NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1091, 28 December 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Accident at Kaiapoi.—On Thursday a little boy who was riding one horse and driving another was kicked severely by the latter animal on his thigh. Fortunately no bones were broken, although the bruises sustained were very severe. He was quickly attended to.

Ashley County Council.—lt is understood that at last an effort will be made to bring the Counties Act, 1876, into force in the Ashley county, as a majority of the members of the Council are now said to be in favor of this step being taken, and a proposal is made to call a meeting of the Council at an early date. Cheistchubch and Dunedin Railway. —According to a statement made to a Dunedin deputation yesterday, it is fully anticipated that railway communication between Christchurch and that city will be completed in three months hence. Within the past week Dunedin has been connected by railway with two important suburbs, as they may be called —Waitati, or Blueskin, and Anderson's Bay. Intebpbovincial Cricket Match. —The match between the Auckland and Canterbury teams is to be commenced to-day at Auckland. The Canterbury team have had several days' leisure in the northern city, during which they seem to have been industriously practising, while the people of Auckland have been actively hospitable. The Australian Eleven.—According to telegrams in the Melbourne papers, the Australian team, when playing at Adelaide, concluded their first innings for a score of 154, of which D. Gregory made 23. The eighteen in their second innings put together a total of 139. Jarvis, with 32 not out, played splendidly. Spofforth took nine wickets for 87 runs, and Garrett three wickets for 9 runs ; both bowled well. The match was concluded in favor of the eleven, who won with nine wickets to spare. C. Bannerman made the fine score of 44, and not out. Lyttelton Juvenile Good Temflabs. — The Lyttelton Juvenile Good Templars went to their first annual picnic on Wednesday last. Nearly a hundred, inclnding friends, left Port by the 11 a.m. train bound to Rangiora, where they arrived in good time. Mr Burt's paddock, which had been kindly lent by that gentleman for the occasion, was the scene of rejoicing, and a capital lunch, provided by Mr Reed, of Rangiora, was the first feature of the programme. After a hearty meal, cricket, racing, jumping, _&c. were the order of the day, some capital prizes being awarded to the most agile. After tea, between 3 and 4 p.m., the party returned to the station tired, but delighted with the happy holiday they had spent. Sebious Accident. —An accident of a serious nature took place in Akaroa on Thursday afternoon. Mr John Bunny, well and long known about Akaroa, was leading a cow to Mr F. Anning's slaughter-yard, when the animal suddenly turned and gored him in the abdomen to such an extent that little or no hope is felt as to his recovery. Wab Telegrams.—The Wellington " Post" of the 22nd instant publishes the following special telegram, dated London, December 21st: —"England has declared her determination to mediate at once." It also contains the following as a "'Herald' Special," presumedly the " Sydney Herald " :—" The Government has ordered all war vessels to get ready for sea. The situation is most critical, and the worst fears are entertained as to the improbability of peace being maintained on the part of England." Sudden Death.—Mr George Doig, butchor, in the employment of Mr F. Peiper, died very suddenly last night. He went to his home in Worcester street about eight o'clock, apparently in his usual health, and, after supper, went to bed shortly before eleven. On lying down he commenced to vomit, and in a few minutes died. Dr. Symes was called, but life was extinct before his arrival. Information was conveyed to the police, and the body was removed to the morgue at the Hospital, where an inquest will be held to-day. The deceased leaves a wife and three young children.

Masonic Installation. —The installation of the Worshipful Master and Officers of the St. Augustine Lodge, 609, E.C., took place yesterday, when the following officers were installed:—W.M., Bro. E. C. Bishop; S.W., Bro. F. Pavitt; J.W., Bro. Hobday; treasurer, Bro. W. R. Mitchell; secretary, Bro. F. C. Tribe; S.D., Bro. W. H. Gundry; J.D., Bro. 0. P. Hulbert; D.C., Bro. Wolfe; I.G-., Bro. Restell; Tyler, Bro. Toms. The ceremony was most ably performed by Bro. 0. W. Bishop, Past D.D.G.M., who had the peculiarly pleasing duty of installing as W.M. his son, an occurrence which, we believe, is unprecedented in New Zealand. The following Past Masters were present: —Bros. Deamer, W. Smith, R. Smith, Alport, Mitchell, J. Smith, F. J. Smith, Parker, Rice, Robinson, and Tombs.

I.O.O.F.—The picnic in aid of the Widow and Orphans Fund of the Loyal Avon Lodge, 1.0.0. F., will take place at Taylor's Gardens, on January Ist. A very tempting programme of sports has been prepared, and the little ones will also be remembered in the shape of toys, &c. In the evening a ball will take place, at which Mr Schwartz's band will officiate. The committee to whom the arrangements have been confided are making every provision for the comfort of their visitors, and a capital day may be anticipated by those taking part in the picnic.

