NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 571, 18 April 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

C.J.C. Settling.—The settling for the Autumn Meeting will take place at Warner’s at 2 p m. on Thursday next. Hunt Club,—We understand that the club have appointed Mr Fred Hedge as huntsman, and Mr R. Ray as whip, and that the latter will take charge of the hounds. Letters Patent.—A patent has been granted Mr P. Ellis, of Christchurch, mechanical engineer, for a locomotive engine, to be called the pneuma-hydro locomotive. Local Analyst.—lt is notified in the Gazette that his Excellency the Governor has been pleased to approve of the appointment of A. W. Bickerton, Esq, F.C S, to be local analyst under the Adulteration of Food Act, 1866, within the province of Canterbury. Confirmation at Rangiora—On the first Sunday after Easter his Lordship the Bishop of Christchurch will hold a confirmation service in the Church of St John, Rangiora. The new portion of this church was used on Easter Sunday, but as it is incomplete the opening services have been deferred. Revising Officer. —Mr E, J. Lee has been appointed revising officer for the districts of Cheviot, Ashley, Kaiapoi, Heathcote, Christchurch City, Selwyn, Coleridge, Timaru, Geraldine, Gladstone, Akaroa, and Lvttelton in Oanterbmy, and Grey Yr’ley Hokitika, and Totara in that of Westland. Canterbury Railways.—ln accordance with the Immigration and Public Works Act, 1872, it is notified in the New Zealand Gazette that the memorial plans of lands taken for railway purposes in Canterbury have been deposited in connection with the juniuvv Uig i all w -j-o . Drouoh Hue from Rolleslou to Malvern Hills ; branch line from Rangiora to Oxford. Mr Charles Bright.—Those who had the pleasure of being present at the lecture of Mr Charles Bright, on “ Victorian Reminiecences,” will be glad to see that ho has consented to repeat it. The lecture will be given at the Oddfellows’ Hall on Thursday evening next, and Sir J, C. Wilson has consented to take the chair on the occasion. We hope to see a large attendance, as the lecture is really worth hearing. The Speakership. —We (Southland Times') are informed on authority, which we have generally found to be very accurate, that the rumor as to the intention of the Government to propose Mr Reynolds for the Speakership of the new Parliament is incorrect. It has been stated to us that in all probability Mr Seymour, late chairman of committees, and Superintendent of Marlborough, will be proposed, and that it is not likely there will be any opposition to his being unanimously elected. Agricultural Statistics,—The agricultural statistics of the province of Otago are published in the Gazette. The totals are as follows :—Number of holdings, 4172 ; extent of land broken up, but not under crop, 50,253 ; in wheat, for grain, 25,977} acres, yielding 950,042} bushels ; in oats, for green food or hay, 13,934 acres ; for grain, 79,392} acres, yielding 3,131,326 bushels ; in barley, 6815} acres, yielding 253,691} bushels ; in hay, 7434, yielding 13,614 tons; in permanent artificial grass, including land in hay, 291,124} acres; in potatoes, 4173} acres ; produce, 20,933} tons ; in other crops, 30,253} tvcres ; total number of acres under crop, including sown grasses, 451,669} acres.

Steamer on a Railway Line.—The Dunedin Star of Wednesday last says : “ An attempt to launch the new ir®n steamer lion Age, built for Messrs Bouman and Macandrew, by Sparrow and Henderson, was made shortly before high water this morning. The steamer had been slid along as far as the permanent line of railway just beyond the Stuart street jetty, when one of the slides gave way, and the Iron Age remained a fixture on two beams on the railway line. In order that the traffic between Dunedin and Port Chalmers might be resumed, it was found necessary to lay a fresh line of rails three yards from the permanent line for a distance of about 100 yards, and the first train left for Port Chalmers shortly before ten o’clock. The steamer still remains on the line, and during the day quite a crowd of persous have been collected at the place to witness the very unusual sight of a steamer • . a railway line.” Faster 'Services —The Easter services at the Durham street Wesleyan Church were conducted ou Easter Sunday, in the morning by the Rev J. Berry, and in the evening by the Rev W. Morley, late of Wellington, when impressive sermons were delivered to very large and attentive congregations. The hymns, suited for the occasion, were well tendered by the choir, under the direction of Mr J. T. M. Smith, Mr R. Searell presiding at the organ. The anthem for the morning was “Novello’s “ Jeeua Christ is risen to day,” the tolo leing sung by Mr Booth, and the quartette being taken by other members of thb chow. In the eyening the anthem relent'd was I know that my Redeemer liveth,” and the “ Ha I lelujah Ohorps.” The solo was remarkably well sung by Mies Smith. The offertories on both occasions were good.

