NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 851, 16 March 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Scientific Lecture. —Mr Severn, as will be seen by advertisement, delivers a scientific lecture in the Colonists' Hall, Lyttelton, to-night. The lecture has been spoken highly of by our Northern contemporaries. Cricket Match. -A match been arranged between eleven of the Hansom Cab-drivers and eleven of the drivers of the Four Wheelers. The match will come off on Friday next on the ground, Hagley Park. Wickets to be pitched at eleven o'elock.

Excursion. —About 150 of the residents from Pigeon Bay were passengers by the s.s. Akaroa yesterday, it being the occasion of their yearly visit to Christchurch. As last year, there was a dance at Pigeon Bay last night when they got back, which was in good time, the s.s. Akaroa being ready to take them on the arrival of the 6 p.m. train.

North Canterbury Eaces.—At a meeting of the committee of these races, held at Roberts's Club Hotel, Rangiora, it was decided to ask Mr Buss to sell on Tuesday next, by auction, the sole right of selling refreshments on the course and the cards. Subscriptions already received and promised were stated to be £65, which was looked upon as satisfactory, It was agreed to expend a sum of money on some requisite improvements to the course.

Crown Agents for the Colonies We are informed (the Manchester Guardian says) that an important change is about to be made in that department of the Colonial Office to which the management of the Crown colonies is entrusted. The present Crown agents are Sir Penrose Julyan and Mr W. C. Surgeant. The Colonial Secretary has, we understand, determined upon appointing a third agent, the gentleman selected oeing Lieut Ommanney, the military private secretary of Lord Carnarvon. In addition to this, an increase of salary is to be given to the whole staff, in recognition of the recent increase in their duties.

Lost in the Bush. Our telegrams report the recovery of a man named George Halliwell, who had been lost in the bush for seventeen days, yet who survived prolonged starvation, exposure, and mania. The man who was thus lost, but is now found, was formerly a lineman in the telegraph depart ment, He had, however, recently relinquished the appointment under the telegraph, stating that he had come in for a large fortune, and would proceed to Europe. Enquiries were mftde from the solicitors named by him, in Auckland, but nothing to confirm his statement was ascertained. Mr Halliwell was remarkably steady and diligent, but had recently become less so in his habits and conduct, At timea he was eccentric and unreliable. Ha is an old soldier and served with the 65th Regiment throughout New Ze;ila73d.

County Seals.—A contemporary considers that when the seals of the Counties in New Zealand come to be collected they will prove to be unique specimens of artistic (?) skill. The County of Eden's, in Auckland province, is thus described by one of its members: —"Councillor Wallis took exception to the design. It was in his eyes perfectly ridiculous. So far as he could make it out, it was a picture of Eve picking au apple, or bunch of grapes, he could not say which, on one side, and the serpent coiled round a tree trying to seduce her, on the other side. In the middle was a shield containing a picture of Mount Eden, a plough of the nineteenth century, and some plump looking sheep. The combination made a glaring anachronism." After some further remarks the seal was adopted. Haeewood Road Schools—A meeting of the committee of this school was held on Monday evening last. Present Messrs Stanley, Claridge, Jesson, Hack, Phillis, G. A. Durey, and J. Donald (chairman). Several letters from the Board of Education were read to the meeting, and considered. The reply to circular No 3 stated that all improvements and repairs applied for would be granted, not to'exceed the sum specified ; also the new maps for tho use of the school. The meeting decided to advertise at once for tenders for painting school buildings and other erections, and to build a new porch and verandah for the master's house, &c. The chairman was requested to ask explanation of the Board of Education relative to pupil teachers' expenses attending the recent examination, as one out of the three who had passed successfully is not provided for, as the chairman is only authorised to pay the expenses of two. The meeting then adjourned to Friday, the 23rd instant.

Tub Boat Accident in Lyell's Bay.— At the inquest held in Wellington as to the drowning of one of a boat's crew connected with the laying of the Cook Strait cable, the circumstances were thus described by the third officer of the steamer Agnes]:—The deceased, Andrew lllasamburn, was an A.B. on board the Agnes ; a Frenchman by birth, and about twenty-six years of age. Deceased had shipped on board the Agnes at Sydney about five months ago. When landing the cable on Sunday in Lyell Bay, there was a heavy surf on, but no wind. Witness and iicceased and four others were in a lifeboat, undcrrunning the cable, when one of the slings broke. The boat turned broadside on 0 the sea and caps zed. Witness saw all ,is men safe excepting deceased, who was not found for a quarter of an hoar j he was 'hen qoite dead. Dr Lemon tried the effect 1 ,/alynism, but without; avail,

Race Horses.—Mr Redwood's race horses Guy Fawkts, Bribery, and Puriri, and Mr Ray's Danebury went to Port Chalmers in the Hawea yesterday. Muff Cricket Match.—The challenge of the publicans to the wine ai,d spirit dealers and brewers to play a match of cricket on Monday next has been accepted, and arrangements will be made for the trial of skill.

