NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 600, 22 May 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

C.J.C.—A general meeting of the Christchurch Jockey Club will beheld at Warner's Hotel at eight o'clock tc-morrow evening. The Government Offices. These offices (in Armagh street) will close at one o'clock to-morrow. The Insurance Offices.—These offices will close at noon to-morrow on account of the Timaru and Christ church football match. Suicide. —We regret to learn that Mr Cogle, a gentleman well known in Chrstchurch, committed suicide, at Oxford, on Sunday, by severing his throat with a razor. An inquest will be held. Fire at Burnham Hotel.—We learn that the Burnham Hotel was completer} destroyed by fire on Friday night last. The building was insured in the Northern office for £4CO, and the furniture in the London, Liverpool and Globe for £l5O. Steeplechase.—We understand that the visitors to the Course on Wednesday can obtain tickets at the railway station which will include admission to the Course. Special trains will leave Cnristchurch at 11.15 and 12.15 for the Course. Theatre Eoyal. Simonsen's Opera Company closed their season on Saturday with " Lucretia Borgia" and the last act of " The Grand Duchess." There was a poor attendance. On account of the present building being about to be pulled down, the Lydia Howard Company, now successfully performing in Wellington, will open here at the Canterbury Music Hall, in a few days. Gazette Notices.—A Provincial Government Gazette, issued on Saturday, announces that the offices of the Provincial Government will be closed on Wednesday, the Queen's Birthday; that Mr Alfred Bnsof has been appointed Commissioner of th»j Milford Educational district, the house* holders having failed to elect a committee; it also contains a return of inspected sheep.

Arabella. Gobbarb.—We learn from a private letter just received by the Californian mail, says the Argus, that Madame Arabella Goddard and company have recently completed a very successful Canadian tour. Madame Goddard was about to start for New Orleans, thence to the great cities of the west. She was to return to England in June, at which time she will have been on her travels three years and three months. Madame Goddard's present intention is to remain one year in England and the Continent of Europe, then to return to California' to reside. Whether her English admirers will allow this is probably doubtful.

I Calcutta Sweeps.—Calcutta sweeps on the various events at the forthcoming steeple- ' chases were drawn at Warner's hotel on Saturday night as follows:—Grand National Handicap, value of sweep, £7s—Royalty, £l2; Butcher Boy, £8; Mousetrap, £10; Aucklaud Kate, £2O; Gazelle. £3 ; Don Juan, £4; Tommy Dodd, £ls; Zetland, £6. On the Maiden Plate, value of sweep £72 5s —Dan O'Oonuell, £1; Fakir, £9; The Don, £3 10s; Brunswick, £1; Moose, £l3; Zetland, £8 10s; Doodlem Bucks,J£2; Brunette, £1; Gazelle, £l4; Eclipse, £4; Terror, £3 10?; Septimus, £4; Barmaid, £1; Coquet, £2. The Derby and Calcutta sweeps will be drawn at Warner's this evening. The former will take place at 7 o'clock.

Philadelphia Exhibition.—A telegram from Sydney states :—" Advices have been received of the safe arrival of the New South Wales, South Australian, and New Zealand exhibits for the Philadelphia Exhibition, at New York. The space allotted to New South Wales in the main building is considered as a very good position, being near the main entrance. The. front block is bounded on one side by South Australia, and on the other by New Zealand. A portion of the Victorian court abuts on the back block on one side, and that of New Z;aland on the other, The Victorian exhibit;!, for which a large space has been reserved, have not yet arrived. The Queensland cturt is being fitted up, the exhibits having reea sent from London. All the buildings connected with the Exhibition are being rapt ly nrccecded with, and everything is expected ;to be in. perfect readiness by the opening day.

