NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 859, 26 March 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

Carpenters’ Easter Monday Picnic. — We direct attention to an advertisement, appearing e] sc where, giving particulars regarding the carpenters Easter Monday picnic.

Y/harf Accidents —Harry Smith, the chief cook of the Stormbird, fell over the wharf at Wanganui on Friday morning and was drowned. The deceased wasunmarded. at Nelson, Mrs Mackenzie, of the Albion Hotel, fell between the Taupo and the wharf. She was gallantly rescued by Mr M‘Arthur, chief officer, but was severely bruised. A Pocket op Gold—Considerable excitement has be-in caused at the Lyell, owing to some miners having brought in 40 z of coarse gold, which they got out of the bed of Deep Creek, near Hodden’s Accommodation House, midway between Lyell and the Alpine Hill. Deep Creek is a tributary of the Lyell Creek. I’his is the first payable gold found in the creek, and was got for three weeks’ work.

The Coffin Cure.—The fittings of the hospital building at Ahaura, we read in the Grey River Argus , consist now only of tattered remains of stage scenery and a dissecting table, There never was more than one patient in it, and even she had to be got rid of in a curious manner, bhe was a rather notorious character, and, having once got admittance, she made up her mind to remain in her comfortable quarters as long as possible. And so she went on shamming and getting the best of food and medical comforts until the local committee got tired of her, but not a bit would she budge out of the place. At last an idea struck them, a carpenter who had a ready made coffin was despatched to the hospital with it, and when Biddy was informed that it was for her, she bounced out of bed iu a jiffy, jumped through an open window, and was not afterwards seen in that district.

J. G. 8. Grant—This Dunedin celebrity has, in his letters to England traducing the colony, been in the habit of describing hims(lf as the first Rector of the High School. Some residents of the city, knowing this to be a delusion and a snare, have lately laid a bet that Mr Grant can produce no evidence of his right to such a title, while they can prove that he never had any connection with the High School, Mr Grant gets out of the difficulty very disingenuously by writing thus to the Guardian :—“ I am not surprised at this ; for every right human or divine, claimed by mo, has been denied in Otago. However, it is beneath my personal dignity to hold an argument with a person who is ashamed of his name, I will not quarrel with a shadow.”

Death by Chloroform, —ln the Sydney papers of the 11th instant, the death by chloroform, at Sydney, of William Robertson, auctioneer, is recorded. Robertson had been at the theatre on the previous night, and, on coming out, stumbled and broke his ankle. He was taken to the infirmary, and there pur under the influence of chloroform previous to reducing the fracture. The broken limb had scarcely been set when heavy breathing, and his face becoming rapidly livid, told oi the man’s danger. He died almost instantly, never having recovered consciousness. The doctorjat the inquest stated that he had died of sanguineous apoplexy. Mr Robertson wa? for many years an auctioneer at Invercargill, and. subsequently a resident at Greymouth and Westport. He leaves a widow, who was lately residing in Nelspn,

The Drainage Question. —lt was rumored to-day that the Drainage Board had decided to delay the acceptance of any tender for the works for six weeks, and that the lithographed plans of the scheme would bo ready for distribution next week. New Governor op- Queensland —The new Governor of Queensland, who arrived at Brisbane in a steamer which has been quarantined, is Sir A. E. Kennedy. He sailed from Hong Kong for Brisbane on the first of the month. Burke’s Brewery, —The site of this well-known brewery—one of the prettiest spots on the western shores of Dunedin Harbor—has been surveyed as a township, and offered for sale in three hundred allotments.

The Tadmor Rush, —Up to Saturday last there were not more than 120 or 150 of a population on the new goldfield at Tadmor. Several places ef business have been erected, but the prospects of the field are yet uncertain.

The Planet Yuloan. —Solar observations for the expected transit of the planet Vulcan were made at the Dunedin Observatory by Messrs Rosa and Skey, but no indications of the planet were discovered. At Wellington the result was the same. Salmon Trout. — A salmon trout, weighing 131 b, and measuring 2ft Gin in length, has been captured by a fisherman named Gray, in Macandrew Bay, Otago harbor. This, it is stated, is the largest fish of the kind ever captured in New Zealand, Oyster Dredging. Captain George Scoones, of Dunedin, has set out on an oyster dredging expedition in the cutter Margaret Scollay, He has tried the head of Pelorus Sound and the Croixelles, but without sue cess, and has since proceeded to prospect Blind Bay and Massacre Bay,

Washdyke Meat Preserving Company. It is significant that this company have made a considerable advance on the prices given for sheep at the first of the season. This advance, it is said, has been made on account of recent advices from home, which show that preserved meats have been bringing better prices than formerly.

