NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1221, 1 February 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Cool. —The following paragraph appeared in the “Lyttelton Times” this morning:— “ Journalistic. —We observe that our evening contemporary, the “ Star,” now appears in an enlarged form, which makes it one of the largest evening papers in the colony.” Considering that the Globe was the first to exhibit the enterprise of its proprietor in placing before its readers an enlarged sheet, and that the “ Star” only followed the lead thus set for it, the above is, to say the least of it, very cool. When making the enlargement the Glqbe announced the fact in a leading article, and gave its reasons. Did the “Star” do so? or content itself with playing second fiddle ? The Globe docs not require to be bolstered up by any other journal—not even the high and mighty “ Lyttelton Times.” Archery Club. —The match between the members of the Canterbury Archery Club and the Wellington Club will be fired tomorrow. Race Horses. — Mr Ray’s Danebury, Titani i, Mufti, and Standard-bearer, and Mr Lunn’s Grey Momus were passengers to Wellington, per the s.s. Taiaroa, yesterday. The New By-Law.—We understand that a number of informations under the nesv by-law regarding the pace round corners of various streets in the city, will come on before the Resident Magistrate shortly. The Suez Mail.— Telegraphic advice has been received by Messrs Dalgoty, Nichols, and Co. that the s.s, Arawata left Melbourne lust Wednesday, and that the Ringarooma will sail thence on Tuesday next, the sth instant, with the Suez mail. Drainage Board— Owing to there not being a quorum of members of the Drainage Board this morning, no meeting took place. Those present were—The Chairman, and Messrs Ross and Hall. The usual meeting of the Board of Health also lapsed for the same reason.

Rowing- Matches. —There _ are to be several rowing matches on the river on Saturday, commencing at half-past two o’clock. Two of the junior four-oars of the Union Rowing Club are to compete for medals pye-i sented by Mr Sandstein, jeweller. The crew ip ana boat consists of—Morris, bow ; Hawkins, second ; Kesteven, third; Q-apes, stroke. The other crew is formed by Bowley, bow; Joyct, cecyiid j Jor«, itoke,

Cricket. —Hagleyj Oak Leaf v. Excelsior Clubs.—A match between these clubs will be played on the ground of the former, on Saturday ; play to commence at two o’clock. The following will represent the Hagley Oak Leaf Anson, Booth, Beattie, Dougall, Hopper, Hep worth, E. Jones, Turner, Stahlsemidt, Walsh, Toomer.

Children's Flower Service.—A flower service in connection with the opening of the Colombo road Wesleyan Church will take place on Sunday afternoon next, when the Rev. A. R. Fitchett will deliver an address. The flowers will afterwards bo presented to the hospital. In Melbourne recently one of these flower services was held, and it was described as being a remarkably pretty sight. The introduction of such a novelty as this is well worth being more generally imitated, the more so as the inmates of the hospital will receive no small amount of pleasure from the gift of a number of bouquets of flowers.

Cathedral Guild. —A general meeting of the Guild was held last evening at the College library, the Very Rev. the Dean in the chair. There was not a large attendance. The rev. chairman, in his opening remarks, stated that good progress was being made with the columns of the cathedral. An interesting paper on “A visit to Norway and Sweden” was read by the Rev. C. Bowen, who gave descriptions of the cathedrals of Throndjen and TJpsala. Photographs of Norwegian views were handed round among the audience. After a reading by Mr Worthy, the meeting closed with singing and prayer. Alaem of Fire. —Yesterday about 10 a.m. the Lyttelton fire bell was rung, and smoke was seen issuing from a building in Oxford street, close to the Exeter street comer. The fire brigade mustered very smartly, and in a few seconds were on the way to the fire, but were stopped with the information that the fire had been quenched. It appeared that some children had been left alone in a house occupied by a Mr Talbot, and had upset a frying pan full of grease on the fire. Frightened by the flames one of the children had thrown some water on the blazing fat, as a matter of ceurse with most unsatisfactory results, a column of flame roaring up the chimney. One of the fire police was luckily handy, and managed to get wet sacks over the chimney, and by pouring water continually on it kept the flames under. The roof was a very dry shingle one, and, had sensible help not been near, several houses would in all probability have caught fire.

