NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 522, 19 February 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The San Francisco Mail,—This mail arrived at 9.10 a.m this morning in the s.s. HaAvea, and Avas forAV-irded by the 9.40 luggage train to Christchurch,

Orchestral Society —At the request of the subscribers, the concert already advertised as the first of the season, has been postponed to Thursday, 2nd March, the Senate of the New Zealand University being held in that week.

Ellesmere District Races.—A committee meeting was held at Spring’s Hotel, on Thursday evening. About twenty gentlemen were present, Mr James Lewis in the chair, when a programme of the day’s racing and rules for the meeting were drawn up, copy of which will be seen in the advertising column. It was also resolved—“ That Messrs Spring, t Oradock, and Bishop, be elected a course committee, to take all necessary steps to get the course into good order by the day of the races,” Several gentlemen having expressed their willingness to canvas the district for subscriptions, and a vote of thanks being passed to the chairman, the meeting adjourned to Thursday, the 2nd proximo.

Concerd. —The farewell concert to Mr Joseph Carder took place at the Lyttelton Colonists’ Hall on Thursday evening last, and in spite of the great counter attraction of the circus in Christchurch, there was a very good house. The names of those who assisted, comprising $s they did many of the hading musical ladies and gentlemen of Christchurch, were sufficient, affording a promise of an entertainment of no mean order, to attract many, and when to this was added the fact that it was the farewell con cert of a gentleman who has for many years taken string interest in all matters affecting the welfare of the good town of Lyttelton, it was not surprising that the reserved seats were crowded. The programme was not strictly adhered to, several gentlemen being unavoidably absent, but in their stead were Mr Skinner and Mrs Long. Mesdames Crowley, Digby, Long, and the Misses A, S. and L. Taylor, Calvert, *nd Strnger, Messrs Simms, Walcott, Long, Carder, Woledge, and Skinner contributed to the amusement of a large and very appreceiative audience. Mr Carder, on his appearance on the stage, was received wjUh loud applause,

Fire at Ashley. About 4 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, the stacks of Mr Gillespie, farmer, near the Ashley township, were discovered to be on fire, and before assistance could arrive, the whole six stacks of oats, the total of Mr Gillespie’s harvest, was enveloped in flames. Unfortunately the mischief did not end here, as the fire caught his shed close by, and totally destroyed the harness, chaff-cutter, &c. So that not only the results of a year’s efforts, but valuable farming appliances, were in a few hours destroyed. As this is the first crop which Mr Gillespie has reaped on a new farm, the loss is a most crushing one,

Pigeon Race. —The first race in connection with the Pigeon Flying Club took place yesterday from Dunsandel. Eleven birds were originally entered, and five accepted. The birds were sent up to Dunsandel by the eleven o’clock train, and the stationmaster was requested to liberate them at 3 p.m. The winner of the first prize proved to be Mr Potten’s Tui, which was shown at the Shades at 3 55 ; Mr W. G, Walker winning second prize with Shaughraun at 3.59£. Thefirst bird’s loft was at the Government Buildings, whilst the second bird had to go nearly to Ward’s Brewery, thus having further to be carried to the winning post. Mr Macquarie, who lives beyond the West Christchursh School, was third at 4,2 p.m,, with Hawk. It may be mentioned that the winner of the first prize was bred by Mr Walker. The weather was very hot, and rather hazy, with a strong head wind. The club desires to tender its thanks to the railway officials, who kindly assisted in every possible way in training the birds. The next race will probably start from Akaroa.

