NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1082, 17 December 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Etteopeean News.—Elsewhere we publish a few items of European news, the meagre nature of which is accounted for by the fact that the Australian overland line is again interrupted. Swimming Races.—The first of a series of swimming races at the Corporation baths took place to-day. The first event was a handicap race, the distance being two lengths of the baths, for a cup presented by Mr Jardine. This was won by G. Wright from scratch, beating Childs, also from scratch, only by six inches. Two others started The other event was diving for eggs, which was won by W. Montgomery, who succeeded in securing the egg in about ten feet of water. There was one other competitor by whom some good diving was shown. Mr Jardine intends offering at an early date several prizes for competition. Melboubne Steamees. —Messrs Dalgety, Nichols and Co. have telegraphic advice of the arrival of the Alhambra on Tuesday, and the sailing of the Kingarooma on Wednesday. Waimakabibi Haeboe Boaed. —With three or four exceptions only, the ratepayers of the Eyreton district have agreed to making a grant of £SOO in assisting this Board to dredge the Waimakariri. At a meeting at Rangiora on Friday evening the ratepayers of the Rangiora district refused to agree to a similar vote. A meeting convened by the residents is intended to be held at Woodend in reference to the same subject. Lincoln Cottage Peepabatoet School. —The distribution of prizes in this school took place on Thursday, the 13th inst. The Very Rev. the Dean distributed the prizes as follows :—lst class, first prize, GK A. Yon Haast; second prize, F. Deamer; 2nd class prize, H. Matson; 3rd class prize, T. Worthy; 4th class, A. White; writing prize, F. Bailey; map prize, Gh A. Von Haast; good conduct prize, H. Matson; prize for the boy best liked by his schoolfellows (decided by vote), H. Matson. Count Ds Zaba.—This gentleman, who has been delivering lectures in Dunedin recently very successfully, will, we understand, shortly deliver a series here. The Count De Zaba is travelling through NewZealand on a tour, and the proceeds of his lectures are handed to the charitable institutions of the city in which he may be sojourning. We hope that during Ins stay here advantage will be taken of his presence amongst us to enable us to hear what the Dunedin papers characterise as a very great treat, |viz., his lecture on Poland. Land Sale. —Messrs H. Matson and Co. held a sale of the properties at their land sale-rooms on Saturday, and disposed of Mr J. Clark's farm, at Kaiapoi Island, for which there was spirited competition. The property is some of the choicest land in the province, thoroughly improved, and in very good condition, consisting of 141 acres of freehold. All the improvements and the interest in a lease of 100 acres were given in. The price was £35 per acre amounting to £4935. They also sold, a quarter acre section fronting Colombo road in the suburb of Sandridge for £ll2 10s. Mb G-eobge Cottebell. The many friends of this gentleman in Christchurch will read the announcement of his decease with great regret. Genial and talented to a degree, though quite a martyr to ill-health, Mr Cotterell secured for himself wherever he went the respect and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. In his capacity as a public entertainer he was most successful, having a keen sense of humour, and being able to reproduce to his audience to the life the character he was representing. In private life he was deservedly loved, his unassuming manners and unfailing courtesy making him a general favorite. Not alone in Christchurch, but in all parts of New Zealand, we feel sure the news of his death will be received with sorrow. Aquatics.—A match took place on Saturday over the mile course on the Avon, between two pair-oared crews selected from the employes of the Peess. The match resulted from a challenge, and had this peculiarity about it, that the coxswains were selected rather for their being heavy weights than, as is usual, for their lightness. The match created considerable interest amongst the printing fraternity, who nmstered at the convincing ground in large force. The crews were Ashbolt and Fraser in the Swallow with Bradford cox, against Bradwell and Meadows in the Sylph with Whitford cox. A good start was effected, both crews going away at a hot pace. After about a couple of hundred yards had been gone the Swallow got the lead, and the Sylph crew, who were evidently short of work, fell behind, the Swallow going on and winning easily. The return match takes place on Saturday next. Chebtsey.—A public meeting was held at the hotel, Chertsey, on Thursday evening to consider the question of sinking a public well. The chair was occupied by Mr W. A. Brown. The meeting was largely attended by townspeople and farmers. After full discussion, it was agreed that a committee should wait on the Acton Eoad Board, urging the Board to sink a public well at Chertsey. A public well was sunk by the Road Board at Rakaia, which has proved of great benefit.—This year about 5000 acres are under crop in the district, and it is expected that nearly three timeß that acreage will be cropped next year. The want of water is much felt by farmers and others who have occasion to send their teams from a great distance to the railway, as there is no facility for obtaining water. Fibe Bbigade Demonstbation.—The Fire Brigade have made very extensive preparations for their annual demonstration this evening. The torchlight procession will start from the Cashel street bridge at 9.15 p.m. for Colombo street, thence to Hereford street, Montreal street and Cranmer square, and along the Whately road ; returning along Colombo street to the Bank of New Zealand corner, it will pass along Hereford street east to Latimer square. Here a halt will be made for a display of fireworks, which, this yeur, will be on a very grand scale. The sports committee have placed the grand stand in the square at the disposal of the Brigade, from which the ladies will be enabled to have a good view of the display. A small chargo will be made which will go towards the expenses of the demonstration. After the display of fireworks tlis pvocession will reform and moz&aa by Madras street to High street, and "'along High street to the Brigade Station. In the afternoon at five o'clock a iinnor will be held at the Oddfellows' Hall, tor which two hundred and fifty invitations have been issued. At this Superintendent Harris will bring under th» notice of those issembled the necessity for increased water supply to Chrigtciwrch for fire •eraventyrs i pyroojflft,