Drapers and Clothiers’ Association.— A special general meeting was held in the Foresters’ Hall last evening; Mr D. E. Davis, deputy-chairman, in the chair. It was proposed that an extraordinary meeting should be held !at the same place, on Friday, the Bth February, to consider the following notice of motion:—“That six members be appointed as a committee to endeavour to form a general Early Closing Association, embracing all trades, to secure a general hour of closing on Saturdays; and that the sum of £ — be placed at their disposal to carry out this object.” It was resolved to continue, by means of advertising and posting, to keep the subject of early closing prominently under the notice of the public.

Wesleyan Church Extension. —In a report submitted to the Wesleyan Conference the following statement was made regarding church extension in Canterbury : —A new stone church has been erected at Colombo road at a cost of £2500. A property of 17 acres, with a nine-roomed house and valuable outbuildings, has been purchased at Leeston, cost £IOOO. The Lyttelton Church lias been enlarged so as to provide far 90 additional sittings; cost, £2OO. Also, the Kaiapoi Church, at a cost of £370. A new parsonage has been erected at Rangiora for £650. The Southbrook school has been enlarged, and the Woodend Church provided with 50 additional sittings. A new church has been built at Waimate, cost £llOO. In the Ashburton Circuit new sites have been secured at Ashburton, Waterton, Chertsey, and South Rakaia. Throughout the colony, the total cost of new churches erected during the year has been £6678; parsonages, £2866 ; schools, £I2BO ; and improvements, £1760.

New Buildings at Ashburton.—Messrs Montgomery and Co. are about to erect a range of buildings on the ground lately occupied by their timber yard, in East street, between the handsome shops built about a year ago by Mr J. R. Steel and Burnett street. The building will contain four large shops on the ground floor, and upstairs there will be ten good and commodious offices. The dimension of the shops will be—one, on the corner of East and Burnett streets, 25ft. by 20ft., with two offices attached, and a cellar; two shops, 30ft. by 20ft., and one 18ft. by 15ft., with an office at back, fronting on East street. Ascending to the second floor by handsome staircases, of which there will be one in East street aud one leading from Burnett street, we come to the offices, two, each 15ft. 6in. by HOft. lin., and one, 15ft. Gin. by 12ft., looking out on Burnett street; and one on the corner, 20ft. by 12 ft. Five are 19ft. Sin. by 12ft. ( and one 15ft. by 12ft. All the offices are quite separate from the shops below. The shop windows are to be of ?late glass, tin. thick, in sheets 9|t. by 3ft. 'he doors stand back three feet, \yith the windows splayed, front will present a very neat appearance, being rusticated boardsn‘g, relieved with pilasters, and two cornices, the upper one supported on brackets. The building will have a frontage on East street of 82ft., and on Burnett street of 52ft. 5 the height will be 28ft., including the parapet. Both shops and blflces have been applied for, and, if the space would admit, as many more, if built, would easily let. The building is designed by Mr Farr, who is also architect of the Ashburton Town Hall, and the contract has been taken by Mr George Parkin, of Ashburton. The cost of the building, when completed, will be about £2700. Both end and party walls are to be of brick, and [hs roof of iron. These buildings will have a handsome appearance and greafciy Improve that portion of the town. The whole of the block will then consist of really fine buildings, from the Tancred street end, on which stands t[,e new Union Bank, to the Somerset PTo.tel, which is immediately opposite tho Burnett street frontage. Mr parkin hopes to complete the contract by the middle of May.

