NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 564, 8 April 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Railway Servants’ Society. —The meeting of this society is notified as being postponed to Tuesday evening next. Narrow Gauge. —The narrow gauge line through the tunnel to Lyttelton will be open for traffic on Monday next, School Committees —The annual elec tion of school committees for the ensuing year will take place on Monday evening. Sporting, —Mr Lunn’s Nectar has been scratched for the Great Autumn Handicap at the ensuing autumn meeting of the 0 J.O. Education Rates. —lt will be as well to remember that all education rates not paid on Monday next will be sued for. See advertisement. Dunedin Derby.— Owners of horses intending to nominate for the above can do so with Mr F. H. Digby, Sec C,J.O.,at Warner’s hotel, on Monday next. Harvest Thanksgiving. A harvest thanksgiving service will be held in the Spriugston Wesleyan Church on Tuesday next, at 2,30 p.m. A tea and public meeting will be held after the service. Supreme Court —His Honour Mr Justice Johnston this morning stated that he had submilted the case of Bourgeois to the other Judges, and had determined to direct the Sheriff to summon a jury of not less than eighteen aliens, if able to find them, to try the case at 10 a.m. on Monday. Autumn Meeting —We remind owners that acceptances for Leger, Champagne, and Great Autumn Handicap, and nominations for the other events must be sent in to the Sec C J.O. before 8 o’clock this evening. We are requested to call attention to the fact that the distance of the Selling race is threequarters of a mile. The Bellringers. —The second performance of this clever company drew a very large audience to the Music Hall last evening, and judging from the hearty applause and numerous encores, the entertainment gave immense satisfaction to every one present. The performance is really a capital one, and fully deserving the success which the Troupe are now meeting with. This afternoon a matinee was given for schools and families, and there was a numerous attendance to witness the excellent “ bill of fare” presented. To-night the company appear in an entire change of programme, which will include several novelties new to Christchurch, and conclude 'with the farce of “ Glycerine Oil, ” one of the best burlesque sketches of the company. Owing to the Music Hall being engaged on Tuesday next, Monday evening will close the Troupe’s present season in Christchurch. They will probably, however, pay us another visit prior to their departure for San Francisco. Drowning Accident at Church Bush —A sudden and fatal accident occurred at the Church Bush, near Kaiapoi, yesterday. Mrs Annie Norrie, wife of Mr W. Nome, farmer, residing here, went to the river Cam to draw water with a bucket about 11.15 a.m. Not returning in about twenty minutes after, her husband, who was working at thchouse, went to see if anything had happened, as it seems she was liable to fits. On approaching the part of the bank which is high and abrupt, from which they obtain the water, he saw marks in the clay where his wife must have slipped, and found the bucket floating on the stream, Having ob tained assistance, her body was recovered from a deep part, almost immediately. An inquest will be held before 0. Dudley, Esq. coroner, to-day. The sad affair has cast quite a gloom over the neighbourhood, as deceased and her husband were highly esteemed. She is a daughter of Mr Charles Young, a respected and old resident at the Bush. Waikuicu School. —A tea and public meeting to celebrate the anniversary of this school was held on Monday evening, when about 100 persons sat down to an excellent tea, provided by the ladies of the district. Mr T. Wilson, Tarnbank, occupied the chair at the public meeting. Addresses were delivered by the Rev B, Freeman (Episcopalian). Rev P. Fairclough (Wesleyan), Mr Peat, the schoolmaster, and the chairman. Some songs, given by Mr McDonald, were received with every expression of approval. Miss Adams presided at the piano. The choir of the Ouward Lodge. 1.0.G.T., gave several selections from the “ American Songster,” Mr P. S. Turner leading at the harmonium. An enjoyable meeting was concluded with complimentary and congratulatory votes of thanks. A meeting of the committee was held on Tuesday evening, when all the members were present except Mr Griffiths. The chairman announced that the proceeds of the tea meeting were £8 8s 6d ; expenses, £4 8s 6d, It was resolved the balance be paid to the harmonium fund. This being the final meeting before the election, a ballot was taken, which resulted in Messrs McDonald, Griffiths, and Morris becoming the retiring members, but in all probability they will be re-elected. Murder in Queensland.—A shocking murder was committed on the Darling Downs, Queensland, on the Bth instant. “On that day,” says the Barling Downs Gazette, “ there was employed at Gabbiubar, the residence of the older Dr Nelson, a gardener named John Wenzel, and two carpenters named respectively Joel Archibald Martin and Charles Robinson. A misunderstanding bad occurred between tire men relative to the loss of a gun, the gardener having an idea that it had been appropriated or concealed by Martin and Robinson. In the course of the afternoon reference was made to the gun, but Martin and Wenzel parted on good terms. The work of the day having been performed, Robinson proceeded to prepare for supper, and, having completed his arrangements, he called Martin and Wenzel to their evening meal. Martin did not at first reply, but immediately afterwards Robinson heard him cry out, ‘ Charley, Charley, the German has stabbed me.’ He was found to be so dangerously wounded that bis dying depositions ware taken. He stated, < I was about 25 yards from Dr JNelson’s house at dusk this evening, when I met the prisoner, John Wenzel. I saw. a knife in bis baud. He drove it into me, and passed on. I had been very friendly with him all day.’ Martin died next day. At the twstmo'-tem examination it was d : scovered that the k dfe entered the body a little below the ribs on the right side, and that death was caused by peritoniii-. The deceased was a native of Bridford, in Dorsetshire, was 37 years of age, and was known as a quiet inoffensive man, He leaves a wife and two young children.”

