NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 467, 13 December 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

SOIREE. —The anniversary soiree of the Queen's Own Lodge, No. 36 P. A. F. Society of Australasia, will be held in the Orange Hall this evening, when addresses will be delivered by various gentlemen. Timaru Breakwater.—The Herald says:—ln compliance with a requisition his Worship the Mayor has convened a public meeting for Wednesday evening next, to discuss the means to be taken to ensure the immediate commencement of the Timaru breakwater. It is understood that there is a probability of the honorable Mr Stafford being present on the occasion. Certificated Teachers' Association. —The usual monthly meeting was held in Durham street school on Saturday. The president (Mr Cumberworth) having to be present at the distribution of prizes at the Colombo road school, the Rev J. Gumming was voted to the chair. It was resolved that the meeting adjourn until second Saturday in February, when a paper will be read by Mr Thornton, the subject to be announced by advertisement. Presentation. —Some little time ago, on the occasion of the transference of Mr Jones, late railway stationmaster at Christchurch, te the Timaru district, he was presented by the members of the railway staff with some valuable pieces of plate. An address has also been executed upon vellum, begging Mr Jones' acceptation of the plate, and signed by 205 subscribers. The illuminated scroll at the top is by Mr Tilbury, of the railway engineer's office, and is an admirably finished design. Timaru Gasworks. —The Herald states that these works are being proceeded with with all possible dispatch. The shell of the workshop and office is erected, and the building will be completed in a day or two. A considerable amount of the excavation for the gasholder tank has been performed. This work will be finished in about a week. The excavation for the retort and purifying house is also being proceeded with. Mr Courtis intends to have the laying of the mains in the town commenced this week. PAPANUi Saleyarus,—The company recently formed for the erection of saleyards in this district for the sale of stock, have lost no time in getting the work in hand. The yards proper stand on five acres of lanl, freehold, purchased from Mr Haskins, and two acres on a lease for ninety-nine years, adjoining Mr Wild's Sawyers' Arms Hotel. The posts for the yards are heart of black birch, and the rails V.D.L. timber. There is a selling yard 30ft x 33ft, covered over, with a building 40ft x 44ft of V.D.L. timber, with every convenience for egress and ingress of cattle intended for sale. The timber for the yards is of the best kind, and the contractors, Messrs Buckley and Marshall, are carrying out their work in a most satisfactory manner. Mr C. Cuff is the architect. It is expected that the yards will be ready for the receptioE of stock about the beginning of the year. Akaroa Regatta.—As will be 6een by our advertising columns the steamers Wellington and Taupo will both take excursionists to Akaroa on Thursday next, and no doubt a pleasanter way of spending the ;inuiversary day could hardly be devised. The Halcyon will also take excursionists to Pigeon Bay, returning in time to catch the 6 p.m. train to Christchurch. The Lyttelton Yacht Club's Fleetwing sails to-day for Akaroa to compete in the yacht race. A four-oared whale boat also goes from Lyttelton, which was lately built by Mr Harrison. A waterman's boat belonging to Mr Smeaton went on Saturday, and the Annie Ogle, Mr Cunningham's yacht, goes on Tuesday. It will be seen from this that '.iieat interest is being taken in the Akaroa regatta at Lyttelton, and that there will be m iny competitors from port, probably several more than those we have named. Attempted Suicide.—A seaman living in Lyttelton, named David Bowen, who has been residing at the Saxon Hotel for some time past, was found about 8 p m on Friday night in his room with his throat cut. The police were sent for, and Constable Watt found a penknife, w th blood ou it, lying alongside the bed. Dr McDonald, on arrival, found that a small artery on the left side of the neck had been severed by the unfortunate man, who seemed quite cool and bent upon self-destruction. The wound was attended to by the doctor, who ordered him to be sent to the casual ward. At 2 o'clock on Saturday morning Bowen got his fingeis into the wound, and endeavored to tenr his neck open. Strict watch was kept over him till 3 p m., when he was conveyed to the Christchurch Hospital in charge of a constable. The man had been drinking heavily. Lyttelton Harbor Works—A blast was fired on Saturday at the Officers' Point