NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume V, Issue 597, 18 May 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

Winter Readings.— The first of the series of the Lyttelton winter readings will take place in the Colonists’ Hall on Friday evening next. Horticultural Society. The adjourned annual meeting will be held this evening, at 7.30 p.m., at the Congregational Schoolroom. Licensed Victuallers’ Association.— The adjourned meeting of the members of this Association, and of the trade generally, will be held at Earner's Hotel at 7.30 p.m, this evening.

Chamber of Commerce.— The quarterly meeting of the Chamber will be held tomorrow, at 3 p.m., at the rooms, Cashel street, when most important business will be brought forward,

Money Oedebs.—A. statement of the money order transactions in the colony during the quarter ending March 31st, appears in the Gazette. The number of offices open was 122, orders issued 18,788, amount £73,305 15s Bd, orders j!aid 14,382, amount £56,413 11s 3d.

Bible Society.— The annual meeting of the Canterbury Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society will take place in the Oddfellows’ Hall this evening, when Mr H. R. Webb will fpreside. Addresses will be delivered by the Yen Archdeacon Wilson, Revs Morley, Watson, Hallowes, Elmslie, Macfarlane, and other gentlemen.

Christchurch Mutual Impeovembnt Association. —The meeting la«t evening was devoted to readings and recitations by Messrs Ainsworth, Binney, Kitchingman, Atkinson, Connal, T. Gapes, and Mabr, with the usual criticisms. The subject for May 31st is “Divine Benevolence.” Next Wednesday being Qreen’s Birthday there will be no meeting. Rangiora Yolunteee Fire Brigade. —At a recent meeting of this Brigade, it was resolved to hold an entertainment and Ball on the Queen’s Birthday in aid of funds for purchase of uniforms. Messrs Merton, J, A. Cunningham, Ellis, Good, Watkins, Adcock, and Johnston, as well as several ladies have promised assistance, and probably Mr Biinz may be able to take part in the entertainment. Savings Banks.— The transactions in the savings’ banks throughout the colony dnring the quarter ending March 31st. were as follows :—Accounts opened, 3154; closed, 2429 ; number of deposits, 15,261; number of withdrawals, 949!); amount of deposits, £177,133 12s 3d ; amount of withdrawals, £180,597 Os 9d ; excess of withdrawals over deposits, £3463 8s 6d. Presentation. Yesterday evening a presentation was made to Mr John Murphy, employed by the firm of Ward and Co, brewers, consisting of a purse of sovereigns and a handsome clock. Mr Murphy has been engaged as carter for the firm for a period of five years, and his retirement from this position, which he has so happily filled, has been the occasion which has ottered his-friends the opportunity of showing the estimation ha-has been held in by them by the slight recognition which he was asked to accept.

The Child Lost— The child Hicks, whose loss in theWaimate Bush on Saturday last was reported in yesterday’s issue, was ft und on Monday, about three o’clock, a short distance from the house of its parents. He was entangled, says the Serald, in a thicket of vines, from which he was unable to extricate himself. He had been lost from ten o’clock on Sunday morning till about three o’clock on Monday morning, Although very weak and almost exhausted from exposure and hunger, he is fast recovering, and it is expected that he has not sustained permanent injury. Oxford Fire.— The fire in the bush was still burning up to last evening, and is likely to remain alight till next heavy rain. In a broken line the fire is still said to extend nearly three miles. The nor-wester last evening was again fanning the flames, and the persons resident near it are in a state of the greatest anxiety. Yesterday an application was made to the Commissioner of Police to take steps to institute an inquiry into the origin of the fires, but it is feared the only result will be to show that they were caused by accident and the usual want of precaution.

The West Oxford Fire. —A deputation comprising the Rev F. T. Opie, and Messrs Gorton, Sladden, and Pearson waited upon the Superintendent and Executive yesterday morning to request the Government to take home steps towards alleviating the distress likely to be caused by the late destructive fire at West Oxford. The Imembers of the Executive present with his Honor the Superintendent were—Sir J. 0. Wilson, Hon J. T. Peacock, and Mr Knight. The deputation stated that what they wanted the Government to do was to subsidise the Road Board, so as to enable that body to find work foi any that might want it. After some conversation the deputation were requested tr forward to the Government more information on the subject, and also as to the amount of money likely to be required by the Road Board for the purpose spoken of.

