NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1078, 11 December 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Peess Standard Cricket Club.—.A meeting oi' the members will bo he'd at Mnples's Southern Hotel, to-morrow evening at eight o'clock. Board ok Conservators. —A meeting of the Board of Conservators was to have bcci held yesterday, but there wes no quorum. U may be mentioned that the overseer report? the shifting of the river at the two worst points of attack eiuco the jtiood of the 6th mbmb,

Bain. —The rain on Saturday was general throughout the northern districts, but did not continue long enough to prove of material service to the crops. The weather was moisb last evening, and there appeared to be every probability of the rain keeping up for a day or two, in which case many of the grain crops will recover and the grass land receive a permanent benefit. Lecture. —Professor Bickerton delivered last evening the final lecture of the series that have been given in aid of the building fund of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church. There was a good attendance, Mr John Gibb occupying the chair. The lecture proved to be highly instructive. The professor elucidated his remarks by numerous beautiful experiments and a variety of illustrations on the blackboard. The customary vote of thanks concluded the proceedings. Concert. —It has been determined, in order not to clash with the opera season, to postpone the complimentary concert tendered to Miss Bosina Carandini until the Opera Company has concluded. The date of the concert will therefore be fixed at some time in the ensuing month. A large and influential committee has been formed, and as the whole of our musical and other amateurs have volunteered their services an attractive programme is sure to be the result. Supplying Natives with Spirits.—lt is not generally known, or it is generally forgotten, that there is in force in the colony an Act rendering it an offence on the part of either publicans or private individuals to supply Maoris with spirituous or fermented liquors, but a case heard before the Kaiapoi Magistrates on Tuesday has brought the matter forward. The Act provides that it shall not be lawful for any person whomsoever either to sell, or to supply, or to give any spiritixous liquor, or mixed liquor (part whereof is spirituous) in any quantity whatever to any person of the Native race. It shall also not be lawful to supply or give any wine or any fermented liquor or mixed liquor (part whereof is fermented) in any quantity to produce intoxication to any person of the Native race. Any person so supplying spirituous liquor, wine, or fermented drink shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £lO, provided that no penalty be inflicted where it is proved the said liquor was supplied medicinally. City Council.—A special meeting of the City Council was held yesterday at 4 p.m., to confirm a by-law passed for regulating the speed of vehicles around corners of streets in the city. After affixing the seal to the bylaw, the Council proceeded to consider the adjourned question of accounts with the Drainage Board regarding the assessment of the city. After a long discussion, and resolutions moved by Crs. Thomson and Euddenklau to charge £'6o and £75 respectively for the work had been negatived, a resolution moved by Cr. Ick, that £IOO should be rendered to the Drainage Board, was carried by six votes to two. Further business having been taken, it was resolved, on the motion of Cr. Ick, to give £25 to the contractor as compensation for the work of sinking the artesian well in Armagh street west, for the loss he had sustained. The Council then adjourned. The Late Mr Wilson Cray.—A motion for purchasing a portrait of Mr Wilson Gray, to be kept in the Parliamentary Library as a memento of that statesman, and in recognition of his services, was submitted by Mr J. Q-. Duffy in the Victorian Assembly, and was discussed at some length. The House (the "Argus" reports) was favorable to the principle, but there were objections to the manner in which it was proposed to carry it out, Mr L. L. Smith ridiculing the idea that a " fearful perpetration like those in the library" should be regarded as a national monument to Mr Wilson Q-ray. A proposition was submitted to found a scholarship at the University, bub finally the Assembly affirmed that part of the resolution declaring that the services of Mr Cray were entitled to "the grateful recognition of this House," and it was left to the Government to decide how effect should be given to this view. A Question of Time.—A Court of Inquiry was held at Kumara, before M. Price, Esq., E.M., when the accuracy of a town clock, or rather that of the watch of the town clerk, which appeared to be the only substitute for a public time-piece, was the chief point on which the case hinged. By the evidence it was shown that a nomination paper for the office of Borough Councillor was lodged by Mr D. Hannan, with Mr Wylde, town clerk, at Kumara, a fewrainutea before 12 o'clock, the hour at which the nominations were to be handed in. At two minutes to twelve a second paper was otiaiced by an elector, from the town clerk, with the intention of getting another candidate to sign, and the necessary signatures to be attached. This occupied several minutes. On the elector returning with the paper, the town clerk said he was too late. He, however, subsequently withdrew that opinion, and accepted the nomination paper of the second candidate. The Magistrate, after hearing the evidence, appears to have taken a right view of the case, and would not recognise any stoppage or backward movement of the time-piece. Ho declared that the election of Mr O'Hara was void, and that Mr D. Hannan was duly fleeted. The costs, amounting to £7 ss, followed the judgment.