NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1054, 13 November 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Cricket. —The following will represent the Vtidland Canterbury Cricket Club in the natch with the U.C.C.C. on Saturday, Nov. 17th: —Messrs Allen, Beaumont, E. Fowler. T. Fowler, Fuller, Horner, jun., Mac Donnell, ieeder, Sweet, W'atson, and Wood; emergencies Messrs Morice and Gibson. Play to "ommenco at 2 p.m. sharp. Mayoral Elections.—The nominatiou of candidates for the office of Mayor for the city of Christchurch will take place at the Council Chamber at noon on Tuesday, 20th instant, and the election on Wednesday, 28th instant. The nomination at Lyttelton will take place on Monday, 19th instant, and the polling, if necessary, on Wednesday, 28th instant, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Complimentary to tub Fire Brigade. —Mr Superintendent Harris, of the Fire Brigade, received a letter from Mr W. Reeves on Monday forenoon, of which the following is a copy : —" On behalf of the proprietors of the ' Lyttelton Times,' I beg through you to thank the members of the Fire Brigade for the zeal and energy they displayed at the late fire. I trust you will oblige me by accepting the enclosed cheque for £2l, to be applied a? you may desire for the convenience and comfort of the brigade.

Cotswold Sheep.—The Cotswold breed of sheep are said to be growing into extraordinary favor in Victoria, and with a view to propagate the breed, two pure-bred pedigree rams have been purchased from Mr Canning, of Hawke's exportation to that colony. The " Herald," referring to the jcireumstance, says : —We do not know that any previous instance can be shown in the annals of stock-breeding in the colonies in which the Victorian breeders have imported stud animals from New Zealand herds.

Fire in Colombo Road.—On Friday afternoon a four-roomed cottage belonging to Mr Peiper, in Colombo road south, was burnt down. It seems that Mr Peiper and his wife went to the Show ground on that afternoon, loaving their children at home. Between four and five o'clock some neighbours observed the place to be on fire and had barely time to rescue the children and remove a little of the furniture before the whole house was in dames. The building was insured for £25 in the Mercantile Insurance office, but the furniture was not insured. Mr Peiper estimates his loss at £2OO. It is supposed the fire was accidentally caused by the children.

Colonial Defences.—The remuneration to be paid to Sir W. P. Jervois for his services in reporting on the defences necessary for the Australian colonies was originally fixed at the sum of £ISOO and expenses. Circumstances were brought under the notice of the Secretary of State for the colonies, which led him to consider that the amount proposed would not be a sufficient remuneration for the task Sir W. Jervois had undertaken at considerable inconvenience to himself. Lord Carnarvon has therefore rocommended to tho Governments of the Australian colonies who have availed themselves of the knowledge and experience of Sir W. Jervois that he should bo paid at the rate of not less than £250 a month.

Property Sales. -During the last few days Mr C. C. Aikman has submitted some Tdry valuable properties at his sale-rooms which realised the following prices:—On account of the trustees of Mrs C. Thompson, property at Northcote consisting of dwellinghouse and 11 acres laud, part of R.S. No. 80, North road, £ISOO, purchased by Mr C. Newton; 15 acres land at Fendnltown, part of same section, £9O per acre, to Mr Beaumont; 8i acres land, also part of same section, £45 per acre, to Mr R. Wilkin. On account of the trustees of Mrs Hawdon, town sections in Tuam street, near Manchester street, No. I*o2 on plan. 6£ perches, £IOOO, to Mr C. Kivcr, jun. ; No."!)!tS, 36.' perches, £1175, to Mr H. J. Hall. Lots Nos. 1101 and 1105, further westward in same street, were withdrawn, as the bids did not reach the reserve. The prices obtained for these sections show that land in this locality is rapidly increasing in value, as two years ago similar sized allotments in same neighborhood only realised £SOO to £6OO.

The Clark Lectures.—The last of the series of these very clever lectures was given last evening at the Oddfellows' Hall, wheu there was a good attendance. The subject selected was "Thackeray," which was so successfully handled by the lecturer on Thursday evening last. The career and works of the satirist were briefly reviewed, and extracts were given from the most popular of his works in a manner which showed that much thought and care had been bestowed upon the preparation of the lecture. Perhaps the most successful of the selections—though all were good - was the description of the dying scene of Colonel Newcome, which was rendered with great pathos. Mr Clark proceeds to Hokitika to-day, where he will give his lectures. At the conclusion of his lecture last night, Mr Clark came forward amid applause and expressed his satisfaction that, notwithstanding the excitement of the holidays, he had been favored with large and appreciative audiences. If it were not that it had been arranged that he should appear on the West Coast he should have had much pleasure in continuing his series of lectures hero. Ke was glad to learn, however, that the hall was to be enlarged, and hoped in a few months once more to appear beforo them, and give another series of lectures. This announcement was received with loud cheers The Local Option Bill.—After five hours' discussion in committee, Mr Ballance's compensation clause was added to the Local Option Bill. This clause provides that, after the requisite majority in a district has voted for the closing of any public-house, the Licensing Commissioners shall assess the compensation to be paid to the licensee, but the license shall not be withdrawn until those persons who set the Act in operation have given security for the payment of the full compensation awarded. Of course 3 gays the Wellington "Post," this would render any Bill unworkable indeed, this was Mr Ballance's expressed object in moving it. A minor amendment by Mr Evans Brown making the clause only apply to licenses granted previous to the passing of the Act, was admitted. Mr Montgomery attempted to make the compensation apply only to the actual value of the premises, giving nothing for the goodwill, but this was lost, as was also another amendment by tho same gentleman, for paying the assessed compensation out of a special rate levied on the district. As Mr Fox had previously stated that ho would withdraw the Bill in the event of Mr Ballance's clause being carried, he fixed thd third reading for "that day fortnight/ 1 which at this late period of the session practically means that the EUI will not be brought forward ftgftW,

