NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 782, 22 December 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Lyttelton Habboub Boabd, The nomination for the two seats at the disposal of the ratepayers of Christchurch on the Lyttelton Harbour Board took place at noon this day. The gentlemen nominated were Messrs H. Sawtell, 0. W. Turner, and E. G. Wright. The poll is fixed to take place on January Ist, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Presentation to the late Mayor.— We understand that a number of influential ratepayers of the city have signified their wish to join with the members of the City Council in making a presentation to the retiring Mayor. Any persons desiring to subscribe to this object can do so by forwarding the amount of their subscription to tho town dwk,

Mayor of Timahu. Mr G. Cliff has been elected Mayor o£ Timam for the ensuing year. Post Sessional Utterances. —It is understood that the Hon 0. 0. Bowen will address £his constituents at Kaiapoi early next month. Heathcote Road Board.—The annual meeting of ratepayers, for the nomination of three members, will be held at the Board office on Thursday, 4th January. Christmas Presents to the Asylum. —Mr Seager, steward to the Sunnyside Asylum, desires to tender his best thanks to Mr Hobday, of Cashel street, for two cases of confectionery and other presents received by him for distribution to the patients on Christmas Day. Bicoarton Boad Board District.— The annual meeting of ratepayers of above district will be held at the office of the Board, Upper Riccarton, on Friday, 6th January, for the purpose of electing three members in the place of those who retire by rotation. If necessary a poll will be taken on same day, and close at 4 p.m. Masonic.—For some time past thej Grand Lodge of Scottish Masons bas declined to recognise the Grand Orient of Egypt. By the last mail, however, a communication was received from the Grand Secretary informing the lodges working under the Scottish constitution that after careful consideration the Grand Lodge has decided upon according to the Grand Orient of Egypt fraternal recognition.

Foresters’ Fete, —The annual fete to be held by the Foresters in Mr J. Anderson’s paddock on Boxing Day, promises to be a success, at least so far as promised entries for the various events are concerned. The paddock has been mowed, and an excellent course marked off. The erection of the refreshment and dancing booths commenced yesterday, and as the preparations have been in hand for some time, the only thing wanting to perfect them will be a fine day. Opawa Railway.— With the exception of a few minor works, the whole of this railway (says the Timaru Herald) is now completed. A slight idea of the fall in the country through which the line passes will be gained, when we state that a few days ago a number of trucks, after being started at the Opawa station, came without the application of any propelling force by those in charge of the train to Pleasant Point, a distance of sixteen and a half miles in threequarters of an hour. Butchers’ Picnic. —A meeting of employees was held at the Britannia Hotel last evening, for the purpose of considering the best means of holding a picnic of the trade during the holidays. Mr Messenger was voted to the chair. On the motion of Mr Gunnell, seconded by Mr Doyg, it was resolved—“ That it is desirable that a butchers’ picnic be held, on a date to be hereafter fixed, and that the master butchers be invited to attend an adjourned meeting, to be held at the Britannia Hotel on Tuesday, January 2nd.” After some conversation as to details the meeting adjourned.

Railway Servants’ Mutual Benefit Society. —A meeting of the above society was held at Barrett’s Hotel last evening, to consider the position of the society. An unusually large number of members were present, and after receiving the report of the retiring committee, and considering their sound financial condition, it was unanimously resolved to carry on the society, so as to endeavor to provide for those who may in the future be in want of assistance through illness or accident, to prevent strikes, and have all matters in dispute decided by arbitration. Further business having been discussed, the meeting closed.

