NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume V, Issue 588, 8 May 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

Timaru Hospital —DuriDg the month of April the following patients were, treated in the Timaru Hospital :—Patients under treatment at date of last return, 37 ; admitted, 22 ; total treated, 59 ; discharged cured, 23 ; relieved, 2 ; dead, 2 ■;• remaining under treatment, 32. Friendly Societies Bill.—The district secretary of the Ancient Order of Forester* (Bro W. Ness) has received the following telegram from the Hon Minister of Justice with reference to the new Bill relating to Friendly Societies to be brought before the General Assembly :—" The Friendly Societies Bill will be soon ready for distribution amongst societies. I will send you copy as soon as possible, but there is a great pressure of work in the office, and it could not be prepared sooner. A copy will be sent to all societies in New Zealand.—o. C. Bowek." The Godley Cross.—We regret to notice that the cross erected by Mrs Godley on the Bridle Path has been broken, and now lies in two op three pieces at the foot of the pedestal. The tank has been broken for some time, but looking to the fact that this cross is a memento of a lady who in the early days of the settlement did many acts of kitdneps, we hope some means will be taken to restore it, and to prevent the possibility of like damage again occurring to it.

Kaiapoi Episcopalian Church Organ Fusd.—A concert in aid of this fund, announced to be held at the Eaikanui Concert Hall, was given in the Institute instead on Friday evening. There was a fair attendance. The songs and instrumental selections were given by Messrs Hewlings, Funston, McKenna, Mathews, Ovenden, Macfarlane, Brooke, and Roper ; Mesdames Hardey and Rose ; the Misses Parnham (2), and Miss Funston. The programme gave every satisfaction to those present. It is proposed to also hold a bazaar.

Domain Board.—His Honor the Superintendent has issued a proclamation delegating his powers under The Canterbury Public Domains Act, 1872, to Messrs R. J. S. Barman, H. P. Murray-Avnsley, E. Jollie, L. Harper, and the Hons B. W. Stafford and John Hall. The ground occupied by the Canterbury Museum, and enclosures in connection therewith, are exempted from the control of the Board, and the trustees of the Museum and their servants are to have the rent of ingress and egress to and from the Museum,

Registrar's Returns.—A return of the births, marriages, and deaths in the Christchurch district for the month of April appears in the Gazette :—Births: City of Christchurch, males, 22; females, 13 ; total, 35. Christchurch district, males, 44 ; females, 37 ; total, 81. MarriagesCity of Christchurch, 29; Christchurch district, 10. Deaths—City of Christchurch, males, 13; females, 5; total, 18. Christchurch district, males, 12; females, 15 ; total, 27. During the same month in 1875 Births : City of Christchurch, 53 ; Christchurch district, 86. Marriages—City of Christchurch, 35 ; Christchurch district, 6. Deaths—City of Christchurch, 24 ; Christchurch district, 35.

Waimea Water-Race.—The contract for laying the pipes of the Waimea Water-race is now completed (says the West Coast Times), Mr Smith having fulfilled the contract to the entire satisfaction of the Government. The dam, which is a work of considerable magnitude, has yet to be made, and tenders for it are shortly expected to be called, as the plans and specifications are understood to have been ready for some time. A good supply of water could be laid on at present from the creek, but it is necessary that the dam should be formed to ensure a plentiful supply at all seasons. Unicical Circus. The curiosity of amusement-seekers was somewhat roused by the announcement of the opening in Cathedral square on Saturday evening of an entertainment under the above somewhat peculiar title. It consists of a number of velocipedes, arranged in a circle, the wheels running in a sort of circular tramway. There are also besides the velocipedes seats for those who prefer rapid motion without exertion. Contrary to the usual style of merry-ga-rounds, the spirited proprietor of this is enabled to enjoy a comfortable seat, and a ride without labor, at the Fame time having the comfortable rr flection that he is well paid for it. On Saturday evening it was largely patronised.

The Piako Swamp.—The Piako correspondent of the Waikato limes wires:— " Settlement in the Piako has rapid]; progressed during the last couple of years, and it seems again to hare received a fresh impetus. I heard of several moves in this direction, and of the purchase of blocks of land from speculators for purposes of bona fide settlement. The buyers are, I brieve, in every iustance, Canterbury men. The largest block purchased is that of 4300 acres from Mr Thomas Morrin, for the sum of 15s per acre. Mr Moon has sold a partly improved farm of 3000 acres for £6OOO. I have not heard how much Peacock's land realised, but he has sold some 1500 acres."

