NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 340, 15 July 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

1.0.Gr.T. —The Good Templars of Lyttelton will meet at the Colonists’ Hall, to-night. There is to be an entertainment and a tea meeting. - Missing. —We understand a sum of money is in the charge of the Collector of Customs, Christchurch, on account of a seaman named John or Joachim Nicholar Hansen, but no trace of Hansen can be found.

Spouting. —At a committee meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club, a few days ago, the action taken by the Auckland Pacing Club in the matter of the disqualification of Kelly, the rider, and Huntley (or Barron), the trainer of Maori Weed, was fully endorsed.

Mid-Winter Show. —This show was held to-day at the Drillshed. With the exception of some very good fat stock, there was nothing to call for any comment, as the exhibits were, as a rule, poor both in number and quality. We are afraid that the show is financially speaking likely to prove anything but a success. Found Dead. —lt is stated in yesterday’s Herald that the previous evening it was reported to Constable Wildermoth, at the Washdyke, that during the afternoon a man was found dead in a chair, in Mr Edward’s Hotel, at the Point, The name of the man has not transpired, but he is said to have the appearance of a swagger.

Christchurch Steeplechases. This fixture, which takes place over a capital line of country on Linwood Farm to morrow, promises to be a success if the weather proves at all favorable. Yesterday Mr Digby and one or two of the committee showed the jocks over the line of country, and the feeling was that some good sport would be had.

Calcutta Sweeps.—Two sweeps were got off last evening at Morton’s Hotel, on the Steeplechases taking place on Friday next. The respective values were £3l and £27, and the two highest prices realised in both sweeps were, tor Medora £B, and Ivanhoe £6. The bidding was somewhat languid, but may perhaps improve this evening, when sweeps will again be drawn on the various events. Sunnyside Asylum. Messrs Wheeler and De Glorion have very generously placed their professional services at the disposal of Mr Seager for an entertainment at the Asylum to the inmates and attendants this evening. One of their best programmes has been arranged for the occasion, and no doubt a very pleasant evening’s entertainment will be afforded to the patients.

Soap, —Manypersons who have comctothis province of late, may not know that the soap branded with a star, is of a very superior description, to most other sorts in use here. Very severe tests Jiave proved that it is manufactured on the strictest chemical principles so as to produce an article, which whilst it possesses thorough cleansing properties, does not injure the finest fabrics, or affect the hands in the slightest degree. The public generally, will find it to their advantage to use this soap, as in addition to the above mentioned qualifications, it is sold at a lower price than most other kinds. A single trial will prove the foregoing facts to the satisfaction of all.—Advt,

Intercolonial Cricket Match.— We learn from Auckland that the cricketers there have agreed to join the other provinces and to guarantee a contribution of £175 towards the expenses of the Australian! team, and not £165 as stated in our telegrams. At a meeting of the committee, held on the 28th ult, the following resolution was carried:—“That in the opinion of this committee, having regard to the programme proposed, it will be desirable that the united match between New Zealand and the Australian team should be played at Auckland as the last of the series; and that the secretary be instructed to communicate this resolution to the committees of the other provinces.” We also learn that the Auckland cricketers will most probably play fifteen or eighteen against the Australian team.

Harbwood Road School .Committee. —A meeting of this committee was held on the 13th instant. Present—Mr G. A. Durey (chairman), Messrs Donald, J. Durey, Nunweek, Stanley, Strange, and Watson. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from the Board of Education, in reply to an application for lodging money for the mistress, informing the committee that the mistress was not, according to the regulations of the Board, entitled to receive lodging money. The inspector’s report was read and considered to be satisfactory. The chairman remarked that he supposed they were now to work under the new Ordinance, although he had not yet seen a copy of it; but he expected the Government would supply copies shortly. Some business in connection with the district library was then discussed. The treasurer reported that he|received £SO from the Government, being a revote that, through mistake, had not been drawn"during the last financial year, and had therefore lapsed, which sum was, according to instruction from the Provincial Secretary, to go towards the purchase of books. A further sum of £25 had been allocated to the district library, and had also, through a similar mistake, been allowed to lapse, and had not yet been received. The chairman was requested to communicate with the Provincial Secretary soliciting both amounts, and also to apply for a portion of the present year’s grant. It was determined to get up an entertainment, consisting of readings, music, vocal and instrumental; to be held in the schoolroom on Tuesday, the 20th instant. The proceeds to go towards furnishing the reading room. The meeting then adjourned.

Loss OF TBE Rangatira.— A correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald sends that journal the following full particulars of the loss of this steamerln recording by last mail the wreck of the Wanui, and the narrow escape of the Boomerang, I little imagined that in a few days I would have the unpleasant duty of reporting the Wreck of the Rangatira. At five minutes past three o’clock on the morning of Monday, the 31st ult, the Rangatira .(on her return from Fiji, and within forty-five miles from Noumea), steaming about knots, went on the Nokucka reef, the extreme point of the Passe de la Saveille, ten miles south of the Havannah Pass. Captain Woods took his observations all right at five p.m. the previous evening some twelve miles off the island of Mare, and supposed when she struck to be sixteen miles N.E. of the Havannah Pass, Captain Woods remained on deck almost continuously from twelve untill the vessel struck and was on the point of giving orders to turn her round. It appears the night was excessively dark, and not even a ripple on the water to be seen. On striking, the engines were instantly reversed, and the steamer would have been got off (having backed 26ft)', only for the loss of the rudder, screw, and sternpost, when of course all further attempts were useless. The passengers were at once put into boats and conveyed safely to an island some nine miles away. Captain Woods arrived here in one of his boats on the evening of Wednesday, and with praiseworthy promptness the Government ordered the Coetlogon war steamer to proceed at daylight to the wreck. The Coetlogon returned on the forenoon of Friday, as the wind blowing E.N.8., she could render no service in getting the Rangatira off until a westerly wind seta_ in, which is anxiously looked for. lam informed the Cher is under orders to proceed to-morrow, and if the captain reports, favorably to the Government, the Coetlogon will be at once despatched to the wreck, and will remain while there is any hope. Although no lives are lost, we regret much this unfortunate affair, both for the sake of trade and Captain Woods, who had becom* a great favorite here, and on account of the seamanlike qualities and great care he always exhibited, we were much surprised at the news, but on enquiry from the pilots and coast captains, I learn no blame can be attributed to Captain Woods, that he is simply, with a great many others, the victim of these treacherous and most unaccountable currents that are to be met with—miles out to sea—mostly all round this island. And when I learn that the Mary and Edith, Fruiterer, a French barque, the Pilot schooner, and the Wanui (commanded by Captain Champion, proverbial for coast knowledge), have all become victims, I cannot see that Captain Woods can be accused of any want of skill, or of any negligence in the matter. Captains must only be instructed to keep well out to sea at night, and let the consumption of coal and a speedy trip become a secondary matter in the minds of their employers.