NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 810, 26 January 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Lyttelton Borough School. —We call attention to an advertisement in our columns with regard to the opening of the school next Monday, Drainage Board.— A special meeting of this Board, to receive the drainage scheme, will be held on Monday next, at Mr C, Clark’s rooms. Heathcote Regatta, A meeting of persons interested in holding a regatta on the Heathcote this year, will be held at Warner’s Hotel on Tuesday evening next, at eight o’clock. Bonus for Paperjiaking —By a proclamation in the Gazette of the 18th instant, the bonus of ,£2500 for the production of paper of various kinds within the colony, is further extended to 30th June, 1877. Colonial Prize Firing. —The New Zealand Times says:—-‘The Government prize firing matches commence at Hokitika about the middle of February, and it is understood the Stella or the Hinemoa will be seat round the colony to collect the competitors.” A Caution.—We desire to call the attention of the authorities to the dangerous practice which takes place nightly at the old fire brigade bell tower. Every evening the ladder and parapet is crowded with juveniles, who go through a number of gymnastic feats, which, if not checked, are likely to end jn a serious accident. Private Letter Boxes —The following rates have been fixed“oy Order in Council dated January 12th —The fees payable in respect of each private bos shall be—For a term exceeding six calendar months and not exceeding one year, one pound (£1) ; for a term not exceeding six calendar months, ten shillings (10s.) Butchers’ Picnic.— The working committee held a meeting at the Britannia Hotel last evening, when it was resolved that the picnic take place at Hoon Hay on Wednesday, the 14th February, on which date the masters have agreed to close their respective places of business. After some discussion, it was resolved that the committee hold another meeting next week, at 8 o’clock, when it ia requested that all members having subscription sheets will return them.

The Police.—lt is stated that very important alterations will be made in the police force throughout New Zealand after the 30th of June next. Among others the men are to be sworn in under the Armed Constabulary Act of 1867, which compels three years’ service, they are to provide their own uniforms, and in some classes a reduction of as much as 2s p p r day will be made. A circular to some such effect has been received by the Christchurch department, and was ISftd to the j»en at Wednesdays parade,