The Fiji Bank. —A circular issued by the Fiji Banking Company to the shareholders, says:—" The directors have made an arrangement, subject to the confirmation of the shareholders, by which they will receive their paid-up capital, £2 10s per share, in Bank of New Zealand shares, after the rate of J 617 per share. The reaeon the directors have taken this step is, that it is found that in order to render the business of the company sufficiently remunerative to pay satisfactory dividends, it is essential that the operations of the company should be largely extended, and to enable this to be done more capital must be called up."

I City op Auckland.—The Herald says: [—" The re-valuation of the city property for the present year has just been completed. The valuation shows a total assessable value of £137/00, an increase of £12,000 on thai of the previous year. It i 3 pleasing to notict the continued increase in the value of city property, as it proves, what we have often asserted, that the times are not so bad at some croakers would try to make the publii believe. The number of new buildings if course of erection show that the, public hav« confidence in the future. At the meeting oi the City Council it was resolved to spend £2OO in planting trees on several streets ii the city. The planting sea«on is npw comity on, and it is to be hoped the Council wil make a good choice of trees,- and plant the«» in a way which will bs useful as Well- a ornamental to the city. His Worship th< Mayor deserves considerable credit fo obtaining funds to beautify and improve thfl&iaitfi'y condition of the city."

Mr Charles Bright.—This gentleman will give another lecture on Friday evening; in the Oddfellows 1 Hall, when Mr and Mrs Hoskins their valaahle assistance," Mrs HobMbs will recite "Mary Queen of Scots," and Mr Hoekins will give a description of one of the unseen characters of Shakespeare, viz, the King's jester Yorick.; A programme of such excellence should attract a large house. Football.—-A i! match was played on Saturday between*a scratch Fifteen and the Club, and resulted, as was anticipated, in a very hard struggle. Unfortunately, the Fifteen were represented by only twelve players, the Club mustering about twentysix. Shortly after three the ball was kicked off by Evans, for the Club, and for the first twenty minutes the Fifteen had the best of it, the Club being compelled*ixr touch -the ball down twice in self-defence. After thjs, however, numbers began to till, and before time was called the Club succeeded in obtaining two touch downs, which wefffßecnred by L. Hawkes and J. B. Evans; both attempts at goal, however, failed. Considering the numbers they had against them, the Fifteen played remarkably well, the forwards being altogether on the ball, and the fact that they managed to ward off a defeat does them great credit. 1.0G.T., Bainbow Lodge, Ltttelton. —The quarterly installation of officers for the above lodge took place on Wednesday evening, 3rd inst, when the followirig were duly installed :—P. W.0.T., T. Ockford : W.C.T., W. P. Tubb; W.V.T., Sister H. Ockford; W.S., T. Edwards; W.F.S, T. Hay ; W.T., W. Beed ; W.C, E. T. Cannell ; W.M., J. H. Tregear; WD.M, Sister M. Dyer; W.l.ft., A. J. Amo'd ; W.0.G., B. Toomey; W.A.S, D. Bro*n ; WB. H. 8., Sister E. Mather : W.L.H.S., G. Bisphin. The lodge is at present in a very prosperous condition, and numbers 166 good members on the books There were sixty-one initiated dunng the last quarter. - There is also a juvenile lodge in connexion with the order in Lyttelton. It is not a month old yet, and it numbers sixty-four members., Steps are also being taken for instituting a Degree Temple in connexion with the order in Lyttelton.

1.0.G.T., Seashem, Lodge, No 106. The usual weekly session of the above lodge was held at Oddfellows' Hall, Lyttelton, on Monday evening last. After dispensing with the üßual routine of business, the reports of officers for the past quarter were received. By the report of the W.S. it was shown that although this lodge has been instituted only five months, that the increase of members has been very great, the lodge now numbering nearly ninety members The following officers were duly installed for the ensuing term by Bro T. Dimond, D G.W.C.T. :—Bro T. L. Smit&, W.O.T. ; Sister L. Hester, W.V.T.; Bro W. H. Day, W. 6.; Bro W. Hildyard, W.F.S.; Bro P. Ayers, W.T.; Sister S. Tibballs, W.C. ; Bro P. Childs, WM.; Bro J. Graham, W.D.M.; Bro T. Dimond, W.I.G. ; Bro B. A. Young, W.O G.: Bro T. Fogarty, WAS. ; Bro H. Clarke, W.R H. 8.; Bro E; Jeffreys, W.L;H-fe ■*

