NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 314, 15 June 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Fakir of Oolu.— Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather last evening the Theatre Royal was crowded to witness the first appearance of Ur Sylvester. The programme included conjuring tricks, the illusion of a lady supported by one arm alone resting on a pole, and an illusion of a fountain playing in the centre of the stage, the water assuming most beautiful tints by the agency of lime lights. The two illusions alone are well worthy of a visit. Ova per Timabu.— On Monday evening, says the Otago Daily Times, Mr Deans, the Acclimatisation Society’s manager, in conjunction with Mr A. G. Begg, had the hatching boxes cleared of the young charr which they contained. The number taken out was fourteen healthy'ones and four deformed fish. The charr have been placed in a small pond, and there is every reason to hope that the country will obtain some benefit from what represents the result of the large expenditure upon the Timaru’s shipment of fish eggs.

Canterbury College. —The vote of £7OOO for the Canterbury College was passed last night in the Provincial Council, after a lengthened debate; an amendment moved by the Provincial Secretary, to the effect that the money was to be expended provided the Normal School was deemed by the Government not suitable for the purposes of the Cf liege, being incorporated with the origina motion. The Government intimated their intention of giving notice of motion to rescind the resolution passed in a previous session of the Council fixing the site of the College in the Domain, INQUEST. —An inquest was held yesterday before J. W. S. Coward, Esq., Coroner, at the house of the deceased, Ferry road, on the of Captain William Charlsworth, who died from the effects of an axe wound in his foot. From tn& evidence it appeared that an the 29th of last month deceased was engaged holding the stump of a tree while a man named Henry Bray was cutting the roots with an axe. Before the root was cut through the axe glanced off and struck the left foot of deceased inflicting a nasty wound He was attended by Dr Frankish, who, finding after some days that the case was assuming a serious appearance, called in Dr Nedwill. Erysipelas, however, supervened, a id deceased gradually sank and died on the lOthinst. The medical evidence showed that death had resulted from erysipelas following upon the wound, and the jury returned a verdict of “ Accidental Death,’’

Pigeon Shooting.— Several swecpstakis will be shot off on Thursday next, at the Sawyers’ Arras Hotel, Papanui. A large number of strong birds have bee i secured, and the shooting will commence at half-past one o’clock.

Government Scholarships.— The report nf the Examiners for Provincial Government Scholarships was submitted to the Board of Education at its sitting last night, and the following awards were made : Glass A —Caroline Woodley (‘"'ernside school) and Julian Hart (Hev C. Turrell’s school; Class B—J. T. Partridge (Chiist’s College), Elisha Round (Lower Heathcote school), and H. B. M. Watson (Christ’s College); Class C—Mary Gilberthorpe (Riccarton school), H. 8. Robison (Christ’s College), and R. A. Green (Melville House, Mr Cook’s); Class D G. F. Bridge (Christ’s College) and G. Shirtcliffe (private tuition). Inquest. —An inquest was held on last Saturday evening, at the Ashburton hotel, before T. Winter, Esq., J.P., acting coroner, on the bodies of the three men who were found on the 10th and 11th instant, washed ashore near Longbeach. William Choat, in the employ of Mr Grigg, stated that, on the evening of the 10th, he saw something black upon the beach, and on going down, found it was a vessel that had been wrecked. He then went to Mr Evans, and asked him to go up to the station and give information. On the following morning, he and two others found two other dead bodies. They covered them up with blankets, and remained there until the police came. The wrecked vessel was about two miles south ol the Ashburton river. No timbers were found with any name on. One of the dead bodies was a white man, the others were apparently Maoris. Constable Wallis, in his evidence, after describing the position in which he found the bodies, said that the vessel wrecked was a fore-and-aft schooner of about, forty or fifty tons. He saw two bags of wheat near the wreck, but there was no brand on them. The jury returned a verdict of “Found Drowned.” The white man, who was about 6ft lin in height, had the words “ Young America” tatooed in blue and red colors on the inside of the right arm, with the figure of a woman surmounting an eagle, and carrying the American flag. One of the Maoris had the word “ Owehw ” tatooed on his right arm in blue, and a tatoo bracelet on his right wrist; the other had the words “ Tealo,” “ Omalu,” and “Zelcpo,” on his right arm, the words < Kapulhulmho,”“Siomenth” and “Okuphlu,” with three schooners on his chest, and six stars on his left shoulder. The men were buried on Sunday, in the Ashburton Cemetery. several of the residents of the township following.

