NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1074, 6 December 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Oity Baths. —These baths have been let to Mr A. Jardine, late lessee of the Dunedin baths, Canterbury Jockey Club.—A committee meeting of the above was held at Badcliffe’s Hotel yesterday afternoon, when the programme for the Autumn meeting was drafted for the approval of the general meeting to be held on Friday at 4 o’clock. The Fiee Block. —Notwithstanding that a very stringent by-law exists against buildings being erected within the city fire block unless under certain conditions, it is stated that these conditions are being disregarded in some quarters. The result might be generally felt should a fire 'unfortunately happen in their immediate vicinity. Possibly an intimation from the City Council authorities might alter the matter before it is too late to do so without entailing some considerable expense. pscAi’E from Fiee. — A tradesman’s store, on what may be termed the Cheapside of the borough of Kaiapoi, had a narrow escape from firefan evening or two|ago, in consequence of a Chinese lantern used for illuminating the window taking fire. The fire was immediately detected and extinguished as some light fabrics were springing into flame. Had the fire got a good hold it is probable it would have resulted in the destruction of some thousands of pounds’ worth of property. OffQEA SpoETS.— The balance in hand from ttie late ploughing matches was, at a meeting of the match committee, decided to be handed over to the sports committee, as last season a ploughing match was not carried out. The committee has been also vert successful in obtaining public subscriptions so that the sports on Boxing Day are expecte' - to rival last year’s meeting. The officerAppointed are—For horse races—Messrs G Bailey, president; W. Buss, judge ;G. Cone, starter, B. Hopkins, clerk of the scales ; H Vincent, clerk of the course ; Isaac Waiting treasurer. Sports—Messrs F. Denton, judge; 15. Butters, slirter; W. Taylor, treasurer ■nd a further committee to manage tic hildrep’e amusement*. Xbe progntiuyie if eveuie will b e jpuWfeHfifl ja a fow days-

Lyttelton Regatta Committee. A meeting of this committee was held on Tuesday evening at the Colonists’ Hall. The vicepresident, Mr Nalder, was in the chair. Correspondence was read from Mr J. 0. Jones as to the double sculling race, and from the Hon. E. Richardson accepting office as commodore

The Side Channels,— The innovation introduced lately by the City Inspector of com mencing the sweeping of the side channels in the business portion of the city at 7 a.m. instead of eight o’clock, has had a perceptibly beneficial effect during the late hot weather. Now that, unpleasantness which used to be so annoying and could not be prevented while the brooms were at work, lias passed away before the citizens have commenced the duties of the day. As the sweepers are allowed to leave off an hour earlier in the afternoon, it is intended to carry on this work under the new arrangement during the summer months.

The Land Fund. —The Wellington correspondent of the Auckland “ Herald ’ ’ writes: —“ There appears to be a slight difference of opinion between Mr Donald Reid and Mr Robert Stout as to the advantages which will accrue or otherwise to Otago by the generalisation of the Land Fund. Mr Reid stated the other night that Otago would lose £73,000 by the transaction ; while Mr Stout contended that it would gain £20,000. It seems rather odd to see these prominent Otago representatives making such different assertions. Again Mr Sheehan and Mr Rowe do not agree on this point. Mr Sheehan says Auckland has gained £400,000, while the redoubtable William declares that £200,000, just half, is near the mark.” Licensing Court, Ashburton. —At the quarterly sitting, before Messrs John Grigg, H. T. Winter, and Trevor, commissioners, A. Stenning applied for a license for the new hotel at Chertsey; granted. Thomas Quill applied for permission to open his new hotel near the railway station, Ashburton. The Bench granted the application, subject to the police finding the premises suitable. Mark Sprot applied for a hotel license for South Ashburton; refused; the Bench not considering such a house required. A transfer of license of the Ashburton Hotel from P. Innis to A. Williamson was granted. Ashburton Annual Sports. —The subcommittee appointed to arrange the programme for the forthcoming sports met on Monday at the Somerset Hotel, The following gentlemen were appointed to carry out the proceedings : —Handicappers, Messrs S. Saunders, C. E. Fooks, and M. Digby; judges, for running, Messrs Branson and Saunders; for jumping, Messrs Wilkie and Robinson; Highland dancing. Dr. Stewart and Mr Jeffs ; starters, Messrs M. Friedlander aud G. Compton. It was decided that in each event there must be three competitors or no second prize. Mr Inspector Buckley. — During the last few days Inspector Buckley, accompanied by Inspector Hickson, has been engaged in visiting the out stations connected with the Christchurch district for the purpose of handing them over to the latter gentleman who now takes charge here, and yesterday Mr Buckley formally handed over charge of the central depot, and left town for Kaiapoi, to which district he has been appointed. There ore many of the citizens of Christchurch whose good wishes Inspector Buckley will carry with him to his new scene of labor. Daring his long stay here his kindness, straightforward manner and desire to oblige those who had occasion to visit him caused him to be generally esteemed, while he was well known as a most zealous officer. That these good qualities will soon be as well appreciated at Kaiapoi as they were in Christchurch we have little fear. The Curse ok Private Townships.— In the discussion on (he question of municipal endowments Mr Swanson said —A great number of new towns were being laid out which were nothing but curses. They were laid out by private people, who had not the slightest regard to the formal ion of streets or the convenience of the public. No reserves were made in them for public purposes ; no endowments to relieve the rates, or for education. People bought sections in these towns without, over seeing them. That had been done in Auckland over and over again. Thousands of pounds had been made by land-jobbers, who laid out towns without any regard to public requirements. If the Government laid out a town they made all proper arrangements ; sites were reserved for schools, post-offices, and police stations, in view of the possibility of a large population being settled in the town , but it appeared to be nobody’s business to sec that proper arrangements were made when a private town was laid off. He contended that it was the bounden duty of the Government to attend to these matters, and to see that proper provision was made to meet the wants and see to the health of the people. They should see that the streets in private towns were of the proper width, with open spaces for recreation, and that a proper system of drainage was provided, and, above all, that a proper title was given, for there were cases where people had discovered that, after being in possession of their sections for some years, there was a mortgage over the land, they lost the money they paid and the houses they had built, the money received from the section holders being put into other speculations instead of going to pay off the mortgage. He hoped the Government would give this subject consideration. Mr O’Neill introduced into the last Parliament a Bill to regulate the plans of towns, but it applied solely to Government towns. It was the duty of the Government to see that private towns were properly laid out, and he hoped they would not neglect it. He saw from the newspapers that grievances connected with private streets were constantly cropping up in Wellington ; but, apart from all other views of the matter, the Government should see that these streets were of a proper width. In a narrow lane, if it became necessary to lay a drain, or if there was a dray unloading, all traffic hod to be stopped in consequence ; and, if a fire broke out, nothing could be done, for want of i oom. He would conclude with an appeal to the Government to look closely into this subject in the future.