Leithfield Chess and Draught Club —A meeting of those interested in reviving the Chess Club was held at O'Shanaessey'a Boyal Hotel, on Thursday evening, when about twenty were present Mr L. C. Williams was voted to the chair. On the motion of Mr McAdam, seconded by Mr Smellie, "It was resolved that the Chess Club be resuscitated ; to be known aa the Leithfield Chess and Draught Club." 'fh.j officers elected were —President, Mr L 0. Williams; hon sec and treasurer, Mr 0. J. Norton ; committee, Messrs Woodhouse ; jun, Leith, Calder, Mooro, and MeAckm. Ik was decided that the member's subscription be 5s per annum, paid in advance ; tint the meetings be held in the Public Library, on Tuesdays and Fridays, from 7 till 10 p.m. It was agreed to play the opening games on Monday evening next. Sixteen members .gave in their names. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings. KillinchY. —On Thursday last the children attending the Presbyterian 3abbath School were received by Mr and Mrs Nixon, at their residence, and kindly entertained. Accompanied by a few of the parents, they assembled in a paddock close to the homestead about two o'clock. The natural fondness of children for toys had not been forgotten, for a large collection of these was soon displayed. Races were at once commenced, and prizes taken, and in little more than an hour every child rejoiced in the possession of a toy of his or her own selection. By this time tea was ready, and a large table, erected close to the sports, was literally heaped with the good things provided on such occasions. An attack was at once made by the company, which numbered over fifty, on the delicacies, and a keen appetite, obtained no doubt from the last hour's exercise, gave a zest to this part of the proceedings. Thereafter, the Rev J. W, Cree addressed the children on their privileges and duties, a book was preseoted to each, aud a hymn was sung. Three cheers were then given for Mr and Mrs Nixon, and the children dispersed •

Football. —On Saturday last another fifteen were chosen to try conclusions with the rest of the club. The latter were strengthened by having four of the representative team on their side, and numbered in all about thirty. During the first spell the club had considerably the best of the game, but could gain no advantage beyond compelling their opponents to touch the ball down on several occasions. The second spell was much better contested, and towards the end of it the fifteen managed to work the ball into the club quarters, when Rutherford succeeded in kicking a goal for them. The third and fourth spells were hard fought, the former being considerably enlivened by a splendid run made by A. M. Ollivier, who succeeded in obtaining a touch down for the club. As usual, however, the kick at goal was unsuccessful. Some good play was also shown for the club by M. S. Smith and J. Booth. After the match the following team were chosen by the committee to represent the Christchurch club in the match to be played on Tuesday afternoon against the South Canterbury Club :—Messrs J. Anderson (captain), J. Barker, J. Booth, C. Croxton, B. Cjtterill, J. R. Bvans, J. Fowler, W. Hartland, M. Lcwin, T. Lock, G. S. Mathiaa, A. M. Ollivier, L, M. Ollivier, W. Stringer, O. Thompson. Emergency men—W. Cotterill, H. McCardell, and M. S. Smith.