Kaiapoi Borough Council. The annual meeting of this Council was held at noon on Wednesday. Present—The Mayor, Ors Blackwell, Ellen, Moore, and Matthews. The annual accounts, audited by Messrs G. F. Hewlings and J. Matthews were read, showing the receipts to be —Balance from 1875, £391 3s; government grants, £1369 13s 5d ; rates, £lB3 8s 3d ; sundry receipts, £52 Is 9d ; total, £1996 6s sd. The expenditure was—To roads and drainage, £326 16s lOd ; protective works, £483 14s Id ; salaries, £l7l 15s 8d ; sundries, £l3l 6s 2d ; and fire brigade. £7B 18s 6d ; balance in hand, £BO3 I6a 2d. Or Blackwell moved, Or Matthews seconded—“ That the accounts as read be passed, and the statement printed.” Agreed to. The Council then adjourned. Clerical, —The Rev Mr Pargiter (Episcopalian) with his wife and family, is expected to arrive per ship Crusader to take charge of the Fernside parish. Mr Benjamin Heywood of London, who for some years resided at Fernside, has promised the handsome contribution of £lO5 for two years towards the clergyman’s stipend. This clergyman’s stipend will be made up to £250 in the following manner—The Bishop’s fund to contribute £6O ; the parish £6O ; the Colonial and Continental Church Mission Society, £26; Mr B, Hey wood and family, £lO5. In case Mr Pargiter is not accepted at Fernside, Mr Hoy wood’eeubscription will not be forthcoming. He bad also promised at least £SO towards the improvement of the parsonage of this parish.

Canterbury Deutschbh Verein, —At tbe special meeting held on Wednesday night, for the purpose of considering alterations in the working of the society, to ba ’aid before the next half-yearly meeting, it was decided that the society in the future will hold their meetings at the Wellington Hotel. A special room has been set apart by the proprietress, Mrs Fuchs, for members of the club to meet and converse on all week days. The usual annual picnic will not Lake place, but at the first meeting in the new year, a “convivial gathering ’ will be held after the business of the society has been gone through. Tramways in Melbourne. —It may be interesting to the public (says the Age ) to team that a company is about to be floated for the purpose of constructing tramways hrough Melbourne to all the suburbs. The capital of the company is to be fixed at £200,000, of which £so,ooojmay ba regarded as already subscribed. It is also understood ■ bat in the event of the company getting a ‘Jill passed through Parliament authorising ho construction of these trapaways the Omnibus Company will amalgamate with he new company for the purpose of carrying 3ut the objects in view. Mr Stevenson, of bcevenson and Elliot, the carriage builders, .3 one of the principal projectors. He is supported by some of the most substantial nen in Melbourne and suburbs, and it has >een ascertained chat all the suburban councils are in fayor ol tbe proposal,

Herb Schott at Kaiapoi.—On Wednesday evening Herr Schott gave a musical entertainment at the Kaikanui Concert Hall, li: consisted of solos on various instruments. The Philharmonic Society then gave the operetta of “ Lord Lovel,” and the entertainment closed with a dance. iricket.—Universities and Public Schools v World The return match between the above will be commenced on Boxing Day {Tuesday, 26th December). The following are the respective sides U. & P.S, —Messrs Alington, Baker, Oorfe, Izard, Leach, Moore, Ndlson, Secreton, Sweet, Stevens, Wills, and A. C. Wilson. World— Alpe, Ashby, D’Fmden, Dixon, Fuller, S. Fowler, J, Fowler, 0, Frith, W. Frith, Ollivier, Palmer, Wood, and Watson. Punctual attendance is requested. Any of the above who are unable to play will please notify the same to Mr T. S. Sweet, hon sec All England match committee, as soon as possible. M.C.C.C, (Second Eleven) v United Bankers.—This match will be commenced on the U.G.C.C. ground on Saturday, January, 1877. The following will be the respective teams, viz—United Bankers— Barringer, Cuff, B. Cotterill, D’Bmden, Macquarie, St Paul, M. S. Smith, Motmier, Brewster, Staveley, and O’Connell. M.0.C.0. —Reeder, H, S. Smith, G, A. Turner, J. Horner, W. Horner, Taylor, Bell, Ataok, Palairet, Hislop, and Fairhurst. Kohler and Bent.—These clever artistes gave their first performance last evening at the Music Hall, and it was a decided success fiom first to last. Mr Kohler’s latest musical novelty, the tumbleronioon,is a most wonderful H ieceof instrumentation, thetonesproduced bniog sweet and harmonious, and the performance evoked loud and well deserved plaudits. His flageolet solo, introducing imitations of the pongs of various birds, is also remarkably clever, and he is equally at home on the many instruments—and their name is legion—upon which he performs during the evening. Mr Bent since his last visit hero his added the lightning changes of costume to his repertoire, and last night he was exceedingly successful in them, the changes being made in view of the audience most completely. In his Dutch and Irish character sketches, especially in that of Mr Muldoon, an Irish politician, he was exceedingly happy, and they are interspersed with song and anecdote, the latter being well told, and full of point and wit. Altogether Mr Bent is to be congratulated upon the marked success attending his new line of business. Mr Wand is a musician of no mean talent. In addition to being a pianist of rare skill, he gave us some solos on the violincello in a style which proved him to be a thorough master of his instrument. The solos comprised Scotch airs, played with a delicacy of tone and brilliancy in the variations which ensured a hearty encore. This was responded to with that pretty ballad “ Molly Darling,” made familiar t« ns by Mr John Hill’s piano fantasia on it, which was charmingly played. Taken throughout the entertainment is a very pleasant one ; there are no long waits, and novelty is the order of the day. The entertainment will be repeated this evening, and we anticipate a very successful season for our old friends.