The Australian Blackmail Scandal. —The South Australian Register and Advertiser contain full particulars concerning the blackmail scandal, in which three members of the Legislature were said to be concerned. For some time past vague rumors on the subject had been floating about, but on Wednesday, 23rd February, the Advertiser gave publicity to the story in the following terms ; —“ A case has been reported to us, with much circumstantiality of detail, where a gentleman has recently been made the victim of black mailing in a disgraceful and scandalous way. The position occupied by the person implicated is such as to make the case all the more disreputable. We may slate that we are in possession of the names of the persons referred to, and if necessary we can make them public. The story as told to us—and after making inquiry we have no reason to doubt its accuracy—is to the following effect :—Some short time ago a well-known Adelaide gentleman purchased the lease of a sheep run. On the run there was a well, the property of the Government. The possession of this well was actually essential to the purchaser of the run. In due time the well was advertised for sale, and, of course, it was of value ody to the owner of the run. To a certain extent the run was useless without it. Before the section on which the well was situated was offered, two gentlemen, both members of Parliament, intimated to the Squatter their intention of purchasing it, but at the same time gave him to understand that they were amenable to solid arguments, and that their threatened opposition might be bought off. Of course the squatter was in an awkward situation. To lose the well would be to destroy the value of the run for which he had paid hard cash, and therefore, for his own protection, he was compelled to make terms with the two honorable cormorants. It is said that each of these hon members received £IOOO to buy off bis opposition. We are not certain as to the actual amount, but we are certain that it was a large figure. If the section and the well are worth £2OOO, that money ought to have gone to the Government, instead of into the pockets of these two land sharks.’ The squatter referred to was the Hon Alexander Hay, M.L C , and the two members of the As-embly Messrs James White and Jenkin Coles.” 1.0.0. F,, M.D., Nil Desperandum Lodge, Oxford, —The seventh anniversary of the above lodge was held on Wednesday evening, the sth instant. The dinner was provided by Mr F. Leurs, and was in his best style, and about 65 guests did ample justice to the spread. The chair and vicechair were respectively filled by N.G. Markham and P. G. Lough. After the cloth had been removed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were drunk. P.G. Sedcole proposed “ The Grand Master and the Board of Directors,” coupled with the name of Bro Woodfield, Mr Woodfield felt honored in having his name associated with the toast, and was proud of the meeting there to-night as a proof of the success of Oddfellowship in Oxford. Eight years ago there was not 20 Oddfellows in the district, and now they could boast of upwards of 100, The society possessed a power of extending itself, and made itself felt in civilization, and its tendency to mitigate the evils mankind is subject to. N.G. Markham proposed—“ District Officers,” coupled with the name of Mr Parish, who replied. P.G. Secretary Woolstein then gave a rcsimi of the financial condition of the lodge. The number good on the books on December 31st, 1875, was 73, since when 16 members had left by clearance for the Loyal West Oxford Lodge, and some others had joined, making the number at present about 60. The amount saved since the lodge was started is about £420, equal to £7 per head, a sum which would compare favorably with sister lodges; returns showing that lodges in England, initiated 30 years ago, had not saved more than the Nil Desperandum in one-fourth of the time. This success was mainly owing to the small amount of sickness among the members; the total number of sick days being only 818 for 73 members, and the average age of members being only 24J, no member being over 40 years of age, a fact which showed a very sound state of finance in the lodge. The chairman then read the report of the auditors, which paid a high compliment to the secretary for the manner in which his accounts and balance sheet had been prepared. Bro Parish proposed “ Sister Lodges,” responded to by P.G. Harry Marsh, on behalf of the Loyal Oxford Lodge, who hoped the success and display at the present meeting would be an inducement for others to join the order. “Kindred Societies, ’ replied to Messrs Woodfield and Wilkie. The Rev F. G. Opie made some remarks suitable for the occasion, stating i t was seldom he attended meetings of this description, but believed that they were for the good of all, when so many met together for so good a purpose as they were there for to-night. Many people thought clergymen ought not to attend convivial meetings ; but if it was wrong for him to attend, it was wrong for any one else. He referred to the differences of opinion in Oxford, but it was his opinion that a feeling of unity was generated by Oddfellows’ and other societies meetings, which would tend to the success and unity of all classes. P.G. Ahrens proposed “ The ladies;” P.G. Woolsfein “ The Press,” responded to by Mr Wilkie. Mr Woodfield proposed “ Our Host and Hostess.” And the company then broke up for a short time to make preparations for the ball, which proved equally successful with the dinner. The Oddfellows of Oxford are to be congratulated for the arrangements made, and the entire satisfaction given to and by every one connected with the anniversary.