NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 304, 3 June 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Philosophical Institute .—The ordinary meeting of the institute will be held this evening, at half-past seven o’clock, at the Public Library. THE Mail.—The mails from London to Christchurch, via San Francisco, received on June Ist, consisted of 4832 letters, 1383 books, and 9600 newspapers, and was contained in 38 bags. Telegkaphic. —The steamer Hero is expected to leave Auckland at noon, on Friday, 4th instant. Telegrams for the- Australian Colonies, or Europe via Java cable, will be received, at the Christchurch Telegraph office, for transmission to Auckland up till 11 a.m. on Friday (to-morrow.)

Canterbury Rabbit Club.—A meeting of the above club will be held at the office of Messrs Packe Brothers, on Wednesday, 9th instant. The late Drowning Accident near Timaru. —At the inquest on the body of Mr Nettleton, junior, drowned in the Pighunting Creek, on the 27th ultimo, the jury returned the following verdict; —“That Harry B. Thorpe, alias Nettleton, was accidentally drowned in the Pighunting Creek on Thursday, the 27th May, 1875. Rider—We are of opinion that some proper means should be adopted by the Road Boards to prevent further accidents of this nature.” Theatre Royal— Owing to untoward circumstances the dramatic season at the Theatre Royal has come to an abrupt and unexpected conclusion. Several of the company having thus suddenly been thrown out of employment it is proposed to give a benefit on their behalf some evening next week at the theatre. Several of our leading citizens have promised to give their patronage and support, and a very good bill is in course of preparation. In the meanwhile it is probable that, until the arrival of the Fakir of Oolu, the theatre will remain closed.

Inquest.—An inquest was held yesterday at the Hospital before J. W. S. Coward, Esq, coroner, on the body of Wm. Bennett, one of the men injured by the late accident at the Dunsandel station, and who died on last Monday morning. The evidence was a repetition of the particulars of the accident, which have already been published. Dr Guthrie, who made the pest mortem examination, stated that the deceased had a large lacerated wound on the left leg, the small bone of which had also been fractured. The immediate cause of death was blood poisoning resulting from the wound. The jury returned a verdict of “ Accidental Death.” Horticultural and Aeboricultural Society, —The usual monthly meeting of the committee of the abeve was held at the Clarendon Hotel last evening, when there was a large attendance, Mr E. C. J. Stevens, president of the society, occupied the chair. Several accounts were passed for payment. The amended schedule of prizes as brought up by the sub-committee was considered. It was resolved that the watch presented by Mr Eossiter be fixed for the prize to be given to the exhibitor gaining the second highest number of points during the season. Professor Bickerton announced his intention of presenting a Society of Arts’ microscope as a prize to be given in any way the committee might decide. After some discussion, it was moved by Mr Nairn that the prize offered by Professor Bickerton be given to the exhibitor gaining the highest number of points during theseasonfor cut blooms and pot plants in all classes. Mr Gray seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The meeting then resolved itself into a general meeting. The president then read a paper on chrysanthemums, by Mr Newton, of Inner Temple, also giving a description of the various varieties of chrysanthemums seen by him during his late visit to England. On the motion of Mr G. A. Reade, a vote of thanks was recorded to the president for the paper read by him. It was resolved that the thanks of the society be given to Professor Bickerton and Mr Rossiter for their donations of special prizes. It was stated that Professor Bickerton would read a paper on greenhouses at the next monthly meeting. A very fine specimen of Imantophyllum Miniatum was exhibited by Messrs Duncan and Son. After some conversation on the growth of the chrysanthemum, the meeting adjourned.

The Church News. —We have received the June number of the New Zealand Church News, and from it we gather the following information regarding church appointments in this diocese. The Rev C. Coates will act as assistant curate at St John's, Latimer square ; the Rev E. R. Otway has been appointed incumbent of Governor’s Bay; and the Rev F. A. Hare as substitute for the Rev O, Bowen in the cure of Riccarton and Halswell. Some correspondence between the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Most Rev the Primate of New Zealand, relative to Dr Jenner and the Bishopric of Dunedin, is published. The letter of the former transmits an enclosure from the Bishops of London, Winchester, and Lichfield, who were appointed to consider the matter. The Bishops state that they cannot see how they can consistently with the facts of the case refuse to recognise Dr Jenner as Bishop of Dunedin. In his answer, the Primate states that as the General Synod in New Zealand has in three successive sessions refused to acknowledge Dr Jenner, the Bishops of the New Zealand provinces concur with the Primate in upholding the judgment of the General Synods, and accepting the responsibility incurred thereby by the Church of New Zealand.