Whaling Venture.— lt is proposed to start another whaling venture in Auckland, the projectors, says an Auckland contemporary, being Mr J. Macfarlane and Mr Ford. It is intended to start an association with a capital of £lO 000. A regular company will not, however, be formed, nor will the shares be of any stated value. The subscribers will be allowed to put any sum they like into the venture, and their share of the profits will be in proportion to their investments. The association is to place the management cl 1 its affairs in the hands of a competent agent, who will be allowed to act on his own discretion, and without any appeal to the shareholders, whose safeguard will be the integrity of the man they choose for the position, and the condition that he shall be largely interested in the success of the undertaking. When once the required capital is subscribed it is intended to purchase the Magellan Cloud and a barque of about 250 tons. The two vessels will be fitted out, and during the humpback season will work together. Duplicate Cable. —ln a memorandum submitted by the Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company to a meeting of the agents-general of the different Australian colonies, held in London, says the Argus, the company state that the shortest route for the new cable would be the best, as requiring the least expenditure of capital, and therefore the most advantageous to the colonies. They suggest two routes—one going from Port Darwin, and following the line of the present cable to Banjoewangie, and the other starting from North-West Cape, in Western Australia, and going to the same point. Whichever was adopted, the company would propose to carry on the communication to Singapore by a cable laid direct between there and Banjoewangie, in place of taking the messages over the lines of the Java Government, In case of the cable fvom Port Darwin to Singapore touching at Banjoewangie the distance would be 2151 miles, and its cost £540,000 ; in case of the cable from North-west Cape, also touching at Banjoewangie, the distance would be 1973 miles, and the cost about £500,000. The company would require a subsidy of 6 per cent on the sums, according to whichever route was adopted, to pay the interest on the capital that would have to be raised in the open market, and in addition a sum of 3 per cent to be laid by as a reserve to meet any repairs necessary to the cable, and to provide a sum for replacing it when worn out. This sum would have to be guaranteed for a term of twenty.two years, in which lime it is calculated that if 8 per cent on any sum is laid by annually and invested at 4 per cent, the original capital will be reproduced. The sum therefore required would be, if the cable went from Port Darwin £48,600, or if from North-West Cape, £45,000 per annum. Professor Coughtbey. —The Guardian gives the following particulars connected with the resignation of Professor Conghtrey: —“ We understand that Professor Coughtrey yesterday tendered to the Otago University Council his resignation of hia position as Professor of Anatomy and Physiology in that institution, in consequence of unfair treatment which he considers he has received at the hands of the Council. We cannot but express our regret at the real loss which the community must suffer in losing the services of a gentleman of such efficiency in this department of science, and who has a home reputation enjoyed by few professional gentlemen in these colonies ; and we are sorry to learn from dark rumours that have been for some time afloat that no small element of professional jealousy has been at the bottom ef various attempts to undermine bis position. We feel sure that this

