NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 537, 8 March 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Supreme Court-,—lt is understood that Mr J. B. Stansell has been appointed Oder of the Supreme Court here in the room of Mr O. O'Malley. Lecture.—This evening the Bev B. Backhouse will deliver a lecture in the Wesleyan schoolroom, St Albans, on "The Work of the Bible Society in Eastern Countries." PBiMiTiVE Methodists.—The quarterly meeting of the Christchurch circuit was held on Monday, in the church, Cambridge terrace. The Bev B, J. Westbrook presided. The affairs of the circuit generally were reported to be in a satisfactory state ; at Bast Malvern especially the congregations had greatly increased. The financial condition of the circuit had much improved, there being a considerable balance in hand. The business part was concluded at 4 p.m., and in the evening a friendly tea meeting took place. After tea a public meeting was held, Mr Westbrook in the chair. Addresses were delivered by the Rev J. Sharp, Mr De La Mare, and others, and the proceedings terminated with the Benediction, pronounced by the chairman. Leithpield.—The first committee meeting in connection with the local branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society, was held in the vestry of St Paul's Church on the 3rd inst. Present:—Messrs Freeman, Barclay, Moore, Peacock, Tipler, and C. J. Norton, hon secretary and treasurer. The Rev E. Freeman was voted to the chair. Mr Norton resigned bis offices, and was elected a member of the committee. Mr Moore was elected hon secretary and treasurer, and the following ladies were nominated collectors:—Mesdames Freeman, Cameron, McLean, McEwan, Misses Moore, Stanton, Hawley, Tipping, Young, Lough, Thompson, and Fendall. Messrs Foster, Houghton, and Hagley were also nominated, and it was agreed that the committee meet quarterly. Mr Norton handed to the treasurer £2 10s Id, being amount of collection on the 14th December last. A vote of thanks was moved to the chairman, and tht m««ti»g adjourned.

TIMARU RACES,—A meeting of the Timaru ! race committee was held at the Ship Hotel, says the Eerald, on Monday evening. There were present—Messrs A. St G-. Hammersley tjn the chair), M. Studholme, J. W. White, J. Oramond, E. H. Martelli, H. Gardner, R. Stansell, J. R. Stansell, M. Jonas, D. Maclean, G. *Cliff, and T. G. Cork (secretary,) The balance sheet for the past year was presented and adopted. It snowed a balance to the credit of the committee of £240. Mr Cork resigned his position as secretary, and a vote of thanks was unanimously accorded him for his past services. The desirability of establishing a Jockey Club was next considered. It was resolved—" That a jockey club be formed, to be called the South Canterbury Jockey Club." Mr M. Studholme was then elected president, Mr J. Cratnond treasurer, and Mr R, Stansell secretary pro tern The meeting then adjourned till the 9th of 'May. Match,—A hurdle race, of 1J miles, over four flights, took place on the Ashburton racecourse on Saturday evening, between Mr Edward Saunder's br g Barry Lyndon and Mr Wiiliam Smith's gr g Billy Buttons, for £5 a side. Both horses came to the post at 6 p.m; a fair start was effected. Barry Lyndon took the first flight of hurdles very prettily, with a loiag clean sweep, some six inches above the top. Billy Buttons was not quite so fortunate, as he broke down the hurdles in clearing them, and on coming to the second flight swerved off the course and had to be brought back, he cleared them at the second trial, but almost immediately afterwards his rider fell off him, and he bolted for some distance up the railway, then turned and galloped home to his stables. Barry Lyndon cleared all his hurdles splendidly, and of course won easily. Mr Saunders rode his own horse exceedingly well, while Mr Smith's horse was ridden by Mr A. Wood. Billy Buttons was in splendid condition, which can scarcely be said of Barry Lvndon. Billy Buttons won the Ashburton District Hurdle race last year, and it is understood that both horses aro to be entered for the Ashburton Race Meeting next mouth.

Inquest at Southbridce.—An inquest was held on Saturday, the 4th inst, at Springs' Southbridge Hotel, before C. J. Bridge, Esq, coroner, and a jury, of whom Mr Alex, Webster was chosen foreman, touching the death of a female child of Mr John Rushbrook of Doyleston, aged three days. After the father had identified the body (which bore marks of injuries), as that of his infant child, Henrietta Bowis and Mary Abbott, who had been in attendance on the mother during her confinement, were called, and deposed that, in the absence of a medical man, they had assisted at the birth of the deceased infant, and that the mother on this occasion, as during her two previous confinements, had been attended with great labors. The evidence of Dr Chapman proved that the marks of injuries which appeared on the child's body, had-been caused by unnecessary violence on the part of the midwife. In face of the evidence adduced, the following verdict was returned by the jury—- " That the deceased child came by its death from injuries received at the time of birth, and the jury are of opinion that the father is greatly to blame for not having called in proper medical assistance."

