NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1223, 4 February 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Flobal.—Mr R. Chudley, Colombo street, exhibited a very fine collection of 'gladioli outside his shop on Saturday, which attracted much attention. Melanesian Mission.—The Rev. Mr Bice, one of the clergymen attached to the Melanesian Mission, preached at St. Michael's yesterday. The offertory at evening service was devoted to the mission. Sporting.—By a private telegram received on Saturday we' learn that Trump Card and the other horses engaged in the Wellington meeting who proceeded to Wellington by the Rotorua, arrived in Wellington on Saturday morning all well. Tiie New Abbivals. —The immigrants by the Carnatic were all landed on Saturday in the p.s. Titan, and 50 of them were forwarded to Timaru and Ashburton by the 11 a.m. train. The others were sent to Addington, and will be open for selection to-morrow. Pbesentation. —Mr G. H. Cole, who has been for many years connected with the goods department, Canterbury Railways, being about to transfer his services to the employ of Mr C. W. Turner, a few friends and fellow employees took advantage of the occasion and invited him to meet them at the Terminus Hotel at 1 p.m. on Saturday, when a very handsome time-piece, bearing a suitable inscription, was presented. Skittles.—A match at skittles was played on Thursday, at the Sawyer's Arms, Papanui, between Kaiapoi and Papanui, the players for the former being Messrs Wallace, Bosneston, and Knight, and for the latter Messrs Wild, Jackson, and Elliott. The game was for nine legs. The play went—Kaiapoi, 4; Papanui, 3 ; Kaiapoi, 2 ; Papanui, 2 ; Kaiapoi, 1; Papanui, 2; Kaiapoi, 1; Papanui, 0. A supper in celebration of the match was afterwards held. The return match is proposed to be played at the Mandeville Hotel, Kaiapoi, on Thursday next. A Kilkenny Tuek. —During the Crimean war, a Turk, while at his noon prayers one day, was kicked and told to get out of the way by an English soldier. He paid no attention to the insult until his prayer was finished, when he offered to fight the Englishman. Johnny Bull, thinking he had a soft Turk, "squared" himself, but received a most severe thumping ; and, aB he cried, "Hold, enough ! " you can imagine the consternation, when the victorious worshipper exclaimed, " Now nixt time yees insult a Turk, be sure he's not from Kilkenny! "

Cakterbury Aechbry Club.—The competition match between the Christchurch' and Wellington Clubs was shot off on Saturday last in the domain gardens. There was a large attendance of members and also of visitors. It was arranged at the termination of the shooting that the results should not be published until the return had been received from Wellington. It may be mentioned that the strong south-west wind prevailing was very unfavorable for large scores here, but as his Excellency the Governor desired that the opportunity of Saturday would allow him to " try," it was mutually determined that both clubs should shoot off for the prize. The results will be published on receipt of returns from Wellington. Captain Cook's Statue.— Tho statue t Captain Cook, which, with a laudable desire to do homage to the great navigator, the Government of New South Wales intends to erect at Sydney, is rapidly progressing towards completion. Mr Woolner, the eminent sculptor, to whom the work has been entrusted, has already modelled the statue in clay, and it is now being subjected to the usual process of conversion into the plaster mould preparatory to its being cast in bronze. It will be one of the largest statues England has seen, save and except the Achilles statue in Hyde Park. The design is worthy of Mr Woolner's artistic reputation. Captain Cook, in a characteristic naval uniform, is represented with arm raised on high, as though he had just discovered land—proud of the privilege vouchsafed to him of adding a new continent to the known world. Colombo Road Wesleyan Church.— The new Wesleyan Church in the Colombo road was opened for public worship yesterday. The congregations at all the services were exceedingly large, many persons being unable to obtain admittance. A special prayer-meeting was held at 7 a.m., at which the Rev. J. S. Smalley delivered a short address. The Rev. A. R. Fitchett preached at 11 a.m. The afternoon service consisted of singing by the children, under the presidency of Mr George Daltry, and addresses by the Revs. A. R. Fitchett, J. Gittos, and J. S. Sinalley. According to previous announcement, every child brought a bouquet of flowers. The Rev. J. S. Smalley stated that the responsibility of the floral innovation rested upon himself, and a few words of explanation might therefore be necessary. Some persons had decorated their churches with flowers at this season of the year; but the children of the Colombo toad church had preferred to send their flowers to the sick and suffering. Kindness to others was an important part of true religion. Hospitals and other benevolent institutions were the offspring of Christianity. Such institutions had never existed in pngan times, and those who would set up a gospel of mere humanitarianism in place of Christianity and churches were trying to remove the foundation of the building, or kick away the ladder by which they had ascended. True religion consisted of love to God and love to man. He then called upon the children, who were seated in the body of the church, to hold up their flowers. The effect was exceedingly pretty, the centre of the church appearing like one huge bouquet. As the children, who numbered 100, filed out of the church, tho flowers were deposited within the communion rails, and subsequently delivered at the hospital. The Rev. W. Morley preached an able and instructive discourse in the evening, A special sermon was also preached by the Rev. A. R. Fitchett, at Durham street, last evening, on behalf of the funds of the new church. The takings of the day amounted to Eearly £IOO. This church is an exceedingly pretty one within and without, the colored windows, which are of an elaborate character, forming by no means tho least attraction of the building. The work has been executed bv Mr Goss, to the designs of Mr Lambert, and reflects very great credit upon l>ot.h gentlemen. The opening services will be coi> tinucd next Sunday, and a soiree will be held on the Show Grounds next Thursday. |A monster meeting is expected if the weather I ebould prove favorable. 11

