NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 790, 2 January 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

New Year's Day.—Yesterday was ooserved m Christchurch as a close holiday, and the fineness of the weather drew forth crowds of people bent on holiday making. <)l course the greater part of them went to byttelton to the regatta. The railway arrangements were perfect, and owing to the running of the two lines the very large number of persons going through were carried without the usual crowding and hust> ling. Many formed picnic parties to the various spots in and around Christchurch, New Brighton and Sumner being largely patronised, In the evening the various places of amusement were well attended.

L.O.L. —The usual monthly meeting of L.O.L, No 3 will be held at the Orange Hall this evening at 7.30 p.m. Sunday School Union —The annual gathering of the children in connection with the Canterbury Sunday School Union took place at the Durham street Wesleyan Church on Sunday afternoon. Upwards of 1500 children assembled, and an addresa was delivered by Rev W. Morley. Beward. —As will be seen elsewhere, Mr Hulbert has offered a reward of £lO for information leading to the conviction of the person who damaged hisj shop windows on the night of New Year's eve. We hope that this will have the result of bringing the offender to justice, as such r, wanton act of destruction as this deserves 'punishment. Pigeon Flying.—A. match for a sweepstakes for young birds under four months' old was flown yesterday from Dunsandel to Christchurch. Mr Parker acted as starter, and Mr Nancarrow as judge. There were seven entries, but only four started. It was won by Mr Potten's The Quack, which did the distance in 43 minutes ; Mr Donohue's The Orphan was second, in 54 minutes ; Mr Parker's Bob Boy third, and Mr Walker's Stormbird fourth. Sunday School Picnic—The teachers and children attending the Durham street Wesleyan Sunday school had their annual picnic yesterday at Taylor's gardens, Lincoln road. The weather was beautifully fine, and all enjoyed themselves most thoroughly. Sports of vaiious kinds were engaged in and the children returned home shortly after seven p.m., having spent a very pleasant day. The Maungatapu Murderer— Sullivan, the Maungatapu murderer (writes the Ingle wood correspondent of the Bendigo Advertiser), is again about. A person who was here yesterday, from Newbridge, states that he was, before becoming aware of the character of the operator, shaved by the miscreant, who is travelling about as a barber. A constable ordered or advised Sullivan to leave, which he did immediately. The Defence op the Colonies.—lt is stated to us (Southland Times) that the Home Government, in anticipation of the chance of a war in these psrturbed times, has recently sent word to the Governor of New Zealand, in common with the Governors of other colonies, instructing them to procure the assistance of qualified engineers to report on the defence of the colonies, and also to furnish detailed information as to all the railroadß open and main roads generally used. New Year's Day at Kaiapoi,—At the Episcopalian and Wesleyan churches midnight services were held. The custom in years gone by for the fife and drum band to turn out was not persisted in. During yesterday the pleasure seekers either went off on excursion trips to the Lyttelton regatta or formed picnic parties to the beach. About 500 or 600 persons from the North passed on by the trains to the regatta, and about 200 persons visited the sea beach. To the beach the road recently opened has given every facility for driving vehicles from Kaiapoi direct.

Kumara Water Supply—As considerable impatience is felt by the miners and business men of Kumara to obtain a speedy water supply (says the West Coast Times), the General Government has undertaken the immediate survey of the extension of the Waimea race to Kumara. The work was commenced last week by Messrs Martin (chief), Paterson, Frew, Turner, and Brentnail, surveyors, each with a staff of men ; it is being continued during the holidays, and is expected to be completed ia three or four weeks, All the hands employed at the head works, Kawhaka Creek, have been knocked off for the holidays until the commencement of the New Year, and then it is not improbable that some important changes in the scheme for obtaining additional water supply may be initiated, A portion of the Waimea race broke away during the heavy rain of Friday last, the embankment having given way near the Christchurch road, but the damage will only require the labor of three for a day or two to repair. Suicide —A man named John Wooding:, formerly of Orari and Alford Forest, committed suicide last evening. It appears the deceased, who had been drinking very heavily for some time, came to town from the Orari on Thursday last, and stopped at the house of his brother-in-law, Ihr Irvine, "tjfHereford street east. About eight o'clock lastNevening he went into the garden, where shortly after he was found with his throat cut and a carving knife beside him. Dr Prins was sent for and, after attending to him, ordered his removal to the hospital, where he was taken under care of the police. He was, however, found dead on arriving there. An inquest will be held. I.O,O.F,M.U.—The anniversary of the Loyal City of Christchurch lodge was celebrated last evening by a soiree and entertainment in the Oddfellows' Hall. A capital tea was provided, which was well patronised, after which the entertainment commenced. The chair was occupied by Mr W. Rollestoo, M.H.R, who briefly spoke on the advantages and aims of societies such as the Oddfellows and other kindred associations, and the good effected by them amongst the working classes. The various songs, recitations, &c, on a very good programme were gone through most successfully, Mr Schwartz presiding at the piano, and the proceedings terminated with a social quadrille party which seemed to be highly enjoyed by all.

The West Coast Road.—The recent bad weather has again played sad havoc with the Chris (church road, says the Grey Hirer Argus. It is Btated that ou the last journey of Oassidy'a mail coacb the crossings of the rivers on the road were found all washed away, and men were working all day on Sunday and Monday to repair them. Mr Oassidy reports that a chain of the road at the Otira Gorge has gone clean away, and that he was compelled to drive for two chains over immense boulders down the river bed. On the west side of the accommodation house, the Otira divided into two streams, completely covered the road, broke it up, and left it ultimately impeded with trees and huge boulders, Mr Cassidy and his fourteen passengers had by no means a pleasant trip of it. Forests op Victoria—A. contemporary Jives the following summary of reports on che denuded forests in the Ballarat, Castlemaine, and Sandhurst districts, which have oeen presented to the Victorian Parliament: —" The document shows that the areas on which it is proposed to carry out works of conservation are for the respective districts mentioned as follow :—Ballarat, 13,200 acres;

Maryborough, 7000 acres ; Oastlemaine, 7700 acres ; and Sandhurst, 15,000 acres. The total cost of supervision, including fencing materials, is estimated at £2628. The total revenue obtained from these forests during the nix months ending 30th June, 1876, was while the total revenue estimated to be received per annum under the new system is stated at £2297 155."