NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 791, 3 January 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Endowment.—Cr Hobbs has given notice of an important motion re an endowment of land for the city. The Cabmen. —Pending inquiries as to character, permits for one month will be issued to the applicants for licenses for the year 1877. Returning Officer. —At yesterday’s meeting of the City Council, Mr G. L. Lee was appointed returning officer for all civic elections in Christchurch. Justice of the Peace,—lntimation has been received to the effect that Mr Gapes has been appointed a Justice of the Peace as Mayor of Christchurch. Street Improvements,—Relative to the widening of Colombo street opposite the Bank of New Zealand, Cr Hobbs has given notice of motion for consideration at the meeting of the Council on January 15th. County Councils,—The County Councils of Ashley, Selwyn, Akaroa, Ashburton, Geraldine, and Waimate will meet for the first time at noon to-morrow. The Selwyn Council will assemble in the late Provincial Council Chamber.

The Eastbbn Question .--As will be seen by our cable telegrams, the conference has submitted certain proposals, and unless they are agreed to by the Porte the ambassadors of all the Powers represented will withdraw from Constantinople. Defaulting Jukobs. At the sitting of the Supreme Court yesterday Messrs Walker and P. Cunningham were fined £5 each for non-attendance as grand jurors, and Mr Ogden 40a for non-attendance as a petty juror.

Wanton Destruction.— lt appears that Mr Hulbert was not the only sufferer by the malicious destruction of his plate glass on New Year’s Eve. Mr Ellisdon, chemist, High street, had his windows scratched in a similar manner on that night. We hope that some trace of the perpetrators of this wanton piece of mischief will be discovered, and that he or they will receive the punishment which such an act so justly merits. Inquest. —An inquest was held at the Hospital yesterday afternoon on the body of John Wooding, whose death was recorded in yesterday’s issue. Dr Coward officiated as coroner, and Mr Davis was chosen foreman of the jury. After hearing the evidence, the jury returned a verdict—“ That deceased had committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity.” Sprbyuon Eoad Board. — A meeting of ratepayers in the Spreydon Boad district, was held at the office on Tuesday, January 2nd, for the election of three members to serve in the places of Messrs Tancred, Buxton, and Milne. The accounts for the past year were read and approved, and the three retiring members were unanimously reelected. After passing a vote of thanks to the reluming officer, the meeting adjourned.

The Rink,— There was a large attendance last evening at the rink, when Mdlle Franzini went through her performances on the bicycle blindfold. This, however, did not seem in the least to incommode her. as the various feats were performed with the same ease and grace which has marked her former appearances. Advantage was taken of the occasion to present Lillie with a gold medal subscribed for by a number of skaters. Both Lillie and Mr Taylor went through some very clever skating feats.

Accident to the North Coach —As the north coach was returning from the Hurunui to Amberley on New Year’s Day, it met with an accident on what is known as the Wash-house cutting in the Weka Pass, Fortunately no lives were lost, although West Chamberlain, the driver (a well known and tried driver) suffered injuries which will probably confine him to his bed for a few days. It appears that, coming down the cutting, the break was hardly powerful enough, and with the heavy load caused the off hind wheel to break, which threw the driver off his seat. He stnck to the reins, otherwise the result would have been serious. After he fell, it is evident the wheel must have gone over his foot. He, however, returned to Amberley on horseback, secured another coach, and returned for his passengers, who, however, were too late for the afternoon train. W, Chamberlain deserves greet credit for his presence of mind exercised in this case.

Fatal Accident at Makikihi.— On Sunday afternoon (says the Timaru Herald) a party of young men were bathing in a water-hole at Woolshed Gully, Makikihi. One of them named Tine, on getting into deep water, being unable to swim, began to plunge in the water. He was caught hold of by a man, who attempted to get him out of foe water, but in the struggle Tine dragged the other man under. The man was obliged to let go his hold of Tine, and on his again trying to rescue the drowning man, he could not find him. Constable Gilchrist was on the spot at four o’clock, about two hours after the occurrence, and every effort was made to recover the body. It was not, however, until Monday morning that the body was found, the banks of the water hole being shelving, and the water of considerable depth, making the recovery of the body a difficult task,

Bankruptcy.—On Friday next, i i Chambers, an examination will be hek' in the estate of Thomas Bullivant.

Lyttelton Regatta.—A meeting to consider protests was held at the Mife-e Hotel yesterday afternoon; the Vice-Commodore in the chair. All the protests were dii [allowed with the exception of that from the Rangitikei’s and Langatone’s crews, in the ships’ boat pulling race, against the Hawea, the judges deciding, after hearing evic ence on this point, that the race should be pulled over again on the return of the Hawea. We notice by advertisement that the distribution of tbe various prizes won at the Lyttelton regatta last Monday will take place at the Mitre Hotel on Thursday evenin j next. Butchers’ Picnic—A meeting was held at the Britannia Hotel last evening, Mr H. Messenger in the chair. It was pro; used by Mr Hudson, seconded by Mr G. Andrews, and agreed to—“ That the butchers hold a picnic, on a date to be hereafter n imed by the working committee.” Proposer by Mr G. Andrews, seconded by Mr 0. Hudson, and agreed to—“ That Messrs Gunnell, Hankins, Holland, Hull, Beme, 0. Hudson, G. Andrews, and T. Holt (with power to add to their number), beappointed a working con mittee.” Proposed by Mr Mcßeth, seconded by Mr Morrison, end agreed to—“ That a meeting of the working committee be held o i Thursday evening to inquire into the requirements for the picnic, and any other bush .ess, and report the same at the next meeting of the association.” Mr T. Walker was appointed secretary and treasurer. It was suggested by Mr Rountree that the master butchers provide a picnic for the recreation of their employes. A good deal of discussion ensued, but nothing definite could b s arrived at until the next meeting of the use eolation. Sumner,—During the past few d ays this watering place has been crowded wth holiday seekers, testifying to the increased favor bestowed upon it as a fitting place for a day’s enjoyment. On New Year’s Day, notwithstanding the many counter attractions there was a great influx of visitors. A mbscription list was started in the village 1 ist week for the purpose of providing a pyro ;echnical display on New Year’s night. 1 his was liberally responded to by the resid jnts and visitors, a total sum of £ls being obtained. The arrangements were intrusted to two or three gentlemen, and right well 1 rare they carried out. There was a profusion of everything in the fireworks line, which were all fired from the cave rock. Let off fi om such an eminence and particularly picturesque spot the effect was moat striking At the close of the fireworks nine tar ban els, previously fixed in prominent positio n on the rock were fired, and lit up the township. Two or three of these were sent to s ia alight, and floated out with the tide for a considerable distance. Several balloons were also sent up. As an additional source of enjoyment to the pyrotechnic display, an open air concert had been added, given on the rocks. The items comprising Menc elsshon’s quartettes, trios, choruses, etc, wen beautifully rendered by several ladies an 1 gentlemen residents, and by three leading musical gentlemen from Christchurch. Al>out 250 people were gathered round the singers, and being repeatedly shown up by tin colored fires, presented a truly picturesque right, not easily to be forgotten. A similar concert was given under the lee of the cave rock on Boxing Night.