NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 856, 22 March 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Drainage Board,—We understand that a petition is in course of signature, asking the present members of the Drainage Board to resign, as they are attempting to carry out a scheme contrary to the wishes of the people.

Lyttelton— Alarm op Fire.—About a quarter past ten on Tuesday night the fire bell rung out loudly. The greatest activity was shown by the fire brigade and fire police but happily there was no occasion for their services, as it was only a chimney in Mr Fenton's premises, Canterbury street, which was speedily extinguished.

Lectuke. —Mr H. A. Severn delivered the second lecture of his series last evening, at the Oddfellows' Hall, the subject being "Artificial Illumination?." There was only a limited attendance. The lecture was illustrated with interesting experiments, and made both entertaining and instructive. The properties of the radiometer were also shown. The subject this evening will be "Light and Spectrum Analysis." A Much-needed |Woek.— We are glad to observe that the authorities are taking measures to prevent the possibility of au accident occurring on the river bank opposite the Supreme Court. By the late improvements the bank has been sloped away down to the water's edge, thus making it exceedingly dangerous on a dark night. Now, however, iron posts with chains between nave been placed the er.tire length from the Victoria to the Armagh street bridge. Bishop Redwood at KuMAßA.—Bishop Redwood ha>: met with a motfc enthusiastic recsotion at this new goldfield township, where people of his faith and of Irish nationality abound. Processions met him, addresses were presented to him, he dedicated and opened a new chape'; known as at Patrick's, and he dined with a numerous party at Ssattery's Hotel There are about seventy hotels in tbe township, but the chapel is the first building erected for the purposes of public worship. A Profitable Speculation.—The West Coast Times staks lhat there was quite, a commotion in Hokitika among the lucky shareholders in the Kuraara Water Ksce Company, when it was known that the Government; had determined upon concluding the purchase of the race Ore shareholder is said to have netted a thousand pounds by the transaction, and another neai!y six hundred pounds, ami half a dczer; others from two to three hundred pounds each The speculation has been one of the most fortunate recorded in connection with mining on the Coast.

A Somniferous Legal Argument The proceedings of the District Coart on Friday afternoon last at Beefton were (says the Inangahua Times) of an exceedingly somuolent character, and the spirit of Morpheas rested heavily upon more than one gentleman present, who is ordinarily accounted "a wide-awake customer." Messrs Button and Staite were engaged in a long and dry argument upon the law of trespass. One learned gentleman, who was noi engaged in the case, but sitting at the barristers' table, could be seen with his head dangling over the back of his chair, the whereabouts of his thoughts being fitfully indicated by a subdued " silvery Bnore," which now and again broke the monotony of the proceedings. The Clerk of the Court's head—or rather the head of the Clerk of the Court—dropped languidly forward like " a big sunflower" ; but not all his spasmodic efforts could " shake off downy sleep," and finally he too drifted into the blissful Land of Nod. The officer of the Court for a time struggled manfully, but gradually the undertakings of " his heavy head" became less and less frequent, and finally the dulcet influence seized him holusbolus, and leaning gracefully against the pannelling of the Bench, he too indulged in a beautiful doze. But as an instance of the "ruling passion strong in"—sleep, he would suddenly wake up and cry out " Silence," but it happened on one or two occasions that just at the instant he awoke and uttered his mandate there was not a soul in the body of the Court, and the graveyard stillness of the scene was broken only by the measured voice cf his Honor —the effect may be imagined. A little later on his Honor remarked that he thought he heard somebody yawning in the Court —and, said bis Honor, " it appears to come from somebody sitting very near mj, If any of the officers of the Court have had insufficient sleep it would perhaps be as well for them to retire to a more convenient place." You can bet there was some con. siderable wakefulness on the premises about this period. Mr Emmet, Comedian—lfc was at Gisborne, not at Napier, that Mr Emmet was detained by the non-departure of the steamer Jane Douglas, whose ownerß he is now suing for damages. He had a very successful season thtre, but was subjected to more criticism than he had received in any other part of the colony, both by the local papers and by correspondent*, who complained of the business arrangements of his agents not being very satisr'accory. Criticising his first, entertainment, the Standard f:iid—"lf Mr iimmet ih desirous ol being considered as au unobjectionable vocalist

and actor, he musk eschew vulgarities, The song he gavo of £aur Kraut was the very essence of vulgarity and an insult offered to his auditors. It may do for sn after supper song at a convivial meeting where no females are present, but certainly not for a respectable stage. The exhibition *■><* funny nwirling of a string of sausages round his bead waa a piece of coarse buffoonery which should have been omitted. While the ' too pronounced ' swearing was objsctio&able to a degree. Peoole ought not to be made laugh at that which upon after thought will make thera feel ashamed." This criticism was in its turn criticised, and the subject finally formed matter for a leading article, in which the comments were elaborately defended. Altogether Mr Emmet's visit eeema to have been quite an event in Poverty Bay, iud though his experience belied the propriety of the name of the place, he will evidently have more than one reason to te« member his sojourn there.