Wellington Museum. Considerable public interest (says the Post) is excited by the last addition to the Museum, which is case covered at the top with wire netting and containing thirteen living tuatara lizardi (sphenodon punotatim) brought by Mr LewiB. Wilson, from the Brothers’ Islands, an< presented to the Museum. These hzards ar of large size, some measuring very nearh two feet in length, and have an exceeding!' sinister aspect, strongly resembling croon diles, with spiky backs, and extensivj “smiles." They really are, however, quitharmless, and very gentle, the thirteen living; peacefully together, quite a happy famil; among their artificial rock work, and grazing

pastorally on the worms with which they are liberally supplied. It is exceedingly amusing to watch the astonishment caused to strangers by their first movements, it being supposed that as a matter of course they must be dead and stuffed, being in a Museum, which illusion is heightened by their perfectly motionless attitude when anyone approaches the case. After a few seconds, they take courage and begin to move, on which there is generally a prompt retreat, with a chorus of small shrieks, if the spectators be of the feminine sex. Lyttelton Oddfellows Amateur Christy Minstrels —These minstrels appeared for the first time at the new Oddfellows’ Hall on Tuesday evening. Considering they were amateurs, their performance was excellent, and their get up was good. The first part consisted of the usual songs and repartee business, the performers being Mr W. H. Turner (Johnson), Mr It. Cullen (bones), T. Ockford (tambourine), Hillier, Wells, and Jeffrey. After an intermission of ten minutes some songs, dances, and a recitation were given by Messrs Cullen, Ockford, Turner, Wells, and Briggs, and after a further interval the performance was brought to a close with the farce of “ Old Fellow, or the More of Vengeance,” Mr Ockford performing the part of Mr Williamson, and Mr Cullen that of Gebbes. We must certainly congratulate i the amateurs on their undoubted success, and no doubt during the winter there may be many pleasant evenings spent in listening to their performances. The hall was remarkably well filled, no less than £25 being taken at the doors. The new stage was used for the first time, and is certainly a credit to Lyttelton. The proscenium and an exterior and interior scene have been painted by Mr E; Briggs, late scenic artist to the Allen Opera Troupe, and he has succeeded in producing a most pleasing effect.

