NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 861, 28 March 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Eeutbr’s Business.—lt is commonly reported in telegraphic circles in London that the Globe Share and Investment Trust Company is in negotiation for the transfer of Renter's telegraph business. Libel,— Mr McCullough Reed, of the Dunedin Guardian, has arrived in Timaru for the purpose of being present at the proceedings initiated against R. A. Sherrin for an alleged libel published in the Waitangi Tribune.

Highway Robbery,— lt is reported in the Noith Otago Times that Mr Jonathan W'oonton, gardener to Mr Sumpter, while proceeding homewards at about midnight on Saturday, was set upon by two or three men, and robbed of £5 in money, besides other articles. Colonial Bootmaking.— A once wellknowp Sydney bootmaker, John Lobb, has taken the prize for bootmaking at the Philadelphia Exhibition. There were 450 competitors. He had previously taken prizes at the Intercolonial Exhibition of 1862 and at the Vienna Exhibition, and lately opened business in London. The Profits of Racing.— ln round numbers the Victorian Ewing Club last week paid away £7863 to the various winners, seconds, and thirds. A nice little mm, and, as it is pretty evenly divided, it will do a great deal of good to the many recipient ■tables. It is a sum far exceeding that paid any other club in the colonies ; yet it is no u n'y equal to that which the V.E C. 0..’« o *r,t the spvicg meeting,

Byreton-Oxford Bailway.— lt is expected that the extension of the Eyreton railway to the Oxford line will be commenced forthwith.

The San Francisco Mail.—A telegram reports the arrival of the steamer Rotorua at Manukau, from Sydney, and adds that she will proceed South immediately on the arrival of the San Francisco mail. A later telegram, however, states that the Rotorua had sailed for the South, and the arrival of the mail is not yet announced. Action for Slander. —Mr D. Grant, the Victorian bookmaker, has served Mr W. C. Yuille with a writ for defamation of character, damages being laid at ,£SOO. The alleged defamation is said to be an accusation that the plaintiff tampered with the rider of the filly Adelaide when she ran in the T.T.C. Handicap at Launceston. The rider was R. Snarey, A Comparison. —Sir Charles DuOane, in a lecture delivered in the county of Essex, thus spoke of Tasmania and New Zealand : “ I do not believe in any great financial or other catastrophe impending over Tasmania. Nor do I believe in the ultimate ruin of any country which undoubtedly possesses great and comparatively undeveloped resources, and which beyond all others upon earth, save perhaps portions of New Zealand, is to my mind suited to be the home of English men, women, and children.”

The Wellington Election.— lt will be seen that the keen contest for the representation of one of the seats for Wellington city, vacant by the resignation of Mr Pearce, has resulted in the return of Mr Travers by a majority of thirteen votes over the number polled for the other candidate, Mr Hutchison. That the contest was a keen one, as well as close, is sufficiently illustrated by the fact that as many as 1133 electors recorded their votes.

Railway Passes to County Councillors — A mistaken impression seems to have got abroad as to the piinciple upon which it is proposed to issue free railway passes to members of County Councils. Some persons, but not members of the Councils, concluded that free passes were to be issued to County Councillors without any limitation. Such is not the case. The chairman of each Council has a general pass. The others are only available when members are journeying to or from meetings of Council.

Concert. —A very successful concert was given last evening in the Durham street schoolroom in aid of the funds of the Colombo road church, The programme, which was a very excellent one, was gone through very successfully, It included Macfarren’s cantata “ May Day,” the solos being taken by Mesdames Thompson, C. M. Gray, &c, and selections from Auber’s “ Masaniello.” In addition to this several instrumental pieces were carefully rendered. Altogether the concert was a very enjoyable one, and the proceeds will form an appreciable addition to the funds of the church. Mr J. T. M, Smith conducted.

Alarm of Fire —About half-past seven last evening the Lichfield bell rang out the alarm of fire, shortly followed by the station bell. Both engines turned out promptly, but after Mr Superintendent Harris had been on the scene he ordered them back, the men alone proceeding to the place. It seems that one of the employees working at Davidson’s sawmills, Colombo street south, saw a blaze in the office, and having sent a messenger to ring the bell, called asisstance and forced one of the doors. It was found that a portion of the floor of the office was burning, and that the flames had ascended up the ceiling as far as the roof. A number of buckets of water were immediately procured and the flames put out, and Mr Superintendent Harris having then arrived, shortly followed by a contingent of his men, all danger was soon over. The building was insured by the lessor, but the materials and engine, to the value of about £BOO, was not so.

Misuse op Postal Cards, —A rather curious action was heard in the Melbourne County Court, in which Bernard Cormick, a commercial broker living in Melbourne, sued William 8. Drew, a merchant’s clerk, for £49 19s for libel. It appeared that on the Ist November, 1876, plaintiff received a postal card, written by the defendant, to the following effect;—“ Ist November, 1876 Dear Sir, —Unless you call and pay for your board and lodging in Princes street, yon will be served with a summons.—W, 8, D. Your conduct is disgraceful.” It was contended for the plaintiff that the document was libellous, and calculated to damage his reputation. Witnesses were called to prove that the postal card was in the defendant’s handwriting, and it was also shown that several cards couched in the same language had been addressed to the plaintiff to the care of various friends. A nonsuit point was however raised, namely, that although the cards might be written by the defendants, there was no evidence to show that he had actually published the libel by posting them. Judge Cope held the point to be a good one, and nonsuited the plaintiff. It is understood, however, that the matter will be brought under the notice of the Supreme Court. The Antigua Street Drain. —Through the action of the Drainage Board this drain has been carefully cleaned out during the last few days under the supervision of Mr Pearce, inspector. Now, more than ever, it has been found that to prevent so thorough an impregnation of the soil at either side, boarding should be laid down at least from the Oxford terrace bridge to the river as suggested by Mr Harman at the last meeting of the Drainage Board. Looking at the drain yesterday, under its new aspect, the wonder is that no serious accident has occmred, as at some portions along the line in Antigua street, the fall is nearly left abruptly. Passing along it and slightly diverging from the footpath, any traveller, deceived by the accumulation of weeds growing on the side of the path, might be thrown into the drain, and if fall ing 1 on to the edge of the side boards, and not unlikely stunned, might be found next morning a corpse, as there is always suf ticient water running in the drain to drown any one. It is a fact that on three occa sious this has beeu prevented, twice by a gentleman returning home (one being a woman and the other a man who had slipped in), and the other a man who was intoxicated. These fame suggest the idea whether the City Council might not find it judicious to fence in the line of drain from Tuam street to the belt, not only as a positive necessity but also to prevent expenses that might prove v ry serious.

Independent Order of Oddfellows— Loyal Avon Lodge.— The installation of officers of the above lodge w;.s held in the Orange Hall on Monday evening. The ceremony was perform'd by D. D.G.M. Bro White, atsisted by P,D.G.M, Bro Bowers and P.G. Bro Price. The following brethren took the respective chairs —N G , 0. Lezard; V G., H. D, Manning ; P. Sec. J. T. P.yei ; Treasurer, G. M. Walton ; conductor, A. Schwariz ; Warden, W. T. Price. The minor a n ats were taken by Bros Pearce, Matthews, Willie, Quill, and Marsh. The number of members showed a good increase for the last quarter. The finances were found to be in a satisfactory condition. Several fresh names were propose i for membership. It was stated that the G.M. intended forming a district here, and for the lodge to have its own district officer. The retiring hon sec, Bro Walton, was presented with a secretary’s jewel by the members of the lodge in recognition of his services.