NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 611, 3 June 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Resident Magistrates’ Court.—The only business transacted at the Court this morning was the punishment of two inebriates, who were each fined ss.

Christchurch West.—The office of the educational rate collector for Christchurch West, has been removed to the Normal School.

Mr John Hill—Mr John Hill will play at St. John’s Church, Latimer Square, on Sunday evening, performing a good selection of pieces after the service. Fire at Oxford.— On Friday night a fire broke out at the house of Mr G. White, manager for Richardson and Co, Glentui sawmills. The building Avas entirely destroyed.

The Makomako, —We have to acknowledge the receipt of this month's issue ; it contains some good skits upon the events of the month. Tho cartoon is in reference to the late appointment of a Provincial Treasurer.

Accident. — A man named James Priest was severely crushed yesterday, by being jammed between the buffer of one of the trucks and P. Cunningham and Go’s shed. Drs Donald and McDonald came speedily to the relief of the sufferer, and he was removed to his home on a stretcher. No bones were broken, but there were internal injuries. Lyttelton Railayay Station.—Day after day there are complaints in reference to the crossings, both of the narrow and broad gauge line, at this station. Visitors to Lyttelton must be aware, as well as residents, that no one can approach the station without crossing the rails. Frequently, just as a train is starting, narrow gauge trucks are being shunted, and the consequence is that people have to wait and lose the train, or risk their lives by crossing at the truck couplings.

Lyttelton Borough Schools. —These schools were examined this week by Mr J. P. Restell, We hear that the examination was satisfactory, reflecting great credit on Mr Edge, the head master, and those who assist him. Out of 604 scholars on the roll, 465 were, presented for the examination, which was strictly a progressive not a passing one. So far as we can learn the scholars are making fair progress in the Standard in which they are to pass next Christmas, The mental arithmetic and map drawing from memory were specially commended, and the senior scholars in several classes showed a fair knowledge in Latin, Euclid, and Algebra, their attainments on these subjects, although at present moderate, show they are well grounded, and give promise of fair future proficiency.

St Alban’s Sunday School.— An entertainment was given on Thursday evening in the schoolroom, on behalf of the fund for liquidating the debt incurred in adding to the general comfort of the Sunday School scholars, Ihe building has been renovated, and all the little etceteras of home comfort have been introduced. Chairs have replaced the hard and comfortless forms, and matting has been laid down. The library has received a large addition to its stock ; in fact, the intention of the superintendent, Mr C. W. Turner, has been to introduce such an amount of comfort and cheerful discip’ine—an order of things largely studied in America - into the school as to make the scholars feel they are not exchanging their home for a less comfortable place. The chair was taken by the Rev J. Crump, and the programme was carried through in a very satisfactory manner, It com prised—Glee, by the choir ; reading, Mr Allison ; two songs by Mr Johnston ; pianoforte duet by Mrs and Miss Piacock; recitation by Mr Maher; "glee, choir ; reading, Rev J. Crump ; song, Miss Smith ; two cornet solos by Mr Seager; glee, choir : and song, Mrs Peacock. The entertainment, which received the applause of the audience, concluded by singing “ God save the Queen.” The committee announce the second of the series for June 21st, and trust that their efforts for providing enjoyable evenings and wiping off the debt, may meet with the hearty support the first essay promises.

Another Accident on the Waiareka RAILWAY. —Tho North Otago Times of tho BOth reports “ A week yosiorday ooourrod the sad and fatal accident, by which Alex. Taylor and Dugald Mitchell lost their lives, and now again it is our painful duty to record another accident—not nearly so sad in its consequences, but, nevertheless, by the unfortunate man injured, and his family, it will be remembered as long as they live. The particulars are as follows :—A man named Noah Page, employed by Mr Cormack on the Waiareka Railway, was bringing two loaded ballast trucks to the Oamaru end of the line. Knowing that the horse harnessed to the trucks was a very spirited one, Page (who was walking alongside with the reins in his hand) in order to have better control over him, was just in the act of • he foremost truck, when the horse plunged, and dragged the unfortunate man down on to the rails. Page tried, but in vain, to stop the animal, and the wheels of Ihe trucks passed over hie right leg, damaging u fear-

