NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 555, 29 March 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Spreydon District.—A meeting of ratepayers in the Spreydon road district was held on Tuesday, the 28th March, for the purpose of electing a member in the place of Mr Dunbar, when Mr John Miln was duly elected.

Pigeon Shooting.—The pigeon shooting which took place at Wild's Hotel, Papanui, on Monday was very successful. Over two hundred birds were liberated from the traps when darkness intervened to stay the sport. Mr Wild has about one hundred birds, which he announces ? are to be shot off to-morrow afternoon.

Tea Meeting.—The anniversary tea meeting of the Primitive Methodist Church, Cambridge terrace, was held last evening. Nearly two hundred persons sat down to tea, which was presided over by the ladies of the congregation. After tea a public meeting was held, Mr F. De la Mare in the chair. The report stated that the affairs of the Ohurch were in a very satisfactory condition. Addresses were delivered by the Rev B. J. Westbrooke, Rev J. Sharp, Rev R. Morton, and others.

Fire at Tkmpleton.—Last evening between seven and eight o'clock the sky to the south-west was brilliantly illuminated as if from a large fire. Mounted constable Cartrnillwasatonce dispatched, and returned shortly before eleven o'clock, with the following information —The fire was at Templeton, on the farm of Mr Charles Jeffs, and consisted of three stacks of refuse straw which had been furposely set on fire by Mr Jeffs, in order to consume it. The largest stack was from a fifteen-acie paddock, and was situated about fifteen chains from the back of the George and Dragon Hotel, the other two stacks were from a twelve acre and a sewn acre paddock adjoining. The fir. was 400 Jyards from the main road, and was out when the oonscable left Templeton, No damage was done. Mr Jeffs stated tha he set the straw on fire at night tintie when the fiurrouudiug stubble was damp, inorder lo prevent the fire from spreading to the gorge fences.

The Palmer Diggings.—A good many men left Lyttelton yesterday in various vessels to proceed to these diggings. The late favorable accounts seem to have had great effect on many. Twenty more will sail to-day in the Invererne, to Newcastle, intending to work their way to the diggings from that port.

Salmon Ova.—At the monthly meeting of the Acclimatisation Society, held yesterday, it was determined to telegraph to his Honor the Superintendent of Otago, asking him to spare a portion of the ova expected per s.s Arawata, transhipped from the Durham for the Acclimatisation Society here.

Theatrical,—Mr F. M. Bates was a passenger for Auckland, passing through on Monday last, where he goes to open a starring engagement with Mrs Bates at the Prince of Wales Theatre therp, under Mr De Lias' management. Mr Hoskins opened a short engagement at the Wellington Theatre on Monday evening as Charles Surface in " The School for Scandal," and was very warmly received by a large audience. The season hitherto has been a very successful one.

Accident at Ashburton.—A serious accident occurred at Ashburton on Monday evening. Constable O'lVTalley was returning from Mount Possession, riding a spirited horse, and when near Mr Winter's station, about two miles and a half from Ashburton, his foot came out of the stirrup, and the stirrup iron striking the animal's side, so startled the horse that it started off at a furious pace towards the river terrace, which there is very precipitous, having a fall of thirty feet. When within a few feet of the precipice O'Malley's other foot came out of the stirrup, and he either threw himself off or fell to the ground, just before the horae went over the precipice. Singularly enough the horse was unhurt. Mr Sawtell, who was driving in a buggy near, saw the accident, and immediately went to O'Malley's assistance, and found him badly hurt. Mr Sawtell kindly took the sufferer to the police station, and Dr Trevor was sent for, under whose advice the patient was brought yesterday morning to the hospital. On such an examination as the swollen state of O'Malley's arms would permit, it was found that his right wrist was broken. It is feared also that the left wrist is broken, the right elbow dislocated, anl the right arm broken.