Canterbury ?pinning and Weaving Company's Works.—The manufacture of blankets and woollen goods at the works of this Company, near Kaiapoi, has been temporarily suspended in consequence of the resignation of the manager. A general meeting of shareholders will be held on the 28th instant.

Coaching Enterprise. —Mr Andrew Young has now taken over the route from Hawera to New Plymouth, so that the entire line from Wellington to laranaki, a distance of some 300 miles, is now in his hands.

Political —The electors of Heathcote are invited to meet their member, Mr J. T. Fisher, 6n Monday next, at the Oddfellows' Hall, Wools ton. Mr Wason promises to meet the electors of Coleridge at Waddington schoolroom on Baturday, March 31st, and at the Hororata schoolroom on Monday, April 2nd.

Literary Society.—The inaugural address, in connection with the Associated Literary Societies, was delivered last evening by the president, His Honor Judge Johnston, at a meeting held in the Congregational schoolroom. There was a large attendance of members.

Ceicket.—On Saturday the following Eleven of theU.C.C.willplaytheSouthbridge Clnb on the Christchurch ground, viz—W. 0. Cuff, Warner, H. Cotterill, E. J. Cotterill, W. V. Millton, J. Mill ton, M. Nalder, E. Parkerson, A, Wilson, W. G. Walker, and G. A. Macquarie. The Southbridge team will arrive by road early, and wickets will be pitched at 10 30 a.m. sharp. Okain's Bay.—The Akaroa Mail reports that Mr Thacker is making good progress with the construction of the Okain's Bay jetty, the whole of the piles being driven. Bix feet of water is obtainable at the end of the jetty at low water. The inhabitants ere long expect a steamer to call at least once a week, and to be in readiness for that event the Road Board are providing a road to the jetty

Dominie Dominant.—The editor of the Wangarei Comet was recently horsewhipped by Mr McMurdo, schoolmaster, who identified himself with the character of a rascally pedagogue pourtrayed in an original story published in the Comet. The editor was overweighted, and had to run for it, discretion being the better part of valor. The sequel was legal proceedings in the local R. M. Court, where McMurdo has been fined £1 and costs. Diocesan Education Committee.—lt is proposed to hold a conference of Sunday school teachers at Christ's College Library on Thursday, the 12th April, when there will be a tea meeting, followed by a general meeting at which resolutions will be brought forward for discussion. The committee have decided to hold the. annual examination on the last two Saturdays in May, the 19th and 26th, Sudden Death.—A melancholy case of sudden death lately occurred in Taranaki street, Wellington. It appears that James Taylor, late chief cook on board the s.s Wanaka, was seen to knock several times at the door of Captain Mundle's house ; but the houee was empty, the family (with whom he was intimate) being out of town for the day. He then walked to the end of the verandah, and leaned for a few minutes over the railing, and afterwards turned back, when it was noticed that he suddenly staggered and fell down. Some people who saw him fall at once hastened to his assistance, and tried every means to revive him. Dr Munro was at once sent for, but when he arrived life was extinct.

Mrs Gamp in Westland.—A year ago a young lady, on arrival in Westland, was seized with what was supposed to be typhus fever, and the Arahura Board of Health took charge of the case, quarantining the patient and providing nurses for her at Stafford. It appears from the proceedings at a recent meeting of the Board that the debt they incurred, apart from the patient's own liabilities, amounted to £B3 8s Id. The committee, whilst recommending the payment of the same, called attention to the Bhameful waste of provisions. Mr Sandle said that in three weeks two and a half cords of firewood, five bottles of brandy, thirty-three bottles of ale, and eighteen bottles of porter had been consumed. The account was passed. As the patient wag for a considerable part of the time delirious, the consumption of these quantities is only explained by the suggestion that her Sairey Gamp had been often " so dispoged," or that some other attendant had simulated the example of the hotel waiter who so amicably " assisted " David Copperfield at dinner.

Coal Discoveries.—Fresh discoveries of a valuable character are being made in contiguity to the probable route of a railway between the East and West Coasts, by the Amuri and Ahaura Valleys. The Inangahua Times mentions that recent explorations carried on in Mr M'lnerney's coal lease on the southern side of the Grey road have brought to light a most extraordinary development of coal. The seam in some places reaches to a thickness of 12ft, with the ascertained length already of about 150 ft. The coal is excellent in quality, and the great quantity now available for the market cannot fail to make it one of the most valuable properties in the district. An immense quantity of coal has already been taken out, and is now on 6ale at the pit mouth; but in the course of a week or ten days the mine will be connected with the Grey road by means of a tramway. Colonial Contemporaries —A work entitled " Australian Men of the Time" is in course of preparation, in which the lives of all the unsuspected great men now living unobtrusively among us will be recorded. Speaking of its prospective publication, the Melbourne correspondent of the Otago Times says:—" We shall be surprised, lam sure, to find how rich we are in these local productions. One element I look to 6ee brought into proper prominence is the intimate relationship between our ' wealthy lower orders' here and the noble families of Great Britain. At present the only opportunity of relating these relationships to the world is on the occasion of & birth, marriage, or death notice. But then people don't have events of this kind in their families every day. There is therefore in every point of view a fisnefs in the proposed work which I am save will, like many other proposed works, ' gnpplv a loni' felt public w^nt.'"