Cure Boating Club.—The adjourned monthly meeting of thiß club was held at Oram's Pier Hotel, Kaiapoi, on Wednesday evening. There were twelve member* present ; Mr C. Oram, president, in tho chair. It was resolved by the club to mak« the following entries for the forthcoming Heathcote regatta :—The Cam for the champion four-oared race ; the Cure for the senior and junior pair-oar races, and the Weka for the double sculling event. Having passed two or three items of routine business, the meeting adjourned. Lyster's Opera Bouffe Company.— This company, which includes r.aoiigtr, others Miss Catherine Lewis anriMrAiines Beaumont, will leave Melbourne for New Zealand by the Arawata, and may be expected in Dunedin in about ten days. Mr M. Anderson, the agent in advance, is now in' Ohristchurch making the necessary arrangements for a season of opera bouffe here. The repertoire of the company comprises the latest Parisian and English novelties, in addition to the better known operas.

Kaiapoi Easter Parish Meeting.—lt is expected that the proceedings at the Easter meeting for the election of churchwardens and vestrymen, whenever it is fixed to take place (which must be either on Easter Monday or within fourteen days thereafter), on account of the vexed question in respect to the alleged ritualism of the incumbent will partake of a lively character. The bench of Bishops assembled at Nelson during the General Synod has not delivered its judgment on the recent case, and in consequence of the uncertainty which exists on several cardinal points at igßue there appears to be considerable feeling excited, which a plain and lucid verdict might probably allay. and by bringing the opposing parties together prevent anything like a Berioua disturbance at the meeting. The late Pooley and Bramhall Case.—The prosecutor in the criminal case lately heard against Pooley and Bramhall for malicious injury to private property brought an action yesterday at the Resident Magis trate's Couit to recover £9B, value of properly damaged. Mr Garrick, who appeared Jor defendants, applied for an adjournment contending that his clients should not be placed in a worse position than tbey at present occupied, with a criminal charge pending against teem, and also that the fibsetice of anlmportant witness to arrive from Melbourne would materially affect their in. tere&ta. Mr Joynt, for the plaintiff, urged that the case could be proceeded with, but his Worship held with Mr Garrick'a view, and granted an adjournment until the 11th of Aorih