Representation op the Thames—A recent telegram stated that it is understood that Sir G. Grey intends to retire from the' representation of the Thames. The Thames Advertiser refers as follows to the subject:— " The probability that Sir George Grey may surrender the representation of the Thames in Parliament being now looked upon as almost a certainty, many of our fellow citizens, who take a keen interest in election matters, are casting their eyes around for his probable successor. Among3t those whose names we have heard mentioned as probable candidates are Mr J. B. Macdooald, Mayor of the Borough ; Mr James Mackay, and Mr J. M. Dargaville. It is probable that there will be other candidates when the proper time arrives, but nothing will be known with certainty until the meeting of Parliament, for even if Sir George Grej was to definitely state his intention of sitting for City West, no writ for a new election could issue until suoh time as the Speaker of the House is appointed." Presentation. —On Saturday afternoon a number of the members of the staff of the Lyttelton Times met at Warner's Hotel for the purpose of presenting Mr H. Feldwick, late sub-editor of that journal, with a testimonial expressive of the high esteem in which he is held by those connected with him in the office. The presentation, which consisted of a number of volumes of valuable books,' was made on behalf of the staff by~Mr Loughnan in a very excellent speech, in the course of which I he referred to the services rendered by Mr Feldwick to the Lyttelton Times, and also to the many good personal .qualities | possessed by him—qualities which had made for him many warm friends amongst those he was now leaving. Mr Feldwick's health and future prosperity was then drank enthusiastically, after which he responded in a feeling speech. Several other toasts were done honor to, and the party broke up. Mr Feldwick proceeds to Invercargill, having become part proprietor of the bwdhland News, and takes with him the best wishes not only of those with whom he has been more intimately connected, but also of the entire journalistic fraternity of the city. Lincoln Church Meeting.—A meeting of churchwardens was held in this district, at the. parsonage on Thursday last. There was a fair attendance. The Rev H. Stocker occupied the chair. Mr Wright, minister's warden, stated that the balance in hand was £4B 7s, and that the offertories for the past year amounted to £24. It Was proposed by the Rev A. P. O'Callaghan, and seconded by Mr B. Townsend, and carried—" That the vestry consist of five members, including; wardens." Mr Stocker nominated Mr F. O. Murray as his warden. Mr T. Townshend proposed Mr R. Wright as people's warden. This was seconded by theJße> A. P. lOLCafc laghan and carried. The following gentlemen were elected vestrymen for the ensuing year—Messrs A. P. O'Callaghan, T. Townshend, and B. Townshend. A hearty vote of thanks was unanimously carried to to the retiring churchwardens. The Rev A. P. O'Callaghan also received a hearty vote of thanks for conducting services gratuitously during the absence of the incumbei t. The Rev A. P. O'Callaghan, chairman of the parsonage committee, stated that the deficiency in the parsonage fund would be r after all matters were cleared, about £79 lis, vhich they intended to raise by mortgage. He also stated that the contract time for the.aarsonage was up on the 23rd April last-, and f-hat 'he contractor is now paying £5 per veek for overtime. A meeting of the vestry vvas held immediately after. It was resolved —" That five acres of land lately come to light near to the Broadfields school at the Springs road be let by tender for a terra of y tiara." j