GloucesterStbeet School. —The prizes were distributed in the infant school yesterday morning by G. L. Lee, Esq, chairman of the committee. Mr Lee addressed the children, complimenting them on the zeal which they had displayed during the past year, and recommending them to persevere in their endeavors to attain knowledge. The report of the inspector, J. P. Kestell, Esq, on this department of the school was then read as follows:—" The infant school continues to deserve the high commendation of the former report. It is at present the model one of the Canterbury education district." Sad Accident.—On Wednesday week Mr Pearce Owen Pearce, a commercial traveller, whilst riding from Takaka to Collingwood, in the company of Mr W. Harley, was thrown from his horse near the farm of Mr Brace, situate near the Parapara. He died the following morning. It appears that Mr Pearce being unaccustomed to riding on horseback, his companion and he proceeded at a walking pace, Mr Harley leading the way. When the latter gentleman was opposite Mr Brace's farm, his companion's horse came up to him, and he then found it was riderless. On looking back he discovered Mr Pearce lying upon the beach, and he immediately went to his assistance, one of Mr Brace's men accompanying him. They removed the unfortunate man to the farm house, where he was put to bed and every attention was paid to him, but he remained speechless till about three o'clock the following morning, when he succumbed. A Maori House —Hoterene Taipari, of the Thames, or Shortland, the name by which he is generally known, some time ago paid a visit to Whakatane, wher« he saw a Maori house carved and ornamented in the most artistic Maori fashion. Hoterene thought the house a magnificent specimen of architecture, and he naturally coveted it. The house could not be removed, but the splendid revenues from miners' rights and others sources of gold revenue accruing to the native owners of the Thames, enabled the Shortland chief to make a bid for a similar house. The work has been in pro> gress for some time in the hands of the Whakatane natives whom Hoterene has employed. The framework is now completed, bo also is the carving in the orthodox Maori fashion, and it remains to remove the material to its site at the Thames. Hoterene, wise in his day and generation, wishes the Government to do this work, but for the present Dr Pollen fails to fulfil the wish.

A Pistol Match fob £IOO. —A somewhat unique pistol match took place at Professor Furlong's shooting gallery, New Plymouth, on Wednesday week. As reported by the Herald, it appears that a discussion had arisen about the price of grass seed next year, wben one of the parties asserted that it would be lower next year than this ; the result waß that a buyer and seller agreed to settle the point as to what'price should be given for the next year's crop by a pistol match. The name of the pistol used was " Bedford's Eureka." A written agreement was drawn up, duly witnessed, and signed, and the match eventuated, when the seller won by six points. It is said that if his crop turnß out anything like a good one, he will stand to pocket an additional £IOO by his good shooting. Twelve Bbots were agreed upon, the buyer making twenty-eight points and the seller thirty-Bix, The shooting of the latter was very good—he making three bull's eyes, six centres, and three outers. Both competitors are old shootists, Leeston Town Hall.—The inauguration of this building for the purposes of general iecreation and instruction took place on the evening of Wednesday, the 14th inst, nndtr the form of a concert. The external appearance and the internal arrangements of the building are all that can be expected from a committee, who have evidently well attended to the duties undertaken, and the contractor must have most efficiently carried out their instructions and realised their ideas. The committee had procured the assistance of a number of those artistes most calculated to provide enjoyment and pleasure to those assembled, and the constant applause and attention showed that the performances of those contributing to their enjoyment was duly appreciated by the audience. The Misses Spensley, assisted by Mr Spensley, opened the programme with a very well rendered trio, " How gaily glides my bark," Mr Oomerford succeeded with a song. Mrs Long, so well known in Christchurch, was duly appreciated in Leeston. The Misses Litten played several choice selections upon the piano, as well as playing accompaniments to several of the vocalists. Mis* Horner and Mr Appleby also sang solos, which were well received, " Ever of thee," by the Misseß Horner, being most rapturously encored. A recitation and song by Mr Baldwin, in character, imparted a jocose termination to the more serious enjoyments of the evening. Hearty and well expressed votes of thanks to those who had contributed to the pleasure of the meeting, terminated the first of a series of popular entertainments which it is purposed to offer to the public in the Leeston Town Hall.