Kaiapoi Peesbytebian Chubch. —On Thursday evening the annual tea meeting in aid of the .funds of this church was held in the Oddfellows' Hall. There was a large attendance at tea. Trays were provided by Mesdames McMillan, Milligan, Robb, Kinley, Kelso, Kilgour, Mr Ross, and the bachelors. At the after meeting the Rev. W. McGregor presided, and addresses were delivered by Revs. Messrs Douglas, Cree, Horner, Luxford, Cannell, and Beck, and selections of sacred song were contributed by the choir of the church, under the leadership of Mr S. Johnston, Miss Johnston presiding at the harmonium.

HcnnTTKA Races.—More than ordinary interest, has this year bean taken in the Hokitika race meeting, in consequence of the attractions of the programme, and the presence of several Canterbury horses. So far, Canterbury owners seem to have been successful, but the second day's sport had to be postponed in consequence of the weather. As was expected from the heated Btate of the atmosphere here yesterday, there was a heavy rainfall on the Coast, and as the Hokitika Club had their course recently ploughed up, it is probable that it will not be in a very fit state for racing for seroral days. Judging by the number of miners in town, and (he quantity of gold being disposed of, the district is not yet in suoh a bad state commercially as recent civcvwnntanoes. had indicated,

Attacked by a Shabk. —In Sydney harbor last week a boy named Burloss, while bathing in shallow water, was attacked by a shark, which took one foot off and stripped the leg completely down from the knee. The shark made a second attack, but the boy was dragged out of the water and taken to the Infirmary. The leg had to be amputated. Eably Oats. —There is to be seen at the store of Mr Eraser, corn dealer, Colombo street, a sample of oats indicative of the early ripening of the crop, and of the likelihood of its proving a heavy one, notwithstanding the peculiarities of the season. The sample is one of short Tartarian oats, and delivery was made on Monday last. Two loads, the first of a quantity to be delivered, were received, and the quantity is a remarkably good sample, both as to weight and condition. New Thbeshing Machine. —A telegram in the Melbourne "Argus" gives a brief but satisfactory description of a new threshing machine which has been tried in the St. Arnaud district. The improvements are the invention of a farmer at Coghill's Creek, named Quinlivan, and consist of a sheaf elevator, a circular saw which cuts bands, a selffeeder and grain preserver, which saves the labor of four men, and does the work in a much speedier and more regular and clean manner than the ordinary thresher. The machine will thresh 1000 bushels per day.

Impobted Gbeyhounds.—Some remarkably well-bred and handsome greyhounds have lately been imported into Nelson, the latest arrival being a real beauty named La Belle, a blue and white slut boasting of a first-class pedigree, which was brought by the Ringarooma from Melbourne, where she was bred by Mr J. H. Lempriere, the most successful courser in Australia. The same gentleman who imported La Belle is expecting another slut from the same breeder. Her name is L'Esprit, and she is own sister to La Rapide, the winner of the Australian Club Cup and other stakeß, amounting in all to £420.

New Stone Eubbeb. —A stone rubber, constructed by Mr Chambers, of Thomas Davey and Co., for the Castlemaine Pavingstone Company, has been brought under the notice of the Melbourne " Argus." The new rubber is intended principally for the preparation of the slate floors of the billiard-table, which need to possess a surface as truly level as human skill can make them. It consists of a circular disc, affixed to the bottom of a vortical shaft. On the under surface of the disc there are twelve rubbers of soft iron. As soon as the disc is set in rotation, a slab of stone is made to travel slowly backwards and forwards under it. In the course of the journey every part of the surface of the stone is brought into contact with every part of the surface of the rubbers, and by this means an even surface is obtained. For the polishing of mantelpieces and other work the appliance is most useful.

The Pbofits of Low Pbices.—Suggestive comment upon the scale of prices of ad mission to theatres was nade by Mr Lewis, of the Melbourne Academy of Music, on the recent occasion of a handsome present being made to him on the stage. He said: —TJp to the time when he reduced the prices of admission he had lost £4OOO, but since the reduction both he and the landlord had had nothing whereof to complain. They were aware that he had recently experienced much annoyance, but whatever happened, these prices would remain. At the opening of the theatre and during the races, at that time when Mdle De Murska was singing, and admission to the dress circle was 7s 6d, there was a weekly loss of £IOO. Last races, when the prices were less than half of the opening rates, there was a very satisfactory profit. He could not but think that the managers of the other theatres would reduce their prices also. Their houses were larger than his, and they could better afford it. The Issue of Railway Tice:ets.—lt has frequently been asked why cannot railway tickets be purchased all through the day at the booking offices instead of as at present having the pigeon-holes opened for a minute or two before the train starts, and so necessitating a great deal of crowding and inconvenience to those who require tickets. We notice by the Melbourne " Argus " that Mr Woods, the Commissioner of Railways, has just issued a notice to employees bearing on this subject. The notice is as follows : " From time to time notices have been issued in reference to the necessity of the various booking-windows being open sufficiently early to enable passengers to obtain tickets without the discomfort of pushing through a crowd. As sufficient attention does not seem to be paid to this subject, I have now to caution all officials in charge of stations that any future complaint will be met by the infliction of a severe fine."