Winter Evening Readings at LyttelTON.—The first of a series of winter evening readings took place at the Colonists' Hall, Lyttelton, on Friday evening la6t. There was a large attendance, and between £5 and £6 were added to the funds of the Colonists' Society in sixpences, showing how well the people of Lytteltoo at any rate appreciate this sort of entertainment. The chair was occupied by his Worship the Mayor, the president of the association, who made an opening address, in which he urged those present not only to como to those entertainments, but also to become members of the Colonists' Society. He explained that the society was about to be brought under the Public Libraries Act, which would give it increased powers without taking away a single privilege they already possessed. The entertainment was then proceeded with ; it consisted of two pianoforte duets by Mesdames Crowley and Lloyd ; songs by Mrs Cotton, and Messrs Kingaford and Lance ; and readings by Captain Gibson, and Messrs Ford, Woledge, and C. Warde. The way in which the various items wre received showed the audience were gratified, the applause being long and loud. The president announced that the next of the series would take place at the Colonists' Hall, on Friday week, June 2nd. Leithfielo Telegraph Office. A public meeting was held at O'Shannessey's Royal Hotel, on Thursday evening, to discuss the question of the mooted removal of the telegraph office to Amberley. About forty were present. Mr J. S. Woodhouse was voted to the chair, and said the meeting had been called by himself and some of the leading tradesmen of the township, to take steps to represent to the General Government the importance of still maintaining the telegraph office at Leitbfield. Several, includiog Messrs G. Collier, J. H. Moore, J. Tnglesby, J. Barclay, G. May, and P. O'Shannessey, addressed the meeting. The chairman then submitted tbe following draft of a memorial to be presented to the Commissioner of Telegraphs by Mr J. Evans Brown : "To the Hon Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., Commissioner of Telegraphs, &c,-—The memorial of the undersigned tradesmen, householders, and others residing in the township and immediate neighborhood of Leithfield, humbly sheweth that they rega-d with alarm and surprise tbe intention of the General Government to deprive them of the advantages of telegraphic communication which they have enjoyed several years, and to the continuation of which they respectfully submit that they have a reasonable claim—firstly, because the township and district have suffered no diminution in importance, either as to trade or population, since the time the telegraph office was first opened in the place, but both have, on the contrary, maintained a steady rate of increase, and to which the removal of the said office would prove a severe check ; and secondly, your memorialists so value the boon of telegraphic communication that they would be willing to guarantee the Government from loss on the Leithfield office, should it fail to be selfsupporting." A lengthy discussion ensued, during which one or two of the speakers expressed their opinion that Dr Lemon ought to have allowed them to be furnished with a statement of the receipts at the Leithfieid Office as asked for. The petition alluded to was unanimously adopted, those present signing the sama, and the meeting soon after broke np.