Judge Roqan.—The "Hawke's Bay Herald " learns that Judge Rogan has resigned his office, and is to take a pension from the Ist of January next. The Famine Fund.—Several large contributions, including a further sum of £BSO from the employees of the Railway department has brought up the total of the Victorian subscriptions to the Indian Famine Fund to £12,721 5&. With regard to the Railway contributions, the "Argus" states that the total is £9lO, an exceedingly praiseworthy effort. A Waieabapa Gale.—According to the local " Standard," a gale at Wairarapa the other day knocked down all the telegraph poles in Featherston ; blew a lot of windows in at Greytown ; damaged the now public hall at Carterton to the extent of £SO; and did other mischief. The "Standard" adds that there were numerous "minorcasualties," such as window shutters travelling about and smashing against the first obstacle in the way. New Zealand Scenery.—New Zealand appears to be becoming a favourite field of study for Yictorian painters. The Melbourne " Argus " mentions that Mr Isaac Whitehead exhibits at Messrs Nicholson and Ascherberg's two pictures which he has executed from sketches made there. One represents the Otira Gorge, and the other is a view of Mitre Peak, one of the most conspicuous summits of the imposing zone of mountains by which Milford Sound is surrounded.

The Late Mb Ludlam.—Referring to the death of this gentleman, the Wellington " Post " says : —Mr Ludlam was a very old settler. He possessed a fine property at the Hutt, which was kept in a high state of cultivation, and probably is considered as one of the most valuable in that district. Mr Ludlam was at one time a member of the General Assembly, and also sat for many years in the Provincial Council. He recently made a visit to Europe, when he lost his wife through death, and now he himself in turn has passed away.

An Ancient Mabinbr.—There died at Brighton (Melbourne), on Sunday week, Israel Edwards, one of the remaining few who fought with Nelson at Trafalgar, and perhaps the oldest man in Victoria. His age is variously stated at 102 and 106, but the exact number of years will not be known until information on the point is received from England. Edwards was born about eight miles from Hatherleigh, in Devonshire, of respectable parents, and at an early age entered the Eoyal Navy. He was for some time on board the Bellerophon, and was present at the battle of Trafalgar, but on board of what ship is not known. He is supposed to have been on board the Victory, and to have run to pick up Nelson when he fell. He apparently left the navy before he became entitled to a pension, and settled in Hatherleigh. At the age of 45 he married, his wife being 21. In July, 1847, his wife having died, he went with his family to Adelaide, and five years afterwards came to Victoria. For some few years he was on the diggings, but he afterwai'ds took up his residence at Brigton, where he has one son and four daughters. One daughter—Mrs Pye—resides in Geelong. Since his residence at Brighton he has been too infirm to do anything, although able to get about. The last three years of his life have been spent entirely with his daughter, Mrs Brown Cox, wife o a borough contractor. The Governor and 'the House.—Commenting on the so-called privilege question, the Wellington "Argus" says: —The House of Representatives, by a majority, has found the Governor guilty of a breach of its privilege. We submit: although a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still. Weaker reasons, to be put forward in the shape of reasons at all, were never submitted 1 o a deliberative assembly than those embodied in the committee's report; Henry IV. and some bad French in 1401 as a precedent for New Zealand in 1877 —what next ? But the House is the guardian of its own privilege, and there is no appeal from its decision. Be it so. Yet more remains behind. The Governor's offence consists in knowing what was under discussion in the House, and turning his knowledge to account as a reason for refusing to adopt a certain recommendation of his responsible advisers. But, it appears, these responsible advisers have been guilty of a worse breach of constitutional practice in making public what passed between them and the Governor. Cabiuet business is private. Communications between the Crown and the Premier are privileged, at least until the consent of both parties is obtained to publication. Here, then, is the old story of the engineer being hoist with his own petard. The Government had no objection tohave a sly shot at the Governor, but in taking it they have exposed themselves to the range of a whole battery.