Calcutta Sweeps Sweeps on the Dunedin Cup and Derby were drawn last evening at Morton's Hotel. There was a good attendance, and the bidding was more spirited than the previous evening. Templeton still remained favorite for the Cup, Puriri having second call. For the Derby, Danebury was in most favor, with Bribery and Fallacy well up. The following prices were obtained :—Cup (value £6l 5g 6d), Templeton, £ll ; Pnri i, £9; Fallacy, ElfiD King, and Guy Fawkes, £6 each ; Danebury, £5; Fishhook, Pungawen were, and Fanny Fisher colt, M each; King Philip, £3; Dead Heat, £2 ; other entries no bid. Derby, £2 sweep (value £43 14b), Danebury, £10; Briber?, £9; Fallacy, £8; Fanny Fisher colt and Purhi, £6 each ; Dead Heat, £5 ; other entries no bid. Sweeps on the Derby and D.J.C. Handicap will be drawn at same place rhit evening at eight o'clock. American Salmon and White Fish.— The New Zealand Times has received a copy of a memorandum by Dr Hector respecting the American salmon and white fish recently introduced into New Zealand. Full description of the habits and nature of the fish is given in the paper. Dr Hector says the average size of the full grown salmon is about 201 b, some reaching a weight of 401 b or 601 b. As a game fish it is active and powerful, it is well adapted to thriving in New Zealand waters, and its commercial value is great, seeing the large quantities of potted fißh imported annually. Dr Hector also speaks highly of the white fish. The full grown fish, he says, is about 21b weight, but in some places they reach a weight of 201 b, and even 401 b. They grow rapidly, the weight increasing about Jib for each year's growth. A shipment expected by next mail steamer he recommends should be eent to the South, the chances of success in that part of the colony being greater than in Auckland, the Acclimatisation Society of which province aske for it. The chief difficulty in propagating the white fish arises from the circumstance that the ova are coated with an adhesive mucus that renders their manipulation more difficult than in the case of the salmon ova. tT. John's, Lxttelton.—A very fully attended meeting of St, John's (Preeby terian) Church, Lyttelton, was held on Tuesday evening, and presided over by the Rev Mr Elmslie, the moderator. The meeting had been called for the purpose of considering the financial position and prospects of the congregation, and also for the purpose of electing a minister to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of the late Rev W. S. McGowan. On the treasurer's statement being laid before the meeting, which showed that a considerable debt had been accumulated, it was moved by Mr Cunningham, and seconded by Mr Grubb—" That a special effort be at once made to clear off the debt" ; and a subscription list having been laid on the table, nearly the whole sum was subscribed by tho&e preeent. It was then moved by Mr McPheison, and &econd"d by Dr McDonald—"That a stipend of £4OO be offered to a minister," it being the opinion of the meeting that in the present united state of the congregation this bum could bo raised without difficulty, if the cervices of a minister of standing and ability were Becured for the church. The motion was cordially and unanimously agreed to. Mr Elmslie having then asked whether they were prepared to proceed with the election of a minister, and having pointed put at Home length the importance of united action in this matter, it was moved by Mr Yule, ami seconded by Captain McLellau—" nat a t,e £i' lv en to the Rev James Hill, of the Thames," The motion was put and carried unanimously aud with much enthusiasm. A little further discussion arose as to the desirability of providing a manee for the minister, when it was moved by Captain McLellan, ane" seconded by Mr Paten—" That a sum of £6O per annum be allowed to Mr Hill for mans, fent." The motion was carried unanimously, and a yote of shanke, moved by the Bev Mi Ferguson, and seconded by Mr D. McPherbod, having bten given to the chairmaD, the meeting, wh.ch was a very happy and haimonious one, was brought to a close,

Weather Prognostications.—Thechief signal officer of the United btatesof America, in his annual report, states that during the last fiscal year over 88 per cent of hiß "probabilities" of the weather were verified. He thinks that an average of 90 per cent is attainable. OwiDg to lack of appropriations the receipt of si goals from the West Indies has been suspended. There are 145 signal stations in the United States, Fatal Mining Accident.—A fatal accident occurred in Moore and party's claim, Patrick's Terrace, Kumara, on the 15th in-t. Two men, Edward Akehurst and John Smith, were engaged working in a tunnel putting in a set of timber, when the roof caved in, completely burying Akehurst in the debris. It took three hours to dig him out. Smith escaped by a miracle. The deceased was a native of Cornwall, and thirty years of age. Extensive Land Purchase.—Mr M. Studholme, who lately purchased the lease of the extensive tract of country between the Waikato Heads and Raglan, is at present in Auckland, on his way to inspect the property Mr T. Russell and Mr fl. 0. Young are said by the Herald to have joined Mr Studholme in the purchase. There are over twenty years of the lease still to run.

Martin's Bay.—On her last trip round the island, the Beautiful Star lauded at Big Bay, for Martin's Bay, the families of Messrs Martin and Goudin, settlers who had proceeded thither from Oamaru. She also landed all their chattels and effects, cattle, sheep, pigs, geese, duoks, &c. Jimmy Tear, one of the survivors of the wreck of the General Grant, has also proceeded thither from Jackson's Bay in search of fresh adventure.