The School Committee Several amusing stories are tols gS the way in which the ballot was managed by some of tlie country comniittees. In one instance where there v?v.e not a score of persons present, the seven committeemen were declared elected out of a dozen candidates by numbers of votes ranging from sorathing like 58 to 30. The fact was that each householder was allowed to give from one vote to seven for each candidate, and the balloting occupied about an hour and a half, as each candidate was separately balloted for. One of the largest and best regulated elections was got over under an hour, inclusive of a quarter of an hour’s grace for persons to bring in voters, and, the same time for making up the returns of 108 voters. This was conducted by a veteran returning officer and ah 'experienced staff:' of three assistants. Each householder was supplied with a ballot paper containing the printed name of the school district, the words “ ballot paper,” and seven blank lines with the directions that voter could fill up every line, or insert one or two names only, with the number of votes he intends each to have marked against them in the Qaa.e qf plumping. A proper ballot boa: stood in front of the returning officer. As each person came up he was asked if h? wgs a, householder for the dislrict of ——, and further if ho hud voted at th?- present election. The replies to these questions being satisfactory, the returning officer placed his initials on the back of tiic ballot paper, and dropped it into the box, one of Ins subordinates at the same time putting down the name of the voter as a check on any one attempting to exercise his privilege again. In this way 756 votes were, Gieh and carefully checked without tho least confusion, although party f^ing'run high in the election. The b.&Uofc "papers were not limited to tbo;e provided by the committee, as several other kinds, including one with a printed list of seven names, were used, and the kept was that the chairman initialed the outside of each, and if in any instance a voter had attempted to place two' printed papers in together, the <?»e Bot ujifyjei wap PW

SociAii Statistics. —The marriages in the month of January, in the city of Christchurch, were 38. Last year, in the same month, they were 27. In the district there were 6 this month, 7 in the same month last year. The births in the city were 55 against 53 ; in the district 91 against 96. Tbe deaths in the city were 25 against 33 ; in the district 28 against 46—an indication of a comparatively improved state of health.

Death by Drowxing.—lnformation has been received by the Oamaru police to the effect that a man named Field, in the employ of Messrs Wilson, Awamoko, had been drowned in a creek on their property. For some days the man has given indications of lumcy, and it is supposed that he committed suicide. No marks of violence were found on the body.

Wellington Races. —The Wellington correspondent of the “ Hawke’s Bay Herald” writes: Kakapo, the great Wairarapa horse, has been taken from the shed this year and put into training. It is said that he can do the Wellington Cup distance in several seconds better time than the best in which it has yet been done. Ariel, Trump Card, and Ratcatcher are believed to have very good chances.

Fieb at Lawrence. —A fire broke out at Lawrence, Otago, at three o’clock on Tuesday morning in a house belonging to Mr A. Willet. The house was empty at the time, and it is not known how the fire occurred. By dint of great exertions the neighboring houses were saved. Mr Storrey, ex-captain of the disbanded fire brigade, distinguished himself by bis energy. The house was insured for £IOO in the Victoria Company. Swimming Championship.— lt was lately stated that a belt for the championship of Canterbury, in a swimming match of 500 yards, was to be presented by Mr Jardine, lessee of the Corporation Baths. The belt has been completed, and is indeed a very handsome one. It is of red morocco, lined with blue rep, and is weighty with silver ornaments, including two shields, clasps, buckle, and fastening, and a plate suitably inscribed. The belt was manufactured by Mr C. Coombes, and the silver work was executed by Mr Brunette. Cultivation of Olives.— Mr Bastard, of Mount Eden, brought to the shop of Mr Brewin, seedsman, Auckland, a branch of a French olive tree growing in his grounds. The tree is only four years old, but in that time has attained a height of 15ft. It is. growing at a rate which surprises its owner;. The branch brought to Mr Brewin, at the point where it was cut off, is not quite half an inch in diameter, but is loaded with fruit beginning to swell. There are between 30® and 400 young olives upon the branch brought in, and at that rate the tree must bear tens of thousands of olives. Auckland Regatta.— Prior to the date of the regatta, the Auckland “ Herald ” had the following paragraph ‘ The agents of the New Zealand Shipping Company have received from the Head office, Christchurch, a handsome silver cup, which the directors have presented to the regatta committee of this city. The souvenir is of the value of twenty-five guineas, and is a very neat piece of workmanslxip, and will grace the sideboard or cabin of the owner or master of the vessel who may be fortunate in winning it. Munificent Municipal Gift.— Horn© papers mention that a handsome gift of 12| acres of land has just been made to the burgh of Jedburgh by four members of the Jairline family, but principally from funds received from Mr John Jairline, at present in New Zealand. On the 3rd inst. a large bonfire was kindled in the market-place in honor of the occasion, and in the evening about 100 gentlemen assembled to supper, when the health of the Jairline family was enthusiastically received. An American Visitob.— Mr Edward S. Baker, special correspondent of the “San Francisco Journal of Commerce,” was a passenger by the Zealandia. In reference to his visit, the “Journal” says:—“Edward S. Baker, our special correspondent, is about ta visit the Islands, Australia and New Zealand, in the interests of this journal. He leaves on the Zealandia. He has travelled all over the Pacific Coast, and will report specially on the best methods of extending our commercial relations with Australia, New Zealand, and the Sandwich Islands, at the latter of which he will stop for some time on his return.” Mr Baker left by the steamer for Sydney, but intends to make some stay in New Zealand om his return.