matter will not end here, and that the Bhrond of secrecy which has been so per sistently drawn over the proceed ings of our University Council will ou this occasion be drawn aside. We think it is high time the; Government should institute au inquiry into the manner in which our highest educational institute is conducted, so as to bring it more into harmony with the ordinary manner of conducting institutions in which the people have a deep personal in ' crest.” Billiards. —The Sydney Morning Herald thus describes tbe match played between Roberts and Oarme at the F. eneb game of billiards. Roberts received. 500 points out of 1000 :—“ Mr Roberts began as though he were a complete novice at the game, and M. Carme seemed to be rather out of practice. At anv rate, though be exhibited exquisite precision of play, be did not acquit himself bo well as at the entertainment which ho gave in Sydney some time ago. Roberts made the first break without scoring, and Carme followed with a single cannon, which scored 2, it having been agreed that each cannon should score 2 on this occasion instead L of 1, as is the rule on the French table. Roberts failed to score a second time, and Oarme then run his score up to 40 with 19 cannons. The game went on, Roberta occasionally making breaks of from 10 to 30, and Carme making breaks also at intervals of from 20 to 94, until the game stood— Roberts, 710, including the 500 points conceded ; Carme, 508. There was then an intermission of 15 minutes. On resuming, Roberts made a break of 42 cannons, which he followed up with two blank breaks, two doubles, another blank, and then a break of 26 cannons, lu tbe same time Carme made ia succession 8,1, 47, 3,2, and 47 cannons. The game then stood—Roberts, 854 ; Oarme, 726. Daring the remainder of the game each player had 14 breaks, Roberts’ largest being 18 cannons, while Oarme’s largest was 70 cannons—the break of the evening. When Roberts’ score stood at 982 Carme began his last break at 966, and finished the game with 17 cannons. Each player had 52 breaks. Roberts averaged a good 9 and Carme a good 19. Oarme’s largest break was 140 ; Robert's, 84.” Victorian Railway Policy.— On the 12th inst, Sir James M'Oulloch explained to the Legislative Assembly the intentions of the Government with regard to their railway policy. “He said,’’ says the Argus, “the proposed purchase of tbe Melbourne and Hobson’s Bay Railway being now out of the question, there only remained three courses open to the Government—to take running powers over the Melbourne and Hobson’s Bay line, to connect Oakleigh with Spencer street by a direct line, or to construct the outer- circle railway. It would be in vain to ask the House to adopt the first-named course, and with regard to the other two courses there were such conflicting interests at work that it would be almost impossible to get a majority of the Assembly to agree to either of those lines. The question could not at least be decided without a discussion extending over three or four weeks, and the House desired the session to terminate before Christmas. Owing to the rejection of the Hobson’s Bay purchase, a much larger amount than was previously contemplated would be required out of the late loan for the cost of connecting Oakleigh with Melbourne, and it would therefore be impossible to apply the amount relied on for country lines. The Government must accordingly consider what lines they would omit from the list already submitted, and that matter could not fairly be discussed ia the remaining two weeks of the session. If the House would undertake to settle tbe question before Christmas, the Government would do all they possibly could ‘to secure that end by late and early sittings, but they believed that it was impossible, especially as there ton or twelve notices on the paper asking for additional railways. If the Railway Construction Bill were passed that night, it would not bo possible to enter into contracts for the lines in less than six months, because the permanent surveys were not made ; but if these surveys were proceeded with now, everything would be in readiness on the re-assembling of Parliament, five or six months hence, and no time would have been lost, for the contracts could be entered into then as soon as the House passed the Bill. As the price of railway iron was now very low, the agentgeneral was instructed by telegram last Friday to purchase 26,000 tons of iron rails, and a saving of about £52,000 on the price previously paid would be effected. He should like to see the Railway Management Bill carried before the prorogation, but he did not anticipate being successful in securing its adoption.”