Ashburton. - Presentation to Mr Weymouth Roberts. —The gold watch and chain already alluded to in our issue of Monday last, was presented to the recipient on that evening, at the public library at the Ashburton. Fully thirty of the subscribers were present, and Mr Charles Flockton, assistant engineer of the line, was unanimously elected as chairman. He called upon Mr W. Lechner, as honorary secretary of the movement, to favor the subscribers with an explanatory statement previous to the presentation. Mr Lechner was very glad to comply with the request, saying that though the idea did not originate with himself, he had been very happy in undertaking the collection and carrying out of the arrangements, having known Mr Roberts for about fourteen years. He remembered no previous occasion, out of many, where money had been subscribed so readily and so much good will shown towards the recipient. The success was complete, and he had been able to procure a first-class article, which he now had the pleasure of handing to the chairman for presentation to their friend Mr Roberts. He (Mr Lechner) might add that he would draw u p 'an illuminated address when at leisure, also a list of subscribers, as soon as the accounts had been dosed and examined. The chairman thereupon rose and addressed Mr Robert in cordial terms, commenting on his attention to business, hia courtesy to all concerned, and his high moral character, as well as the popularity he enjoyed amongst those employed under him. The watch and chain, enclosed in a handsome case, were then presented by Mr Flockton, and Mr Robertsreturned thanks in brief but feeling terms Some refreshments having been provided for the occasion, they were now partaken of, and the health of Mr Weymouth Roberts and family having been drank, amidst loud and continuous cheers, the ceremony closed by votes of thanks and vociferous cheers to the chairman, to the honorary secretary, and the subscribers. The whole proceeding was an unqualified success.

Minister for Education. Council, last evening, Mr Jebson’s motion for the appointment of a Minister for Education, who shall be a member of the Executive and also a member of the Provincial Council, was carried on a division by 18 to 8.

Concert. —The concert in aid of the fund now being raised for the building of the new church in connection with St Paul’s Presbyterian congregation will be held this evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall. In addition to the choir of the church, Miss Lavinia Taylor and several other ladies and gentlemen will take part in the programme, which is a very attractive one, and should draw a large attendance. The programme appears elsewhere. Swannanoa.— The Press correspondent in this district writes as follows :—“ The branch line of railway from Kaiapoi to West Eyreton is rapidly approaching completion; the rails are laid the entire length; the contract is in the hands of Mr Wright, and extends a distance of over fifteen miles. The station buildings are being erected by Messrs England Bros, of Christchurch, and I understand they are doing their work creditably. The buildings at Mandeville are about completed. A passenger shed and platform have been built about three miles further on to accommodate the Eyreton village and district, and at the twochain road, Swannanoa, the buildings, consisting of a stationmaster’s house, a ticket office, and passengers’ shed and goods store, are nearly completed. Chamber of Commerce.— A special meeting of the committee was held yesterday morning. Present—Messrs Nathan (chairman), Dymock, Connal, Coates, Inglis, Aynsley, and Macpherson. The object of the meeting was to consider what steps should be taken respecting the erection of public buildings in Christchurch, the amount for which had been withdrawn from the estimates, The chairman said the question was a very important one, and had engaged the attention of the Chamber on several occasions. He thought that the present session of the Provincial Council should not be allowed to close without some further effort being made to obtain a vote for such an important and necessary work, and he was of opinion the committee would not be doing its duty to the Chamber and the country generally, unless they made an attempt to obtain an appropriation for the purpose, lb must be patent to every one that the want of buildings within which the Custom House, Post-office, Telegraph-office, Public Worksoffice, and the Immigration Department could be concentrated, was much felt in Christchurch. He understood that the General Government were quite alive to the necessity for increased accommodation, and he much feared that, unless the province contributed a reasonable proportion of the cost of erecting buildings of a suitable character, the General Government would still further delay their erection. The necessity for carrying out a work of this character without delay was obvious. It might not be generally known that the General Governmentpaid an amount of £IOB6 per annum, as rental for the present offices in Christchurch, the inferiority and unsuitableness of which was clear to all. After some discussion, in which every member present took part, it was unanimously resolved—“ That the committee of the Chamber wait upon the Executive on the question of the erection of public buildings in Christchurch.” The meeting then terminated. Later in the day, it was ascertained that the Executive would be prepared to receive the committee at eleven o’clock this morning.