MUSIC Hall.—there was a good house on Saturday evening, »when the Troupe Again appeared. To-night tnere will be a change of programme. I Weijmngton Harbor, Board—The following' are the conditions agreed on between the committees appointed by the Chamber of Commerce and the -City Council fpr the formation of a Harbor Board .—"The City Corporation to make over to the proposed Harbor Board the Queen's Wharf and the Te Aro foreshore on certain conditions, viz. : —(1) That the Board, should pay to the jQorporatiob a specified sum as consideration. (2) That the Corporation should retain entire control over the streets and drainage of the land intended to be reclaimed,. .(3) That the Corporation should have the right to claim one-sixth of the net area reclaimed (exclusive of streets, that is • to say) as municipal reserves. We understand that the sum suggested as a fair equivalent for the cession of the wharf and the Te Aro foreshore is £60,000." Fatal Accident —An unfortunate accident, whereby a settler named Patrick Heliby lost h's life, occurred near Trwell on Wednesday night. It seems that the deceased was riding a horse that was rather fresh, and was making his way towards his farm. He was accounted a good rider, and hud an excellent animal, but in taking one of the wire fencec he was pitched off.'aus- ' tainiog injuries to his head and other parts of his body that ultimately led to his death. He lay where he had fallen in a state Of insensibility until the next morning, when he was discovered by some persons who were passing that way. He was at once removed to Baldwin's Hotel and medical assistance dalled in. Everything that was possible was done to relieve the sufferer, but after lingering on until four o'clock on Fr'd-iy the unfortunate man expired. An inquest held on Saturday, at which a verdict of " Accidental death " was returned. The deceased was interred yesterday. He was a single man, aged thirty-five years. Dunbdin Harbour Board —The Daily Times of the 4th, says :—" The meeting of the Harbour Board was yesterday somewhat more interesting than is generally the case. In the first instanca, Messrs D. Proudfoot, and A. J. Smyth placed before the Board two alternative offers for the construction of the harbour works within eight years. The amount in one case being £686,000, and in the other—namely, with concrete wharf added, £836,000. Mr H. Houghton also for warded a letter offering suggestions on the proposed improvements of the harbour,. This latter communication was briefly referred to at the commencement of the meeting, and was reverted to again by the chairman at its conclusion, who said that it recommended itself to his mind as contain? ing. something practical. Some of the members evidently thought that the Board was being supplied with more reports and suggestions than it could well digest. Mr Beeves said that he believed that at the next meeting of the Board a proposition would be submitted for cutting a canal to the Ocean Beach; He bad been asked to bring it forward, but declined. Mr Turnbull thereupon suggested a tunnel through the Peninsula. ▲ long and rather bitter discussion took place in reference to the report which the engineer forwarded to the Board at its previous meek ing on the subject of Mr M'Gregor's last letter to the Board." -The Great Southern Railway.— Saturday's Timaru Herald says :—" Another important section of this railway has just been completed—that between Timaru and the station at the Pareora, which is situated about two miles south i>l the river. Y ester.* day ,%. special train was. taken along the flection the purpose of enabling Mr .Higginson, Superintending Engineer of the 'Colony, and Mr Warner, Engineer of the •Canterbury railways, to make an inspection •with a view to taking it over from the con tractors. Besides these gentlemen, there ♦were present a few others, including Mr Stumbles, one of the contractors, and Mr Jones, station-master. We were informed ithat the engineers passed the section, and in so observed that the works had been. carried out in s.uch a manner as to reflect : HFe-greatest credit on the contractors. Thq •pinions of these gentlemen to the others present to be fully borne out by the easy manner in which.the .train travelled.' -llessrs Allan and Stumbles' contract, which comprises several extensive cuttings and; with here and there a bridge; Wretches from Timaru to the North side of -the Pareora river bed, and the remainder of *the length that was opened, including the 'bridge over the river, which is a substantial land heavy work, is in Mr Proudfoot's section < Although the section from the Pareora •Station to Timaru, a distance of about eleven miles, is ready for traffic, we could not find ont yesterday whether it was the intention; "Of r the Government to open it, so that it Bight be taken advantage of for the carriage of this season's grain. It was reported, however, but we do not know whether the reDort had any solid foundation, that the section would not be opened for traffic this grain season, owing to the want of sufficient rolling stock. A considerable portion of the line south of the Pareora station, in Mr Proudfoot's contract, is rapidly approaching completion; The bridge over the Otaio is built, and the permanent way is finished to such an extent that the train yesterday was taken southwards to a point a short distance from the river on the Waimate side." The Releasing of the Big Blocks The Daily Times of the 4th says :—" Since the refusal of the Waste Lands Board to sanction the sale of the big blockp, it has been generally; understood that the Provincial Government would do their best to reinstate the runholders, portions of whose tuns were cancelled, in their original positions. Doubts were expressed by many as to whether this could legally be done. However the re leases have been granted, and the Provincial Government Gazette of yesterday explains the method by which the runholders have been placed in possession of their cancelled blocks. The 14th section of the Goldfields Act, 1866, I* seems, enables the Superintendent, as the delegate at the Governor, to frame regulations for the depasturing of stock upon any lands within proclaimed goldfields, for which a license for, depasturing stock has not been granted. It is then related'in the proclamation that the Superintendent has deemed it expedient to make regulations for the depasturing of stock' upon the lands described in the annexed schedule, which are the cancelled blocks Then follow the regulations which the Superintendent has deemed it expedient to frame. By the firsb-of these, the Superintendent may authorise any person or persons to occupy any or all of tbe four cancelled blocks, for the purpose of depasturing stock, lor any period not exceeding tea .yews, sub.