fully below the knee. He was picked up Hud brought to the hospital, the poor fellow suffering very much. Drs Wait and De Lautour, on arrival, decided that the man’s leg would have to be amputated, and the injured limb was accordingly taken off, from about six inches below the knee. It was reported in town last night that Page was dead, but such is not the ca e, as our reporter visited the hospital at ten o’clock, and found him progressing as well as could be expected under the circumstances.” The Rangitata Cart Bridge.— The engineer to the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works reports as follows regarding this bridge;—“ Regarding the Rangitata bridge, as instructed by the Board, I gave directions for securing the end bay left overhanging the river, but before they could be carried out the bay fell into the river, and all the stringers were broken, so that it will now be of little value. It should be removed as soon as possible, as it causes a considerable scour about the last cylinders. Two large blocks of the abutment are still near the original site, one piece weighing fully twelve tons, in the shape of an L, still hangs together in the place to which it was moved by the flood. Great inconvenience is experienced by the settlers near, and persons travelling on foot in search of work by the loss of the bridge. I should recommend that temporary communication for foot pas sengfers and sheep be restored by putting a small punt at a very moderate outlay on the north stream; sheep could ford the south channel, which is very shallow, and passen gers could get on to the bridge by means o: a ladder or steps. A person could be found who would keep the ferry for what he could get, and would agree to be bound to charge a moderate tariff. Thinking the old punt at Compton’s lower ferry might do, I went yesterday to examine it, but found it fallen to pieces. Mr Watkins has kept the traffic from being entirely stopped since the flood has gone down, by taking the people over on horseback. The bridge should be extended if possible before the spring floods set in, and in favor of extending it in wood, there is the fact that a large surplus lot of iron bark is available at a low price, which would be suitable for the purpose, and a bridge built of it might be expected 1o last forty years. If iron is used, it would be eighteen months before the bridge could be opened again. Some idea of the power of the stream on the north bank be formed when it is understood that the weight of each crate was 220 tons, and many of the stones filling them weighed 3001bs ; also, that the whole of the work covered a space of nine chains. The same kind of crates have been used with success in both islands. The intention is to create a pond of comparatively still water above and below, which silts up in freshes, and forms a solid groin. The failure in this case was owing to the porous nature of the banks. After some of the crates carried away on the north side, I built a bayed groin, very similar to that on the south bank, constructed by a former engineer of the Board. This was also washed away, and the fact that the small south groin (covering about a chain) has stood, is to be attributed to the fact that the scour has never yet reached it, the force of the stream being entirely on the other aide, consequently it is an untried work.” The following report of the proceedings of the Board is taken from the Herald —“ A letter was read from the Mount Peel Road Board, requesting that a temporary bridge may be thrown over the chasm of the Rangitata bridge, caused by the flood washing away the abutment, for the convenience of foot passengers. In answer to Mr Hall, the chairman said that no rep'y had been re ceived from the Government to Mr Eochfort’s report on the repair of the Rangitata bridge. Mr Mendelson was of opinion that an effort should be made to get the bridge repaired as quickly as possible. In support of his opinion he drew attention to the fact that during the last three months over 2 0,000 feet of timber had crossed the bridge, in addition to a considerable traffic, of a general nature, and that the loss to the district through having to cart timber alone round by the ferry of by the bridge, would amount to £BOO a year. He thought they ought to communicate with the General Government as well as the Provincial Government, in order to get communication restored as soon as possible. Mr Slack proposed, Mr Manchester seconded, and it was resolved —‘That his Houor the Superintendent’s attention be respectfully directed to the Engineer’s reports of May 18th and June Ist, re damage to the Rangitata bridge, which this Board considers most urgent and of great importance, and also respectfully ask his honor to communicate with the Colonial Government in order that the work may be carried out as soon as possible.’ Mr Hall proposed, Mr Slack seconded, and it was resolved— 1 That the Provincial Government be respectfully requested to establish a ferry at the north end of the Rangitata bridge, in order to keep communication open.’ ” The New York House of Represen'atives has passed the articles of impeachment against General Belknap. Much uneasiness prevails in Washington on account of the President’s health. There were fears that he would have a stroke of apoplexy. He is now better, and able to see visitors. The reports of his actual condition were much exaggerated.