Otago Cbicket Association.—After theDunedin and Oamaru match, the last-men-tioned team were entertained at dinner in thePrince of Wales Hotel. Mr Eva, president’ of the Otago Cricket Association, was in thechair. In the course of his response to thetoast of the Association, the chairman said! the present difficulty with the Canterbury cricketers was not the fault of the Otogo> Cricket Association. Tho Association had endeavoured to meet them in every possible way, but it was impossible to play them on the day fixed for the Otago match with the Austral Eleven. [Hear, hear.] As the enj oi the season was approaching, he thought ; they would soon see the last of him as president of the cricket association. ’[No, no.] He thought he might fairly claim credit lot having done what he could for cricket during the past few years. If he had inadvertently hurt anyone’s feelings, including Mr Nelson’s (of the Canterbury team), he could not help, it. If he could advance the interests of cricket he would always continue lo do so. “ The Inimitable’s " Nsw Profession. —The following letter has been received by a gentleman connected with the Press of Wellington from a well-known colonial celebrity who has been lost to the view of the public of thess parts for some years : —“ London, November 30th, 1877.—Dear Independent,— Although you may not have heard of the excomic vocalist, I must say I hare not been idle all these yee+ys. By a catalogue I post toyou, you wiß see that the great auctioneers, Christie, Manson, and Woods, are selling my collection. I have travelled extensively th® Interior of China and Japan, learnt both languages, and had many curious adventures, which som ® day I may give in a book. I was brought up by my father to the study and sale of old China, but unfortunately I fooled my time away on the stage. I have made far more money at my legitimate profession than in the palmiest days of my vocation as a vocalist, I return back to China and Japan in January. I mean, if all go well, to. go a thousand miles up the Yellow River in China to explore for old porcelain. I have sold at present in London old porcelain to the value of £IO,OOO, and have a largo collection yet not sold. lam so full of business tiat I have to be brief. Remember me to all old Wellingtonians.—Believe me, yours faithfully, ChasR. Thatcher,”

Hours or? Council Meetings. —A question recently decided in the Christchurch City Council was raised on Tuesday in the Dunedin Council. The Mayor proposed that the Council should meet at 7 p.m. instead of 3 p.m. Several members supported the motion, but Mr Birch, opposed it. He favored the early-doting movement, which had been endorsed by his Worship the Mayor, who presided, &£ a meeting oji the subject the other evening. [Laughter.] Two o’clock was the seasonable and sensible hour for the. Council meeting, and if councillors could not devote the time to the work they should sot ait as councillors at all. He did not be Sieve in sitting there till eleven and twelve, o’clock at night. Mi- Walter remarked tb,OB at a recent meeting bis Worship had said something to the effect that we should do to others as wq wished to be done by. That was a golden, rule that should be written on the Corporation offices. Tiw proposal to hold meetings of the Council at night was an innovation of the WOvot kind. With the gas lighted in thepresent room it would be most unhealthy. Commercial men who wore formerly citycouncillors did not ask to have meetings at night. Among these were Messrs Driver, EL B. Cargill s Thoneman, and Griffin. Mr Roberta opposed the motion,, mainly on the jioana that Mr Fish and other good speakerswould take up too mw&tyne if the meetings were held at nn?hA, The motion was carried by a large after much discussion,, but it vGa also resolved that it should not taka effect uutil the Mayor’s rco» had bass-

