NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1205, 14 January 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Fibs.—Shortly after nine this morning the washhouse, situated in the rear of Mrlnglis’s house, Antigua street, was discovered to be on fire. In a few minutes the building was inflames, and as it was situated only five feet from the dwelling house, there was considerable danger at one time of a large fire. Fortunately Mr Inglis was at home at the time, and he, with the assistance of several men who were on the spot, managed to cover the lean-to with wet blankets, and thus saved it from catching. Fortunately the wind was blowing from the east, or all their efforts would have been unavailing. As it was the main building was much scorched, and was at one time actually on fire. On the arrival of the fire engine, the flames were speedily got under. The fire is supposed to have been caused by some firewood accidentally falling from under the boiler. Cheiftchuech and Hokitika Mail Conteact. —We notice that Messrs Cassidy end Clarke have determined upon relinquishing business on the West Coast, and invite tenders for the purchase of their extensive coaching properties, horses, Ac., together with the Christchurch and Hokitika mail contract for the ensuing year. Freehold properties, race horses, hacks, buggies, &c., belonging to the same firm, are also announced to be sold on an early date. Lectuee. —Count de Zaba will deliver a lecture to-morrow evening, at the Congregational schoolroom, on the method of studying universal history. The system of mnemonics which it is the object of the lecture to explain is extremely ingenious, and, though somewhat complicated at the first appearance is easily mastered when the principle of its construction is understood. The author claims for it that, while facilitating the acquirement of a complete and accurate knowledge of history, it is calculated also to develop habits of order and association of thought, and thus to improve the memory and strengthen the intellectual powers. Wq JjPJpe f 66 the

Loan and Investment Society.— The third half-yearly meeting of the Friends of Labor Loan and Investment Society will be held at the Market Hotel this evening, when the report and balance sheet will be submitted, and the officers elected for t he ensuing year.

Divorce. —Lord Adam, of Glasgow, recently heard evidence in the Court of Session in an action raised by Hanna Eice or Williams, against her husband, Lewis Williams, formerly a blacksmith in Govan, and now in New Zealand. The parties were married in Jarrow, Durham, on May 13th, 18(15, but several years ago the husband deserted his wife, and on this ground the Lord Ordinary granted decree of divorce. Billiards.— Mr Eoberts, the champion hand stroke player, appeared at Eadcliffe’s hotel on Saturday evening, when there was a goodly muster of the lovers of billiards. He opened with a match with an amateur player, in which some very excellent strokes were made on both sides,resulting in a victory for the champion. This was followed by an exhibition of his fancy strokes, in which he performed some very astounding feats. Mr Eoberts proceeds, we believe, to Timaru, and we can promise our Southern friends a great treat in the matter of billiard playing. The Soldene Opera Company.— Mr. E. J. De Lias, the spirited entrepreneur of the North Island, arrived on Saturday by the Wellington, to make the necessary preliminary arrangements for the appearance here of the Soldene Opera Bouffe Company. The company is at present performing at Dunedin, and, judging from the accounts received thence, with some success. Their repertoire is a large one, including, in addition to those familiar to Christchurch playgoers, such as “ La Fillede Madame Angot,” “Barbeßleu,” and “ Genevieve de Brabant,” those new to us here, such as “La Belle Helene,” &c. The date of opening is fixed for the 22nd instant, at the Theatre Eoyal, and we understand that the initial performance will be “ Genevieve de Brabant,” in which Miss Emily Soldene was the original Drogan in England. Immigrants by the Herepoed. —The following is a list of the trades and occupations of the immigrants to arrive per ship Hereford Farm laborers, 118 ; general, 7; miner, 1; carpenters, 10; cooper, 6; shepherd, 1 ; bricklayer, |1; groom, 1; painters, 2 ; engineer, 1; plasterer, 1. Single women — General servants, 48 ; housemaids, 7 ; nursemaid, 1 ; dairymaids, 7 ; parlourmaid, 1; cooks, 5; nurses, ; 2 machinist, 1 ; housekeeper, 1 ; laundrymaid, 1. Summary— Male adults, 150; female adults, 121 j male children, 31 ; female children, 28; male infants, 4; female infants, 2. Total, 336, equal to 300 i statute adults. Nationality— English, 175 : Irish, 146 ; Scotch, 6 ; Welsh, 1; Channel Islanders, 3Germans, 5. The list can be seen on application at the immigration office. Christchurch Corn Exchange. Steps have lately been taken, o establish in Christchurch a Corn Exchange and Farmers’ Club, and a meeting was held on Saturday, at which such an institution was formally opened. Prior to the meeting, sufficient information had been obtained as to the probable success of the project to induce Messrs Matson and Co. to specially fit up rooms for the purposes of an Exchange and Club of the character referred to. These rooms are situated immediately contiguous toTattersall’s Horse Repository, and are admirably suited for the purposes intended. Fronting the street there is an inquiry office, furnished with conveniences for the exhibition of samples of grain, and immediately behind is the general clubroom, comfortably furnished, well lit, and with files of papers upon the tables—a feature of the clubroom, which will, of course, improve as time passes, and as agricultural and other literature accumulates. Behind this room there is another, where members may retire for more private consultation, or which may be used for the meetings of the managing committee. Mr W. Bateman, who acted as secretary at the meeting on Saturday, and who has had large experience in similar connection in Victoria, is in charge of the clubrooms, and from him all information will be obtained by intending subscribers.

Laecent Case, Timaeu.—The case of the Police against Isabella R. Dick has reached to such a complicated stage that the “ Timaru Herald” supplies the following particulars to make it comprehensible : —“ On the first occasion, when the charges preferred against the accused were dismissed, a letter had been admitted as evidence, which has since been held to be illegally received, and on the strength of that a re-hearing of the case is asked for. His Worship has taken until Wednesday to consider whether he will grant or refuse the re-hearing. The bone of contention in the second day’s proceedings consists in the following facts—Two dresses were produced in Court, to make which it was alleged that the accused, while in the employment of Mr Sutter, had received twenty yards of cloth, but had kept and converted to her own use between five and seven yards of it. Experts were called in to measure the dresses, for the purpose of ascertaining the quantity of the material in them, but they differed so widely that the bench made an order to have the dresses taken to pieces for the purpose of having them properly measured. Since then dresses of the same size and shape have been made by the prosecution, presumedly with less material than the twenty yards which the accused is alleged to have received to make the first dresses. That this had been done came to the ears of the defence, and yesterday a further adjournment until next Wednesday was granted to Mr Hamersley, and the dresses were ordered to be given up. This was done to give the defence an opportunity of employing independent dressmakers to make similar dresses, so as to test the quantity of material that it would take to make them. Thus the case stands at present.”