NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 541, 13 March 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Rifle Association.—A meeting of the Canterbury Rifle Association will be held this evening at Warner’s Commercial Hotel at eight o’clock for the purpose of arranging the programme for the ensuing Easter meeting.

Oxford Races.—Judging from the number of nominations the above meeting promises well. We understand that the traffic manager will allow visitors to the meeting to return the next day at single fares. Canterbury Railways.—lt is notified thatdurirg the grain season special goods trains will be run as required on the Southbridge, Malvern, Eyreton, and Oxford branches. Passengers will be allowed to travel by these trains, to each of which a composite carriage will be attached. Cathedral Guild.—A general meeting of the Cathedral Guild will be held in the College Library at 8 p.m. to-morrow. The Rev J. W. Stack will read a paper entitled “ Notes of a trip to Stewart’s Island ;” Mr Worthy will read Kingsley’s “ Saint Maura,” and the choir will sing selections from the works of Rossini, Mendelssohn, and Weber, The attendance of the public is invited. Kaiapoi Swimming Races.—On Friday evening, at the swimming contests between members of the newly formed club, there was only a limited attendance. The events were—Race for Boys under fourteen years of age, O. Wright and R, Wilson, equal; J, Smith, 2 ; and race for youths under eighteen, T. Pearce, 1 ; James Dudson, 2 ; Jos. Dudson, 3. There were three competitors in each race.

Ellesmere Races.—We remind owners of horses intending to run at the forthcoming races, to bo held on Friday next, the 17th inst, that entries for the Maiden Plate and Ellesmere Cup have to be made with the secretary, Southbridge, enclosing entrance fee, by Wednesday evening, the 15tb inst, at 8 p.m. Madagascar. —This evening a lecture on “ Madagascar, her people, rulers, and martyrs,” will be delivered in the Oddfellows’ Hall by the Rev B. Backhouse, agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society. The lecture will be illustrated by dissolving views, illuminated by the oxy-hydrogen light, which will be, manipulated by Mr Seager. The chair will be taken by Mr Inglis. Accident. —On Saturday afternoon an accident happened in Oxford Terrace, near the Royal Hotel. A lad named Samuel Burdot, aged fourteen years, was riding a horse from the forge, and, when opposite Dr Nedwill’s residence, the animal shied and threw him. The boy fell heavily, and h g head striking the ground a severe scalp wound, which bled very freely, was inflicted at the back. He was at once conveyed to the hospital, where the wound was dressed. On inquiry at the hospital last night, we learned that the patient was progressing favorably.

Cricket. —The return match between the Dunsandel and Rakaia Clubs was played on the ground of the latter on Saturday, 4th instant, resulting in a victory for the Dunsandel Club by 51 runs in the first innings. The weather was all that could be desired, and the members of the Rakaia Club spared no pains to give their friendlj opponents a hospitable reception. On Satnrday last a match between the United Printers and the Central Club was played on the U.0.C.0.’s ground. Play was commenced shortly before three o’clock by the Centrals going to the wickets, at which they did not remain long, all being out for 22. The United Printers then went in, and ran up a score of 54. In their second innings the Centrals scored 34, making a total of 66. This left the Printers only 3 to win, which were soon got, at the cost, however, of two wickets. The same day a match came off between the Colombo road school and the East Christchurch district school, the former winning by 21 runs.

School Treat. —The anniversary of Malvern school was commemorated on Friday, As the Kowai Pass, Russell's Flat, and Kowai Bush schools were invited, the result was the largest pic-nic ever witnessed in the Malvern Hills district. Notwithstanding the very unfavorable weather, which prevented a good many from attending, the children and their friends, numbering about 350, left the Sheffield and Waddington stations by special train for Home Bush grounds, which were kindly thrown open by Mr Mcllraith. A constant rain, however, set in, and it was decided to drive to the terminus of the line, and return to Bangor goods shed, After a time the weather improved, and cricket, racing, and various other games followed. The chief prize, a complete set of cricketing apparatus, for the school having the best runner, was carried off by W. Seay, of Kowai Pass school, and Mr Silvester, master of the same school, won the adult race. Mr Sheed’s refreshment stall was liberally patronized. The day was enlivened by Mr A. Reed, of Russell’s Flat, who played the violin, and by the Malvern school children, who sang several pieces during the day. Mr Rutledge, of Russell’s Flat, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr McMillan, chairman of Malvern school committee, for initiating the movement, and three ringing cheers were given to Mr McMillan, the school teachers, and the ladies. After the return journey the Malvern school sang the National Anthem, at Sheffield station, and the assembly dispersed, evidently pleased with the day’s proceedings.

