NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1026, 9 October 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Pigeon Races. —A pigeon race under the auspices of the Columbarian Society took place to-day, the flight being from South Rakaia. The following was the result: —Mr J. J. Parker’s Father Tom, first, 55 minutes ; MrJ. J. Parker’s Bathurst Flyer, second, 64 minutes ; Mr Rees’s Traitor, third, 66) minutes; Mr H. Porter’s Savanka, 67) minutes ; Mr Rees’s Idiot, 75 minutes ; Mr G . Triggs’s Yulcan, 80 minutes; Mr H. P. Harrison’s Aladdin, 80 minutes; Mr Rees’s Bismarck did not arrive. Board of Health. —The City Council is in favor of resuming its powers as Local Board of Health for the city, and is to hold a meeting on Friday night to further consider the matter. Rapid Steaming.— Another of the steamers of the new line of colonial traders, the Chimborazo, has, it will be seen, arrived in Melbourne after an extraordinary passage of forty-one days. Amended Drainage Act.— The Canterbury Amended Drainage Act, at present before Parliament, was severely criticised at the City Council last night, and a resolution expressive of the Council’s disapproval was passed. City Council Meetings. —The City Council will in futm’e meet at seven in the evening, instead of four in the afternoon, the motion of Councillor Briggs to that effect having been carried. Rifle Shooting.—A friendly match was fired yesterday morning between the employes of Mr C. P. Hulbert, hatter, and Messrs Strange and Fountaine, tailors and clothiers, which resulted in an easy victory for the latter by 79 to 51 points. The ranges fired at were 200 and 400 yards. College Examinations. The annual examinations of Canterbury College commenced yesterday, at 9.30 a.m., in the late Provincial Council Chamber. Fourteen students had entered, and twelve —all being matriculated students —presented themselves. The subject taken was Latin, which will be continued to-day. To-morrow and following day mathematics will be taken. Freak of Nature. —The curator of the Acclimatisation Society has in his possession a curiosity which he found in the hatching boxes last Sunday. It is the external covering of a trout ovum, to which is attached two perfectly formed bodies, which are joined together below the middle, and have only one tail between them. These Siamese twins of the trout species were dead when found by the curator. The Indian Famine. —Further details as to the great famine in India, and as to steps being taken in Melbourne for the relief of the famished people, will be found in our telegraphic news. In Dunedin a public meeting on the subject was to be held last evening, and in other cities steps are being taken to raise subscriptions. Probably collections will be made in some of our churches on Sunday, but no arrangements have yet been made for any general public movement. Tree-Planting. —The example of Christchurch and Nelson in planting with willows and blue gums the banks of the local streams is being imitated in Greymouth. What has long been a local eyesore, the Tidal Creek, is being so planted, and the ultimate effect will, no doubt, be to considerably improve the appearance of the town. The corporation of Cromwell, we notice, is also distributing seeds of trees and shrubs gratuitously to ratepayers, as a means of beautifying the town thereby.

Juvenile Industrial Exhibition. — Judging by the following extract from Saturday’s “Daily Times” the ladies of Dunedin do not appear to take a very strong interest in the proposed Juvenile Industrial Exhibition. The “Times” remarks as follows: —“Ladies interested in the Australian Juvenile Industrial Exhibition for the benefit of the youth of the colonies were invited to attend a meeting at the Normal School yesterday afternoon. As only one lady displayed interest in the subject by attending at the time appointed, the proposal to obtain the co-operation of the ladies appears to be a failure, unless some other action is taken.”

The Reefton Robbery. —Gilmer’s Hotel, Reefton, was recently robbed of £l2O in cash and cheques. Harry Smith, manager or head waiter of the hotel, was charged with the robbery. Such was the local sympathy with him that a large amount was subscribed for his defence before the Supreme Court at Nelson. The verdict was one of acquittal, and the jurors subsequently took the extraordinary step of presenting Smith with a document to the following effect: —“ We, the undersigned members of jury, in the case Queen v Harry Smith, hereby express our full conviction that the said Harry Smith, when discharged, left the Court without the slightest stain upon his character ; and we regret that he should have been called upon to answer such a charge.”

