NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1203, 11 January 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Eoman Catholic Mission. Father Hennebery, 'accompanied by Bishop Bedwood, arrived in Lyttelton on Wednesday, and in the evening preached an introductory service. It is his intention to hold a week's mission services in Lyttelton, the first, which was well-attended, taking place last evening. Marine Inquiry.—An inquiry into the damage done to the ketch Anna when the Torea collided with that vessel on New Year's day, was held yesterday at the Custom house, Lyttelton, before Mr Bose, Collector of Customs. The evidence given was substantially the same as that already published in our report of the regatta. The Canterbury Cricketers.—The team, which, under the captaincy of Mr Neilson, has been recently playing against the Auckland and Wellington elevens with such success, returned last evening by the Ladybird. They were met at the station by a number of their friends, and driven to town in a four-in-hand, tooled by that experienced jehu Mr Millet. Slate in South Canterbury.—Mr J. B. Stansell writes to the " South Canterbury Times " that, when making a pleasure trip, a short time since, in the neighborhood of Pareora, he found a very fair specimen of slate, which, he says, has the qualities of being readily split, if being practically non-absor-bent of water, and of not disintegrating in the air.

Supreme Court.—The criminal sessions, so far as the common jury cases are concerned, came to a close yesterday. The last caße was that of Regina v Chapman, larceny as a bailee, in which the jury returned a verdict of "Not Guilty." In Regina v Tubman His Honor reduced the sentence originally passed of fifteen'years' penal servitude to ten. The case of Begina v Horler will be tried by special jury on the 17th inst. Railway Employee's Meeting.—A largely attended meeting of railway employees was held last evening at the Old Oddfellows Hall. The meeting was of a private nature, and confined to those in railway employment only, but it is understood that a public meeting will shortly be held, to which the members for Christchurch will be invited, and the alleged grievances of the employees placed fully before them and the public. New Bye-La\\.—We remind those jn charge of vehicles that the new bye-law relating to driving round corners at anything but a walking pace will come into force today. We understand that placards will be posted by the City Council giving notice of the fact in the principal thoroughfares of the town, and it is to be hoped that the provisions of the bye-law will be strictly enforced in future.

Wateb Supply.—A meeting qi the committee of the City Council, appointed to consider the cpnditions to be attached to the preiniums for the best scheme for a water supply, was held yesterday. The following conditions wese agreed to r —l. Water to be suitable for drinking and domestic purposes, as well as for fire prevention. 2. The supply to be not less than one million gallons daily. 3. The pressure to be equal to throwing water 100 ft. from a pip« of lin. diameter. The cost not to exceed £IOO,OOO. 5. Economy to be considered a point of merit. 6. If the plana are not of sufficient merit no premiums to be awarded.

Cbickkt—Tub Australian Eleven. — We understand that Mr Gibbs arrived in Christcburch by the last train from Timaru last night, and that arrangements were made for a three days' match with our representatives, to be played on the cricket ground in Hagley Park on the 10th, 21st, and 22nd of this month. The number of players to to represent Canterbury has not been fixed, but we understand that it will be Fifteen. In consequence of Mr Conway being indisposed, Mr G-ibbs returns to Dunedin by the first train this morning. From the well-known reputation of the Australian team as fine an exhibition of cricket as any yet seen here is escsieo£s4j O ur Fifteen will be very strong, and if they be not unlucky should make a very close 'contest, if they do not win tho match. Practice will take place every evening, and all players are particularly requested to attend regularly so' that they may get in as good form as possible. • Billiards 1 .—Mr Herbert 1 Eoberts, the champion" hand-stroke player, gave an exhibition of hjs Woriderfu) power at 'the Canterbury Hotel billiard roomo, Lytteltdn, last night. TJie're y} a ® a'jair attendance, and those present testified by tjieir frequent applause their Mp Bofyerps'p skill. The first item on the programme was a game of 000 up, in which Boberts ponpeded 400 to an amateur. The amateur used the cua and Roberts the hand, the professional winning as he liked with plenty to spare. A cannon game was then played, the professional giving 50 out of 75, and this also was a perfect gift to Eoberts, some of whose hand cannons were wonderfully good. A series of queer tricks, which ought to be seen to be believed, brought a very pleasant evening's amusement an end,

