NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 962, 26 July 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

Mail Agent.—lt is understood that Mr S. Johnston, post-master at Kaiapoi, will proceed to San Francisco in charge of the next outward mail as mail agent. Pressmen Mayors.—Mr S. N. Brown, proprietor of the Cromwell "Argus," has been elected Mayor of Cromwell; and Mr W. Warren, of the Lake Wakatip "Mail," has been re-elected to the mayoral chair of Queenstown.

Fishhook. —We hear, says the "Wanganui Chronicle," that it is not improbable that Fishhook will again be owned in Wanganui, when an attempt will be made to have the disqualification removed. A half brother of his now in Wanganru is said to be a very promising colt. Fish in Port Phillip.—G-ood hauls of fish appear to be obtainable at Queenscliff by the fishermen just now. Forty basketfuls were sent up-country by one mail train to Ballarat, and sixty baskets were sent to Melbourne by steamer. Otago Northern Railway.—The one great work on the Dunedin Northern line of railway is nearly concluded. The work of piercmg the Deborah Bay Tunuel is now progressing satisfactorily, and it is expected that the " meet " will be effected about Saturday next. There are now only about 50ft. remaining to be pierced. Conference of Municipalities.—The adjourned meeting of the City Council, to consider matters relating to the above, was held yesterday in committee at the Council Chambers, the Mayor presiding. The balance of the business remaining undisposed of from the previous meeting was considered, and the Council adjourned at 6.30 p.m. The conference will meet at Wellington on Ist prox. Fire at Balclutha.—Mr John McNeil's house at Balclutha was burned to the ground on Monday morning. Mr McNeil and family, two boys excepted, were away at Warepa since Saturday night. The fire was observed at 5.30 a.m. by the two boys, who were sleeping upstairs, but they could do nothing to stop its progress. They were only barely able to escape. The building is insured for £SOO, and the furniture for £450 in the New Zealand Insurance office. The cause of the fire is unknown. Items. —Mr Baker, well known in connection with the Hibernicon, has taKen the Phuenix Hotel at Wanganui. —-An item has been placed on the Estimates for a new Supreme Court-house and ollices at Welling-ton-__Tho New Zealand "Times" mentions that for the accommodation of the Press this session "the authorities" have provided in Ihe Parliamentary Buildings one small room without a fireplace, a large table, and_ one uhair. —It is a sign of settlement and civilisation that tenders are invited for the erection of police barracks at Jackson's Bay.—The Kumava G-ood Templars' Lodge u»w numbers 160 members.