Accident at the Tai Tapu.—On the morning of the 28Lh as Mr Samuel Nutt, of the Tai Tapu, was taking a load of wheat over the bridge adjoining his land, the bridge gave way, precipitating the dray and the load, consisting of twenty-two bags of wheat, into the river. The horses were dragged backwards, and were with great difficulty rescued. Mr Nutt having obtained the assistance of some of the hands employed by Mr McWilliam (the contractor for clearing the River Halswell), who had kindly placed their services at his disposal, succeeded in dragging them out; but the damage they may have sustained cannot yet be determined, as one of them is a very valuable mare, in foal. The wheat is being extricated from the bottom of tne river, but will necessarily be much damaged, if even the whole quantity is recovered. The dray has both shafts broken, and is otherwise injured. The harness had to be cut to pieces in order to release the horses. Altogether Mr Nutt places his Io3S at from £4O to £SO. The bridge is one of the oldest in the district, having been originally erected by Mr Barrett for his own use, but has been very extensively used by the public. Pumping of the Waio - Kakaka, Thames.—The Neiv Zealand Herald of the 23rd instant, says :—"We are glad to say that yesterday the agreement with regard to the resumption of pumping operations at the Waio-Karaka district of the Goldfield was c mpleted. Work will at once be recommenced, and we hope we may say that a new era will be inaugurated for the goldfield. The difficulties connected with the agreement have been immense, and we give credit to those gentlemen who have shewn great patience in the matter, and have at length brought all parties to an agreement, The works are to be managed by Mr Rowe, Mr Hicks (manager of the City of London), and Mr M'Cabe (one of the shareholders of the Queen of Beauty) The pumps are to be kept going for sixteen weeks, and if at the end of that time it is manifest they are sufficient to keep down the water, the three associated companies—the New Bright Smile, the City of London, and the Queen of Beauty —are to pay off the Loan Company's mortgage. If the pumps are proved to be insufficient for the work, then the Loan Company will have to take possession of the plant. Work will be resumed to day, but as certain parts of the pumping machinery have to be put together, it may be next week before pumping is actually commenced. To take the water from the ground will task the full strength of the pumps for a good many weeks, and till that time no work can be done below. However, we are glad that the vexatious delays and disputes which have done so much injury to the field are at last at an end." The Governor in Lake District.— The following telegrams appear in the New Zealand Herald— Rotorua, March 20th—" A cordial reception was given to his Excellency the Governor this morning, at Ohinemutu A salute was fired, and the Governor and suite were conducted to the carved house, where speeches of welcome were delivered by the principal chiefs. His Excellency replied briefly but effectively, after which the veteran chieftain Taupua rubbed noses with the Most Honorable the Marquis of Normanby. The reception by Tuhourangi comes off to-morrow. Two mats, a carved figure, and eardrops, were presented to the Governor by Arekatera." Rotorua, March 21st—" His Excellency and retinue attended a huge haka last evening, in the great carved house of Rotorua. The display must have appeared at least unique to the illustrious strangers. A large party of European ladies also graced the savage exhibition with their presence for a short interval. The Vice-regal party left this afternoon for Rotomahana, via Te Wairoa, where another Maori reception by the Tuhourangi tribe awaits the Governor. He will visit the Rotomahana terraces tomorrow, and is expected back hereon Friday. The Hon Dv Pollen, with Lord Phipps, arrived here, via Tauranga, last night,-and have joined Lord Normauby's party. The weather is magnificent." Rotorua, March 22nd —" His Excellency the Governor left for the Wairoa yesterday, where he met with a hearty reception from the Tuharangi tribe. Loyal speeches of welcome were delivered by the leading chiefs. The Governor replied in suitable terms. His Excellency, accompanied by the Hon Dr Pollen, Lord Phipps, Mr Le Patourel, Captain Maling, and others, started for Rotomahana to-day,"

