little River races, which take place on the course near Birdling's Hotel, on Thursday next, ought, from the attractive programme issued, to be a success. We remind owners intending to run horses at this meeting that entries close to-morrow.

Lyttelton Fire Brigade.—This brigade met for practice on Friday evening, with a full number of members. The engine was taken to the tanks in front of the Loan and Mercantile Agency shed, and the brigade, under the superintendence of Mr Sowden, went through their usual practice. Cathedral Guild.—A general meeting of member of the above will be held in the College library tomorrow evening at eight o'clock, when a paper will be read on " Church Decoration," a reading given by the Rev De Berdt Hovell, and selections of vocal music by the choir. The public are also invited to attend.

Rev. Charles Clark.—As will be seen from our advertising columns, this popular lecturer Avill open a short season in Christchnrch to-night at the OddfelloAVs' Hall. Mr Clark has attained such popularity during his career as a lecturer, that Ave feel certain a great treat is in store for those in Christchurch who never yet had an opportunity of hearing him. Thanksgiving Services—Special harvest thanksgiving services were held at St Michael's yesterday. In the morning the Revs Edwards and Hovell read the lessons, and the Right Rev the Primate preached. In the evening the Rev De B. Hovell officiated. The ;altar was appropriately decorated with corn, flowers, and fruit, and there were large congregations at both services, the ordinary accommodation of the church not being sufficient.

Accident.—A little boy six years old, whose name was not given, was received into the hospital yesterday afternoon suffering from injuries received through being kicked by a horse. It seems the little fellow was playing with some children near some horses, when one of them kicked him in the nose, smashing it completely, and splitting his upper lip horizontally for about four inches. His injuries were at once attended to, and last night the poor little sufferer was progressing as favourably as could be expected.

The San Francisco Mail. The Cyphrenes left San Fraucisco on the 7th ult, eight days behind her contract time. Under ordinarycircumstances (says|the New Zealand Herald) she would therefore not be due until the 3rd March. But as the Oyphrenes during her last stay in Sydney was unable to go into dry-dock to have her bottom cleaned, and as there are no such facilities in San EYancisco, her passage is expected to occupv at least two days longer. The steamer was therefore not expected in Auckland till Saturday. There was no appearance of her, however, last night. Kaiapoi Goods Shed.—At length the Railway Engineer's Department have prepared elaborate plans and specifications for the additions urgently required to the goods shed at the railway station. It is proposed to lengthen it 78ft, making it 169 ft long and a width of about 43ft. A crane and weighbridge is wanted at this station before it is anything like complete. Repeated delays occur from the difficulty experienced in loading and unloading trucks, which could be obviated by a crane. It occupies a whole day to weigh into the shed a quantity of grain which ought to be weighed by a large machine in one-tenth of the time.

Theatre Royal.—The "Octoroon" was produced at the Theatre on Saturday night, but was only a partial success. To-night Miss May Howard's benefit is announced, and the attraction on this occasion will be "London Assurance," with Miss HoAvard as Lady Gay Spanker. Oddfellows' Hall.—Two good houses were present at the tAvo entertainments given by the Girards on Saturday last. The Christchurch public will one more chance of seeing these wonderful performers, as they have engaged the Music Hall for this night only. In addition to the other attractions in the programme, Senor Adolphe Gonzales, who is by far the best tumbler ever witnessed here, will introduce one of his astounding somersault acts. With such a bill the Girard troupe should draw a firstrate house, even in the face of the other entertainments announced for this evening. Attempted Burglary.—An attempt at burglary was made some time during Friday night last, at Mr J Goss's office connected with his timber yard, at the corner of Durham street and Yi -lately road. A strong shovel, used in filling coals, had been removed from the coal department and an effort made with it to force open the door, a wedge-shaped stone being forced in between the door and the jamb after each leverage. The lock seemed to have proved too strong, and an augur was then used immediately under the lock, with the intention, no doubt, of boring around it. After one hole had been made, it is supposed that the proximity of some passers by caused the individual to decamp and leave his work unfinished. From the appearance of the attempt the would-be burglar is evidently an adept at the business. Fire at Malvern.—lnformation reached town on Saturday that some stacks of oats belonging to Mr S Hight, farmer, at Malvern, were completely destroyed by fire on the previous day. Our informant states that Mr Hight only commenced threshing on that morning with Mr Frank's threshing machine, which Avas placed north west of the first stack. A strong nor'-wester was blowing at the time, and some sparks caught the stack being worked at, and before it could be subdued it was completely on fire, the men having barely time to escape both from stack and combine, the latter being also burnt to ashes. The other stacks were quickly communicated with, and the strong wind blowing prevented the possibility of their being saved. It is distressing to learn that Mr Hight was not insured, and that all his labors for the year were lost in a few moments:

Canterbury College.—A special meeting of the Governors of this institution was held at 10 a.m. this morning, at the Public Library, for the purpose of electing a chairman in the place of His Honor Mr Justice Williams, who has resigned the position. On the motion of his Honor, the Superintendent, seconded by Mr H. R. Webb, his Honor Mr Justice Gresson was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy. The following resolution, moved by Mr Geo Gould, and seconded by Mr W. Montgomery, was canied unanimously—" That the Governors of this college desire to place on record their high sense of the zeal and ability with which his Honor Mr Joshua S. Williams has discharged the duties of chairman of the Canterbury College, and to tender to him their cordial thanks for his valuable services." Doctor Turnbull having given notice of motion for the appointment of a vice-chairman of the boai'd, the meeting adjourned.

New Zealand Grand National Steeplechases —We have received from the hem secretary a copy of the programme for the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechases, to be held, at Waimate on Tuesday, May lSth' The programme includes a Maiden Plate of 50 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of 5 sovs., the distance being two miles ; the New Zealand Grand National Handicap of 100 sovs., added to sweepstakes of 5 sovs,, distance three miles; the Waimate Steeplechase Cup of. 75 sovs., with a sweepstakes of 5 sovs., two and a half miles ; and a Consolation Handicap of 40 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of 3 sovs., distance two miles. With such a tempting bill of fare the management should secure a goodly number of entries. The hon. secretary, Mr A. St. G. Hammersley, will give the owners of horses any information with regard to qualification fees and other details. We wish the new club every success in their venture, and prophesy a successful opening meeting for them.

Direct Immigration to Timaru.—The following is an extract from a letter from the Agent-General to the Minister for Immigration, dated 15th December, 1874, published in the Herald: —" I note that in consideration of the following circumstances, viz:—l—That in the opinion of the Immigration Commissioners and of the Government, the fact of the vessel (the Peeress) having been chartered for Timaru, led to the employment of a much inferior class of ship to those which are employed in bringing emigrants to Lyttelton. And 2—That this, the first ship laid on direct for Timaru, was obliged by stress of weather to proceed to Lyttelton, and there tranship her emigrants for their port of destination, thus fulfilling the contract, but practically at a loss to the Government of twenty shillings per adult, the contract price to Lyttelton being fourteen pounds ten shillings, and to Timaru sixteen pounds ten shillings, whilst twenty shillings per adult was paid by the company for conveyance of the immigrants to Timaru. You have decided to countermand the previous instructions which were issued to me, as to sending ships to Timaru; and you now direct me to forward emigrants for that place by ships specially chartered for the purpose, but making Lyttelton the port of arrival. I note that you desire tbat such ships should be strictly for passengers for Timaru, and that emigrants for any other destination are not to be embarked in them; that the contract with the Shipping Company is to be for conveyance to Timaru, and the (contract) tickets are to be issued accordingly; that the Government will provide passage by steamer to Timaru from Lyttelton, and the emigrants are to understand they will not be disembarked at Lyttelton. Your several instructions as indicated herein shall be carefully complied with. I am glad to learn that the Commissioners were of opinion that as a class the immigrants by the PeereßS were very suitable for the wants of the district to which they were consigned.—l have the honor to be, sir, ycur most obedient servant, J. E. Featherston, AgentGeneral."

Now that contagious diseases are abroad, every housewife should use carbolic soap for household purposes, as it is a thorough disinfectant, and recommended by the faculty.— [Advt,] ,