Inquest at Oust.—On Thursday an inquest was held at O'Shannessy's hotel, Oust, before C. Dudley, Esq., coroner, and a jury of which Mr E. W. Leach was chosen for foreman, touching the death of Edward William Green, aged 26, who was killed while working in a gravel pit on Thursday morning, by a fall of earth and stones, which he was engaged in undermining. After hearing the evidence of C. Stevens and Andrew Sanston, the jury returned a verdict that deceased came to his death by accident. 1.0.G-.T.—A meeting of persons interested in the R.W.G. Lodge of the World was held yesterday evening in Mr Gee's schoolroom, Worcester street, for the purpose of forming a new lodge. Bro. W. T. C. Mills opened the lodge, and admitted twenty persona to membership. It was decided to name the lodue the " Liberator, No. 1." The following were elected officers, and were duly installed by Bro. W. T. C. Mills, D.D.:-Bro. J. McGregor, W.C.T.; Sister Hollindale, W.V.T.; Bro. T. Broadbelt, W.S.; Bro. Freeman, W.F.S.; Bro. Wise, W. Treasurer; Bro. Bridges, W. Chaplain; Bro. Hollindale, W.M.; Bro. Hosking, W.D.M.; Bro. Storie, W.1.G.; Bro. Wood, W.0.G.; Sister Cave, W.R.H.S.; Sister Merson, W.L.H.S.; Bro. Armstrong, W.A.S.; Bro. Bridges, lodge deputy. It was resolved to hold the lodge meetings on Thursday evenings in the schoolroom.

Popular Amusement Association. —A meeting of the committee was held yesterday afternoon at the Council Chambers. Present —Messrs Mitchell (in the chair), Hebden, Haskins, and Alport. The hon. secretary (Mr Haskins) stated that there was a credit balance in the Bank of £67 7s 3d, and he had £53 15s 3d cash in hand. A letter was read from the City Council, declining to grant any subsidy to the sports. It was resolved to defer consideration of this letter until a fuller meeting was present. A letter was read from the contractor of the grand stand, pointing out extra work he had done, and asking remuneration for same. The letter was referred to Mr Walkden. The secretary was instructed, in the absence of Mr Ollivier, to pay the various accounts presented and passed out of cash in hand, the balance to be paid into the Bank. Before adjourning, it was decided that the next meeting of the committee should be called by advertisement at an early date.

Cabs at Railway Stations.—At tre Police Court, Dunedin, on Tuesday, three cabmen were charged with plying for hire outside the railway gate in Battray street, contrary to the regulations and to the obstruction of public traffic. The police said the railway authorities frequently ordered the cabmen to move, but they paid not the slightest attention. The men complained that if they kept inside the yard, as they were required to do, they were completely out of the way of custom, and, although pleading guilty to a breach of law, were unable to admit that they impeded traffic. It was stated by the police that other cabmen had been fined for the same practice. The Bench, in view of the fact that those convictions had taken place some time back, inflicted the light penalty of ss, and costs, on each of the three defendants.

Cold Prospecting.—A prospecting party of four men has been made up for the purpose of testing some ground up the Hokitika, known or believed to be auriferous. Jules Schmarduke and Alexander Behrendt, two Q-ermans who have been mining in that district for some time, and one of whom has prospected in the proposed locality before, have induced several residents in town to take an interest in the project. It is intended, says the " Times," to raise £llO by shares of 20s each, five shillings to be paid on application, and five shillings on allotment, the balance at the rate of 5s per month. For this small amount the four men have undertaken to work twenty weeks, and in the event of any discovery being made by them that they get half the claim. The place intended to be prospected is about eighteen miles up the Hokitika river. The required amount has been readilv subscribed.

