NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 354, 31 July 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Sons or Temperance. —The anniversary tea and enter lain meat of the Progress Division, Kaiapoi, is announced to take place at the Institute on Thursday next, I.O.G.T.—An entertainment will be given this evening at the Good Templar Hall, Worcester street, comprising vocal and instrumental music, &c.

Heathcote Rowing Club. —The adjourned meeting of the above club will bo held this evening, at the Wharf Hotel, at eight o’clock.

New Zealand Shipping Company.—A general meeting of the shareholders of the above company will be held at Mr diaries Clark’s rooms on Tuesday, the 17th of August, at noon.

Popular Concerts. —The next of the series of popular concerts given by Mr J, T. M. Smith, will take place on Monday evening, in the Oddfellows’ Hall, when, in addition to the usual solos, duetts, and choruses, Lahee’s cantata of “ The Building of the Ship” will be rendered.

Avonside Entertainment. —An entertainment in continuation of the series was given at the Avonside schoolroom last evening, when there was a large attendance. The two farces, “ On the Sly ” and “ Brother Bill and Me,” were very successfully performed by the amateurs taking part in them, and their efforts were deservedly applauded, all the parts being well filled.

Evangelistic Services.— The last of the series of special services, which have been conducted during the past few weeks at the Durham street Wesleyan Chapel, will take place to-morrow evening, when the Hews A, R. Fitchett and J. Berry will conduct the service. These meetings have been very largely attended. The Drainage Conference.— The members of the drainage conference met again yesterday morning in the City Council Chambers. The object of the meeting was to consider the draft of a Bill, which has been prepared by Mr Oowlishaw, to be introduced into the House of Representatives. Certain alterations were suggested in the draft, and the conference then adjourned to Friday next, at 5 p.m. Representation Bill.— The Evening Post says : —“ The new Bill for the redistribution of representation will, we believe, propose to add five new members to the House of Representatives, two extra members being given to the city of Dunedin, one to Oamaru, one to the Thames, and probably one to the West Coast. We trust that this increase in the representation of Dunedin, and indeed any proposal to add more than another member for the Thames to the roll of the House, will be strenuously resisted. B’riendly Societies. —The following extract from a letter addressed by his Honor the Superintendent to one of the officers of the North Canterbury district 1.0.0. F, M.U, will be interesting to the members of Friendly Societies, as showing what is likely to be done to remedy the defects in the laws affecting them. His Honor says —“ On the whole I do not think there is any chance of getting a satisfactory Bill passed this session; but we might get the Government to obtain and publish the fullest information, and also to undertake to bring in a Bill next session. . , . With regard to James’s case, and to prevent a recurrence of any failure of justice, Mr Bowen has promised me to bring in an amendment of the law, which will prevent a similar failure. This amendment will not be in the Friendly Societies Act, but in some Act affecting the criminal law.” Inhuman Treatment of an Old Woman.—A report reached the police on Thursday evening that an old woman was being badly treated by her relations on Templar’s Island, Waimakiriri. An official was sent to the spot yesterday, and found the poor creature, who is eighty years of age, and mother-in-law of a farmer residing there, living in a whare by herself at some distance from the farmhouse. The whare has no floor in it, and the furniture consists of a bed, table, chair, and two boxes; the roof being far fiom watertight. He learnt that the old woman’s daughter brings her food three times a day, but she is allowed no fire or caudles. She was apparently well clothed, and had sufficient bedclothes, but from her advanced age was perfectly helpless. From the isolated position of this building the neighbors know nothing of her being there. It should be mentioned that the person who reported the circumstance was attracted to the place by cries proceeding from the poor old creature.

Supreme Court. — The case of Passmore v. Bank of New South Wales which was a suit for specific performance of contract in respect to sale by defendants to plaintiff of two stations held by them as security for advances made to Major Hornbrook, was tried yesterday before his Honor Mr Justice Williams and a special jury. On the close of the plaintiff's case, Mr Garrick, for the defendant, contended either that the learned Judge should enter a non-suit, or that he should direct the jury to find a verdict for the defendant on the ground of variance with the terms of his contract as set forth in the declaration of the plaintiff. In this his Honor concurred, and Mr Travers refusing to take a nonsuif, the Judge directed the jury to return a verdict for the defendant on the first issue, the second issue not being able to be found by them. This was done, Mr Travers obtaining leave to move that a verdict be entered for plaintiff or for a new trial on the ground of misdirection. The Court then adjourned till 11 a.m on Monday next, when the case of Bovey v Pyne will be taken. OUST. —A public meeting of the ratepayers of the Gust district was held at the Gust schoolroom, on Thursday evening last. There was a very fair attendance. Mr R. L. Higgins, M.P.G., was voted to the chair. The chairman briefly explained the reason the meeting had been called, it being to consider a petition, which several persons had requested him to draw out ; the petition he felt sure was the only way to prevent (if such was possible) the carrying out of the proposed changes in the form of Government until after the next general elections. He (the chairman) would read the petition, which had been drafted, and hoped that any alteration which the meeting should think fit to be made in it, should be freely discussed. The petition was read as follows “To the Honorable the Speaker and the Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled—The respectful petition of the undersigned residents in the electoral district of Oxford, humbly sheweth—That very important changes in the present form of Government of these islands are said to be in contemplation, of the nature of which your petitioners are at present in ignorance. That it is very desirable that any change which it is proposed to make in the present form of Government should bo as widely made known to the people as possible with a view to its full consideration. Your petitioners therefore pray that jov r Honorable House will be pleased to defer the consideration of any measure of the above nature, until after the next general elections, and your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray, &c,” Mr Dixon, M.P.C., moved—“ That Ihe petition as read by the chairman be adopted ” Mr H. H. Gholmondcley seconded the resolution. The chairman put the motion to the meeting, and it was carried unanimously. It was decided that copies of the petition be circulated for signature through the Oxford and West Byreton districts, and forwarded as soon as possible to Mr Kolleston, to bo laid before the Assembly. After a vote of thanks to the chairman the proceedings terminated. Soap. —Many persons who have cometothis 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 have 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 satisfy ction of all.—Advx.j