Catholic Schools. —The peiformance in aid of the Catholic school funds will take place this evening in the Catholic school room, the pieces selected being “ His Last Legs” and the burlesque of “ Aladdin.” Late News. —The following late telegrams are from the Indian papers received in Melbourne by the Avoca :—‘“Berne, January 24th—The Conference has been held here of delegates of the International Postal Union, the Indian Government taking part, for the purpose of adopting a revision of postage rates between England and India. It has been agreed that the rate for half-an-ounce letter be 6d via Brindisi.’ ‘ London, January 24th—Negotiations continue for the purchase of the Egyptian Railways by English capitalists. Favourable results are expected.’ 1 Aden, January 24th—Intelligence has been received of the withdrawal of the Egyptian troops from the Zanzibar territory, and reoccupation by the Sultan’s troops.’ ‘ Cairo, January 25th The Egyptian army left Massowah for Abyssinia yesterday.’ ”

Certificated Teachers’ Association. —The monthly meeting of the members of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Certificated Teachers’ Association, was held on Saturday, at 1 p.m., in the Durham street schoolroom, Mr Cumberworth, the president, in the chair. A letter was read from the secretary of the Nelson Association, stating their willingness to co operate with the Canterbury Association in promoting the adoption of a general system of educational regulations. A letter was read from the Minister of Education, expressing the regret of his Honor the Superintendent in not being able to allow a room in the Normal school to be used for the purposes of the Association. Letters were read from the' secretary of the Wellington Association, transmitting certain resolutions adopted by them for consideration by the Canterbury branch. The meeting then proceeded to consider the report of the subcommittee appointed to prepare suggestions for [rules for the government of the General Association, which were considered seriatim , and adopted. The resolutions from the Wellington Association, which have already been published in the Press, were next considered clause by clause, and approved, and the secretary was requested to telegraph the approval to the Wellington Association then sitting. Mr Thornton read a paper on “ Byron’s Poetic Works,” in the preparation of which great care had evidently been evinced. On the motion of Mr Watkins, it was resolved—” That the thanks of the Association be given to Mr Thornton for his interesting paper.” The meeting then adjourned.

The STRATHMORE.— The Auckland Berald publishes the following particulars regarding the signals made to the White Eagle t—- “ Anent the discovery of some of the crew and passengers of the ill-fated ship Strathmore, on the uninhabited island called The Crozet, which lies in the line of the great circle sailing between Great Britain and New Zealand, something further has come to light. The ship White Eagle, on her passage hither about six months ago, lost the track, either from unexpected deviation of the compasses, faulty observations, or weather which would not admit of observations being taken. However this may be, one stormy morning, at daybreak, the ship was found entangled among breakers, with the wild peaks of - the Crozet hanging almost overhead. By a special mercy of the Almighty she had plunged in the darkness through almost the only channel between the mass of rocks, and emerged scatheless into the open sea beyond. But, while passing the intricate strait, some of the sharp-eyed passengers said they saw signals flying on one of the islets. The officers of the vessel were too much occupied during their critical position to pay proper attention to the assertion, and in a short time the quasi signals were shut out from view. The White Eagle passengers now say they are certain of what they averred before, and are sure the signals must have been made by the survivors from the wreck of the Strathmore.” Disastrous Hurricane in Western Australia —“lntelligence of a hurricane of a terribly disastrous and fatal nature has just been received from the North-west Settlement,” states the Perth Inquirer of 12th January. “ The Na Malole, an American schooner, which arrived at Freemantle from Port Walcott a few days ago, brought the news that a violent and destructive gale, amounting to a hurricane, suddenly commenced to blow over Exmouth Gulf on Wednesday evening, the 29th December, continuing with unabated fury, until midnight on the following Friday, and causing great destruction of life and property. One of the first vessels to part her chains was the Wild Wave, a well-known craft formerly engaged in the coasting trade, but which had recently been purchased by Mr Gill for the pearl fisheries. Having parted one chain, her only remaining one was found to be utterly useless in the face of a terrific gale that speedily lashed the sea in the gulf into one sheet of rolling surf. The vessel became unmanageable, and was driven on a reef or bank, where she sank immediately. There were four white men on board, and twenty-seven aboriginal natives, all of whom, with the exception of one white man named Kennington, were drowned. Eennington and the owner, Mr Gill, clung to the masthead for several hours, and the former was picked up on the beach next morning insensible. Restoratives were promptly used, and after remaining delirious for three days, the rescued man began to recover. Poor Gill, after clinging to the mast for some hours, found that his strength was failing, and having shaken hands with his companions in distress, he dropped into the seething surge, where he immediately perished, The Lily of the Lake (Captain Long), belonging to Mr Owston, also parted one of her cables, and, slipping the other, she ran for shelter to the Bay of Rest, where she was capsized, and went down head foremost, with all on board, before anything could be done to save them. She had about twentyfive Malays and four whites on board, all of whom, including the master, Captain Long, immediately perished. The pearler Blossom was also swamped and her crew was lost j other boats are likewise reported missing, The catastrophe created intense excitement among the spectators who had assembled on shore, but so violent was the storm that no assistance could be rendered to the ill-fated crews who perished. The Subahani was driven ashore, but all on board were saved The schooner Agnes, from Freemantle, arrived at Bxmouth Gulf under jury masts, having miraculously escaped foundering off the coast. Owing to the suddenness of the storm fears are entertained for the safety of many other vessels on the coast, and the arrival of further intelligence from the settlement is awaited with intense anxiety,