Bazaar, Rangiora.—The bazaar in aid of the enlargement fund of St. John’s Episcopalian Church, took place on Easter Monday, in the Oddfellows' Hall. Although the weather was unfavorable early in the day, towards the evening a large amount of trade was done. The stalls were under the presidency of Mesdames Dudley, Dudding, and Miss Rymill, who took charge of the principal one ; Mrs Moorhouse, who attended to the flower stand ; Mrs Blackett and Miss Dudley, at the refreshment counter ; while the Misses Wroughton, Martin, and Fuller, conducted the sales in the toy department. In addition to these there were a number of skirmishers, who effected sales in various parts of the hall. The articles for disposal were mainly of the fancy kind, although several contributions had also been made of produce and eo forth. Among the principal attractions were a number of handsome pictures, pot plants, and a large sized doll, which was disposed of by art union towards the close of the bazaar. The result of the trade done was satisfactory, but the total proceeds had not last night been ascertained. Calcutta Sweeps. —The following sweeps were drawn last night at Warner’s Hotel, on the Autumn Handicap, as follows :—Value of sweep, £9l ss: Fishhook, £6 ; Templeton, £6 ; Tadmor, £ll ; Guy Fawkes, £5; Parawhenua, £1 10s; Right Bower, £4 ; Daniel O’Rourke, £2 ; Tattler, £2 ; Ariel, £BB ; Cloth of Gold, £l2 10s ; Elfin King, £1 10s ; Pungawerewere, £3. Value of sweep, £ll3 5s ; Guy Fawkes, £6 ; Tattler, £1 10s; Elfin King, £3 ; Daniel O’Rourke, £4 ; Right Bower, £6 ; Tadmor, £2O ; Pungawerewere, £6 ; Ariel, £35; Templeton, £l2 ; Cloth of Gold, £l6; Fishhook, £ll ; Parawhenua, £3. Value of sweep £l4B 10s : Daniel O’Rourke, £9 ; Right Bower, £9 ; Tadmor, £l9 ; Templeton, £l4 ; Fishhook, £l7; Pungawerewere, £2 ; Parawhenua, £3; Cloth of Gold, £27 ; Guy Fawkes, £9 ; Elfin King, £9 ; Ariel, £49. Value of sweep, £129 10a : Tadmor, £l2 ; Daniel O’Rourke, £2 ; Templeton, £10s; Guy Fawkes, £8; Cloth of Gold, £23; Pnngawerewere, £6 ; Elfin King, £3 ; Parawhenua, £2 ; Tattler, £3 ; Fishhook, £l4 ; Ariel, £36 ; Right Bower, £lO. The following sweeps were drawn last evening at Morton’s Hotel ; —Flying Stakes, value of sweep £179 : Deat Heat, £45 ; Tantrums Colt, £4 ; Mangold, £lB ; Parawhenua, £5 ; Fishhook, £22 ; Ada Colt, £sl ; Songster, £lB ; Guy Fawkes, £4O, No 1, on Autumn Handicap, value £B6; Guy Fawkes, £5; Ariel, £3l ; Right Bower, £8; Cloth of Gold, £l6 ; Tadmor, £lO ; Templeton, £l3 ; Pungawerewere, £3 ; Fishhook £l2 ; Elfin King, £2 ; Tattler, £4 ; Daniel O’Rourke, £5. Eo 2, Autumn Handicap, value £lsl : Guy Fawkes, £6 ; Elfin King, £6 ; Cloth of Gold, £22 ; Ariel, £43 ; Tadmor, £lB ; Daniel O’Rourke, £7 ; Right Bower, £ls ; Fishhook. £lB ; Templeton, £23. No 3. Autumn Handicap, value £305 : Tadmor, £2B ; Cloth of Gold, £47 ; Fishhook, £3B ; Elfin King, £2O; Ariel. £81; Templeton. £3O; Guy Fawkes, £22 ; Right Bower, £ls; Pungawereweie, £lO. No 4, Autumn Handicap, value £174: Templeton, £l6 ; Cloth of Gold, £29 ; Elfin King, £l4 ; Fishhook, £29; Right Bower, £l2 ; Guy Fawkes, £lO ; Tadmor, £27 ; Ariel, £52. No 5, Autumn Handicap, value £230 : Elfin King, £l3 ; Bight Bower, £25 ; Tadmor, £36; Templeton, £lB ; Fishhook, £2l ; Cloth of Gold, £25 ; Ariel, £52. The Samoan Disturbance.—The Auckland correspondent of the Otago Daily Times furnishes the following full account of the disturbance at Samoa, as given in the Fiji Times'. — “A great meeting of chiefs had been summoned for the 13th March, to which the King was to submit the question of his retention of the throne, or retirement on an appointed day. Captain Stevens and the English and American Consuls were to attend the meeting with a guard of honour of fifty men. Two armed boats, provided with rocket tubes, were also sent to the back of the peninsula on which the meeting was to be held, for the purpose of preventing the tribe from the opposite side of the Bay from interfering therewith. This tribe was strongly opposed to the Kaimuna and Faipute (the legislative bodies), and had driven their judge into the bush on account of the aforesaid body having dethroned the King, The guard piled arms in front of the house where the meeting was to be held. Whilst waiting the commencement of proceedings, Captain Stevens was informed by one of his officers that large bodies of natives with arms were in the adjoining bush and crossing the road, thereby intercepting his communication with the boats at Fia. Captain Stevens ordered his senior lieutenant to disarm all who were seen to be following the before-mentioned natives. The blue jackets advanced in skirmishing order, and came upon a large body of natives, all armed, who were hiding in the houses. These men were ordered, through interpreters, to disarm ; but instead of doing so, they rushed into the road, and opened fire. The encounter lasted between fifteen and twenty minutes, during which