Registrar.—Mr A. H. Jagger has been appointed Registrar of Births, Deaths, .and Marriages for the Timaru district, East Christchurch Educational District —The schools in above district will be reopened on Monday next, at 9 a,m. Oub Forests, —The New Zealand Timex of Monday says that Captain CampbellWalker’s reports on the forests of the colony will be completed in March. Immigrants ter Waipa.— The immigrants by this ship, with the exception of a few for Timaru, were landed yesterday, ana sent to Christchurch by the 3.20 p.m train. Skating Rink Club. —A meeting of this club was held last evening at the rink. There was a large attendance, and Mr I. B. Sheath was voted to the chair, The secretary stated that the meeting had been called in accordance with the wish of several members to take the general opinion as to the advis ableness of providing music on club nights. After some discussion the secretary a requested to obtain particulars as to the expense of a band for the evenings required, to canvass all members as to whether they would be willing to subscribe a small amount for this purpose, in the event of the club funds not being found sufficient, and to report at an adjourned meeting to be held next week. The secretary stated that the club numbered over 100 members. The media* hen adjourned. Telegraph to the Race course.—We commend the following, which is taken from a Wellington paper, tothenoticeof the 0.J.0. Our contempoxary says “We learn that the Telegraph Department is willing to construct a line to the Hutt Race-course, on condition that the Wellington Jockey Club will guarantee 8 per cent interest on the cost, estimated at about ,£l5O. This would represent an outlay of only £l2 per annum, and considering the liberal manner in which the Jockey Club has been supported by the Wellington public, we think that they have a great claim on the club for all the conveniences that reasonably can be supplied. The want of direct telegraphic communication between Wellington and the race-course was felt so much last year that we hope the Jorkey Club will take steps at once to have this suggestion carried out.” Annual Home Mission Meeting.—A tea meeting in connection with the above object was held in the Wesleyan schoolroom, Lyttelton, on Wednesday night last. There was a fair attendance. Tea was provided by Meadames R. Wood, J. 8. Olliver, Phillips, Ruston, Lee, D’Oyley, Milsom, Faull, Ockford, Hay, and Clarkson ; the bachelors also giving a table. Good things were profusely provided by these kind ladies, and speedily consumed by their friends. An adjournment was then made to the church, where a meeting was held. The Rev Mr Lee occupied the chair, and addresses were delivered by that gentleman, the Revs Buddie. Gittos, Reid, Richardson, and Mr J. 8. Olliver. The address made by the Rev Mr Gittos was peculiarly interesting, illustrating as it did many traits of Maori character, with which the greater portion of his hearers were entirely unacquainted. During the evening some nice music was given by the choir, Miss Kenner presiding at the harmonium. A collection for the home mission fund was made, which resulted in donations amounting to £6 ss. Votes of thanks to the ladies giving tea and the choir terminated a pleasant meeting. Caution to Mothers.—The Wellington Evening Post baa the following“ An inquest was held at M'Oinnity’a Royal Hotel as to the death of a child fourteen months old, named Frederick Blake. The inquest was called in consequence of a certificate of death having been refused, and of some suspicion as to the death having been caused by some potion which had been administered to the child. The child had been brought to Dr Bradford on the Monday after the mother had administered four teaspoonful’s of Winslow’s soothing syrup in twelve hours, and died on the Thursday. Dr Bradford, in consultation with Dr Hoffman, considered that the child had died from narcotic poison, and in bis evidence he quoted analyses showing that each ounce of this syrup contained about a grain of morphia. He considered it a moat dangerous medicine to be indiscriminately administered to children.” The coroner having summed up, the jury returned a verdict of “ Died from taking an overdose of a preparation known as Winslow s Soothing Syrup,” and added a rider expressing a hope that the newspapers would publish the evidence as to the analyses of Dr Taylor and Dr Hoffman. Wesleyan Home Missions. A tea meeting in connection with the above was j held last evening at the Durham street schoolroom. The room had been covered with matting for the occasion, and the tables were very prettily decorated with pot plants and flowers. The trays had to be re-laid to accommodate the attendance, and about 400 persons in all partook of a splendid tea, which had been bountifully supplied by Mesdames Moore, Harris, Morley, Ballantyne. Palmer, Calvert, Woods, Ritchie, Martin, Hewitt, Wilkinson, Brown, Misses Wheeler and Aldred. Subscription trays were also kindly furnished by Mesdames Gould, Davidson, Turner, Rutland, Bing, Judge, Mein, and Needham, these being presided over by Mesdames Harris, Ritchie, Goodison, and Miss Penberthy. After tea an adjournment was made to the Church, where a public meeting was held, at which there «vas a crowded attendance. The Rev W. Kirk, President of the Conference, presided, and the Rev W, Isitt, of New Plymouth, opened the proceedings with prayer. After some remarks from the chairman, the Rev 1. Buddie read the annual report presented by the committee, showing very satisfactory work to have been done in the various missions during the past year. The treasurer’.-i statement of accounts read showed the receipts from various sources to have been £1349 14s 7d, and the liabilities and expen diture (inclusive of £l2l 2a sd, balance of deficit from the previous year) £1557 5s sd, leaving a present deficit of £207 10s lOd. Resolutions adopting the report and balance sheet and ordering them to be printed, recognising the great obligations of the Ne* Zealand churches to missionary labor, and thanking the collectors who had so zea lously exerted themselves on behalf c. the funds of the society, were moved and carried unanimously. Addresses were delivered by the Revs A. R. Ficchett, Gittos, and Harper. During the evening the choir, numbering thirty voices, sang Mr Pitchett's “Te Deum,” under the conductorsbip of Mr j T M. Smith, Mr Searell presiding at the orirau, and also gave several selections or sacred music. The proceeds from the tea meeting and collection amounted to £32 17* 6d. The collection on last Sunday towards name fund reaped £27 in lod,

St Paul’s, Papanui.—The annual parish festival connected with this church took place yesterday, and went off very successfully. Divine service was held at 11 a.m, the sermon was preached by the Rev Mr Flavell, and the Holy Communion adminia tered by the incumbent, the Rev F. G. Brittan. A public tea meeting took place in the evening. Tables being provided by Mesdam .a Newton, Horner. Schmidt, Preston, Norman, and the Misses Bulland and Hancock. The room was nicely decorated with flags and evergreens, and the tables fairly groaned under the abun dance of good things provided. The room having been cleared, an entertainment began, the chair being taken by the Incumbent. The room was crowded in every part. The first part of the entertainment consisted of songs, recitations, &c, by Mesdames H. Matson and Cridland, Miss Stringer, and Miss Mathias, Messrs W. and J. Anthony and Read, The second part was the farce of “ On the Sly,” very well performed by ladies and gentlemen amateurs. The entertainment was well received by the audience. The proceeds, which must have been very considerable, were in aid of the building fund of the new church,