NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1084, 19 December 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

City Council—The annual meeting of the City Council was held to-day at noon, his Worship the Mayor (Mr J. Gapes) presiding. The accounts, duly audited, were submitted and passed, and ordered to be signed by the the Mayor. Cr. H. Thomson was then duly installed as Mayor of Christchurch for the ensuing year. The retiring Mayor and the Mayor elect spoke at some length on municipal topics. At the conclusion of the business several toasts were proposed and responded to. Count De Zaba.—We understand that this gentleman will give a lecture on the " History of Poland" in St. John's schoolroom shortly. 1.0.0.F.jM.U At a special summoned meeting last evening of the Loyal City of Christchurch Lodge it was determined to change the medical officer at the end of the present year. Accident at the Waikaea. —It was reported on Tuesday that Mr Cowie, whose severe accident was referred to in the Press of that day, had refused to submit to the operation of amputation, and the medical gentlemen in attendance fear the result may terminate fatally. Diocesan Sunday School Association.— The monthly meeting of this Association was held last evening, in St. Luke's schoolroom. The Eev. T. Flavell delivered an interesting lecture on "The Use of Illustration," on which a discussion afterwards took place. The chair was occupied by the Rev. Mr. Pascoe. Fright.—A little girl, named Julia Davies died in Melbourne through sheer fright Recently, on the way home from school, she saw another child knocked down by a dray and ran over. A post mortem examination revealed the fact that death resulted from congestion of the brain from the undue excitement. A Lost Pet. —What Artemus Ward denominated as an " Amoozin little cuss," in other words a kangaroo, has been affording some amusement during the past two or three evenings to passers by in Colombo street by his antics on the roof of Mr Mein's shop. Doubtless it belongs to some one who will be glad to hear of its whereaboutß. The G-azelle Expedition.—A meeting of the shareholders in this expedition was held yesterday at Radcliffe's hotel, but the proceedings were of a private nature. We understand that the report was read and accounts gone into, but it was decided to leave matters in the hands of a committee to investigate the accounts, and to report to an adjourned meeting to be held when called upon. I.O.G.T.—The Hope of Christchurch Lodge held its usual "weekly session last evening in the Templar Hall, Worcester street. After some preliminary business had been disposed of, and four candidates had been duly initiated, the lodge was closed, and a very enjoyable concert was given. Songs and recitations were contributed by several of the members and visitors, the lodgo room being open to the public. Lyttelton Regatta.—The Wellington correspondent of the " Wanganui Herald " informs that, journal that the Dolly Varden crew are hard at it on the extreme quiet, the cause being the Lyttelton Regatta on the Ist January. They are going in for the fouroared whaleboat race, and a new boat is building for them. She is a perfect beauty—about the best thing he has seen of Berg's build. They will have some hard nuts to crack in Lyttelton, but he quite expects to see them pull it off. He does not think the crew will get into the Dolly until they have returned from Lyttelton. Libel.—Mr Barnard, the handicapper, has caused to be served on the proprietors of the " Axistralasian " a notice of his intention to commence an action at law against them, in consequence of certain statements contained in an article which appeared in last week's publication of the journal in question headed the "Savanaka Coup." A strong bar has been retained ou both gidea. Damages are