Serious Accidents. —A serious accident occurred at Kakahu on Friday last to a lad named Chute, who was at the time in the employ of Mr R. Sharp. The Temuka "Herald" states that the lad was driving a reaping machine, but the knives becoming clogged, he dismounted to clear them. While doing so the horses started off, and had proceeded about eighteen yards before they were stopped, during which time the arm of the lad, which had been caught in the knives, was fearfully lacerated. 3}r. Hayes was promptly in attendance, and, with the assistance of }}r. Fish, amputated the upper arm. The sufferer sustained great loss of blood previous to the arrival of physical aid, and is therefpre in a very preparious position, but hopes are ente?? tained of hig recovery.—The -'Timaru Herald" reports that on Tuesday afternoon a young man, whose name wo were unable to learn, met with a nasty accident at Saltwater Creek. It seems he was trying a half-broken colt, which threw him off amongst some ploughs and other broken implements. His thigh was very much torn, and his left leg fractured. Dr. Macintyre was at once sent for, and on arrival ordered his removal to the Hospital. By latest accounts the sufferer was progressing as favourably as could be expected.

Wool and G-bain in Victobia.—ln its monthly market summary for December, the Melbourne "Argus" says:—The wool sales have gone off very satisfactorily indeed, though prices of late have been affected by the advices to hand regarding the December Bales. Since the season commenced, about 118,870 bales have been offered at the various sales, and 88,530 disposed of, of which Messrs Goldsbrough and Co. have sold 41,036 bales, Messrs Hastings Cuningham and Co. 19,1-16 bales, and Messrs J. H. Clough and Co. 8233 bales. The quantity thus sold shows an increase on last year to the present time of 10,801 bales. The shipments to date, however, show a decrease, as compared with last year, of 13,5-18' bales. The drought sia*j been very seve're for l the greater ' pairt' 'of tns month, and much loss has again been caused to the pastoral tenants, chieliy in New South' Wales. Within the past few days, however; more cheering accounts have been received from the interior, heavy rains having relieved much of the prevailing anxiety. ' The crops in sonie of the other colonies are suffering l 'fcrwant 6f rain. ' Qui' own, howeVer, is lively to be' a niost abundant one. |n some of this distripts the. average yield per apre is ijupposep} to be in many instances double that of last year, and in addition to our having a full supply for our wants it is anticipated that we shall have a large 'surplus for export. Our supplies of wheat and (lour from the country districts by rail this year, to the week ending 15th November, amount to 415,194 bags. The total quantity received in all 1876 was 294,270 bags. In 11| months of the present year we have therefore received more than in all im by 121,924 bags.

A Jesuit College foe New Zealand. — The "Tablet" learns through a private source that it is believed that the Rev. Father Kennedy, S.J., of the English Province, has eft England en route for Dunedin. The rev. gentleman, it is expected, will be joiner! in Melbourne by some other members of the order, appointed to aid him in conducting their intended Jesuit College in New Zealand. Prospeeitt of Reefton.-—Most satisftetory intelligence has reached Reefton from Boatman's. In the first instance, thereis the intelligence of the striking of the reef in the low level of the Hopeful mine, the reef looking splendid and well formed; further intelligence of the striking of an undoubtedly payable lode in the lower workings of the Ficy Cross mine. These reports have already had a most beneficial influence upon the drooping market, and ere many days, says the "Times," a change may he looked for in lite rate of quotations. Referring to the holidays, the same piper says :—The business activity in Reefton during the past ten days may be snid to be unprecedented, forwe do not recollect during ten or twelve years'experience on the West Coast to have seen anything to equal it. The amount of money expended must have been immense, for in addition to the customary drains upon the population at this season of the year, there have been lotteries and art unions innumerable. It is said that jewellers who visited Reefton during the race week took away with them upwards of £ISOO as the result? of sales, auctions, and art unions. Upwards of £3OO was taken at the bazaar, and over £IOO at the Hospital Fete. What the boothholders, gate keeper and coach proprietors netted over the races can hardly be conjectured, but the gross takings must have been considerable. As far as concerns the hotel trade in town we do not think there can be any complaint, and the same may be said of all other classes of traders, for the harvest appears to have been general.