Murder at Forty Mile Bush. —The Wellington Evening Post publishes the following telegram:—“About 10 o’clock p.m. on the night of the llth instant, Bernt Lymrson, a Scandinavian, residing at Heketahuna, arrived at Masterton, and reported that Lars Neilson, a Dane, about thirty-two years of age, a surveyor’s labourer, had been going at large in an insane state, using a pickaxe, attacking everyone with whom he came in contact, and wounding and maiming one or two women who were unprotected. When Bernt heard of this he took his gun, and riding out, met him on the high read near Jacobsen’s accommodation house. Neilson approached him, and when within about ten yards accosted him, saying, ‘ I will kill you.’ Bernt then levelled his gun and fired, the shot taking effect in the throat of Neilson, who fell to the ground, and never spoke afterwards. The body was carried into Jacobson’s house, where it still lies. Thia statement was taken from the perpetrator’s own lips.—(Signed) Alex M’Kenzib. Immediately after the receipt of this report, Inspector Atcheson telegraphed to constable M'Kenzie to arrest the man Lymrson on a charge of wilful murder.” Fire at Papanui.—A fire broke ont about four o’clock yesterday morning at the Papanui Hotel. It was first discovered by one of the neighbours, who immediately proceeded to arouse the inmates of the hotel, and there being a plentiful supply of water on the spot, the flames were quickly extinguished, but not before the kitchen, in which the fire had originated, had been pretty well destroyed. It is very fortunate that the night was a calm one, and that the fire was discovered in good time, otherwise the entire hotel—a building of considerable dimensions—would most certainly have beem burned to the ground. As it was, that, result was feared for a time, and everyeffort was made by the neighbours and those; living in the hotel, to remove the furniture; to a place of safety. In doing so, it is needless to say, that considerable damage was; done in the hurry and excitement of the; moment. The hotel and furniture were insured in the New Zealand Insurance Company’s office. The hotel formerly belonged to the late Mr William Lawrence, and is at present vested in the hands of the trustees, Messrs Sawtell and Sutherland. Mr Barlow is the licensee, and cannot account for the origin of the fire, further than that it may have arisen from the dying embers in the kitchen grate. United Methodist Free Church, St Asaph Street. —The congregation worshipping in the Methodist Free Church, St Asaph street, have long been inconvenienced for want of proper church and Sunday school accommodation. The Sunday school has been for years past taught in the church,, and, in the summer time especially, inconvenience and suffering have resulted there--from. The trustees of the church and', teachers of the Sunday school have at length,, as they believe, arrived at a satisfactory’ solution of their difficulties, by a plan in- • volving the removal of the present church < to the rear ef the section on which, it stands,. and when removed, by its conversion, and' adaptation to the requirements of the l Sunday school; and furthermore, as the comple-' Mon of the !plan, by the erection of a new r and enlarged church on the site of the present one. The coat of this effort is estimated at about £2500. A meeting was held in the present church on Tuesday evening last; Rev S. Macfarlane in the chair. The • chairman at length expounded the details of the scheme to the meeting, and expressed his ; deep conviction of its urgency and necessity.Mr Wm Flesher moved, and Mr O. R. Leadley seconded, the following resolution—“ That; this meeting having heard the statement', made in behalf of the trustees, hereby pledges; itself heartily to co operate with them im their plans for securing enlarged and improved church and school premises.” Mr J. Caygill moved, and Mr J, Auleebrook seconded, the next resolution, viz—“ That a subscription list be now opened, and that all monies promised now and hereafter be paid by the treasurer into the Bank to the credit of the trust.” The Rev Mr Lockwood moved, and Mr Wm Marcroft seconded—- “ That the ladies present be requested to form themselves into a committee (with power to add to their number) for the purpose of originating a bazaar in aid of this ibject.” The above resolutions were carried heartily and unanimously. The following tames were proposed as a building committe 9 0 co-operate with the trustees in the erecion of the new church, viz—Rev T. R. Wisher, and Messrs B. Clarkson, O. R; Leadley, J. T. Brown, W. Tremayne, J. Buxton, R. H Turner, T. Ridley, S. Miles, 1 Thompson, J. D’Oyley, W. B. Clarkson, vith power to add to their number. The inscription list opened in the meeting pro*aced nearly £3OO, and the congregation hope i raise by their own efforts apd the aid of the public, £IOOO or £ISOO ere they comajence the erection ol the new building.