Mail Services, —The following extrac is taken from an Australian contemporary—‘Fired by the persistency of New South Wales and New Zealand in maintaining the Pacific service in spite of its initiatory troubles, and also, perhaps, by the triumph of such steamers as the St Osyth and Whampoa by way of the Cape, the P. and O. Co. have at last begun to consider a scheme which it is hoped will revive its ancient prestige It contemplates a severance of the Australian and Indian services, the former having direct communication with Aden. By the employment of large steamers, with adequate steam power, the passage time between London and Adelaide will be calculated at 33 days, Melbourne 38, and Sydney 40, with three days additional for a New Zealand extension to Wellington. An important feature ia connection with the scheme is that the exclusive mail character of the service will give place to a combined mail and passenger service, the rate being so reduced as to attract all classes of passengers. While the P. and O. Company are thus proposing to shorten their route so as to drive the Californian service out of the field, the Pacific Mail Company have incepted an ambitious scheme that, practically carried out, would give these colonies regular direct communication with America, Japan, and China, Their proposal ia to employ firstclass steamers that will start to Sydney, thence to Fiji, Honolulu, and San Francisco; thence to Japan and China, a steamer leaving Hongkong by the same route to Australia. Thore are, no doubt, many advantages in such a scheme, but it must necessarily be a costly one, and as the aid of the American Government is being sought to bring it to fruition, there is just a possibility that it, like other Pacific mail schemes intended to be carried out by similar aid, will never get further than the prospectus that announces it.” Narrow Escape. —The New Zealand Times of the 6th furnishes the following particulars of the narrow escape from drowning referred to in a recent telegram from Wellington Some weeks ago we announced that two young men, named Melville and Weddell, had gone out in a boat on a fishing excursion and were missing, fears being entertained for their safety, and as nothing was heard of them afterwards, they were given up for lost. Yesterday morning the police clerk, Mr Fraser, was somewhat surprised by receiving a visit from one of the supposed lost ones, Melville to wit, who assured him that his mate as well as himself was quite safe, and thereafter related the story of their adventures from the time of starting from Wellington to fish until they arrived again in Wellington, a story which, as will be seen by the following particulars, is not a little romantic. Melville and Weddell, aged respectively twenty-one and nineteen years, purchased a lifeboat for £l2, and providing themselves with a couple of small loaves and three bottles of water, started on a fishing trip, the idea of carrying the provisions being simply that, should they not catch any fish the first day, they might remain till the next and continue the sport. They went as far as the Heads, starting on Thursday. As it happened, they did not catch any fish the first day, and remained till Friday, when the wind rose, and gradually increased in strength. Both men had had some experience of the sea, and deeming it advisable to take the boat into shelter, endeavored to get inside the Heads, but they could not make headway against the wind, and were ultimately driven some distance out to sea, both of them being wet through, for the lifeboat was half full of water. On Thursday night they stood in and out of Palliser Bay, but at length they found it necessary to let the boat run before the wind, which they did, taking down the jib, and reefing the mainsail. They were thus driven a considerable distance, and at daybreak sighted the White rock, which they tried to reach with the use of the oars, but failed, an d were again driven out by the wind. Next day they sighted the Augusta, topsail schooner, bound from Newcastle to Napier, with coals. She hove-toand picked them up, the captain treating our waifs with more than kindness. They had had nothing to eat or drink for two days, and Melville describes their sufferings from thirst as being very considerable. The water was consumed before they left the Wellington Heads, and the salt water, to use their own words, “ put the set on the bread." Hence the nourishment provided for them on board the Augusta was much needed. Melville and his mate worked their passage to Napier, and on arriving there, sold the boat for £9, a transaction upon which they lost £3. The Kiwi was at Napier at the time, and they obtained a passage by her as far as Blackhead, where they went ashore, as the Kiwi was not going to Napier direct, and they thought they could arrive in Wellington as soon by tramping it. This they did, and arrived at the Hutt yesterday morning, footsore and a little stiff, but otherwise none the worse for their adventure. They came into town by the first train from the Hutt, and Melville lost no time in reporting himself to the police.