West Chbistchurch Educational District. —The committee of this district held their usual monthly meeting on Wednesday evening, at 7.30. Present —Messrs Tancred (chairman;, Bickerton, Booth, Nairn, Bell, and Bowie. The secretary apologised for Mr Harris, who was unable to be present. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from Mr Cane, Provincial Architect, forwarding draft plans for additions to Lincoln road school, and stating that he would be in attendance to give any explanations the committee might desire. Mr Cane was called in and gave a full description of the proposed buildings. The plans in their design and general construction were greatly approved of, and the committee decided to request the sanction of the Minister for Education to their adoption, a deputation consisting of the chairman, with Messrs Bickerton and Booth, being appointed to confer with him on the matter. A letter was read from the Secretary for Education, sanctioning the appointment of Miss Grierson as second mistress at Lincoln Road School, and one from Miss Grierson, stating that she had been released from her engagement with the East Christchurch committee and was in attendance at the opening of the school. Professor Bickerton reported that with the chairman he had visited the district schools, and had found them well attended, the girls’ school at Lincoln road being crowded, and fifty additional pupils entered on the books at the Normal school, They had interviewed the Minister for Education as to furniture and other requirements, and had obtained his sanction to the appointment of additional teachers. Two female and one male pupil teachers had accordingly been appointed to the Normal school. The repairs at Lincoln road school had been completed according to the direction of the committee. The report was received, and the action of the visiting committee approved. The appointment of Misses Bertram and Caygill and James Beechey to Normal school were confirmed, and Ada Pike was appointed pupil teacher at Lincoln road school. Two more female pupil teachers being requiied, the secretary was directed to advertise for applications. A letter was read from Mr E. Cotton, complaining that he had been charged 10s for bis son unde” six years of age, while he was informed that 5s was the proper fee ; and the secretary was directed to reply that the fee for children under six and over thirteen years was 5s per quarter. After transacting some other business and paying sundry accounts, the committee adjourned. Railway Compensation Court. A Court was held at Kaiapoi yesterday, before C. Whitefoord, Esq, K.M, and F, H. M. Walker and Josiah Birch, Esqrs, assessors, to hear claims for lands taken for the construction of the Northern and Kaiapoi and Eyreton railways. The first case was that of the Crown v. Gardiner and Jagoe, in which the claimants consented to the offer made by the Crown, to accept £35 Bs 6d in full compensation for land taken at Ohoka, The consent of the public trustee was also put in, and the Court made an award for the amount offered. The next case was W, C. Fendall v. the Crown, for damage done to crops in the seasons 1874 5 and 1875-6, through negligence on the part of the Government in not fencing off a piece of land which had been purchased from the plaintiff by them for railway purposes. The total amount of the claim was £72 ss. A large number of witnesses were examined in support of the plaintiff’s claim, and their evidence went to show that the Government, by their agent, Mr Maude, had, in agreeing to the purchase of the land for railway purposes, promised that the part taken would be fenced off from the remainder of the fortyacre block. This had not been done, and the consequence was that plaintiff’s crops had been almost totally destroyed by the trespass of sheep and cattle, partly his own and partly his neighbors'. The defence set up was that the Crown by the Immigration and Public Works Amendment Act, 1873, was not bound to fence lands taken for railway purposes, although the previous Act required that such should be done. The Crown also contended that as a verbal agreement had existed, to the effect that the land would be fenced, the Assessor’s Court could not decide the question, it being beyond their j urisdiction, and matter for an action at common law. The Court held that the Act cited was not retrospective in its operation, and that as the agreement to fence had been made before it came into operation, the Go vernment would not be justified in re, pudiating a previous agreement. As to the jurisdiction of the Court, the Act gave sufficient scope to the assessors in detsrmin ng matters of damage, and they had decided to overrule the point raised by counsel for the Crown. They considered^ Mr Fendall’s c’aim a fair and reasonable jphe, and would give judgment for the amount claimed with costs. Mr O’Neill appeared for the plaintiff, and M r Cowlishaw, in §he absence of Mr Duncan, for the Crown, The following cases were settled out of Court:—The Crown v' J. J. Peacock’s Trustees ; same TjjjEflea andThrdkeld j and same v Wal^Barton.;

Chbistchukch Harmonic Society—a general meeting of the society was held yesterday evening ; the president, Mr J Bowron, in the chair ; about forty members being present. The president stated that the meeting had been called in consequence of the unsatisfactory attendance of members at rehearsals. He did not know whether it was the music that was objected to, or whether the conductor did not please, but they would have an opportunity of expressing their opinion on the conductor, as that gentleman had sent in his resignation. A lengthened discussion took place on the questions raised by the president, and ultimately Mr Feldwick moved—“ That the idea of giving Haydn’s seasons be abandoned ; that the society take a recess until the first Friday in May, and that the practice for the fourth concert be then proceeded with,” He said that the reason for the motion was that he believed the bad attendance of late was, because the rehearsals clashed with the usual outdoor summer amusements, and he therefore thought it was better to discontinue the rehearsals until longer evenings set in. Mr Wood seconded the motion, which, after discussion, was negatived. A resolution was passed requesting the conductor, Mr Knox, to withdraw his resignation, which he consented to do on the understanding that the members would undertake to attend more regularly. The president stated that there were two vacancies in the office-bearers, viz, the treasurer and secretary. Being pressed by several members to do so, Mr A. P. Sheath withdrew his resignation as secretary. Mr George Clark was unanimously elected treasurer, Mr Hart proposed, and Mr Knox seconded, and it was carried by acclamation —“ That the members present pledge themselves to attend regularly the practices in future, and to use their best endeavours to induce others to do so,” A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings. St Mary’s, Addington.— The children attending St Mary’s Sunday school held their annual treat on Thursday last, at Governor’s Bay, The party, numbering 120 children and about 40 parents and teachers, assembled at the schoolroom early in the morning, and marched thence to the Addington station, where a train was m readiness to convey them to Lyttelton. On arrival in Port the party embarked on board the s.s. Akaroa, and after a short and very pleasant voyage, reached the Governor’s Bay jetty about balf-past 10. Immediately after landing refreshments were served out to the scholars, who then dispersed about the beach and bay. Mr Potts kindly gave the use of a paddock close to the jetty, in which and on the beach various games were held. The company re-embarked on board the steamer about 6 o’clock, and arrived at Addington at 8 p.m., all being evidently well pleased with the trip. It had been arranged to march the children back to the schoolroom in the evening, there to present to each one some memento of the day ; but owing to the journey home having been made much later than was expected, it was thought advisable to defer this till a future evening. Three cheers were then given at the station for the teachers who had provided so good a day’s amusement for the children, and the party broke up. The promoters of the treat acknowledge with thanks the courtesy of the railway authorities in sending the party, which, owing to a detention at Governor’s Bay, missed the 6 p.m. train, through to their destination on the arrival of the steamer.