NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1093, 31 December 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

City Council Election. —Mr J. P, Jameson, being the only candidate for the vacant seat in the City Council caused by the election of Mr 11. Thomson as Mayor, was declared duly returned to-day. Rapid Travel, —The Christchurch coach, driven by Tommy Power, arrived in Hokitika at eleven a.m. on Wednesday after a rapid day and night passage of twenty and a half hours from Christchurch.

St. Mary’s, Meriyale.— There will be the usual New Year’s Eve service at this church to-night, beginning at a quarter-past eleven o’clock. There will also be a vigil service in St. John’s at 11 p.m., and in several of the other city churches. Sunday School Union.— The anniversary services in connection with the Canterbury Sunday School Union took place yesterday. The children attending the schools in connection with the union were addressed at the Durham street Wesleyan Church by the Rev. Mr Dallaston, and at the Trinity Church (Congregational) by Rev, J. S. Smalley. Railway Rules. —It is reported that one of the guards, who has seen nearly the longest service on the railways, has been dismissed on a charge of smoking and allowing other officials to smoke on railway premises, the premises in this instance being the guard’s vau. On reconsideration the Government might be disposed to look over the offence, and probably a petition will be sent in with that object. Lyttelton Regatta. —The entries for the Lyttelton Regatta closed on Saturday night. We remind competitors that the railway authorities have kindly consented to carry boats intending to compete free of charge. We also direct atteution to an advertisement respecting invitations to the flag ship Glenlora. There is every prospect of a moat successful regatta. Cricket.— A match was played between the “ Lyttelton Times” and St. Luke’s clubs on Saturday, resulting in a victory for St. Luke’s, they making in both innings 75, “Lyttelton Times,” 38. F. Haddrell made 12, and W. Blakely 11, for St. Luke’s. For “ Lyttelton Times ” Kennebrook made 11. These were the only noteworthy scores. Blakely and F. Rowe bowled well for St. Luke’s, and Costly and Condon for “ Lyttelton Times.”

Stabbing- Case. At nine o’clock last evening it was reported at the police depot that a woman had been stabbed at Addington by her husband. Detectives Walker and Benjamin at once proceeded to Addington, and learnt that a man, who goes by the name of Smith, and is a blacksmith and wheelright, had struck on the head a woman with whom he was living. On further investigation, the woman was found in a neighbor’s house with an angular jagged cut between the right ear and temple, and which had bled profusely The detectives were then informed that Smith had inflicted tins wound, but could not learn with what kind of instrument. Smith was afterwards found about his house, but the officers could not discover among the many tools discovered on the premises any one with which it was thought such a wound could have been made. The woman was brought in to the Hospital at II p.m., and tba maa”ic; the jscihse cU^ot.

Threepenny Bees. —The “ West Coast Times” notices as an event worthy of record that one of the local publicans has reduced the price of beer to 3d per glass. Tramways in Sydney. —A Bill empowering a company to construct tramways in Sydney and the suburbs has been introduced in the Assembly and read a first time.

ColonelMoule. —The Wellington “Post” states that the report that Colonel Moule retires from office because of a disagreement with the Ministerial head of his department is entirely without foundation. Colonel Moule.leaves solely on account of ill-health.

Bridging Hokitika River. —The “ West Coast Times” learns by telegram from Wellington that Mr Gisborne has written to the Government respecting the construction of the Hokitika Bridge, urging that the work may be put in hand, and that gentleman has received a reply from the Government promising that the work will be commenced forthwith.

The M.vcqharrie Islands. Captain Bezer, of the schooner Friendship, informs the “ Otago Times” that when last at the Macquarrie Islands he observed the remains of extensive settlements on both the east and west coasts, together with a number of wellkept graves, one of them having a wooden slab at the head bearing the inscription, “ William Buckley, died 1830.”

Coal near Wellington. —lt is rumoured that a seam of good black coal has been discovered close to Wellington. It is stated that the coal was laid bare when earth was being excavated for some purpose, [and that the man who discovered it immediately took steps to purchase the land. Our Wellington contemporary, who publishes the rumour, says he cannot vouch for the truth of the tale, but if coal has really been found, doubtless soon a company will be formed to work it. Arrest. —A few days ago the Timaru “Herald” stated that a person in good position in that town had “ levanted” under mysterious circumstances. In its issue of Saturday the “ Herald” says : —We now learn that he has been enjoying himself in Oamaru, where he was arrested on Thursday on a warrant taken out against him by his wife. He was conveyed to Timaru by the train yesterday afternoon, and will be brought up at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning to account for his delinquency.