Meeting at Bingsland.—A meeting of the householders of the Bingsland district was held last night in the schoolroom, to consider the action of the Bast Christchurch school committee in proposing to remove Mr Hill, master, to the Gloucester street school. There was not a very large attendance. Mr W. Flesher occupied the chair, and stated the object for which the meeting had been called. He said, that the number of houses in that district and immediately outside the East town belt must amount to 150, the number of children of the age to attend school being not less than 250, and the district each day was increasing in population. He had heard that it was the intention of the committee not only to remove Mr Hill, but also the other master in the school, and to make it solely an infant school, to be placed under the teaching of a mistress, and this the ratepayers considered would not be justice to, or meet the requirements of, the district. In reply to the chairman, Mr Kirk, one of the East Christchurch school committee, said that what had fallen from the chairman as to the intentions of the committee was entirely new to him, and he thought that Mr Flesher had been misinformed. Mr Hill had been offered the position of second master in the Gloucester street school, and until it was known that he had accepted that position, it could not be very well known what the intentions of the committee were with regard to the Bingsland school. Mr Christie said that he had been informed that it was the intention of the Bast Christchurch school committee to convert the Bingsland school entirely into an infant school for all children under seven years of age; the children over that age would have to go to the Gloucester street school, and not only would that be hard upon them to have to travel the distance, but would also be an injustice to an increasing district. He might state that Mr Hill had told him that he had no desire to leave the district, but if the school were to converted into an infant school, it was his (Mr Christie’s) opinion that Mr Hill would be forced to leave. He would move—“ That in the opinion of this meeting the requirements of this part of the district will only be met by maintaining this school in its present state of efficiency.” Mr Lane seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr Harper moved — « That the East Christchurch committee be requested to continue the services of Mr Hill as master of the Bingsland school.” Mr Hay seconded the motion. Mr Kirk observed that the committee could not do anything in the matter until they knew Mr Hill’s reply to the offer made him. The motion was put and carried unanimously. The chairman expressed the satisfaction be had experienced ou seeing Mr Kirk present that night, and would have wished to have seen more of th® committee present. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Kirk for his trouble in attending the meeting. After the chairman had expressed the satisfaction of the inhabitants at the success which had attended Mr Hill's teaching, and their desire that his services should be continued, he made some remarks about a wish of the residents in the neighbourhood to establish a public library at Bingsland. The meeting t hen closed with the usual complimentary rote to the chairman |

AGRICULTURAL . AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION. —The Provincial Council last evening passed a vote of £250 as a grant to the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

Scholarships Examinations.— The examination of the candidates for Government scholarships in classes A, B, and 0, was commenced yesterday at the Colombo road school. Of the 100 total entries 93 were present, viz, 59 boys and 34 girls, seven being absent from various causes. The schoolroom, we way say, is admirably adapted for the purposes of the examination, the accommoda tion afforded allowing the boys and girls to be kept separate, not only during the examination, but also during the period allotted for refreshment. The examination during the day was in arithmetic and geography, and partly also in reading, To-day it will be in English grammar and history. The chairman of the Board of Education visited the school yesterday. The arrangements made by Mr Mainwaring, secretary to the Board, were in every respect most satisfactory,

Mr Parrott has recently made some further experiments with his new signalling instrument (the sematrope),” says the Sydney Morning Herald , “ and finds that it is adapted for signalling purposes by means of the reflected light from the moon as well as the sun. On a recent occasion he tested it from Forest Lodge by means of the reflection of the moon’s light, and sent messages with great success to the heights at Woolloomooloo, at which point Mr Vessey was stationed, who said the light shown by the sematrope on this occasion-r-it was within about fifty hours of full moon—surpassed the light shown by a Chatham signalling lamp, which is visible with the naked eye to about five miles. Mr Vessey, who received the messages from the sematrope, thinks it will be available with the moon’s light up to about ten miles.”