NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 934, 22 June 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

Sumner. —The next entertainment will take place in the schoolroom on Wednesday evening next, at eight (-’clock.

Lyttelton Oddfelloavs. —The anniversary of the City of Norwich Lodge will be celebrated this evening at the New Oddfellows’ Hall, Lyttelton, by a dinner. Coursing.—The secretary of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society has received from the Hon. the Minister of Justice a telegram, stating that a proclamation has been signed by his Excellency permitting the coursing of hares from July 2nd to July 14th

The G-eojigias.—These minstrels appeared in a new programme last evening at the Theatre, and judging from the applause which greeted them, they succeeded in pleasing the audience to the full. They appear again this evening, and to-morrow will be their last performance. Appointment.—Mr Alfred Boardman, son of the manager of the South British Insurance Company, has received the management of the Wellington branch of the company, and has proceeded thither to enter upon his now duties. Mr Boardman is a solicitor by profession. Chamber op Commerce. —The adjourned quarterly meeting of the Chamber was held at the rooms yesterday. The business before the meeting was the revision of the new rides which had been framed. This was done and the rules ordered to bo printed with some slight amendments. Accident. —Dr Grillies, the Dunedin health officer, met with an accident on Monday afternoon. While riding quietly along the Halfway Bush road his horse shied so suddenly as to lose his footing, and fell on his side, the doctor’s leg being under him. The result was that Dr Grillies had his right leg fractured, and his back severely hurt.

The Latest “Art Union.” —A monster art union has been projected at Ivumara for disposing of two aerated water and cordial factories situated at Ivumara and Stafford, some patent rights therewith, various freehold sections, and a lot of miscellaneous property. The projectors hope to sell 2300 tickets at 20s each.

Totara Quartz Reefs. —The result of the crushing of the quartz taken from the Totara Company’s mine, at Donnelly’s Creek, and reduced at the Bank of New Zealand, Hokitika, has turned out most satisfactory. The returns are per ton, says the Ross Guardian , Gozs. 13dwts. 8 grs avoirdupois of refined gold ; and by troy weight 4ozs. 7dwts. 22grs.

Consignees ter Railway.—lt is intimated elsewhere by uotiee from the Greneral Manager’s office, that, on and after July Ist, the railway department will not furnish consignees with weight or measurement of cargoes of coal, timber, or general goods. Ships’ manifests or bills of lading will be accepted for the purpose of estimating railway carriage, subject to the penalty provided under sec. 154 of the Public Works Act, 1876. The Late Fire at Lyttelton.—The unconsumed produce left on the site of the export shed was sold on Wednesday to Mr Watt, of the Provision and Produce Company. The price given was £3l, one of the conditions of sale being that all the stuff should be removed before Wednesday next. Operations were commenced yesterday. The fire is still smouldering in places, and will continue to do so till the heaps of potatoes and grain are removed.

Tile s.s. Wellington.— Some fears began to be entertained about the safety of this steamer, as she had not put in an appearance for some days after making a futile attempt to cross the Manukau bar. But she has since arrived safely, though not altogether scatheless, having apparently had an experience of the Manukau on the first occasion which was very nearly culminating in a disaster similar in results, if not in dimensions, to that which overt ook the ill-fated Orpheus. The Gaiety Company. —Mr John Hall and his excellent company gave an entertainment at the Colonists’ Hall last night. It consisted of the farce “My Turn Next,” in which Mr Hall and Mr Keeley excited much laughter. The extravaganza of “ The Field of the Cloth of Gold ” followed, in which Messrs Hall and Keeley and Miss Laura Wiseman were all exceedingly good. The various songs and dances were much applauded. New Wesleyan Church, Colombo Road. —The foundation-stone of the above church will be laid on Thursday, July sth, at 3 p.m. Mrs George Gould has kindly consented to perform the ceremony. A short service will be held on the ground, in which the Revs. Fraser, McFarlane, Crump, Morley, and Smalley will take part. A soiree will come off on the evening of the same day, in the Colombo road public school. The public meeting will be addressed by the Revs. Cocks, Daleston, Crump, Worker, Morley, and Smalley. Special omnibusses will run to enable friends from town to be present on this interesting occasion.

Supreme Court Rules. —The Judges who assembled in Wellington at the last sittings of the Court of Appeal considered the rules touching the examination and proof of qualification of candidates for admission as barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court. The rules at present in force were repealed, and others, to IHe number of twenty, substituted for them. They have just been gazetted, and will come into force on the Ist of J anuary next,

Oddfellowshif. The Loyal Star o Waltham Lodge of Oddfellows held its halff yearly meeting at the Library, Waltham, on Tuesday, June 19th, for election of officers for the ensuing half-year. Y.G-. Thompson was installed N.G.; Bro. Can, Y.G. ; Bro. Patton, E.S. ; and P.G. Crowley, P.S. There was a fair attendance of members and visitors, among whom were D.P.G.M. Cameron and P.P.G.M. Parry, who complimented the Lodge on the style in which its business was conducted. The receipts of the evening were £l6 15s lOd. The New Railway Tariff. —At the adjourned quarterly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday, the new tariff of charges on the railway, which comes into force on the Ist July next, was the topic of some conversation. The purport of the remarks made by the several speakers was unfavourable to the tariff as proposed by the Government. The whole subject is under the consideration of the committee of the Chamber, and will also be submitted to a general meeting of the members.