The “Reformer” Newspaper The promoters of this new temperance organ have resolved to increase the capital of the company from £SOO to £looo—no great amount in either case for a journalistic enterprise—in consequence of the fact that already 500 shares have been taken up in Wellington alone The secretary, Mr Hooper, is about to visit Christcbu ch and Dunedin, in connection with the business of the company.

Baths. —The city of Nelson, with all its attractions as a sea-bathing place, has never yet been provided with any facilities for those who might resort to itss a sanatorium. This want is, however, now to be met, the Borough Council having now resolved to expend £405 in the construction cf public bathe, on a site within the shelter of the Boulder Bank, between the Commercial Wharf and the Pilot station. Wellington Harbor Works. —Tenders for wharf extension at Wellington were lately advertised for, and there are now in that city contractors from New South Wales, Auckland, Dunedin, Christchurch, Westport, Gieymouth, Wanganui, and Hokitika, who have come for the purpose of ascertaining particulars aud tendering. It is, however, stated by the Argus that some hitch ha? occurred, the Council having thrown aside the plans, resolved upon getting others from an independent engineer, and extended the time for receiving tenders. St Mary’s, Addington. —As will be seen by advertisement in another column, an entertainment will be given in St Mary’s Sunday School room, Addington, on Easter Tuesday next, April 3rd, commencing at eight o’clock. The entertainment, (which is expected to be very enjoyable, will consist of mirth, magic, music, legerdemain, and a variety of entertaining and amusing items. The p oceeds will be handed over to the Sunday School fund, which is in great need of assistance. It is therefore hoped that the outainment will be well patronised.

THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKET MATCH.— The six Victorians who were selected to play in the late cricket match with the English Eleven were Allan, Cooper, Midwinter, Liorau, Kendall, and Blackham. In our telegrams it was said that Allan had agreed to play, but a telegram to Sydney on the 15th, we notice, states that at the last moment he jefused to play, and that Hodges had been selected in his place, a change which, it was considered, would make a great difierence in the match. Previous to the commencement of the game the Englishmen were a long way the favorites at odds.

Bevelations from a Fever Hospital. —The tiial of the case of Pearson v the City Corporation of Dunedin, heard before Mr Maneford, 8.M., was the means of disclosing some extraordinary neglect in the management of the Fever Hospital Wished there. In delivering his judgment in the c9.se, Mr Mansford said:—" The main point to be considered is whether there has been that amount of culpable negligence or improper nursing of the children of the plaintiff during the time they were in the hospital to maintain this action. At the time of their admission there were altogether about twenty patients, and to attend and nurse this number, the great majority of them being children, there were only the master and matron, with such voluntary assistance as could be obtained from convalescent patients. On one point, and I believe it the most important one, the testimony of the medical gentlemen is conelusive; those who were called for the plaintiff and defendant agreeing that there ought to be a night nurse in every hospital. Soma of the profession went a little further, and gave it as their opinion that it would be improper treatment to leave patients all night without a night nurse. That the patients in this hospital were left without a night nurse was scarcely attempted to be disputed. Convalescent patients—particularly juvenile ones —cannot be said to be fit nurses for fever patients, more especially those suffering from delirium. Whether the child, who afterwards died, Ml out of bed, slipped out of bed, or got out of bed voluntarily, is not very important. The fact remains that he was out of bed while in a state of delirium, or at all events long after dangerous symptoms had disclosed themselves, with no proper attendant in the ward, and that he nad to be helped into bed by his sick orother. My opinion, founded solely upon rue evidence, is that the children of the ilaintiff were negligently and improperly ooked after, tended, and nursed, while in the Fever Hospital—not through any default of •he master or matron, but 111 cous-quence of ihe defendants not providing sufficient and proper nurses,"

Stack Fire at Balcaiun.— On Saturda y as tbe mid-day up train was passing Balcairn, three wheat stacks, the property of Mr McNamara, whose farm is near the line, were all on fire. Ho particulars have corns co hand ss to how the fire originated, or as to what amount of damage was done. Lecture —The Rev J. Blmslie, M.A,, will deliver a lecture this evening at the Colombo road school, on " The Literary History of the Bible," illustrated by diagrams, A collection will he made in aid of the St Paul’s Sunday school. Bazaar —A bazaar of useful and fancy articles collected in aid of the building fund of the new Church of the United Methodist Free Church, St Asaph street, will be held in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Wednesday and Thursday next.