Acclimatisation Society.—-The usual monthly meeting of the council of the Acclimatisation Society was held at the gardens, yesterday, at 3 p.m. Present, Messrs H. B. Johnstone (in the chair), Bird. Farr (hon sec), Wallace, Dr Campbell, Colonel Packe. A letter was read from Sir Cracroft Wilson, forwarding a memorandum from the Provincial Secretary in reply to a I etter from the Domain Board, requesting to know whether the council had any objection to the Canterbury Hunt Club catching the hares in the domain, stating that the Government were in favor of their doing so. Sir Cracroft forwarded also his opinion that it would be better to have the hares driven into a wider area than they now occupied, with dogs who could not harm them, as he felt sure that any European attempting to catch the hares would surely kill them. The secretary was instructed to reply that the society had been in communication with the Hunt Club, and were making preparations for the capture and disposal of the hares. A letter was read from Mr Henderson asking for some trout. The secretary stated he had replied that the price was £5 per 100. A letter was read from the Napier Society stating that they had made arrangements for the introduction of salmon ova from San Francisco on their own account. A telegram was read from the Wanganui society stating that they would take 500 trout. A letter was read from the same society declining to join the Canterbury society in the importation of salmon ova, on account of shortness of funds. A letter from Westland was read to the same effect. Colonel Packe, chief ranger, recommended the following gentlemen for appointment as rangers : —Messrs Charles D, Fox, Kakahu ; James Johns, Styx ; James Bell, Tiko Bay Peninsula ; C. P. Cox, Mount Somers. Dr Campbell proposed Mr G. L. Mellish be appointed as a member of the council, in lieu of Dr Prins, resigned," Mr Wallace seconded the motion, which was carried. The chairman reported that ho had gone down to the cage in the River Avon, and in the large cage there was nothing. In the small cage there was one fish. They had carefully examined the large cage, but there wbs no sign of any fish in it. On the motion of Dr Campbell it was resolved to take the cage up for spawning purposes in the Biver Avon. The secretary stated that he had waited on the Superintendent to request him to communicate with the Superintendent of Otago with a view to obtaiuing a portion of the salmon ova per Durham. The Superintendent stated that he would lay the matter before the Executive, but nothing had been heard of it since. The chairman suggested that it would be as well that the secretary should communicate direct with the Superintendent of Otago, and ask him to send one or two boxes of ova. It was resolved that the secretary send a telegram to the Superintendent of Otago, asking for one box of the ova coming per s.s. Arawata. 'After some further routine business had been disposed of the council adjourned. Canterbury College Classes—Yesterday afternoon Professor Bickerton delivered the second of a series of twelve lectures for schools on tbe first principles of chemistry, in the small Oddfellows' Hall, Lichfield street, which was crowded with youth of both sexes The Professor commenced by giving a resume of the first lecture of the series, on heat, which he described as the result of motion, or, in other words, the result of the intense vibration of particles of matter. Noticing the different methods of producirg heat, he illustrated that of friction by causing a bottle containing liquid to revolve so rapidly that the liquid boiled, and ultimately so much steam was generated as to blow out the cork with which the bottle was closed. The Professor then alluded to the heat of combustion. Combustion was simply burning, and was the result of the action of a force called chemical affinity. The rusting of iron on exposure to the air was the result of the slow burning of the iron by its coming into contact with oxygen; but if the iron were heated the combustion went on much more rapidly, and quicker oxydisation ensued. In treating on chemical affinity, the Professor pointed out the difference between mixtures and compounds Mixtures consisted of two or more elements, which might be intimately intermingled with each other, but yet each preserving its original constitution. As an illustration of this, he mentioned gunpowder, which was a mixture composed of three elements, viz, nitrate of potauh (saltpetre), sulphur, and carbon (charcoal) " Although," said the professor, " these substances are intimately intermingled in making gunpowder, yet still they are only a mechanical mixture, for no sooner do I apply heat by plunging this heated wire into this small mass of gunpowder before me, than chemical affinity exerts its influence, acted on by the heat the gunpowder explodes, and the result is the formation of a compound different in its nature from either of the elements forming it." The professor next passed on to notice the difference of affinity or the greater affinity which some substances had for others than for those with which they were at one time in combination. To illustrate this the professor plunged a bright knife into a solution of a salt of copper, and in a short time the knife became plated with metallic copper. " The reason for this," said the'professor, is, "the blue solution is of sulphate of copper, a salt composed of sulphuric acid and copper, when I plunge the knife into the solution tbe sulphuric acid having a greater affinity for the iron than it hasfor the copper, leaves the latter and attacks the iron, with which it unites, the copper being thus set free is precipitated on to the iron in a metallic form." The professor then went on to say that although mercury did not oxydize so freely as iron, still it was liable to oxydisationi " This tube," said the professor, " contains an oxide of mercury; by exposing this tube to the action of heat (holding it over the flame of a spirit lamp"), chemical affinity begins to act; the inside of the tube is dotted with globules of the metal, whilst from the open end issues a gas which, on testing by plunging a match (having a glowing spark, which instantly bursts into a flame), I find to be oxygen, which had previously existed in combination with the mercury, but which the increased degree of heat set free, the mercury being deposited in a metallic form on the interior of the tube." The professor concluded his lecture by noticing the chemical constitution of the atmosphere, oxygen and nitrogen, the oxygen having a great tendency to unite itself with other substances, and being a strong supporter of combustion, and the nitrogen a sort of neutral gas serving as a check upon the extreme activity of the oxygen. The lecture throughout wap illustrated by a profusion of experiments, many of which were of a brilliant o'aaraeter,