Rescuing a Madman.—An act of brarery is recorded by the Melbourne papers as having been performed by Mr Bell, one of the officers of the s.s. Julia Percy. As Mr Bell was leaving the steamer as she lay at the Queen's wharf, he heard that a man was drowning in the river. He hurried to the place, and divesting himself of his coat, vest, and boots, jumped in, and swam to the spot where the man was struggling. Seizing hold of the man with one hand, Mr Bell endeavored to reach a life buoy which had been thrown to them, but was clogged in his endeavors by the man he was trying to rescue, and who it was apparent had plunged into the river with the intention of committing suicide. He eventually succeeded in reaching the lifebuoy, but the man tried to make him let go his hold by beating his hands. A couple of boats, however, appeared the scene, into one of which the man was dragged, and had to be held down while he was being conveyed on Bhore, Mr Bell being taken to his ship by the other boat. The would-be suicide was arrested by the police, and on being taken before the Bench was remanded for medical examination. Tbapeze Accident. —A mishap occurred at the circus in Sydney during a recent performance of the Lazelle Brothers on the trapeze. They had completed their aerial exertions known as La Chille Perelouse in their usual dashing style, and one of them had descended to the ground in safety. The other was about to do so by swinging from a Hying trapeze, turning a somersault, and catching a rope extending from the roof to the floor. From some cause the rope was not in its proper line with the rest of the paraphernalia, and Mr Lazelle, instead of catching it, fell heavily to the ground from a distance of several feet. He lay senseless for some little time, apparently having struck a railing that ought not to have been near the spot, and eventually was carried out in that condition. The audience were in a state of suspense for some time as to whether he had been seriously injured, but were agreeably relieved about ten minutes afterwards by seeing him return to the ring apparently a» safe and sound as «?er«

Railway Extension. Nelson papers state that there is at last an immediate prospect of the railway extension to the port being commenced, Mr Sharp having received a telegram from Mr Larnach stating that the En-gineer-in-Chief had received instructions to take the necessary steps for the work being entered upon at once. Caxton at Ciieistmas. —The following description of a printers' celebration of the Christmas festival appears in the Wellington "Post": —"Last night some hundreds of people visited the Government Printing OfSce to view the Christmas decorations in the machine and binding-rooms. When lighted up the rooms presented a most gay and festive appearance. Eestoons of colored paper, mottoes, shields, vases of flowers, excellent representations of ' the roast beef of Old England,' plum pudding, and the other accessories of ' Merrie Christmas ' were freely used in all directions, some of the devices showing great ingenuity in conception as well as skill in execution. The great point of attraction, however, was a miniature model of the Falls of Niagara, with running water. Everything is complete, even to the large 1 Table Rock' which fell a few weeks ago, and which lies at the base of the fall; and the lighthouse, with candles inside, the moon throwing a soft light over all. One side represents the American, and the other the Canadian shore. The most minute details have been carefully attended to, and by a judicious use of moßses, ferns, &c, an appearance of extreme age has actually been imprted to the rock-work. Taken all in all, the exhibition was better worth seeing than many of a more pretentious character."

The Fatal Accident at Pobt Chalmers. —It has already been reported by telegraph that an accident, which resulted fatally, occurred in the Graving Dock, Port Chalmers, on Thursday night about half-past 11 o'clock. The particulars of the sad affair are thus given by the "Daily Times": —Constable Coffey, who was on duty at that hour, hearing voices near the dock, proceeded there to ascertain who the persons were, and found two petty officers of the Albion Company's ship Dunedin (then in dock) making their way to the vessel. Thinking all was right, he returned to his beat, and a few minutes later heard a heavy body fall into the dock, while a voice called out for assistance. Constable Coffey at once ran to the dock, and on his arrival he was met by the carpenter of the Dunedin, who informed him that the boatswain (Francis G-off) had, while attempting to get on board, fallen into the dock, a depth of nearly 30 feet below the gangway stays. The constable at once divested himself of his outer clothing, and making his way down the side of the dock saw the boatswain in about four feet of water. Coffey at once plunged in, and brought the unfortunate man to the side, and with the assistance of another constable and some of the Dunedin's crew carried him on board the ship. He was perfectly unconscious, and the only indications of life were the pulsations of his heart. Medical assistance was sent for, and on the arrival of Dr. O'Donoghue he pronounced the man dead. The deceased was about thirty-six years of age, and a native of Jersey. At the inquest the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death," and added the following rider: " That there ought to be a proper light at the gangway ; and the jury express their approbation of the conduct of Constable Coffey in his efforts to rescue the deceased." They also considered that it was necessary that a light and watchman should be supplied to all ships in dock.