Supreme Court. —His Honor Mr Justice Johnston yesterday sentenced W. J. Mahoney, who was concerned in the type-stealing case, to six months’ imprisonment. It will be remembered that sentence was deferred in consequence of a statement made by Mahoney that lie had been advised by Mr Clarke, solicitor, Bangiora, to take the type without a breach of the peace. His Honor therefore deferred passing sentence until Mr Clarke had an opportunity of explaining this. Mr Clarke appeared yesterday morning, and, being sworn, stated that he had given no such advice to Mahoney, and positively denied the statement made by the prisoner. His Honor expressed his pleasure at hearing the denial, and sentenced the prisoner as above. Lecture. —The last of the present series of lectures being given in connection with the Young Men’s Christian Association was delivered last night by the Rev. Thomas Hodgson in the Congregational Schoolroom, to a large audience. Mr George Booth presided. The subject of the lecture was “ David Livingstone : His Life and Labors.” In introducing his subject the lecturer dwelt on the higher and nobler aims of Christian life and labor winch had been such very marked features in the life of Dr Livingstone, and the early struggles of the great missionary in the attainment of knowledge were briefly referred to. His several missions and explorations in Africa were next detailed; and the sufferings and privations lie underwent were described in touching language. The reverend lecturer most emphatically condemned the conduct of Stanley during his recent exploration of the interior of Africa, which would go far, ho said, to counteract the labors of Livingstone. The lecture was concluded with a graphic picture of the closing scenes of the great man’s life and the lessons to be derived therefrom by young men. A hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer lermiyatsd tbo njocaedings.

Drowned. —The body of a man name d Henry De Tourette was lately found in the [nangahua river at Reefton. He was last seen going towards the river, on a Saturday night. He lived across the stream, which was slightly flooded. He was clerk to Mr Davies, sharebroker, was aged forty, and leaves a wife and six children. At the inquest, the verdict brought in was “ That deceased was accidentally drowned.” Comfort in Railway Travelling. —As our railway lines will shortly be "open for some considerable distance, and night trains may become fashionable, we commend the following to the notice of the Government:— The New South Wales Government have imported three railway carriages from America, which are thus described: “ Those who have the opportunity of using sleeping carriages in Australia for the first time will doubtless appreciate the convenience and even luxury of the accommodation now to be provided. The carriage will seat forty passengers. The interior woodwork consists of black walnut, having highly polished panels and gilt mouldings. The locks, window fasteners, &c., are nickel-plated ; and the general appearance of the carriage is ornate and extremely pleasing. There are marble wash-basins in the compartments at each end, and toilet rooms —one for ladies and the other for gentlemen. There are also small reservoirs for drinking water, and movable tables, which can be placed at pleasure between every four passengers. These are found a great convenience for travellers in America who take their own lunchbaskets, and are also convenient for reading, &c. The windows open upwards. The ventilation of the carriage appears to be very good. There are platforms at each end of the carriage, and these are constructed so as to be flush with the existing platforms at the different stations. The first class carriage will seat nearly sixty passengers, and the seats will be provided with reversible backs. A second class carriage has been received, but has not yet been unpacked. They are all from the Delaware Carriage Works of Messrs Jackson and Sharp, of Wilmington. The “ Otago Guardian,” —As our readers are already aware by telegram, the “Otago Guardian” was amalgamated on Saturday last with the “ Daily Times.” Speaking of the reasons which led to this step the “Guardian” says:—“We are aware that many people are inclined to say that there should be two morning papers in every centre of population, so as to have what is called a representation of the two sides of every question. If those who desire such luxury had proved their estimate of its importance during the last four or five years, it is not improbable that such desire might have continued to be realised in the case of the metropolis of Otago. But unhappily wishes do not sustain newspapers, which have an enormous and irrepressible penchant for the consumption of gold, while advertisers —on whose favors newspapers mainly exist—however strong their personal predilections, not unreasonably incline to give their support to that advertising medium which they know to bring the best return to their business in the form of £s. d. We very gratefully acknowledge the warm desire for the success of the “ Guardian” —especially during the past eighteen months —which has prevailed in Otago. Not only have we had flattering assurances of appreciation of the ability with which it has been conducted ; but we are aware that its political policy has been warmly approved by the largest and strongest political party in the province, and w r e are also fully aware that, owing to the strong feeling entertained in its favor, large support has been given to it by advertisers, and not merely on grounds of receiving corresponding commercial benefit in return. From all these circumstances, we are fully confident that in no more favorable circumstances could the attempt have been made to struggle against an established paper like the “ Daily Times.” The advertising and business public naturally feel that their first duty is to their own financial interests ; and those interests, rightly or wrongly, they feel to be best served through the medium of a journal having a long-established hold on the people of the province.”