Dredging Dunedin Hakbor Some conception of the work to be cione in dredging a new channel to Dunedin may be formed from the following description of plant handed over by the Harbor Board to the contractor, Mr Proud foot:—lt consists of the dredge Vulcan, the dredge New Era, the side and delivery dredge, the steamer Peninsula, nineteen mud punts, five steam cranes, locomotive engine, reclaimer, side, delivery shoot, &c. In addition to the above the contractor has built ten pants, each of a carrying capacity of sixty cubic yards, and an equal number will be completed in two weeks. Westport Timber Trade (Vhile elaborate and expensive provisiou io being made for the expected export of coal from Westport, another branch of industry has been initiated there by the establishment of sawmills, which are now exporting timber to different parts of the colony. One shipment, the largest that has left the Buller, was made rjy the barque Alma, which arrived atLyttel<:ou yesterday, This is quite a new trade with Westport. Though a mill waa established there several years ago, it was only equal to meeting the West Coast deimod, arid ultimately it ceased to work, and its site was washed away in the general destruction of the old township and its surroundings, Slow that the trade has been revived, there is every prospect of its extending, there being abundance of magnificent timber in the aeighborbood. The Tadmor Bush.—The accounts that ocnie in to Nelson from the Tadmor vary so much and are so contradictory, that it, really seems almont useless to notice them, but as j ha "rueh "is naturally exciting some interest, we quote what appears in the latent local papers. On the loth instant the Mail reports : —" One or two men have come into '.own to-day, and pronounced the field a perfect ' duffer' They show some very mißUte quantities of gold, and Btate that Lbeve is httieif any more left in the district. On the other hand, experienced miners have written to their friends in town advising them to bo off to the diggings at once, as they may make sure of earning from 12s to £1 a day," The Tadmor correspondent of the Times, writing on the 14th instant, says:—" There is nothing startling to report on the state of the diggings here. Several fresh claims were taken up yesterday on the terrace. The river claims are maintaining their prestige; Biggs', Parata's, and Fawcett'a averaging from £8 to £9 per week per man; and there are others earning good wages. A good many have arrived and left after giving the ground a day's trial; others just come havefxpreased their intention of thoroughly testing the field. There is plenty of room, but the water is a great drawback, and the pumps in use are quite incompetent to exhaust the supply. The men in the river bed are working up to their knees in water all day. I should think there are more than eighty men on the goldfields in the neighbourhood of the rush. A few days will go far to decide its extent. Some of those who sunk holes on the terrace yesterday found gold at 14ft from the surface. But while many practical miners speak hopefully of the field, a few growlers are loud in their expressions of discontent." Death op Mr Bichard Chilman.—The death of Mr Richard Chilman, one of the pioneer settlers of Taranaki, took place on Monday week, at his residence, Fern Dell. His name has been long and intimately associated with the district in which be lived, and with the enterprises in which the inhabitants took an interest—the Petroleum Company, the Opunake Flax Company, the Pioneer Steel Company, the harbor works, and others. In its obituary notice, the Herald says :—" Mr Chilman was in his sixty-first year when he died, having been born in London, on the sth May, 1816, When about sixteen years of age he went to America. He travelled through Canada, New ¥ork, New Orleans, and other places in the "United States. He then returned to England, and after a short stay there, embarked on board the ship William Bryan, with the other pioneer settler? for New Plymouth, on the 19th November, 1840, arriving on the 30fch March, 1811.. Daring the passage out he received an appointment under the resident agent of the Plymouth Company of New Zealand, which afterwards merged into the New Zealand Company. This appointment he retained for some years, and on retiring from it he engaged in farming pursuits. When the representative Constitution was granted to Now Zealand, the best and most likely men in the place were brought to the front, and amongst them was the late Mr Chilman, who, on the VMh. September, 1853, was appointed Provincial Treasurer. He remained in this office until March, 1861, when the Ministry of the day offered him he appointment of Collector of Customs oi his port, which he accepted, and retained intil nine mouths since, when he had tt> retire owing to breaking health. He held ■Jao the offices of Provincial Auditor, Be neiver of Land Kevenue, and Acting Paymaster in the province. By his death the oeople of Taranaki have lost one of their best friends."

Past Racing.—A paragraph has been going the rounds to the effect that the rime made by Fallacy for the three-quarter raile in the Flying Stakes Handicap at Wellington recently—2 inin 20 seca—" had only been beaten on two previous occasions, once in Australia and once in England," and that the quickest time for three quarter mile in England was 2 min 18 sees, or only 2 sees quicker than Fallacy's time. A correspondent sends the Wellington Argus a paragraph from a recent number of Bell's Life, giving instances of very fast performances in filngland, in order to show that such is not the case, From this we find that a horse named Diophantus ran not three-quarters of a mile, but one mile in 1 min 43 sees at Newmarket, and another named Buccaneer did the mile in 1 min 38 sees at Salisbury. This latter is considerably more than twice as fast as Fallacy's time, as it would give only 1 min 13£ sees fur the three-quarter mile, instead of 2 min 10 sees, which would be at the rate of a mile in 3 min 6 sees, mere trotting pace.