Town Hall Company.— A meeting of the shareholders of the above company was held yesterday afternoon, at Spensley’s Hall, to consider the question of the distribution of the assets of the town hall estate. Mr J. Inglis was voted to the chair. The chairman called upon Mr J. Ollivier, who, after reading the advertisement calling the meeting, detailed the history of the company since its formation, and the action taken by the directors, under resolutions passed by the shareholders at duly constituted meetings, to bring it under the operation of the Joint Stock Company’s Act. A sum of £7OOO had been received for their land, which sum was lying in the bank to the credit of the shareholders. Mr Ollivier then went into the particulars of the efforts made to obtain an order from the Supreme Court for the distribution of the estate, and read a list of expenses, amounting to £SOO in all, incurred under the authority of the shareholders, which had been objected to before the Registrar. Mr Harman, as agent for one of the trustees, had kindly made some sugges--lions to him, which he had put in the form of a resolution. He thought further litigation would only be a useless and unnecessary expense Should the Registrar instruct that the amount should first be paid before the estate could be distributed, it would be better for shareholders to pay one pound on each share towards that end. Shareholders would then get their money instead of the members of the legal profession. He would move —“ That this meeting desires to affirm its opinion that it is expedient to avoid all further litigation and consequent waste of funds by the adoption of objections to proceedings hitherto taken before the Court, and that the expenses heretofore arising, or which have to be preferred from the action of the trustees, or any one on tbeir behalf, shall be recognised by the shareholders, and they are hereby recognised and authorised to be paid pro rata amongst us the several shareholders. That in the event of the Court, by itself or through the Kegistrar, or desiring it necessary to allow these objections before proceeding to a distribution of the funds of the shareholders, we severally and individually authorise Mr R. J. S. Harman to receive the several sums to which we are entitled, and to retain so much thereof as shall or may represent our respective contributions towards the expenses so disallowed by the Court or the Registrar. But in the event of the Court declining to pay the said monies to our nominee, then that we individually and severally covenant and agree to refund and pay to Mr R. J. S. Harman, on behalf of the late directors, the amount of our pro rata shares as shall represent the costs and expenses so objected to by the Court.” Mr W. Wilson seconded the motion, and observed that though the £7OOO was lying to the credit of the company, that money was not bearing interest in consequence of an overdraft of £SOO having been obtained from the bank. The shares at the present time were worth at least £l2 10s or £l3, and though he would be the largest contributor, as he held seventy-five shares, he would nevertheless be only too happy to pay £1 or £2 per share to pay off the expenses objected to, so that the shareholders might obtain money they were so well entitled to, and not have it swallowed up by the members of the long robe. Mr J. 8, Williams remarked that it might be three or four months before the distribution could take place, Mr George Gould hoped that if it were found that some time must elapse before the shareholders could receive their money, steps would be taken to have the £7OOO placed at deposit; and he believed that if a representation were made the bank would make an allowance for the time the money had lain in their hands without interest. (Hear, hear.) In reply to Mr Harman, Mr W. Wilson said that the meeting, with proxies he held, represented the majority of the shareholders. The resolution was put and carried unanimously. The shareholders present then attached their names to the resolution, and the meeting closed,

Tun Education Orpin-ante, This Ordinance was read a third time and passed last night by the Provincial Council on the voices. A public meeting to consider certain resolutions relative to this Ordinance will be held in the Oddfellows’ Hall to-morrow evening. Wreck.— Tl e Ashburton correspondent of the Press writes as follows :—The wreck of a vessel about fifty tons is lying two miles south of the mouth of the Ashburton river, and there is also a large q antity of debris above the river at Wakanui creek, consisting of three hatches, oars, boat chocks, the top of a cabin, parts of lockers, portion of a steering wheel, bulwarks, stanchions, quarter-board with the name Success on it, a cook's chopping block, ladder, two life buoys, with “Success, Auckland,” on them. All the timber appears to be kauri, A small board has also been picked up, which evidently belongs to a boat. It is painted white, and has the name E. Lake, master, painted in black on it. The Elibank Castle, which was stranded some days ago on the beach, about eight miles north of the Wakanui creek, is expected to be got off.