NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1043, 29 October 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Syjuknhau Borough: Council. — The Sydenham Borough Council held their first meeting to-day at the Colombo road school. A number of committees were elected, and other general business transacted. It was resolved to hold the meetings of the Council fortnightly, the first to be held on next Monday week at 7 p.m. Alarm o f Eire.—Some alarm was caused to-day by the ringing of the firebell, and the turning out of the brigade ; fortunately their services were not required, as the fire was got under before they arrived on the scene. It occurred in the house of Mr Strongman, North town belt, and appears to have been caused by the accidental lighting of some matches. No great damage was done. Vandalism. —Some little time back the City Council gave orders to have the willows fringing the river lopped so as to prevent any impediment to the flow of the water. It was, however, never understood that the beautiful trees should be destroyed in the way they are now. Large branches ore being chopped out of the centre of them, high up, where they can offer no possible obstruction, and the only result is the destruction of one of the greatest ornaments the city possesses. As this vandalism has only just commenced we hope means will be taken to prevent its going further. Salmon Ova. —The secretary to the Greymouth Acclimatisation Society lias received word that 50,000 salmon ova, from California, are allocated to Greymouth, and preparations are now being made for their reception. The Lotteries Bill.—On the Legislative Council going into committee on the Lotteries Bill, Dr. Pollen moved the insertion of a new clause to allow of lotteries being got up for religious purposes, but it was lost on a division by a majority of 5. ' Intercolonial Telegbams.—At a recent sitting of the Legislative Council, the lion. Mr Peacock moved—" That it is desirable the Government should, if possible, arrange so that replies to telegrams sent to the Australian colonies can be prepaid." The motion was agreed to. Sad Accidem 1 . —A melancholy accident occurred at Kumara on Saturday, which resulted in the death of the youngest daughter of Mr R. J. Seddon, Mayor of the town. The child, Catherine Youd Lindsay Seddon, was playing at the edge of Gilbert Roberts's head-race, at the point where it crosses Seddon street, when she fell in and was drowned by being dragged by the current beneath a culvert. Eternal Railway Travelling.— It muet be rather lively travelling on the Auckland and Newcastle railway, for we notice that Mr A. Y. Macdonald, the general manager, in a Northern exchango, intimates that -'trains going North start from the ptati.cn and do rot stop." The Wflllinptor " Argus " suggests that it would be interesting to know what becomes of the trains after they leave the platform. Christciiurcu to Kumaba.—Mr Wylde, surveyor, has completed the survey of a road from Kumara to the Christchurch road. The line is nearly straight and over a very good country with easy gradients. The distance from Dillmau's Town to the junction at the Waimea bridge is six miles —or seven miles from Kumara. The saving in distance by the new road, over that by the Arahura, will be twenty-six miles.

TIMABTT AGRICULTURAL SHOW. The "Herald" lias been requested to state that on the first day of this show only sheep and implements will be on the ground for judging, but that thoiie who wish to see them can go on'the grounds by paying an entrance f6B of ss, Both of the classes of exhibits will, howerer, bo also on the ground the second any, ■which is the rtul day of the show. Thk Accident at Lyttelton. The sufferers by the a ccident on board the barque Pet are getting better. It will hardly be believed that the men came up out of the hold holding on to the chain at midday on Saturday, though there were other ways of ascending. The men themselves are i" fault, as tho man at the crane cannot tell whether he is hoisting up coals or men till they are level with the hatchway. Nothing but a general order from the proper authorities will stop the praotict.

St. Albans' Weslkyan Chubch. A musical festival was held in this church on Thursday evening last, when an excellent programme, comprising selections from the works of the great composers, a march and choral recitative and sanctus composed by Mr J. T. M. Smith, of this city, and Romberg's " Harmony of the Spheres," was submitted, with a number of other items. The choir, strengthened by the addition of vocalists from other choirs, numbered over forty voices, and was well supported by Mr Searell at the >rgan, and a band, of which Mr A. Corrick >vas the leader.

Cultivation of Rice.—An enterprising country storekeeper, Mr William Smith, of Otaki, has just prepared a piece of ground for a rice plantation, and the "New Zealand Times " says he expects to be ab!e to supply this valuable article of domestic consumption of a good quality and at a cheaper rate than it can be imported. Mr Smith has succeeded well in the growth of pea nuts, of which he has now a luxuriant crop growing on his land. Damaue on Railways.—ln the Legislative Council the Hon. Mr Hall moved — "That in the opinion of this Council the Colonial Government, as proprietors and managers of various railways throughout the colony, should be under the same responsibility towards persons who may suffer damage by the working of the said railways as any company or private individual would be if proprietor or manager of such railways." The motion was agreed to.