Obituary. —During the proceedings of the "Wesleyan Conference, the Rev. H. Dull informed the president that he had just received a telegram from Motueka, announcing the death last night of the Rev. T. R. Purchon. Mr Purchon was a young man of about three years’ standing in the ministry. It was not quite a year since he arrived in New Zealand, hut by his entire devotedness to God’s wort, his genial disposition, and self-sacrificing spirit, he had won golden opinions throughout the Nelson and Motueka circuit. These remarks were confirmed by the Rev. G. S. Harper, who had been intimately associated with him since his arrival from England. Mb Reader Wood. —Mr Reader Gilson Wood, who has been a member of Parliament for a considerable number of years, and who was Colonial Treasurer during the existence of three Ministries, was a passenger by the last mail steamer for Sydney. Noticing his departure the Auckland “ Herald” says Mr Wood is on his way to England, where it is understood he will remain for a period of eighteen months or two years. It has been rumored that he goes home to fill the post of Agent-General; and as Sir Julius Vogel has stated that as the period of his engagement is near its close, he expects to be relieved from his duties as Agent-General in April next, shortly before which time Mr Wood will arrive in England, there is an air of probability about the rumour, although nothing definite has been made public. Mr Wood was Colonial Treasurer and Commissioner of Customs in the Fox Ministry of 1861-2, and he held the same office in the succeeding Ministry, under Mr Alfred Domett, in 1862 3, and continued to hold those offices under the WhitakerFox Ministry until November 16th, 186-1, when the Weld Ministry came into office. Mr Wood went home in connection with the raising of the three million loan raised by Mr Domett’s Ministry. If he succeeds, as it is said he will, the present Agent-General, he will no doubt be found to render his best efforts for the welfare of the colony, and will not neglect Auckland interests. Land and Stock Sales in Hawke’s Bay. —ln the dissolution of the partnership of Messrs Coleman and M'Hardy, of Hawke’s Bay, the Blackhead station and the Pakowhai farm have been taken over by Mr M'Hardy, Mr Coleman’s retirement being caused by illhealth. The Blackhead station comprises 23,000 acres of improved land. The Pakowhai farm, which is leased from the Ms,oris at a rental of £1 per acre rising to 30s, consists of 400 acres. The purchase by Mr M'Hardy includes 30,000 sheep and 1500 head of cattle, with the thoroughbred herd—among which are the champion cow Duchess of Chamburgh, and the champion bull Prince Leonard - and the stud of Lincoln sheep, a ewe of which has twice gained the champion cup. The amount paid by Mr M'Hardy was £71,500, and as that sum was the payment for his partner’s share, it follows that £143,000 would be the value of the property. “ This,” observes the “Herald,” “show’s what big figures we are getting to in Hawke’s Bay. Hitherto we have not had properties of such large value changing hands. This one is something like those that come under notice in Canterbury and Otago. In some measure, we may however remark, the high value of the property in question is due to the pedigree 1 stock owned by the late firm of Coleman and M'Hardy.” Banquet to the Hon. Me Laenach. — The Hon. the Minister for Works was invited to a banquet in Invercargill, at which Messrs Carruthers, Blair, and Conyers were present. Sir John Richardson was in the chair. Mr Larnach, in responding to the toast of bis health, said he was not going to make a political speech, but he felt during the two years in which he had been member of the Assembly, that justice had not been done to this part of the colony, south of Canterbury. They might rely that the present Government had their interests in view. They might see in him the eoce signum of their desire to know what their requirements really were. Much of their future lay with themselves. Let them look at their resources. They had the finest land in New Zealand. Their minerals were most plentiful and valuable, and their timber was unsurpassed. The Government would assist them to develop their resources as far as possible. He would admit that the progress of the railways, particularly that between Invercargill and Dunedin, was not so great as might bo expected. The late Government might with decent attention have had the line running by this time. He referred to the advantages conferred by the District Railways Bill, and said that Southland was peculiarly suitable for its operation. He had the pleasure that morning of receiving a deputation on the subject of immigration. It was the intention of the Government to continue free immigration. The present Government did not desire nor were they able to continue the public works scheme, but he could assure them that Southland would have its share. He was sensible of the necessity for a steady stream of immi.gation, and they might rely upon getting a fair proportion.