The Globe. THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1877. NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 951, 12 July 1877, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1877. NEWS OF THE DAY.

Dkamatic. —Eecent files received by the mail state that Mr George DarrelPs play " Transported for Life " has had a very successful run in Sydney.

Dbafebs' Association. —The usual halfyearly meeting of the Drapers and Clothiers' Association will be held at the Foresters' Hall to-morrow evening, at half-past seven, for the election of officers and other business.

G-REYMOUTH. —The enterprise of the people of Greyniouth in constructing a tramway to Kumara seems to have had the effect of enabling them to compete considerably with the merchants of Hokitika. They occasionally forward from eight to twelve tons to the mining township by tramway. But while they are enlarging this trade Westport is competing with them as a source of supply for Keefton, there having lately been several waggons placed on the new road up the Buller.

New Zealand History.—A " Chronological tree of New Zealand," has been prepared by Mr James McKain Meek, of Auckland, and lithographed. It embodies a vast amount of statistical and other information relating to New Zealand in a small compass, and in a form to which easy reference can be had. The tree, whose trunk has been crowded with information relating to New Zealand, is an excellent representation of a gigantic kauri, and the labour expended on it has been immense.

St. Andbew's Schoolroom. —The second lecture of a series was delivered last night by the Rev. ¥m, Douglas, of Akaroa, on "Swedenborg." The Kev. 0. Fraser presided and introduced the lecturer. Owing to the inclemency of the weather the attendance was not large, but those who were present thoroughly enjoyed the able manner in which the lecturer treated the subject. The choir discoursed music at intervals. On the motion of Mr A. Lusk, seconded by Mr D. Crawford, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the rev. lecturer.

The G-aiety.—There was another "good house" at the Gaiety Theatre last night, rain notwithstanding. The comedy " Old Sailors" and the burlesque " Aladdin" were repeated. This evening there is to be a change of programme, by the representation of the amusing, entertaining, instructive domestic drama, " Doing for the Best," to be followed by the farce, " Nan, the G-ood for Nothing." In the drama Mr Oily Deering and other members of the company play their parts most effectively, and, if the farce is familiar, it is in this instance a familiarity which does not breed contempt. Oddfellows' Concert in Lyttelton.— A number of the members of the City of Norwich Lodge of Oddfellows gave an entertainment on Tuesday night, in aid of Bro. Lancaster, who had been seriously injured on the Breakwater works. The sympathy of the public was shown by the manner in which they attended, the hall being crammed to overflowing. The evening's amusement consisted of a Christy Minstrel entertainment, given by the Lyttelton Oddfellows' Christys, comprising the regular chair business and two farces, and also some readings and songs by Lyttelton gentlemen. Everything went well, the applause being loud and frequent, and a very handsome sum has been collected for the brother in distress.

Obituaby— Dunedin and Wanganiu exchanges convey the information of the deaths of two young men from consumption. One of these is Mr Pearson, who had been connected with the " Guardian " since its birth, and with the " Morning Star," which preceded it. Since the " Southern Mercury " was attached to the "G-uardian" ho had been the printer of the former journal, in which position he continued till within the past few weeks, when, compelled to give over work by the progress of pulmonary disease, he had been preparing to leave with his young wife for the milder climate of Queensland. He died on the day fixed for his departure. The other death is that of Mr John Williams Wigzell, solicitor, formerly of Nelson, who died on Thursday, at his residence, Wanganui, at the age of thirty-six years, after a most painful illness. His remains were removed to Nelson for interment,

Cbicket. —Wc have often been asked, says the " Wanganui Herald," what is the greatest distance that a cricket ball can be proved to have been thrown. The palm we believe rests with a Brisbane blackfellow who threw a 5£ ounce ball 141 yards, being twenty yards farther than any oilier man has been known to do it cither before or since.