The Survey Department.— After all, says the Wellington Post, it has been decided that Mr Kelleher, the Wairarapa district surveyor, is to proceed to Canterbury to take up au appointment there. On being first ordered to proceed to Canterbury, Mr Kelleher entered into arrangements for disposing of his property, and when he was required to remain in Wellington he naturally objected that owing to these arrangements he would be put to much loss and inconveniece. It was, therefore, decided that the first decision should be adhered to, and that he should take the appointment in Canterbury, Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry,—We are informed that it is the intention of the commanding officers to hold an annual training, when the Christchurch corps will be embodied with the Ashburton and Ellesmere contingents, and remain quartered in various parts of the Ellesmere Riding for several days. By instructions from the orderly room tbe Christchurch Corps will meet in Hagley Park on Saturday, 31st inst, and proceed thence to join the up country contingents at the Selwyn River en route for Doyleston, where they bivouac, thence on Sunday to afternoon church parade at Southbridge, where they remain Easter Monday and Tuesday, starting for Christchurch via Leeston and Doyleston on the following day. This training, in lieu of the former fortnightly drill, seems to meet with the approval of the members of the various corps and of the inhabitants of the district which they propose to visit. Good Templar Entertainment.—The first of a series of entertainments in aid of a piano fund was given by the Lyttelton Good Templars at the Oddfcliows’ Hall, Lyttelton, on Thursday evening. Bro Trumble o:cupied the chair, and delivered the opening address, with that energy, humor, and fluency for which he is so well known. The programme was an admirable one. Two instrumental duets on the piano were given by the Misses Reed and Stout, and a solo by Miss Reed. A vocal duet, “ List to the Convent bells,” very nicely rendered by Misses Stout and Grubb, was deservedly encored, and several ballads were given with great success by Mr Lance and other ladies aud gentlemen, in addition to which there were three choruses, sung with considerable taste and precision. Several friends, who had piomised to take part, were unable to do so, but there were plenty of volunteers, and the whole affair went oil with great eclat. The attendance, considering the dreary weather, was good. Tae second concert will take place next month. South Belt School— G. L. Lee, Esq, chairman of the committee, distributed the prizes to the children of the above school yesterday, Messrs Rose and Jamieson, members of the committee, being present. Before distributing the prizes, Mr Lee congratulated the mistress, Miss Anthony, on the favorable report which had been received from the inspector. The following is the prize list:—lnfant class—Boys: George Perkes, Edward Dalwood. Girls : Bessy Ashton, Ada Firman, Edith Burt, Carrie Pitts 1 [2nd Division—Samuel Williams, Herbert Mumford, Robert Allen, Alfred Williams, Sarah Scott, Alice Johnson, Christina Wiser, Lizzie Bird, Alice Simister, Standard I—Herbert Wfaitelaw, George Ashton, Charles Woodham, George Bird, Walter Dalwood, Joseph Scott, William Ziuckgraf, Annie Johnson, Lucy Glen, Mary Scott, Margaret Campbell, Carrie Campbell. Standard II —Boys : Harry Rowley, Percy Firman, Willie Harris, Charles Taylo”, Percy Mumford, Ernest Bennetts. Girls : Rachel Ashton, Agues Ashton, Eliza Hammond, Carrie Hammond, Eliz Piper, Ellen Whitelaw, Eliza Todd, Needlework—Emily Scott, Emily Williams, Harriet Milsom, Lydia Brown. Extra Prizes—Augustus Wright, Augustus Hurrel, William Griffin, Williagr Bullock, Robert Todd, Matilda Mathews, Emily Perkis, Angelina \yoodard, Edith Hurrell, Lillie Rowley

Mr Severn's Scientific Lectures. —On Saturday evening Mr Severn gave, the fifth and last of his entertaining and instructive scientific lectures in the Oddfellows’ Hall. The attendance was very limited. Mr Severn selected the subject of “ The Solar System," treating it so thoroughly as to evoke the warmest marks of approbation from bis audience. The lecturer begap by saying there could be nothing interesting or more worthy of the consideration of bis bearers than the subject of the sola? system, and he certainly succeeded in proving his words by the manner ipwhichhe presented jt to his audience. We have, as on the occasions of his previous lectures, been furnished by our reporter with a very excellent summary of Mr Severn’s remarks, but other demands upon our space preclude its insertion. After his opening observations, the lecturer proceeded to explain his subject by means of a diagram showing the “ Planetary Law of B;ide a simple arrangement of figures, by means of which the respective distances of the planets could ba ascertained, He also exhibited a very fine diagram, showing in a very graphic manner the whole solar system and the various positions and movements of the planets around the sun. This diagram must bs seen to be understood and appreciated. He also exhibited splendid diagrams of Jupiter, showing the movements of its satellites, the disappearance and reappearance every fortyeight hours of one of those satellites, and another of the sun illustrating the mysterious movements of a comet in its approaching and receding course from the sun ; also a very graphic diagram showing the configurations known as the zodiac, and the rel itive monthly positions of the sun and the earth; another of Saturn showing the peculiar characteristics of its ring He clearly illustrated in a very beautiful manner the formative and deformative action of magnetism in the formation of the "lead tree," and concluded his entertainment by showing his audience a number of beautiful photographs of the scenery of Europe, New Zealand, and other parts. Mr Severn will lecture in Ximaru during the current week,