Sale of Puke Bred Sheep.—Messrs Ford and Co held a sale of pure bred Lincoln sheep on Monday, at the farm lately occupied by Mr Whincop, near Prebbleton. The sheep comprised the whole of the Hon W. Robinson's etud flock. Part of the sheep were originally imported from Messrs T. Kirkham, Hack, and Dudding, and the balance were the progeny of these importations. Mr Robinson, owing to his intention to visit England, had intended to have sold the whole of his sheep, had the prices offered been satisfactory, but such not being the case, a number of them were bought in by Mr T. M. Hassal, and Mr Robinson will continue to use them for stud purposes, together with a ram which ob tained second prizes at three of the principal shows in England in 1874. The sheep submitted by Mr Newton consisted of 77 imported ewes, one imported Cartwright ram, one imported Kirkham ram, and their progeny, as follows: ewes, 44 ewe hoggets, 60 ewe lambs, 41 ram lambs, and 32 two-tooth rams. Of these 193 were sold at prices ranging from six to twenty-two guineas each, giving an average of £lO 2s per head. The buyers were—Messrs R. Wilkin, Acland, Andrews, Threlkeld, W. White, Patchett, Marcroft, Broadfoot, Hurst, Tanner, Sharp, Nutt, P, Russell, J. Deans, Ellsworthy, Revds Fisher and Bluett, and the Lowcliffe estate. Only fourteen of tne imported ewes and one pen of the two year-olds were amongst the lot sold. After the sale Messrs J. T. Ford and Co bought the whole of Mr Acland's purchases for their Arowhenua property. Spbingston Wesleyan Sunday-school. -A tea meeting, to celebrate the eighth anniversary of this school, was held in the Springston Wesleyan Sunday-school, on Monday last, the 6th inst. There was a large number of children present at tea. An adult tea meeting next took place, the proceeds, £7 7s 3d, being devoted towards the school. There was about 100 persons present. The tables were provided by Mesdames R. Wills, Berry, J. Hime, and Miss Davis. The children, with their teachers and friends, in the meantime were enjoying themselves in sport in a paddock kindly lent by Mr James Gammock. In the evening, a public meeting was held in the chapel, Mr W. Lawry presiding. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev Mr Oannel. The hon sec, Mr P. Wills, brought up the report for the year ending December, 1875. The financial statement showed a credit balance on the general account of £1 ; and on the library account, £ls lis. Prizes were distributed by the Rev Mr Cannel during the evening, every scholar receiving a book. The children sang several hymns. Addresses were delivered by the Rev A. R. Fitchett, of St Albans, and Messrs W. Lawry, J. Silvester, and J. Delve. Mr Wills, sen, proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies who had provided the tea, and to visitors for their addresses, which was seconded by Mr J. Olson, and carried by acclamation. The pronouncing of the Benediction brought the meeting to a close. Kaiapoi Institute.—The March monthly meeting of the committee was held on Monday evening. In the absence of the president, Mr Kerr was voted io the chair. Nine members were present. The hon treasurer reported the balance in hand to be £24 6s 6d. Accounts amounting to £l7 18s 7d were passed for payment. , It was resolved, ii reply to a letter from the attendant, to inform him that he was not required to attend on Sundays, and the key could be obtained