Ashbuuton Races.—The sale by auction of publicans' booths, &c, grand stand, saddling paddock, right of selling cards, and right of sports, took place yesterday at Mr Bullock's office. Publicans' booth No 1., fetched £25 ; No 2., £23 ; confectioner's booth, £7 10s ; grand stand, £l2 ; saddling paddock, 10s ; right of cards and sports, £9 9s. The total amounted to £77 9s. Debtors and Creditors Act. A case of some importance, as involving a point in the working of the Debtors and Creditors Act, 1875, came before his Honor Mr Justice Johnston in Chambers yesterday; Shortly put, the facts of the case are these. The firm of Brown Brothers filed in the Court a declaration under the Act of their inability to pay their debts, and thereupon a certificate was issued by the Deputy-Regis-trar in the usual form, and duly gazetted. At the meeting of creditors it was decided to place the estate in liquidation, and Mr Richard Walton was appointed trustee. It became necessary to examine Messrs Connal, Hennah, and Aiken touching the dealings of the bankrupts, and accordingly the trustee obtained an order under the Act for such examination, and issued summonses to the gentlemen named to attend before him. Accordingly they did so; but on attending, acting under advice, tbey refused to answer questions touching the dealings of the bankrupt. Under tbese circumstances, the trustee, by virtue of the 31st section of the Act which we quote below, applied yesterday for a rule nisi calling upon them to show cause why they should not be apprehended and brought before the Supreme Court for examination. The 31st section says:—" The trustee, with the permission of the Court, may summon before him and examine on oath the debtor or his wife, or any person whatever known or suspected to have in his possession any of the estate or effects belonging to the debtor, or supposed to be indebted to the debtor or any person whom the trustee may deem capable of giving any information respecting the debtor his trade dealings or property, and may require such person to produce any documents in his custody or power relating to the debtor his dealings or property; and if nny person so summoned refuses or neglects to come before the trustee at the time appointed, or refuses or neglects to pro* duce such documents, having no lawful impediment, then the Court may, by warrant, cause such person to be apprehended and brought up for examination before the Court." But though under this section persons may be brought up for examination before the Court on warrant, there is no provision in the Act enabling further proceedings to be taken in case they refuse still to answer the questions put to them. - Ellesmere C.Y.C.—On Monday evening, the 27th instant, the members of the Ellesmere Contingent Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry met at the Royal Hotel, Southbridge, after drill, to partake of a dinner got up to commemorate the closing of the summer campaign. The chair was occupied by Dr Chapman, a gentleman to whose energy and spirit the formation of this corps is mainly owing. He was supported on the right by Lieutenant Slater, of the C.Y.C., and on the left by Captain R. B. Willis. There were also several guests present, amongst whom were Messrs M. S. Campbell, C. Bourn, A. Barton, Williams, &c. &c. After the very capital spread provided by mine host Baily had been disposed of, and the chairman having proposed the loyal and patriotic toasts usual at such a gathering, the following toasts were proposed, viz:—''The Agricultural Interest," coupled with the name of Mr Bourn, " The Army and Navy," with the name of Messrs Wiuthrop and Williams ;" " The Visitors," with the names of Lieut. Slater and Brittan ; also *' The Health of Sergeant-Major Lewis," was drunk in an enthusiastic manner. During the evening the proceedings were enlivened by the performance of the very excellent local brasa band. Upon the health of the chairman being druak, Dr Chapman, in responding, said that he was very much obliged to those present for the kind manner in which they had just honoured him, and would express a hope that at a future occasion of a gathering of this kind he would be able to see most of those present wearing the uniform of the company, and hoped that all there would, if possible, join themselves, or use their influence in getting recruits. He was a very old volunteer himself, having belonged to some corps or other ever since 1856, and considered that apart from the military character of the affair, it was a beneficial and manly exercise in itself, and that in a district like the Ellesmere, where everyone possessed a horse, it was a peculiarly happy place for a corps of this branch of the service. He supposed that the possibility of the volunteers of the country ever being called out upon active duty to defend their homes and country was very distant; but apart from that it would do anybody good to learn their drill and be taught to ride in a graceful and easy manner, as would be, he felt sure, the result of the drill Serjeant's pains, and it would also do no one any harm to learn the broad sword exercise. With these few remarks, and hoping that his wishes in regard to the numerical strength of the company would be speedily realised, he begged to thank those present for the kind manner in which they had drank his and the corps' health. After several more songs had been given, and the health of Trooper Lewis, the vice-chairman, had been rapturously honoured, the company broke up, after spending a very pleasant and convivial evening.