Tai Tapp Disteict School.— On Friday, December 21st, several of the parents of the children attending the school, and most of the committee, met in the schoolroom to witness the distribution of the prizes. There were seventy children present. The chairman, Mr Peryman, after briefly addressing the children, proceeded to award the prizes in the following order : —Standard I.—D. Borthwick 1; Mary Ludemann, 2 ; and Annie Dunford, 3. Standard ll.—Richard Burke, 1; Margaret Leatham, 2 ; Lilly Champion, 3. Standard 111, second division—Samuel Nutt and Minnie Nutt, equal, 1 ; Lucy Tobeck, 2; Annie Tobeck, 3; S, D. Peryman, Ist for reading and spelling. Standard 111., first division, Robert M'Cartney, 1; Thomas Rainey, 2 ; Fred Barrett, 3. Standard IY.— John Yoss, 1; Celia Champion, 2; Annie Rainey, 3 ; Robert Leatham, 4. Standard Y. —Eliza Wittie, 1; Henry Leatham, 2 ; John Watson, 3. Standard YI, —Maria Rainey, senior prize. At intervals several pieces were very nicely sung by the children, under the direction of the master. Miss Borthwick presided at the harmonium. Presents of books and picture cards were awarded to all the children who had not obtained prizes, as an inducement to greater diligence for the future. The cost of the prizes and presents amounted to £(i. After Mr Forbes and Mrs Peryman had addressed a few words of encouragement and advice to the children, the chairman announced that they would have four weeks’ holiday. Three cheers were then given for the master and the committee, and after singing “ Q-od save the Queen,” the children dispersed.

Speingstox. —The annual treat to the children attending the district school was given on Thursday last. The sports were held in a paddock kindly lent for the occasion by the chairman, Mr J. G-ammack. There was a very large muster, over 200 children putting in an appearance, and there were about 100 adults also present. The committee had been indefatigable in their efforts, and provided very liberally, all the residents contributing. The sports were commenced at two o’clock, and were kept up with spirit till five, when a lottery was drawn by the children, every child receiving a prize. After tea, which was given in the schoolroom, the company re-assembled, the Rev. J. Taylor presiding, to listen to a recitation contest. Ten competed. The pieces were really well delivered, the prizes in the three standards falling to the following children : —First division, Thos. Silvester, Ist; Jas. Mathews, 2nd. Second division, Jessie Mathews, Ist; Alice Wills. 2nd. Third division, Horace James, Ist; C. Wainwright, 2nd. Messrs Bishop, Comerford, and the chairman acted os judges. After long and lusty cheers had been given for the teachers and committee, and thanks to the chairman, and duly responded to, the company returned to the paddock, where games and dancing were indulged in with great spirit. The Prebbleton band was present all the afternoon, and helped to make the day pass pleasantly.

The Pbemiee’s Visit to Tawhivo. —lt has for some time been stated that Sir Geo. Grey contemplates visiting the Kingites in the Waikato shortly, the alleged object being to endeavor to induce them to abandon their position of isolation. Referring to this repeated statement, the Wellington “Post” remarks: —We have seen so much of this visiting the Kingites by Governors and Native Ministers, and nothing resulting from it, that we do not believe it does much good. There is a good deal of talk of a vague and indefinite kind ; there is something said about roads and the aukati line; while finally the meeting comes to an end without anything having been definitely settled. It is," however, stated by the “ New Zealand Herald” that at the projected meeting Sir Geo. Grey will hare a definite proposal to make to the Kingites. He proposes to endeavor to secure the consent of the natives to the construction of a railway irom the Upper Waikato to Taranaki. It was part of the design of the public works scheme as originally laid down that there should be railway communication throughout the colony ; but unless something is done by Sir Geo. Grey, it will bo a long time before that consummation is reached as respects the North Island. It would be of cnormoi. i advantage that a railway should be constructed from Auckland to New Plymouth, because, by such a work, the country would be for the first time fully opened up. It will be a great triumph to Sir Geo. Grey if he succeeds in overcoming the resistance of the Kingites to raiiwav construction through their territory,

Ellesmebe School Treats. —On Thursday, the 27th instant, the teachers and promoters of the Southbridgc, Leeston, Killinchy, and Irwell schools united in affording an enjoyable Christmas treat to the children attending the various schools. Having made a start in procession from the different localities, the children and their friends met at the Maori pah, where refreshments and amusements were liberally provided. The fear that an accident had happened somewhat marred the enjoyment, which had been great and general. One of the children was missing from the party, whom he had accompanied to the pah, and as bathing in the sea had been a prominent feature in the amusements, some fear was for a time entertained. On enquiry, however, it was found that the youngster had preferred means of his own choosing for his return home. The Rev. W. Harper used every exertion for the amusement of the children, and the assistance of active and liberal coadjutors made the amalgamated school treat a decided success. On Eriday last the children who attend the St. John’s Presbyterian Church Sunday school, to a number of over seventy, were marshalled and paraded through the township of Southbridge with banners and music, and were conveyed in vehicles to the Point near the Maori pah. The rain would have been sufficient to have prevented the enjoyment intended had it not been for the hospitality of the fishermen located on the beach, who willingly placed at the disposal of the ladies, masters, and others ample room in which to distribute refreshments. Prizes had been provided, mainly by the exertions of Misses Benny and Petrie. A number of friends, equal to that of the children, were present, and the weather cleared up sufficiently to allow of an enjoyable sail upon the lake and a variety of outdoor amusements.