Football. —The following will represent the Old College Boys’ Association in the match on Saturday against the Christchurch club ; —Messrs W. H. Atack, E. Cotterill, W. Cotterill, T. Chapman, Thos. Gordon, Wm, Hartland, E. G. Hawkes, J. Martin, Wm. Milton, J. Milton, H. McCardell, G. S. Mathias, W. M. Ollivier, W. Potts, J. Wilkin; emergency, E. Field, H. Cotterill, J. H. Hawkes. Any of the above who are unable to play, are requested to let Thos. Gordon, the secretary of the association, know at once.

Good Templaby at Little Rites.— About thirty-fire persons assembled in the District schoolroom on Saturday evening, the 16th instant, to discuss the advisability of establishing a lodge in connection with the 1.0.G.T. at Little River. Bros. Trumble and Hoskins, from the Grand Lodge, Christchurch, and Bros. Clemments and Glover, from Akaroa, were present to initiate and instruct the joining members of the new lodge, which was called the Forsyth. After the delegates had expatiated on the benefits to be derived from Good Templarism, nineteen members enrolled themselves under the Forsyth banner, from whom officers were selected and installed.

Plurality op Babs. —This vexed question will come before his Honor Mr Justice Johnston to-day in the shape of an appeal from a judgment of the Resident Magistrate at Christchurch, in the case of Police v. J. Barrett. The defendant is the licensee of Barrett’s Family Hotel, Durham street north, and was summoned with others for having more than one bar in his house without paying an increased fee. On the hearing the Magistrate inflicted a fine, and notice of appeal was given, so as to bring the question of having more than one bar to an issue. A» noted the other day, the decision of the Wellington Bench on the same subject is diametrically opposed to the ruling of Mr Mellish.

The General Grant Expedition.— Arrangements have been finally concluded, and Capt. Giles proceeds to the Bluff by the next steamer with an experienced diver and the necessary hands. On their arrival there the Gazelle will proceed to the Auckland Isles with the first slant of wind. Active preparations will be then resumed at once to recover the treasure, and as easterly weather prevails more at this time of the year than any other, we hope soon to have to record the Gazelle’s triumphant return with the gold under hatches. We understand there is a probability of Captain Giles publishing on his return the story of the expedition, with lithographic diagrams and views of the Islands, and also descriptions of the animals, fish, and plants found there. Canterbury College. —A special meeting of the Board of Governors was held yesterday afternoon at the Public Library. Present —Mr W. Montgomery (chairmanJ, Yen Archdeacon Willock, Rev Charles Fraser, Hons E. W. Stafford, J. Hall, and B. Acland, Dr Coward, Messrs Stevens, Tosswill, Harman, Tancred, Malet, Fereday, and Hamilton. Letters were laid on the table from the Secretary for Crown lands ; T. Kane, architect ; Registrar of the University of New Zealand ; Recorder of Land Revenue; Professor Cook, and Hon C. C. Bowen. The chairman said the special meeting had been called to consider the report of the school of agriculture committee. A report from the estates committee had been brought up at a short notice, and it had been thought desirable to consider it with the other report. Perhaps it would be as well if both reports were considered in committee. On the motion of the Hon John Hall, seconded by Rev C. Fraser, it was resolved to go into committee to consider the reports. On resuming, the chairman reported the committee’s approval of the report of the school of agriculture committee, recommending the purchase of 323 acres of land for an agricultural farm ; and also that of the estates committee, recommending tho selection of suitable blocks of land as an endowment for the Girls’ Higli School. The action of the committee was confirmed by the Board, and also that taken by the chairman with reference to the latter report. The Board then adjourned.

Musical Festival. —The musical festival in connection with the Durham street Wesleyan Church took place last evening, when * Macfarren’s oratorio “St. John the Baptist” formed the principal piece. The oratorio is new here, and was heard last night for the first time in Christchurch. It is to be regretted that the very inclement weather prevented a larger attendance, as the manner in which the whole festival was rendered certainly deserved a crowded audience. The first part comprised selections from “ Judas Maccabeus ” and other works. The opening number in the first part was by Novcllo, “Call to remembrance.” The principal solo in this was very nicely sung by Mrs J. M. Thompson, who possesses a sweet voice and much musical talent, but it was scarcely powerful enough for so large a building as the chapel. Mrs C. M. Gray sang “ O Best in the Lord ” charmingly, her full sweet voice being heard to great advantage in it. Mr Merton, who was not in such good voice as we have heard him, sang “ Arm, arm, ye brave,” from “Judas Maccabeus.” There was a want of power in the declamatory portions of the solo, but in the other parts his voice was heard to advantage. The duet, “Hail, Judea,” was very nicely sung by Mrs Gray and Miss Kent, and the choruses also were rendered with steadiness and precision. Of the oratorio, it suffices to say that it was throughout most successful. The various solos were well interpreted, and the ' choruses went excellently. To ibis result the very capital band and Mr SearelTs really fine performance on the organ contributed in no small degree. So successful was the performance of the •oratorio that we hope ere long it will be repeated, and to a larger audience. Mr Smith conducted and Mr Corrick led a most efficient baud.