"je'ctf to*"certain " conditidbs. No 2 explains that the conditions of lease are those contained in the sections of the Otago Waste Lands Act, 1872, which relate to pastoral leaees. Also, the c nditions which are embodied in certain sections of the Goldfields Act. The third regulation explains the meanings of certain expressions made use of in the regulations. The fourth enables the licensee to dispose of bis interest in the license, with the consent of the Superintendent; while the fifth relates that any person committing a breach of the regulations shall be liable to the penalties provided by the Goldfields Act, 1865. Under the powers above mentioned, licenses we presume have already been issued. We are very glad indeed to think that the pastoral tenants have regained possession of their cancelled blocks, and we trust the validity of these new titles will not be questioned." Central Prison.—Referring to the interview between the Hon C. C. Bowen and the Taranaki Harbor Board lately, when plans of the proposed central prison were submitted, a Northern contemporary says that the plans appear to be somewhat similar to the Mill Bank Penitentiary:—"The Herald learns that it is the intention of the Government to erect only part of the prison; but if the number of long-sentenced prisoners increased, then the.remaining portion could be added. It is to be built of wood, lined with corrugated iron, the latter material being found to be far more secure than stone, for there is no means of cutting a hole through it except by a drill and a file ; but in using tbose tools the iron would vibrate, and the noise cause immediate detection. The prison is to be erected at Moturoa, and the site chosen is close to the native village there, the land having recentlybeen purchased from the Maoris by the Government. The block of land is between forty and fifty acres, and there is a stream of water running through it. On looking at the plans of the prison as they appear on paper, one is forcibly reminded of a windmill, and in stating that, our readers will perhaps be better able to follow out our description of the proposed new building,'which will be two storeys in height. The front portion of the prison will stand on * block of ground having a frontage of about 172 ft by a depth of 90ft, and will consist of rooms averaging 26ft square, surrounding a courtyard in the centre. The buildings, however, which enclose the* courtyard, at the sides and front are not to be erected yet, only those at the back ; and this portion will consist of a number of rooms occupying a frontage of 172 ft by a depth of 25ft. Here, on the one side, on tbe ground storey, will be the registry room, the reception cells, and fumigating oven ; and on the other a store for the clothing, and a steamdrying room, together with apartments for warders, &c. Running back from the centre of the front portion is another part of the building, 86ft long by 45ft wide, and through it will be a passage about 12ft in width ; on either side of which are the officers' apartments, &c. To the left is the governor's room, which is separated by a passage from the pantry, kitchen, scullery, and larder ; and to the right are the officers' messroom, the bakehouse, the bread and flour room*, and other offices. Attached is a circular building about 49ft in diameter, and from which are'to be run out four wings, 105 ft long by 34ft wide, where the sleeping cells for tbe prisoners are to be built. It is the intention of the Government, however, to build only two of these wings at present. In the circular portion there are marked on the plans " sunken courts," but we cannot gather for what use they are intended. The rooms in the front portion of the upper floor of the building will be devoted to the hospital, bathroom, dispensary, and doctor's room, on the right side; on the left will be the warders' rooms, &c; and in the centre the chaplain will have two rooms. The staircase from the ground floor fronts these apartments, and leads into the chapel) which portion of the building is about 60ft long and 40ft wide, and will be directly over the governor's rooms. At the two farthest corners of the cbapel are rooms for the library and a schoolroom. Passing into the circular portion of the building access is obtained to the upper floor of the* wings, where there are more cells. We have briefly given an outline of the building proposed to be erected, but in the absence of an elevation plan we can say nothing whatever as to its architectural appearance. Mr Clayton is the architect, and now the Government proposals have been acceded to by the authorities here, we may expect in a few weeks to hear of tenders being called for the erection of the building."

A native mechanic at Dindigul, India, has made a locomotive engine three feet long, capable of drawing a truck with a man in it, at his own blacksmith's shop, fiom drawings and descriptions in the school text books.