Mokihinui. —Good news, says the " Westport Times," still comes to hand from the Mokihinui. We hear of 61b weight of gold having been brought down from the Rough and Tumble Creek, and that there is plenty more to follow. At the Waimangaroa river some nice parcels of nuggetty gold are now being obtained, as the river is very low. Mr Robert Macfarlane bought a parcel last week, in which the nuggets varied from 3dwt. to 15dwt. The Bankruptcy Act.—His Honor Judge Weston took occasion lately when business in connection with the Bankruptcy Act was before him at Greymouth, to intimate in unmistakeable terms his intention strictly to administer the law, and to see that no bankrupt received his discharge who was not deserving of it. His Honor intimated that he had been so greatly disgusted at certain revelations made during the recent investigation of a bankruptcy case at Hokitika that he was determined in future to interpret the law in the strictf>st sense. Cheisiohubch Volunteeb Abtilleby.— On Monday last two batteries of this corps proceeded to Lyttelton for shot and shell practice, under the command of Major Lean and Captain Craig. Some capital practice took place, and shortly after noon a nice luncheon was served by Mr A. McDonald, of the Canterbury hotel. Ample justice having been done to the really excellent spread provided, a presentation was made to Bombardier Hendrickson. The gift consisted of a bronze medal, which had been forwarded through the authorities by the King of Denmark for Mr Hendrickson, as an acknowledgment of his bravery during the war of 1864. Captain Craig spoke at some length explaining the circumstances under which the medal had been sent. Major Lean then made the presentation. He spoke with much effect and feeling, telling the artillery how proud they should be of having a comrade who had ao distinguished himself. Lieutenant Strange replied on behalf of Mr Hendrickson, who is not used to speaking in English. The day's firing having been concluded, the batteries adjourned to the Canterbury hotel, where toasts were drunk, and general merriment prevailed till it was time to separate. Dalcboy House School. —The thirteenth session of this school, conducted by the Rev. J. D. Fergusson and assistants, closed en Friday last, 14th December. The following is the prize list, awarded accorded to class registers, written examinations, and exercises —Latin—Senior class, no prize; 2nd claw, H. R. Peel; junior class, H. Hawkins. French —H. R. Peel, Ist; Hawkins, 2nd. Mathematics —Peel, Ist; Hawkins, 2nd. Arithmetic - Senior, Hawkins, Ist; W. Peter, 2nd; middle, Coe, Ist; D'Oyly, 2nd; junior, E. Garland, Ist; Cotton and Tayler, 2nd. History, Ancient and Modern—Senior, Shackleton, Ist; Peel, 2nd; F. Peter, 3rd; junior, Coe, Ist; Macpherson and Allan 2nd, equal; Sacred, Shackleton, Ist; F. Peter, 2nd; Alf. Garland, 3rd. English—6th class, Shackleton, Ist; Hawkins, 2nd; sth class, Coe, Ist j D'Oyly and Macpherson, 2nd; 4th class, Edwin Garland ; 3rd class, R. H. H. Cotton. Grammar and Composition—Senior, Shackleton, Ist; Hawkins, 2nd; middle, Coe, Ist; A. Garland, 2nd; junior, Cole, Ist. Geography and Maps—Senior, Shackleton, Ist; W Peter, 2nd; middle, A. Garland, Ist; E Wood, 2nd; junior, E.JGarland, Ist; P. Cunningham, 2nd. Drawing (Mr Burchill's classes) —Water-colours, Shackleton; freehand, W. Peter; junior, Wood and Leslie Allan. Writing and Book-keeping—Senior, W.Peter; middle, D'Oyly and Allan; junior, Cotton. Extra prizes—Beverley, Crowley, Hill, and Charlesworth. Caves and Mummies at ELawhia.—A correspondent of the Auckland "Herald" writes as follows: —Reading in your paper lately aVout caves in New Zealand, brought to mind a story I was told a few years ago about one in Kawhia. Thinking it might interest some of your readers, I send it to you as I got it myself. It appears while my informant was pig-hunting, he saw a hole in the face of a cliff, and never having heard of any caves thereabout, he at once went to see what it was. The only way to get at it was by climbing a tree, some 30ft., and creeping along a limb to the hole. After getting in, great was his surprise to find himself in a large square chamber ; and at one end were some six or seven mummies ; all of them save one were large. They were not tatooed, and to all appearance were those of Maoris. On his return he told the Natives, who had never heard of it until then. They further stated that there were more of their people (Ngatimaniapoto) buried about there than they knew of. The Taranaki Natives cannot throw any light on the subject either, and these were the former owners of Eawhia. There are only two or three white men who have ever seen the caves and mummies, one of whom lives in Onehunga. Nabbow Escape.—About noon yesterday a horse and cab were seen tearing up High street at furious rate without a driver, and to , the consternation of all travellers, who I escaped it, in some instances, very narrowly. j Turning into Colombo street, the wheel of the ; cab merely shaved the wheel of a four- ; wheeled trap which was standing opposite the Bank of New Zealand, and which contained j some ladies and children. Up Colombo street the runaway continued, and came into violent collision with the shaft of a spring cart standing alongside the footpath at I Mundy's, and in which there were two young : lads. The horse and trap were thrown over, ! one of the lads being thrown into the road, | while the other was forced straight into the air, and landed on the wheel, which was revolving at a rapid rate, and was stopped merely by the weight'"of the boy after three or four revolutions. By a fortunate accident both lads escaped unhurt. The horse and cab had been thrown over by the force of the collision, and the animal was quicklysecured. On examination it was found that one of the springs of the cab had been straightened, and a portion of the iron upper work was broken. A few yards from Armagh street the driver of a loaded omnibus coming from the Poet Office, seeing the runaway approaching, turned his horses sharp towards the footpath for safety, and completely locked the forewheels. After the horse and cab had been put right, the driver, whose name is Henry Wright, very foolishly mounted the seat, when the animal again set off up the Whately [road, but was pulled up near the belt. It was said that the horse is given to bolting, and started in the Ferry road, near Manning and Co.'s brewery, throwing Wright off the seat. A _ practice prevails in Christchurch in connection with these too frequent occurrences which should certainly be put a stop to. Whenever a horse is seen running away, a number of cabmen at once leave the stands, and drive at a furious pace after the bolter, not only exciting the animal, but also increasing the danger which pedestrians may a moment befeye tare nam wJj e«*j*d.

Loans.—The London correspondent of the Melbourne "Argus " reports that on October 9th tenders were opened at the Bank of England for a new Indian Government loan of £3,000,000, for seven years, on security of debentures bearing 4 per cent interest. The debentures are of the respective amounts of £IOOO and £SOO. The applications reached a total of £4,273,000. Tenders at £lOl 3s per cent received about 4 per cent of the amount applied for, while all above that price received in full. Practically the price realised was 10H and upward, which, under existing circumstances, is considered not a bad result. The loan was to be paid in four instalments extending to January next, but as 4 per cent discount was allowed upon payments in advance, a large proportion of the loan was paid up at once. Operations in connection with other causes, and the absorption of money by this loan have undoubtedly tended to the lightening of the market.