SOLAR ECLIPSE. —In regard to the total of 1876, September 1718th, Nature says : Its track of totality is wholly upon the Pacific Ocean, and in such course that only two or three small islands or reefs appear to bo situate near the central line, In New Zealand the eclipse attains a magnitude of about 0 5 at Auckland, greatest phase at 9h 18m a.m.; towards the extremity of the Southern Island, about Otago, one-third of the sun’s diameter will be obscured about 9h 12min local time. A partial eclipse between similar limits will be visible on the east coast of Australia and in Van Dieman’a Land. Football.— The match on Saturday next will be a Fifteen v the Club, the former wearing red and black, and the latter blue and white. The following are the names of of the Fifteen :—Messrs J. Anderson (captain), J. Barker, W. Cotterill, C. Croxton, W. O. Cuff, J. R. Evans, J. Fowler, W. ' Hartland, M. Lewin, T. Lock, G. S Mathias, H. McCardell, J. Million, L. Ollivier, 0. Thomson, and J. Wachsmann. By telegram from Timaru we learn that the Fifteen to repnsent South Canterbury will arrive on Tuesday morning next, and play will be commenced at 3 pm. The names of the Christchurch team will be posted in the club room, Cranmer Square, immediately after the game on Saturday next Gebbie’s Valley.—A meeting of the Gebbie’s Valley school committee was held in the schoolroom on April 16th. Messrs Gebbie, Johnston, Reeve, and Braving were present. Mr John Gebbie was elected chairman. Correspondence was read from the Minister for Education, sanctioning the appointment of Mr E. F. Barnett as teacher of the Gebbie’s Valley school, and accepting the resignation of the late sewing mistress, and appointing Mrs Barnett to the same. The chairman reported that Mr Barnett commenced his duties on the 10th instant. The chairman read a letter from Mr Slipper in reference to his accepting the appointment as teacher, and expressing his regret at disappointing the committee. It was resolved that the chairman be authorised to get the necessary books, &c, for the scuool, and get the plantation round the school ground put into proper order. The chairman was requested to see the Minister for Education in reference to enlarging the master’s house. The meeting then adjourned. The usual monthly meeting cf the School Committee took place in the schoolroom, Gebbie’s Valley, on Saturday, May 13th. There were present the chairman, Messrs Braving, Reeve, Wheeler, and Johnston. The chairman reported that he had purchased the necessary books and maps for the school, and that he had not yet seen the Minister of Education respecting the additions to the master’s house. Correspondence was read from the Minister of Education enclosing voucher for teacher’s salary, &c, A discussion ensued in reference to enlarging the school district, but ultimately the subject was postponed. The chairman was authorised to give notice when the next meeting of the committee was to be held. The meeting then adjourned. Swimming Baths. —A meeting of gentlemen interested in the establishment of swimming baths in Christchurch was held yesterday afternoon at the office of Mr John Anderson, Cashel street. About half a dozen persons were present, and Mr Anderson was voted to the chair. He briefly explained the object of the meeting, and pointed out the great necessity that existed for public baths in Christchurch. He then called upon Dr Frankish as one of the promoters, to explain what steps had been taken in the matter. Dr Frankish said no doubt there would have been a larger attendance if more notice had been given, and possibly if the meeting had been in the evening instead of that hour of the afternoon. He had been convinced f\>r a very long time that from a sanitary point of view public baths had been a necessity for Christchurch. In the winter season of the year the bathing to be obtained in the River Avon and in the Lincoln road baths could not be taken full advantage of. What they wanted was a tepid bath, available at all times of the year. He looked upon those persons who talked about having to break the ice before taking their tub of a morning as anything but discreet or sensible people, for a bath taken under such circumstances was not a good thing. They were aware that Mr A. Ayers contemplated constructing public baths in the rear of his present premises in High street. Dr Frankish then explained the terms upon which the premises might be secured, and proceeded to explain at some length particulars as to the arrangements that might be made between Mr Ayers and the company, but, as will be seen below, the meeting came to nothing, and the idea of building the baths by a company was postponed for the present, it is therefore unnecessary to give all that took place upon the subject. His Worship the Mayor, who was present in his public capacity, and not as a probable shareholder, said he would like to make a few remarks. There was no doubt that the Corporation would very shortly erect public baths upon one of their own reserves. Next session a Bill would be passed, which would enable them to borrow money for the purpose on the most highly advantageous terms. Last session this Bill was thrown out by the Upper House quite by an accident, but there was no doubt that next session it would be passed, and the construction of the baths be at once commenced. He thought it his duty to state this fact to them, so that they might pause before they did anything rashly. There was no doubt that the public baths erected by the Corporation—and which he should like to see similar to those in Melbourne—would be a very powerful opposition to any private company’s bath that might exist. As soon as the Act in question was passed, and the money obtained, the Corporation intended togoahead with the public works of the city, including the construction of baths, the erection of a market place, the widening of Colombo street, &c. The interest and sinking fund of the money to pay for baths would amount to a mere trifle at 6 per cent, extending over a period of sixty years. No company could compete with the corporation on such terms. The chairman observed that under these circumstances it would be as well to considei seriously whether it was worth while to go on with the proposed undertaking. Ur Frankish remarked that if he had been aware of the facts now made public by the Mayor he should not have moved in the matter. Under the circumstances it would be no use carrying out the plan as they had intended, Mr Ayers said these baths had been so long talked of. that it was not to be wondered at if the public were very sceptical as to their construction at all. After some further desultory remarks the matter|dropped, and the meeimg dispersed,