Gretmouth CoAL Company. —Some very fine specimens of coal from the small seam in the Greymouth Coal Company’s shaft liave been shown in that town. They present more the appearance of highly polished jet than ordinary coal, and it is said that one or two small pieces of true jet have been found. It is expected the main seam will be reached in the course of seven or eight weeks. Meantime the men are working at a great disadvantge, the presence of gas in large quantities preventing the use of fights. The Law of Libel.— Having quoted Judge Johnston’s remarks to the Grand Jury at Timaru on the Waimate libel case, the New Zealand Times thus comments upon them It seems to us that for newspaper purposes the law of libel will be found to be much more clearly defined by the latest English authorities. We find on reference to reports that if the case be one of public interest defendant is net liable, provided he published it fairly, from an honest desire to afford the public information. Comments on it are only material as evidence of malice. (Cox v. Feearey, 4 F. and F. 13.) Nor is the defendant liable if the statement is made bona fide in furtherance of the ends of justice. (Kershaw v. Bailey, 17 L.J., N.s. Ex. 129.) And as to comment ’on the acts of public men, it is clearly laid down that when a man assumes the character of a public servant he invites the comments of the public. (1 Nasmyth, E.P.L. 82.) Of course the case under notice at Timaru was one of a character that placed it beyond all doubt that Sherrin had grossly and in the most blackguard manner libelled Heed. But so far as Mr Justice Johnston’s remarks on the general law of libel are concerned, they do not seem to us to include the very plain principles laid down by the authorities we have quoted. The *Hox. Mr Fox ox Colonial Sports —Mr Fox declines to be a member of a committee to conduct a colonial regatta at Wanganui, and gives the following as his reasons for refusing “As an old Oxford and London oarsman my sympathies are very much with the exercise of boating, and I should be glad to see it practised in the colony wherever it can be clone. But I have observed that in the colony all these gatherings which are commonly called ‘ sports,’ whether regattas, races, Caledonian games, or any other, have surroundings and accompaniments which I cannot consent to countenance. There is the publican’s booth, for which the conductors of the sports generally receive a large pecuniary consideration ; betting on the events; gambling tables ; thimble rigging; prick the garter; and other practices carried on in open defiance of law, but with the general acquiescence of the police, and of any magistrates, and even higher functionaries, who may bo present. As a member of the committee, I should consider myself responsible for any such transactions, which observation has led me to believe arc, all or some of them, never absent from ‘ sports’ in this colony. I cannot help observing also that the first meeting of the committee to which I am invited by your circular is to be held at (t public house, a practice against which I always protest in matters of public business. Under these circumstances I beg most respectfully to decline the honor intended me by my election t© the committee.” We are told by the Wanganui Herald that the reading of this letter at the meeting of the committee “ created much amusement.”

Drowning of Mb Alax Baillih. —Late news from Fiji reported the drowning of Mr Alan Baillic, a gentleman known to many in different parts of this colony. He was warden of the Coromandel G oldfields some twelve or thirteen years ago. On the discovery of gold at the Thames, in 1867, he was made warden there, and occupied that position for about a year. For some time after Mr Baillic was engaged in the manufacture of ilax at Wharckawa, but for the last five or six years ho has been at Fiji. The circumstances under which he lost his life arc thus described He recently purchased a small schooner, the Beatrice, and left Levuka for Mokogai on Saturday afternoon, May 12th. It was blowing a strong easterly breeze when Mr Baillie started, with only two men (Sandwich) as a crew. A very heavy sea was running outside, which prevented the schooner making Mokogai in a direct course. When within about two miles of the island, and to leeward, in putting the vessel about, a heavy squall struck her, and, being in very light ballast, she careened over, filled and went down like a stone. The hatch floated, and the three unfortunates seized hold of this. After swimming for some time, and being aided by the natives, Mr Baillic’s strength began to fail, the heavy sea running making it no easy matter to make headway against it. The two boys assisted poor Baillie as well as they could, but he evidently must have got very weak, for, turning to the natives, he bade them “sa moce ” or good-bye, told them to make their way to land and leave him, then sank out of sight. They tried by diving to recover him, but were unsuccessful, and after a hard battle of some twelve hours with the sea succeeded in reaching the island of Mokondranga about half a mile from Mokogai.