time the firing was very brisk, the Samoans being armed with percussion rifles, breech, loading cartridge revolvers, and large knives, We should state that after the natives had commenced fighting, the Barracouta men had not been allowed to load or fix their bayonets, and the pouch belts captured with the Samoans who were taken prisoners had from forty to sixty rounds of ammunition in them—the sailors and marines having left the ship with only ten. Eleven men of the Barracouta were wounded, one dying on his way to the ship in the boat which was conveying wounded, and which wae filed on—the same lire wounding one of the crew of the boat. Afte? firing hrd lasted some minutes, some few chiefs arrived, to whom Captain Stevens appealed to stop the firing. They exerted themselves with success, and brought in about forty prisoners, who laid down their arms at the feet of the Barracouta men. Captain bcevens and his force remained on the peninsula for about two hours after + he encounter, but interrupted the meeting. It was not resumed during this time. Captain Stevens demanded and obtained three chiefs as hostages that the lives of Europeans would be respected, and as an ad interim security for the safety of foreigners, and as a gauge for any future negotiations. Captain Stevens occupied th British Consulate on that night, and had •arth works thrown up, so as to form, with the aid of his Armstrong boat guns, a perfect defence in case of attack and was thus enabled when the chiefs came to negotiate, to dictate to them as a condition of his with drawing his force, that he should compel ai strangers at Apia, and within a circle of tei miles, to leave at once for their homes, and upon these being reported as accomplished, withdrew his men on the24rh. The hostages were transferred to the Sappho oja her relieving the Barracouta on the 3ls f ,

Ftre at the Makikihi.—Fn the night of Friday last (says the Timaru Herald) £l5O worth of grain was destroyed at the farm of Mess's Quinn Brothers, Makikihi. The origin of the fire is unknown. It will ti remembered that a fire occurred there about three weeks ago, which destroyed a threshing machine and a lot of grain, and that the origin of that was unknown. It is now suspected that both fires have been caused by an incendiary, and we understand that measures have been taken with a view to find out the offender. Maoei Claims in the South Island, —lt will be remembered (says the Evening Post ) that come time ago the Maoris of the Middle Island held a lengthened meeting to discuss certain claims which they alleged they had upon the Gene’.al Government, in connection with payment for toiritoiy purchased in the eerly days. The southern tribes appear to have entertained the idea that they were entitled to some preposterous sum—one or two millions, indeed, was the amount talked of—but of course that wes sheer absurdity. Never thelen, there appears to be something in their claim after all. At all events, Mr Ta’roa, the Maori member for the South |Tsland, and Mr John Patterson, his predecessor in the House, have recently been on a visit to Wellington for the purpose of urging on Ministers the claims of the southern trib-s to compensation for “ unfulfilled promises." After several interviews with Sir Donald McLean, it was arranged that the whole question should be referred to a Royal Commission, whose report will be submitted to the House. It is understood that Judge Fenton and the Hon Mr Mantell will act on this Commirsion. Other names have been mentioned, but we are not aware that anything further has been actually decided. The County System.—The Wellington correspondent of the Otago Daily Times writes :—“ It is also probable, I think, that Parliament will meet to find the new counties actually in existence. An old Act of 1858 gives the Governor power to divide the colony into counties, and in 1869, just before being turned out of office, Mr Stafford had made every preparation for acting under this law. Mr Gillon, who at that time was in the Government service, had for months before Parliament met in that year, been engaged in collecting information, and with the assistance of an officer of the survey department, in dividing the counties, and defining the boundaries, under Mr Stafford’s immediate personal supervision, The counties were all named, and full descriptions of their boundaries were in type for the Gazette, when the Stafford Ministry were turned out. Mr Stafford left the maps and papers in his office, and when they were brought under his successor’s notice, Mr Fox minuted them to the effect that the House and the country had so unmistakeably expressed disapprobation of Mr Stafford’s policy, that these papers might properly be relegated to the oblivion of official pigeon holes. From this oblivion these very papers are now being called by Mr Fox’s own party and fprmer colleagues. Such are the changes wrought by a few years.”