Confibmation. —At'the services held at St. Luke'a Church yesterday, it was announced that the Primate would administer the sacred rite of confirmation on Palm Sunday next. It is requested that all persons in the parish desirous of participating in the same hand in their names during the present week to the Rev. W. A. Pascoe, St. Luke's parsonage.

Aquatics.—The race between the two crews of the U.R.C. entered for the fouroared race for four silver medals presented by Mr Sandstein, came off on Saturday, and resulted in a victory for Mr Gapes's crew. The crews pulled in the Electric and the Tyne, and were as follows:—Electric: Morriss, bow; Hawkins, 2 ; Kesteven, 3 ; G-. Gapes, etroke. Tyne: Bowley, bow; Jbynt, 2 ; 3; W. Jones, stroke. The race waß well contested throughout. Disqualification.—lt is reported that the question as to whether members of tho civil service of the colony can, without contravening the spirit of the service regulations, accept office as members of school committees ur.der the present Education Act, is to be enquired into. There does not seem to be any very serious grounds for objecting to members of the service giving that assistance which their intelligence enables them to do in the work of school management.

Wobd Plat. —Melbourne wits find food for fun even in the serious crisis from which the colony is suffering. " Punch " thus describes the Berry " Extraordinary."—"Chief Secretary of Victoria—JGraham Berry. As our political head—an Elder-Berry. In character at heart—a Black-Berry. To the eyes of civil servants—a Rasp-Berry. In the estimation of the Press of the colony—a StrawBerry. By the impartial public is thought a Goose Berry. By his idiotic action of retrenchment is now become a Mul-Berry."

Impobted Shobthobns. —A valuable consignment of shorthorn bulls were lately shipped at Melbourne by the s.s. Hero. They are intended for New Zealand, and are likely, says the " Argus," to make their mark in the herds of the sister colony, and keep up the reputation for breeding good cattle Victoria possesses there. They were bred by Mr John Benn, and purchased at the sale held by that gentleman on the 10th inst., and are descended from imported stock on both sides of the very best strains of English blood.

Interesting to the Collinses. —A Mrs Sarah Collins, residing in London, has recently died intestate leaving a fortune of £5550,0G0. This is to he divided amongst her next of kin if they can be found, and the task of tracing them in Victoria has been entrusted to Messrs Uni icke and Co., of Collins street. Amongst others these gentlemen have 'written to Mr Collins, the well-known hotelkeeper at Dunkeld, asking him if he can claim relationship to the deceased. It is no matter how remote his relationship may be, so long as he can show that he is "in the right line of the intestate's blood, by marriage or otherwise."