PRESBYTERIAN. The Argns says : " Some time since it wis notified by telegram from England that the Pan-Presbyterian Council which was to have been held in Edinburgh in July had been postponed, but no reasons werfi given for the postponement. The matter was incidentally mentioned at the commission of the assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and the Hon J. Balfour, M.L.C., then stated that he had received a letter from Mr D. Maclagan, of Edinburgh, in which the following reason was given for the postponement of the meeting of council —' The Americans found that their centennial celebration at Philadelphia was to present an opportunity for a religious inflaence being exercised which they had not anticipated, and did not feel at liberty to lose. Tr.e whole matter cost much thought and discussion, but in the end delay was held to be the only possible course. This will be a disappointment to meu like Dr Macdonald and Dr Cairns who have actually started for the old country to be present at the council in July. I hope, however, they may be able to remain till July, 1877.'" The Arrival op the Vivilia—The Herald of the 17th gives the following account of the arrival of the Vivilia in Auckland :—" A strange brigantine made the port yesterday, and on showing her nose round the north head had her main topmast down and jib in ribbons. She anchored near the lighthouse in consequence of the ebb tide and head wind. She was apparently in ballast, and was in charge of Mr Ratzey, her mate, with a crew of three or four Kanakas, and a coloured man as steward. The mate in charge has furnished us with the following particulars of the events which have brought him to this port:—The vessel is named the Vivilia, belonging to Sydney, and owned by Captain James Douglas Beezer, who was in command. She left Sydney to the best of the mate's knowledge three weeks ago. Her destination to him (the mate) was unknown. He gives no information regarding her cargo, beyond that she has now only ship's stores on board. Sunday Island, according to his account, was made on the sth May, and the captain there went ashore to procure provisions, accompanied by Mr McGregor, supercargo, Mr Sperrington, boatswain, and a Kanaka. The boat did not return, and the mate cruised round the island for a space of three days, when he gave up all hopes of their return. Being short handed, he says he could not go or send ashore to look after them, as a very heavy surf was rolling in at the time, and to this fact he attributes the loss of the captain aud men, believing that the boat was capsised on going on shore. He therefore set sail for Auckland on the Bth instant, and arrived yesterday. During the passage heavy weather ,was experienced, and the ship (apparently an old one) made a great deal of water. The foretopmast staysail, foretopsail and jib, were all carried away, and the mainsail split. Last night the mate refused to give any further particulars concerning the antecedents of the vessel, and even threatened our reporter with personal violence if he did not desist from crossquestioning him. He, however, admitted that the captain had intended to make money on his cruise, and if he did not succeed one way he would in another. In fact he believed the vessel was out ' blackbird catching,' which, we may explain, means kidnapping. We believe Sub-Inspector Pardy made it his business last night to make enquiries into the matter. Sunday Island is one of the nearest islands in the South Seas to New Zealand. How the boat's crew were lost, of course no one can tell, but it ia possible that they were killed by the natives." The Colima. The Sydney Morning Herald of the Bth instant, contains a letter dated Kandavu, 2lst March, and signed by thirty-seven saloon passengers per s,s. Colima, from Sydney, the signatures being stated to represent fully three-fourths of the whole number, several of those signing having their families on beard. The letter is as follows sengers of the P.M.S.S. Co's steamship Colima consider it their duty to formally complain of their treatment on board that vessel since leaving Sydney. They feel it only right to say that a general feeling of dissatisfaction prevails in consequence of the statements published and made in advertisements and by the agents not having been carried out. So far from the voyage being, as was announced, ' a pleasure trip,' there have been abundant discomforts, mainly preventible, some of them of a serious nature. Of these a few are specified below, while many others, although perhaps lees important, have helped to render the passage unsatisfactory and unpleasant. The most reprehensible matter is the condition of the water supplied. It contains a quantity of iron rust, which left a thick deposit in all the vessels, and is often of the consistency of pea soup. There are, moreover, on board no filters nor means of cleansing the water. The ship is badly provisioned, is wanting in supplies of vegetables, fresh fruit, and poultry. The dried meats are unsound and decaying, the fresh meat is of the poorest quality, and the salt meat is tainted, and in some cases putrid; the food, too. is prepared in an unpalatable form, and served in a way decicidedly inferior to the other leading mail lines and the intercolonial passenger steamers; moreover, the wholesome variety of food requisite for ladies and children is not easily procurable or willingly given. What seems very extraordinary is that there is no supply of the preserved meats and fruits which can be so readily obtained in Sydney, aud which, in such a case as the present, wouid be gladly turned to account by most of the passengers. Although hot weather prevails during the greater part of the passage, there is no ice on board. The wines, spirits, and liquors generally are of low class and quality, although the prices charged are high, and although the agents, in stating that passengers would not be allowed to bring their own wines, &c, on board, notified that liquors of the very best brands would be furnished at moderate prices. The wines, beers, and spirits, too, are served out in a tepid state, owing to the proximity of the bar to the engine-room." To this ia appended the following letter to the editor from the Sydney agents of the Pacific Mail Company, dated the sth inst : " Sir,— Understanding that complaints were made last voyage by several of the passengers per Colima, we think it right to send you copy of a telegram we despatched on 27th April to Captain Shackford, at Dunedin : ' You leave 3rd May ; eighty passengers from here join at Kandavu j numerous complaints of victualling, neglect of stewards, leaky decks; endeavour remedy and avoid recurrence.' To which he replied that he would take care that every requisite for the comfort of passengers was provided this voyage. We are, dear sir, yours truly, Gilchrist, Watt and Co."

Fire at Waimate. —The Herald says : " A quantity of oats, estimated at about 1800 bushels, in stack, was destroyed by fire on the night of the 17th-18th instant, at Doep Creek, Waimate. The stacks were in the paddock of Mr Buckingham, who cannot account for the origin of the fire. A camp of workmen was situated a few chains from the stacks, with a fence between. As the wind was very strong in the night, a spark may have blown from the camp and caused tho straw to ignite. Mr Buckingham had the grain insured with the Liverpool, London, and Globe Company for the e-timated quantity at Is per bushel."