NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 913, 29 May 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Gaiety.—Clifford's Mirror of the World was exhibited last evening for the first time in Christchurch. The various pictures are photographs enlarged and shown by means of the oxy-hydrogen light. By this means the salient points in the pictures are brought out in bold relief, so much so that one can almost imagine that the real scene is being viewed. The various pictures are well taken, and give a very vivid idea of the places represented. Altogether, the exhibition is well worth a visit. Mr Woodroofe presided at the piano, and played various selections during the evening with much taste. The Mirror will be exhibited this evening.

The Gaiety Company.—The burlesque company recently playing at the Gaiety have left for a fortnight's tour in the Southern portion of the province. During their absence they will visit Timaru and Oamaru, and some of the smaller towns on the way. On returning Mr Hall's company will be strengthened by the accession of Mrs Hall (who will be warmly welcomed by playgoers) and Miss Lizzie Morgan. Several new pieces are in rehearsal, and will be produced. Insurers Uninsured. —At the annual meeting of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, recently held in Sydney, reference was made to the late Mr Joseph Dyer, the resident secretary in New Zealand, to whose ability and exertions the remarkable success of the society in New Zealand admittedly is mainly attributable. Professor Smith said the company's secretary in New Zealand had recently died, leaving a wife and nine children unprovided for, except by an insurance of £SOO, which would be all absorbed in the payment of his debts. The local directors had pressed the claim of this servant on the Central Board, and the Board referred it to the meeting ; but a resolution proposing a grant of £SOO was rejected by a large majority. The South Drain. —For some time past it has been known that the vicinity of the South Drain has been prolific in typhoid fever cases, but no tangible reason has been discovered. Yesterday, however, the report of the Medical Officer of Health revealed a very bad state of things. It appears that at one place where he visited, a cesspit on the margin of the drain was found to be full to overflowing, and its contents as a matter of course finding a way into the drain. The matter has been referred to the City Council, who will, it is to be hoped, take prompt measures to prevent such a thing occurring again. The Governor's Visit.—A meeting of the City Council was held yesterday afternoon by the Mayor's invitation to confer with him as to what arrangements should be made to receive and entertain his Excellency on the occasion of his coming visit. After various opinions had been given it was eventually understood that his Worship shoidd invite the members for the city to be present with him, and receive the Governor at the railway platform. The Mayor promised to act upon a suggestion made to consult with a number of influential citizens as to the practicability of getting up a subscription ball, to be held during his Excellency's stay. Rabbit Coursing.—On Saturday afternoon a party of gentlemen, enthusiasts in coursing, assembled at the Riccarton Hotel for the purpose of indulging in rabbit coursing in the absence of hares. A dozen wild rabbits had been procured the previous evening from the Waimakarhu Island, and some very good sport was shown. The running, which took place in a paddock opposite the hotel, was not conducted on strict coursing principles, owing to the absence of a competent judge, but it was so successful as to warrant another afternoon's sport at an early date. It was anticipated that six dogs would have put in an appearance, but the following only ran, viz— Mr Anson's blk d Nigger—Nicodemus— Bertha; Mr Searell's f d Tasman, ped. unknown ; Mr W. G. Walker's blk w b Ouida— Streak of Light—Lufra; Mr W. G. Walker's w and bl d Blue Cap—lnverniven—Fly (Bagot's). High Journalism. Announcements of newspaper changes or improvements in Timaru are usually made in a very elaborate manner, in which morals and metaphor are mixed, if not associated. Such was the case lately on the announcement of a contemplated evening issue from the Herald office. Now it is the Times's turn. Having related some of its history and that of the district generally, our contemporary says : —" We have made certain arrangements whereby we trust that this journal will become even more than it is at the present time, an especial favorite at the tea and supper table, as well as at the family fireside. We have engaged the services of an eminent writer as Editor of this journal, whose abilities and knowledge of political, social, and other tilings in general, connected with local, Colonial, or Old and New World subjects, fully entitles Mm to a place in the foremost ranks of journalists of the present day." The announcement ends with the intimation that the Times will also be published at the small (if not always payable) price of one penny per copy. Drainage—Longbeach.—On Thursday last, Messrs John Grigg and Thomas Taylor, members of the Ashburton Road Board, in company with Mr Lewis, overseer to the Board, met at Waterton for the purpose of considering the best plan of draining that pai*t of the district. Whilst deliberating over the matter, a number of l'atepayers living in the neighbourhood, who had become aware of the proposed meeting, mustered to lay before the above gentlemen the great necessity for immediate steps being taken to improve the state of the i*oads. After a little consultation, it was decided to have a ride round and sec what was actually necessary to be done. This was carried out, and, after inspecting the worst parts of the immediate neighbourhood, the whole party returned to Waterton and again assembled in the Public Library, when Mr John Grigg took the chair. It was proposed by Mr Joseph Clark and seconded by Mr Smith, " That the Old Ford creek should be cleaned out from Mr Thomas's, Beach road, to Anderson's bridge, Dawson's road," and this was carried unanimously. It was proposed likewise by Mr Taylor, and seconded by Mr Bishop, " That a drain be cut from Shearer's gully along the west side of Wheatstone road to rural section 16781." Those present thought that if the above works were carried out, they would meet the requirements of that part of the district for the present. The chairman was requested to bring the matter before the Board, and to use his best endeavours to have these resolutions carried out.