Licensing Pees.—Writing on the subject of an amended Licensing Bill, the Auckland "Herald" says : —There is one thing which the Assembly ought to set itself to effect, and that is that there should bo one uniform system of licensing fees all over the colony, by which means the tax-gatherers would avoid the absurd anomaly which these chavgos present with differing rates hi the different provincial districts. In some, as iu Auckland, the rate is too high, and ought to be induced. Throughout the colony it should be made uniform and placed entirely under one law. As the law now stands the licensed victuallers of Auckland have a grievance in the exceptionally high fees which are exacted here ; and as a body, they are perfectly justified in asking for reduction and ccpialisation.

Otago Farmers in the North Island. —The " Bay of Plenty Times" learns that Mr William Butler and Mr John Gordon, who lately arrived from the South, in search of land in the Bay of Plenty district, have completed the purchase of two valuable blocks at Opotiki. Six hundred and thirty-nine acres, situated on the Otara river, near to the township, have been bought by Mr Gordon, from Mr Walker, for £3OOO, and Mr Butler has become the owner of a farm, sold to liim by Mr George Forbes, junr., containing one hundred and fifty acres, for the sum of £950; this price including some horses, ploughs, and a few farm implements, the property being situated at Waioeka, about four miles distant from the township. Messrs Gordon and Butler are spoken of as representative men of a class of intelligent and industrious Scottish agriculturists, who settled in Otago years ago, and have gradually worked their way up to comparative affluence.

The Hon. Me Staffoed at Timaeu.— The "Press" of this morning J says : —"lt is only proper that prominent notice should be taken of the facilities which have been afforded by the Telegraph Department for the fulfilment of our wish, and of the wishes of the Press generally, to have early and speedy transmission of a report of the Hon. Mr Stafford's speech last evening. Mr Stafford's inter-sessional speeches are naturally looked for and read with considerable interest, and on each occasion of their delivery, The Peess, with the aid of the Telegraph Department, has been able to present its readers with a full report of his speech on the morning after its delivery. On this occasion, by special arrangements made, the Telegraph Department competent to send to this office, to that of our local contemporary, and to other newspapers throughout the colony, as well as to the Press Agency, all that was required to be sent. And that, as will be seen by our report of this morning, was of considerable amount. Not only was the report promptly transmitted, but its style of transmission was such as to show that the department possesses and employed on this occasion competent operators and transcribers. The perfection of the arrangements made is especially attributable to the Inspector, MiBird, and to the officers in charge at Cliristehurch and Timaru, but these arrangements were materially promoted by the efficiency of the officers to whom their practical execution was entrusted." She Would and She Wouldn't. —A little comedy in real life was recently enacted in the office of the Registrar in Auckland. As the story is told by the " Star," a gallant young officer of a vessel in port having become enamoured of a barmaid at an hotel not far removed from the bottom of Wyndham street, had so far made good his position as to secure his inamorata's consent to a marriage at Mr Wayland's office on Tuesday morning. Thither at the time appointed the marriage party wended their way, and at length stood in the presence of the official empowered by law to make the twain one flesh. The bridegroom was proudly elated and radiant with pleasure, feeling, no doubt, that his happiness was secure. The bride, although she clung closely to her lover's arm, did not seem at her ease, and though an experienced friend who was with her kept telling her to keep up her spirits, and no one would hurt her, she persisted in giving ever and anon a wistful glance towards the open door. "We want another witness," said the Registrar. " Oh, perhaps one of the gentlemen in the next office will oblige," said the bridegroom elect, and — dropping for a moment his fiancee's arm—he crossed the threshold to find the required witness. The conduct of the bride was now very reprehensible. She waited till the doorway was clear, and then made one bolt for the stairs, which she descended with a rapidity truly marvellous, nor did she pause in her headlong career till she found herself inside the bar-parlour of her employer's house. Of course this flight struck consternation to the hearts of the bridegroom and friend. They followed the lady at a slower pace, and found her sobbing in that little bar parlor. On being asked for an explanation of her conduct, the little dove said she did not know what it was ailed her, but she was so frightened that she could not go through the ceremony. It was in vain they tried to induce her to return. She steadily refused.