Attempted Suicide and Gallant Rescue.—Reporting.the attempted suicide of Patrick Reddan, at Qreyxnouth, the " Argus " says:—He walked straight from Clime's Hotel on to the wharf and deliberately jumped into the river ahead of the steamer Kennedy. He was observed by Mr Foote and Mr James Payne, who were near the spot at the time, and Mr Foote at once endeavored to get a boat to rescue him, but in the meantime Captain Allardyce, harbormaster, picked up a buoy from the wharf, and divesting himself of his coat, jumped into the river and swam to the then drowning man. Had Captain Allardyce been a minute later the man must have perished, as he was all but gone when brought, to shore —as it was it was at considerable risk of his own life that Capt. Allardyce was able to keep Reddan from sinking. The promptitude with whicli Captain Allardyce plunged in the river to save Reddan's life is worthy not only of warm commendation, but of some substantial recognition. This is not the first life Captain Allardyce has saved, and he deserves at least the valued medal of the Royal Society ; and we have no doubt that if his action in this and previous similar eases were properly reported lie would receive it. Improvements at Rangiora.— Considerable addition has of late been made to several of the business premises here, and notably to the buildings erected on Main road. There are others in course of erection, and, following the example of Mr Anderson, seedsman, Mr G-olding has erected a restaurant of commodious proportions, of concrete. Mr McNaught, saddler, has a similar building in progress at the junction of Ashley road and Main road, in which he intends to open a branch of his Amberley business as soon as it is completed. Mr Sklaark, saddler, has laid the foundations of another concrete building, the walls of which are to be carried up 19ft.; and lastly, Mr H. Blackett, storekeeper, has just had completed an underground sitting-room enclosed in massive concrete walls, and is prosecuting further enlargements to his extensive premises also in concrete work. The Volunteer Fire Brigade have been accommodated with new quarters for their engine plant, in a shed erected at the rear of the Road Bdard and Resident Magistrate's Court offices, to which is attached a bell turret 40ft. in height, and the alarm in case of fire, should occasion require it, may now be heard throughout the district. Drapeus and Clothiers'Association. — The first annual dinner of the above Association was held last evening at the Commercial Hotel, his Worship the Mayor in the chair, Mr Swaine filling the vice chair. About forty sat down to an excellent spread provided by Mr Radcliffe. Apologies were read from a number of employers. After the cloth had been removed, the usual loyal toasts were given by the chairman. Mr J. W. Shackleton proposed "The Employers," which was responded to by Mr Thomas Fountaine. The following was the remainder of the toast ( list:— "The Drapers and Clothiers'Associa- ' tion," proposed by Mr C. T. Ick, responded to by Mr C. M. Grrey, as chairman of tlic Association. "The Ladies," proposed by Mr J. T. Strange, responded to by Mr J. Triggs. " The Trade of Christehurch," proposed by Mr W. Browne, responded to by Mr B. Cass. " The Press," proposed by Mr Rundell. "The Host," proposed by Mr a. Kelly, responded to by Mr. Radcliffe. " The Chairman," proposed by Mr B. Cass, and drank enthusiastically. During the evening, songs were excellently rendered by Messrs G-rey, Jacobs, Northey, and the Mayor, and an amusing recitation was given by Mr Reilly. Altogether an exceedingly enjoyable evening was spent, the only drawback being the generally expressed regret at the small attendance of employers, four only being present. The party broke up at eleven o'clock punctually. Entertainment.—An entertainment in aid of Mr Rigg, who was hurt on thej breakwater works some months ago, was given at the Oddfellows' Hall, Lyttelton, on Tuesday night. The hall was crammed to suffocation, and the audience were evidently prepared to be pleased with the performance, heartily applauding every item. The first part consisted of some chair business by the Lyttelton Oddfellows' Christy Minstrels ; the second of a miscellaneous entertainment, consisting of readings and vocal and instrumental music and an exhibition of fencing and single stick, and the third of a spelling bee for children and adults. Mr James Yule occupied the chair, and thanked the performers and audience lor the help they had given. He stated that one gentleman, whose name he was not at liberty to mention, as he was one of those who " did good by stealth and blushed to find it fame" had given him £5 for Mr Rigg. (Loud cheering.) He thanked all present on behalf of Mr Rigg for their sympathy and help. The spelling bee was well contested, Master Malcolmson and Miss Hobbs taking the children's prizes, and Messrs J. Milsoin and Talbot those awarded to the adults. Mr Milsom, who won the first prize of £3, gave the money back to go to the fund, and was loudly cheered for his kindness. The proceeds of the entertainment were more than £42, and it is thought that after paying all expenses £36 will be left for Mr Rigg, with whom, as the proceeds show, a very general sympathy has been felt. Lyttelton Borough School. —Yesterday afternoon, after studies had been concluded at this school, all the pupils, with the exception of the infants, were mustered in the large room in the south wing, and Mr H. R. "Webb, the chairman, addressed them. He said they had been gathered together in order that he might make a most pleasing announcement to them —namely, that two of their fellow scholars had been awarded some of the highest prizes that coidd be gained by children in the Canterbury district. Miss Elizabeth Milsom had gained a scholarship in the A class worth £BO, being £4O a year for two years, and Miss Jane D'Authreau had won the Masonic scholarship, which was worth £25 per annum for three years, or £75 in all. He had not received official notice of this, but had heard it from Mr Cunningham. Miss Elizabeth Milsom had done remarkably well, as she had gained the greatest number of marks in her class, though there were foi-ty-one competitors. He hoped they would emulate the example set them by these young ladies, so that more scholarships might next year be awarded to Lyttelton borough scholars. He thought such an event, as the gaining of those scholarships should be marked in the annals of the school, and therefore proposed to give them all a holiday on Thursday. (At this announcement there was unqualified applause from the scholars generally.) They must remember that, they owed this holiday to the young ladies who had gained the scholarships, and he called upon them to give three hearty cheers for them first, and then three more for their, masters and mistresses, to whose careful teaching the honor won by the school was due. The cheering was donp most lustily, and scholars thtn eUfprsecL

Wike Tramways. The "Ofcago Daily Times" learns that Messrs John Alves and Henry Iloworth, who have recently obtained a patent for wire suspension tramways, are making arrangements for erecting several lines for the carriage of quartz, coal, &c. This patent is for the use and application of wire suspension tramways for loading and discharging vessels in roadsteads, and for works connected with mining, dredging, and reclaiming land, and for conveying material of any description from the scene of operation to the place of destination required. TriK Sculling Championship. The Clarence River "Examiner" contains the following in reference to another race between Trickett and Rush: —" Mr Rush feels confident that the sliding seat is of the very greatest advantage in rowing, and that it is quite useless for any man to attempt to row on a fixed seat against a competitor on a sliding seat, if their strength and skill are at all equally matched. Mr Rush has ordered two boats from England, and on their arrival will proceed to practise. It is not generally known that the time of Trickett's last trial before the race was 18niin 50sec, while that of Rush was 19min 45sec. We are also informed by Mr Rush that he did not discover the reason of his failure to use the sliding seat to advantage until within a few days of the race. It appears that it is necessary, when using the sliding seat, to have the sculls at least 3in longer than those used with a fixed seat,; but this was not known to our local sculler until it was too late to avail himself of the information."