Payment op Special Jttkobs. —The Hon. Mr G-isborne lately asked the Minister of Justice whether the Government will bring in a Bill to alter the Jury Act, so that special jurors may receive payment for each day on which they serve in civil cases, instead of receiving a fixed fee of one guinea for each civil case, however long it may last. The Hon. Mr Sheehan stated, in reply, that Government would, if possible, introduce a Bill to provide for jurors being paid by the day. Land Sale. —Another important land sale has been held in Wellington. The Lowry Bay estate has again appeared, but was bought in by the auctioneer at £3500. The reserve price fixed by the Government was declared afterwards to have been £4OOO. Vogeltown was then offered, and for some of the lots there was very active aud eager competition. About 150 sections were actually sold, at prices ranging from £lO to £2O. Theso figures will average over £ls a section of a quarter-acre each. By this sale Mr Wright has disposed of every perch of land in Yogeltown.

SutfifEKEßS BY the Wab.—The sufferings of sub-editors (or "night-editors" as they are called in the United States) since the commencement of the present European war, are thus slightly indicated by an American paper : —Several hundred night-editors have heard with a groan that the Poles are thinking of taking a hand in the European unpleasantness. That is all that is needed to complete the confusion. Just fancy that, while Tootrokopits Pasha is holding the line of the Xcavlw River, from Tichignuy to the Servian frontier opposite Schumokl, his antagonist, G-eneral Migsvalenkateffski, who is confronting him with his regiments of Pctropaulovski and Eskaterinoslay, and awaiting reinforcements being brought up from Plookti by Colonel Nicholas Nicholaieffovitch, is taken in flank by an army of Polish insurgents led by Prince Protvclopechilminski, Count Crinmicslavtezzinnigszinski, and the veteran general and hero of 1848, Misczwyzes. Reefton Mining News. —The cleaning of the Hopeful Company was concluded on Friday. The parcel weighed 981 oz. sdwf s. of retorted gold, and the loss in melting will not exceed soz. The crushing, fifteen heads of stampers being employed, lasted twenty days. The quantity of stone crushed was 450 tons. Some rich stone has been brought to the surface in the Nil Desperandum mine during the week from the 105-foot level; the stone is us good as any from the mine. Last week Iveep-it-J)ark scrip were in the market, and a number of parcels changed hands at 19a ; this week they are in demand at £l, but are not to be had at that figure, holders asking 225, and in some instances 23s is demanded. Reports from the mine are more encouraging. Messrs Graham and Allen (owners of the Rainy Creek mine) are, the public will be glad to hear, not only making the mine pay but are receiviug very handsome monthly returns over and above all working expenses.

! COMPI/IMKXTABY BaNQTTKX. —Mr F. C. j Tabart, who has been conducting an exteni sive business in Westland for a number of ; years xmder the designation of Messrs Mark Sprat and Co., is leaving Hokitika with the | intention of entering into business in Christi church, and the inhabitants of the former place, of which lie was once mayor and always a prominent citizen, resolved to give him a parting banquet in the Town Hall. Nearly a hundred gentlemen assembled, with the Hon. J. A. Bonar in the chair, with the guest of the evening on his right, and his Honor Judge j Weston on the left; the county chairman and his Worship the Mayor occupying the vice-chairs. According to the " West Coast Times," the arrangements for the banquet were profusely liberal, and the meeting altogether enthusiastic. The Hon. Mr Bonar, in proposing the toast of the evening, regretted in cue sense that the occasion had called them together, inasmuch that they were parting with a most worthy citizen. At the same time ho was pleased that the opportunity -,vas afforded of bidding a cordial and hearty faresi ill. as it gave them an opportunity of testifying their true friendship towards him. As a business man, he might be allowed to say that Mr Tabart was acknowledged by all to be a most energetic, conscientious, and thoroughly honorable man. He referred in terms of remembrance to his late partner, Mr Mark Sprot, whose shoes Mr Tabart had ably filled. While never neglectful of business, he had likewise taken his fair share of the public duties and responsibilities devolving on the community. He had been an active member of the Hospital Committee for several years. He had also efficiently filled the civic chair of the borough, and had worthily occupied a seat in the Lite Westland Provincial Council. He (the chairman) likewise took this public opportunity of thanking Mr Tabart for his services as Deputy-Superintendent. Mr Tabart, in the course oi' his response, attributed his success in buchiess to a largo extent to his lata parlner. Mr Sprot, whose example of taking the straight courts through life lie had attempted to imitate. It was, by ft singular coincidence, eight years to-day «ince lie took charge of the business, and he was proud to think that during that time he had never had a serious disagreement of my kind with either the vendors or the purchasers with whom he had had business associations. He was ehiefly actuated in leaving by the advantage? which presented themselves in Canterbury j'oy his large and advancing family,