from a member of the committee living next door. A vote of thanks was unanimously passed to the sub committee entrusted with the selection of the new books of reference. The hon secretary read a letter from Mr Daye, London, stating that a consignment of books would be shipped thence during December. Several vacancies having occurred through irregular attendance of members of committee, Messrs Whitefoord, Kerr, Braddell, Brook, Linklater, and Ayers, were elected to fill the vacancies. The quarterly meeting of members was next held, Mr Kerr in the chair. The report was read and approved. A motion that a suggestive list of officers and committee be drawn up for the annual meeting, was negatived. It was resolved that a late member, whose subscription was in arrear, and who had taken away a book belonging to the library, be sued for the same. It was decided that the librarian report all arrears at next meeting of the committee, to enable the balance sheet being drawn up for the annual meeting. Mb John Brown.—Among the passengers by the Canterbury (says the Otago Daily Times of the Ist instant), which leaves for England to day, is Mr Hugh Brown, a brother of the well-known John Brown, her Majesty's body servant. Mr Hugh Brown has been a settler in the North-East Valley for a number of years. Besides his brother John, he had two other brothers servants to her Majesty, and one of whom is body servant to Prince Leopold. Mr Brown, senr, died lately in the Highlands, and public attention was specially drawn to his decease from the fact of the Queen having followed his remains to the grave on foot. A short time ago Mr Hugh Brown received a communication from his brother, Mr John Brown, stating, by direction of her Majesty, that if he returned home the Queen would pay all his expenses to Britain, and would pay his expenses back should he desire to return to New Zealand. A telegram was also forwarded to him by Mr John Brown, and, in compliance with the Queen's request, he made arrangements to go home. It is understood that he will come in for a large share of his father's property. He has already been offered a post as a servant to her Majesty, but it is unlikely that he will accept it—his present intention in going home being with a view to see after the affairs of his father's estate, and what his ultimate intentions are he is unable to say. Mr Brown is well-known for his industry and steadiness. It may be remembered that on the occasion of the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh to Otago, the Duke, when at the Caledonian Games, hearing that a brother of her Majesty's well known servant was on the ground, sent for him, and had a long chat with him. Mr Brown is turning his trip to advantage in the interest of natural history by taking home some New Zealand birds to the Zoological Society. New Zealand Mud Fish.—-The following correspondence on the subject of these curious fish appears in Land and Water: —"l have received the following :—' May I aßk the favor of you to inform me in what publication I can find some scientific notice of a fish, of which you will find annexed a copy of some particulars received with it from New Zealand. I possess two of these fish preserved in spirits of wine, and shall be happy to sell you one of them if of any interest to you. I gave one to the director of our local museum, who asks me for some further information, and without |your kind assistance 1 am unable to furnish him with any. Extract of a letter dated Hokitika, New Zealand, June 3rd, 1869, from Mr W. C, Roberts, manager of the Bank of New Zealand there :—' They were dug out of stiff clay on a terrace some fifty feet above the sea level, were found alive (I have kept them for several weeks alive in water slightly muddy) with the clay bearing the impress of the fish. The place where found had been (as indeed is the case all over the coast) densely timbered, and the Boil a description of swamp, that is to say, holdiug a large quantity of water, and muddy, full of decaying vegetable matter. I have this moment had one presented to me in a bottle of water, quite lively, just dug out of the land bordering on the river, but some 30ft above it, in ground quite recently heavily timbered, but now cleared, out of stiff but slightly moist blue clay some 18in from the surface. The impression of the fish was quite clearly marked in the clay. In this case the fish must have been in the position it was found for a very considerable time—CHARLES Seidler, This is, without doubt, the Lepidosiren protopterus anectens. The Rev J. Wood, in his ' Natural History,' figures it, and describes its habits and its mud cocoon. A sripcimen from Africa was presented to the Royal College of Surgeons in June, 1837 ; this was most accurately described by Professor Owen in the' Linn jean Transactions,'in vol 18, part 2, p 327, If our correspondent will kindly presentjme with one of his New Zealand specimens, I will figure and describe it in this paper.—Frank Buckland." In Land and Water of December 4th there appears the following le ter from Mr Henry Lee, of Brighton : —" Mr Seidler, whose letter requesting information concerning the mud-fish of New Zealand was quoted by Mr Buckland last week, will find that in your paper of August 20th, 1870, I described two specimens which had been placed temporarily in my hands by Sir Henry W. Peek. I think they must be the very same specimens referred to by Mr Buckland, for I find that I then published the letter he quotes from Hokitika. The fish is Neochanna apoda, not Lepidosiren, or Protopterus annectens. It was scientifically described by Dr Gunther in the ' Annals and Magazine of Natural History'—l think in 1867. His remarks on this curious fish and its habits are embodied in my article above mentioned.

A coloured judge at Nashville has got into a little trouble; he recently fined a woman six dollars, and when she paid, he seized the coin and exclaimed, ' Fanny, dis money jes squares de 'count you owed to me. I'll freeze to it.' In vain the plaintiff objected to such a course, and called the judge an ' old thief.' Mr Butler was not only inexorable, but absolutely violent; for getting down from the judgment seat he struck the lady in the mouth, knocked out some of her teeth, and finished by kicking her into the street. The local newspaper remarks that ' his decision will be appealed against.' A Yankee minister, newly settled in one of the "waste places " of the Far West, was walking in the village cemetery one day, when he saw one of his parishioners standing by the ''family lot" " Are these the graves of your children ?" he asked. " Yes," said the man looking about. "Here is Tom; there is Bill; this is Mary; that's the baby;" and then pointing contentedly to a corner gay with flowers, "there lays the old woman all Mowed out,