breakwater, which was far larger than any of its numerous predecessors. Some hundreds of persons were present ou the breakwater to view the explosion, including many invited by the contractors. Exactly at 11.30 am. the signal was given to spring the mines, which were eight in number, ranging over a distance of 200 ft, and containing 16,0001 b of power. The whole of the mines exploded with mathematical precision, blowing the toe completely out, when an immense mass of rock, calculated at from 80.000 to 100,000 to h, was dislodged, other portions being so much shattered that very lilt I", labor will bring them down. The whole of the undertaking has been carried out in a most creditable manner, reflecting the greatest honor ou all concerned, the greatest possible precautions being taken in the loading by the contractors in person. TIMARU REGATTA.—The Herald, of Friday, says : —"At a meeting of the Timaru Kegatta committee, held last evening, at the Club Hotel, it was resolved—' That the first race be for a distance of three miles. The first boat to receive £lO, the secoud £2. That the second race be for a distance of two miles, the first boat to receive £3, the second £'. That the third (Champion) race be for a distance of four miles, the first boat to receive £ls, the second £5. That the fourth race be for a distmcc of three miles, the first boat to receive £3, the second £2. That the fifth race be for a distance of one mile, the first boat to receive £3, the second £l. That the iixth race b 3 an amateur race of two miles, the first boat to receive £5, the second £2, with a right to choose their own coxswain, amateur or otherwise. That entries be made and monies paid on or before five p.m. on the 15th inst. That after all expenses have been paid, all surplus money be divided pro rata amongst the winning crew. That the regatta committee joi-i with the horticultural committee in paying the expenses of a band on the day of the regatta,' "

Timaru RACEfS—At a meeting of the Timaru Jockey Club, held last week, it was resolved that the races be held on February 18th. Election Meetings.—The following meetings will be held this evening :—Hon 0. C. Bowen, Concert Hall, Kaiapoi, 7.30 ; Mr St'vens, Academy, Worcester street, 780 ; Mr Moorbouse, Oddfellows' Hall, 7 30 ; Mr Andrews, Knightstown, Readingroom, 8 ; Mr Fisher, Colombo Road School, 7.30 ; Mr Wason, Ashburton, 8. Fire at Fendaltown.—A fire broke out this morning about a quarter to four, by which the residence of H. B. Johnstone, Esq, was entirely destroyed. The fire was first discovered by the housekeeper (Mrs Baker), who at once raised the alarm, but too late to save much of the property. It is supposed the fire was caused through a quantity of cinders being thrown in close proximity to a heap of Malvern Hill coal, which, becoming ignited; caused the fire to spread before assistance could be obtained. The house, which was a six-roomed one, was insured in the South British for £7OO, and the furniture in the same office for £4OO, a partion of which was saved. The whole of the clothes, bedding, and jewellery was destroyed, and a clean sweep made of the building. Fire.—At twenty minutes to twelve last night the Market station bell rang out the alarm, and shortly afterwards a strong glare of fire was seen in the eastern portion of the city. The fire proved to be in a newly erected dwelling house built by Mr J. Lee for Mr J. Clark, at the corner of Gloucester and Barbadoes streets. The building was not quite finished, and consisted of six rooms with a lean-to of two rooms. The fire was first noticed in one of the rooms of the lean-to, and Mr Superintendent Harris, who was early on the scene forced his way into the other corner room, and a room at the southern side of the burning apartment, but the heat was so great that he was unable to enter to endeavor to ascertain the origin of the fire, and in a few moments the whole premises were enveloped in flames. The fire brigade turned out with their usual promptitude, and the hand engine, with the Extinguisher and Deluge, were soon on the spot, ready to be placed in position if desirable. Seeing that it would be impossible to save anything but charred timber, and as the house was in a paddock and isolated, Mr Harris gave orders for the Deluge alone to be placed at the river and had the hose laid down to extinguish the burning embers. Mr Lse had a builder's risk on the building of ,£250. It is impossible to say how the fire originated, but it may be observed that this is the second untenanted house that has been burnt down within a short time. The fire police mustered in force, and Inspector Buckley, with a strong body of police, were present early.