NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 649, 18 July 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Canterbury Music Hall,—A resolution was passed yesterday by the City Council compelling the proprietors of the Music Hall to enlarge the egress from the galleries of that building. Wooden Bridges.— A resolution was passed at last night’s sitting of the City Council, instructing a weekly inspection of the wooden bridges throughout the city, Lyttelton Oddfellows’ Christy Minstrels. —This troupe will give their third performance at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lyttelton, on Wednesday next, The programme is a good one, and will no doubt be ably carried out. Cathedral Square. —lt is the intention of the planting committee of Council to remove the poplar trees from the reserve north of the Cathedral building, and lay the ground out as a garden. Two of the residents in the neighborhood have promised to contribute liberally towards the work. Appointment op Postmasters. The following appointments in Canterbury are gazettedW. 0. Morgan, Alford Forest; 0. McWilliams, Amberley; P.Tisch, Ashburton; W. H. Alderton, Balcairn-; H. Sparrow, Barrhill; Tly. Yale, Coutt’s Island ; C, B. Parsons, Doylestcn ; H. 0. Francis, Long Beach; R. M. Spurr, Mount Somers; Mrs B. Drayton. Eiccarton; 0, S. Edwards, Sefton; Harry Peat; Waiuku; W. Bass, Winchester. Young Men’s Christian Association.— A lecture was delivered last evening in connection with the above by the Rev S. Macfarlaue, at the rooms of the association, Hereford street, This was the fifth of the series now in course of delivery. The chair was occupied by Mr J. M. Heywood, and the subject chosen by the rev lecturer was “ Some Objections to the Bible Considered.” Very Sudden Death.— About half-past seven this morning Constable Breen was informed that a man was lying helplessly drunk in the back yard of Barrett’s Hotel. On proceeding there with another constable ho found the man as described. When lifted up he seemed unable to stand, and moaned as if in great pain. Constable Breen went to the depot for the police van, leaving the other constable in charge, and on his return the unfortunate man was dead. He was then removed to the Hospital and seen by the house surgeon, and afterwards taken to the morgue. His name was John Foster, and he was well known about the city as a fish hawker. Late Mr W. G-, Brittan.— Many of our readers, especially those acquainted with the early history of the province will regret to hear of the death of Mr W. G. Brittan, which took place this day, at his residence Cashel street west, Mr Brittan’s name is intimately associated with the early history of Canterbury. He took an active part iu the affairs of the Association, prior to the arrival of the pilgrims in New Zealand. Boon after the Settlement was started, he was pi iced at the head of the waste lands department, and when Canterbury became a province, he took the post of Chief Commissioner of the Waste Lauds Board, which position he has held ever since. Mr Brittan never took part in politics, but in his social capacity he won the esteem of a wide circle of friends. He was a warm supporter of cricket, and in the early days did much foster this manly game, and his generous hospitality to the cricketers will always be remembered by those who bad the pleasure of enjoying it. The New Watering Place,— Among the various places already opened in Canterbury for quite retirement from city life, and a full enjoyment of repose or a search for lost health, there is undoubtedly no spot that can for one moment compare with the place iu which Mr Barker has just opened his new hotel, Head of the Bay, Akaroa, so well and comb r ably fi ted up by Mr McOlatchie, Cashel street, Christchurch. While the most beautiful of mountain scenery meets the eye on every side, yet the country is not of that precipitous nature that spoils the beauty of Sumner, or Lyttelton, or Governor’s Bay, but a softly rolling valley and hills. In addition to the unequalled beauty of the scenery, there is a far greater attraction (to sportsmen) in the shape of pheasants and wild tuikeys, <tc, so numerous as to be a perfect peso to the agriculturist, aud while contiguous to the hotel is splendid fishing, boating, and bathing. Here, again, the superiority of Mr B ulcer’s place is seen. At Sumner boating is all but impossible, because of the surf, and easterly swell, and winds biting. At Governor’s Bay dreary mud flats spoil pleasure, except on top of the tide, and there again it is open to that biting east wind. At Barker’s the gently rising hills keep out all easterly wind, and while the shore is covered with rich orchards and vineyards, the lazy sea invites the sail, or oar, or fishing line. Fruit ! Who has not heard of Aka oa? If any one has not, let him come up to Barker’s in the season. Mild in winter, sheltered in summer, reached by either the coach or the steamer, this lovely spot needs only to be seen, to be proclaimed the king of watering-places, combining country, sta, and bush life, and finding separate and thoroughly enjoyable employment for old and young of every taste and constitution. Persons fond of tasty and comfortable apartments can revel in the enjoyment of Mr McClatchie’s furnishing ability, which met with the hearty approbation of the guests assembled at the opening dinner on Monday. The Loafer and his friends appear to have met with some dismal sport, according to his printed account of it, once at Mr Oram’s country hotel, chasing one duck over a stoney river bed for three days. Then at Lake Ellesmere, getting soaked and having to sit with their legs up a tree to let the water run out of Their boots, besides wetting their powder. Our advice to such sportsmen is, come and see the pheasants, “Put your trust in Barker, and keep your powder dry. [ADVT. I