The Late Fibe in Wellington.—Mrs Johnson, who with her family perished in the fire at Wellington, was the widow of the late Mr W. Johnson, tinsmith, of Lambton Quay, who died about a year ago. She was left in comfortable circumstances, a considerable sum of money being invested in trust for herself and children. Her age was about 33; her eldest child, Frederick, was about 12 years old, and the youngest, Jessie, about 18 months. The names of the other children burnt were Henry, Frank, and Amy. Their only relative left is the grandmother, who took a great interest in the unfortunate family. Loans on Life Policies.—ln the House of .Representatives, Captain Eussell asked the Postmaster-General —Why the postmasters who are authorised to receive the premiums on life assurance policies are not permitted to receive interest upon loans advanced upon the security of such policies ; and if he will issue such orders as will enable them to do so hereafter ? The Hon. Mr Fisher, in reply, said that from inquiries that had been made it was shewn that the business done was not sufficiently large. If the work was found to increase so as to pay, the business wosld then be transacted through the Bank of New Zealand. Westlanp's Revenue.—A statement of receipts and expenditure of the Westland County Council, for the half-year ended 30th September last, is published. At that date the sum of £6200 6s lOd stood at the credit of the county account in the Union Sank, and deducting £73 Bs, cheques not presented, left a balance of £6126 18s lOd at the commencement of the present half-year. The total receipts under general account for the terms specified amounted to £11,389 3s 3d, and under imprest account £2148 4s 7d. A further balance of £164 lis 2d stood to the credit of impi'est account. Railway Impbovements.—The " North Otago Times " gives currency to a local report that it is intended shortly to move the passenger station on to the presently unoccupied block immediately opposite the Northern Hotel, Oamaru, and to erect more commodious buildings, with refreshment rooms attached, in view of the early opening of the through line to Dunedin, and the increased accommodation which will be rendered necessary thereby. Special locomotives, it is said, have been orderea from England, and that Jb is intended to make the through journey between Christchurch and Dunedin in ten hours.

A Civil Ofpeb.—ln a recent number of a paper called the "Guardian," published in a retired part of the world named Koss, the following paragraph appears : —" Mr Edward Dermott has taken umbrage at the remarks which appeared in our last issue relative to his brother having held a ten-acre lease on Guardian Flat without attempting to work the same, and consequently has expressed his determination to start a second paper in Ross under the unique title of the 'Exterminator.' Having had an experience of years of the difficulty of running a paper in a failing district, we do not think that Ross is in such a flourishing condition at present as to support two newspapers. Therefore, rather than risk the powerful opposition threatened to be organised by Mr E. Dermott, we are willing to cry pcccavi, and sell out to that gentleman on the most advantageous terms. The advantages to be derived by such an arrangement are obvious, as he would thus have control of the press of the district. He could then hold the whole country side, and stifle public opinion or inquisitive inquiries."

The Ktjmaba Bobbery.—lt is not often that the services of the police are recognised, even by the use of complimentary words. To this extent, it has, however, been done in the case of the clever detective who managed the discovery of the culprit in the Kumara robbery. The following is the text of a letter received by Mr Detective Browne, from the Hokitika manager of the Bank of New South Wales : —" Sir, -I desire to acknowledge the obligatkms which the bank is under to you, for the zealous and careful manner in which you conducted all the matters which surrounded the reported robbery of the agency of this bank at Kumara, on the 10th August. The executive of the bank feel that the clear sighted way in which you established the conclusion that the story of the robbery was a falsehood, enabled them to take a line of action, in regard to the culprit, which led up to his confession of the crime, and they feel that great trouble and anxiety have been saved through the exertions which you brought to bear upon the matter. They furthermore desire to thank you for your courtesy throughout all the unpleasant matters which attached to the affair."