Hobses peom Hobabt Town. —Mr L. Smith arrived from Hobart Town by the s.s. Tararua on Saturday last, bringing with him two Tasmanfan bred, entires for sale in this province. One is named "Skysail," and is a big blood horse, brown with black points, looking as if he would make a useful sire for carriage horses. Though not a beauty, he has taken several first prizes at Tasmanian shows. lie is by Topsail out of Esplanade, and both sire and dam were imported. Mr T. B. Clarke, of Campbell Town, Tasmania, is the reeder. The other importation is a fine coDby draught horse, small but compact, whose progeny would no doubt do good work where activity, more than great power, is required. He is named Lincoln, and was bred by Mr Wm. Taylor, also of Campbell Town, Tasmania, and his pedigree is good. Chbonologmcal Chabt.—Mr T. D. Bligh has now on view, in the commercial room of Radcliffe's Hotel, an educational novelty in the shape of a chronological chart. To attempt to describe it in detail would take columns of space. Suffice it to say, that the whole history of the world from the earlieet period, the rise and progress of civilisation, the growth of inventions, are all delineated by means of ingeniously-arranged pictures, most comprehensively, so that the student of history can almost at a glance become familiar with all the noteworthy events in the history of the world. It is divided into centuries and decades by means of colored lines, and altogether is well worthy a visit of inspection. As it is a well known fact that by bringing prominently before the eye what is required to be imparted education is more easily and effectively carried out, these charts should be a mest valuable addition to our system of teaching. Sale ob Thobotjghbbed Hobses.—Messrs H. Matson and Co. held the sale of Mr 0. F. Money's thoroughbred horses at Tattersall'a on Saturday last, when the following prices were realised : —The Baron, by Sledmere, out of Beeswing, to Mr A. Devery, at £3l 10s; Montrose, by Young Potentate, out of a Sir Hercules mare, to Mr A. Thompson, at 21 guineas; Beeswing, by Peter Flat, out of Queen Bee, to Mr H. Walker, at 21 guineas; Ida, by Malton, out of Beeswing, to Mr H. Walker, at 21 guineas; Malice, by Traducer, out of Vesta by Towton, to Mi- James Fisher, at 17 guineas j Magic, by Talisman, out of Montrose, to Mr D. Thow, at 21 guineas ; Charm, by Talisman, out of Beeswing, to Mr Viuey, at 18 guineas; Brocket, by St. Albans, to Mr A. W. Money, at 15 guineas. Yorng stock —1 bay two-year-old filly by Knottingly, out of Beeswing, to Mr W. Keith, at 27 guineas ; a grey filly two years old by Knottingly, out of Montrose, to Mr A. Keith, at 16 guineas ; a brown. yearling colt by Barbarian, out of Ida, to Mr Scarvell, at 12 guineas; a brown yearling filly by Barbarian, out of Beeswing, to Mr John Matson, at 30 guineas ; a brown yearling colt by Barbarian, out of Montrose, to Mr A. W. Money, at 15 guineas. This being the harvest season, the attendance was not so largo as it would otherwise have been, and the prices were consequently a percentage lower. " Sanitas."—This is the name of a new article of commerce produced by preparation from pine and gum trees. It has long been known that the Eucalyptus globulus, or blue gum tree of Australia, is highly efficacious in combating malaria. Localities so fatally unhealthy that human beings lived in them at their peril, have been rendered habitable by plantations of this tree. Thus in Algeria and Portugal certain deadly valleys have been quite transformed in character, and in the Roman Campngna a monastery of Trappists, which was for years perforce deserted, has been again occupied, because now surrounded by the Eucalyptus. The valuable antiseptic qualities of the gum tree, which it or>;oys in common with the Norwegian Pne, set chemists to consider the causes which produced these effects, and now a Mr C. T. Kingzett has discovered that the hygienic principle they contain is due to the evolution of peroxide of hydrogen and camphoric acid. He has set himself to produce artificially whtt nature gives on a grand scale, and the result is a new disinfectant, which he has christened " Sanitas." It is colorless, innoxious, almost without taste or smell, and seems peculiarly well adapted for household use.

Midland C.C. —A general meeting of this club was held on Saturday evening at Radcliffe's hotel, Mr Wynn Williame presiding. The committee appointed at a former meeting to investigate the affairs of the club brought up the following report: —"After going into the matter as thoroughly as circumstances would permit, your committee regret having to report a more unfavorable state of things than was generally anticipated. The accompanying statement of accounts shows that the sum of £lO5 has been received by the late treasurer for subscriptions for the current season. Against this the sum of £26 10s only has been disbursed, showing a defU ciency of £74 15s. The liabilities of the club amount in round numbers to £123, the assets to nil, although your committee think that the club's share of outstanding subscriptions will amount to about £l2. The above statement is based upon accounts as at present rendered. It is likely that others may be sent in shortly, in which ease the liability of the club will bo increased." Tiie balance sheet accompanying the above gave the same information in detail. After some discussion it was resolved to make a call of £1 on the members, and also to issue subscription lists. Messrs Appleby and E. Fowler were elected to fill the vacancies on the committee, and the meeting adjourned.

Gored by a Bum..—Some days ngo Mr Job Doak, of Fernside, was attacked by a bull, -which lie wns about, to remove by the tether from one field to another. The force of the toss given him by the maddened animal threw him outside the ring of the tether, and he was thus saved from further injury, but otherwise he was considerably bruised.

The Victorian Reform Bjll. -It is stated concerning the Eefonn Bill of the Government, that whpn the Legislative Assembly meets on the sth February, this will be the first, measure introduced, fating precedence of all other business; tint it will be in effect to increase the number of representatives in the Upper House, to lower the qualifications of membors, and to reduce the feriod for which such members are elected, t will also provide for the insertion of the omitted clause in one of the original resolutions when the constitution was framed, to the effect that measures with which the Council disagree " should be sent back for re-consideration;" for a reduction in the amount of the qualification of voters, which is at present rateable property of tho annual value of £SO; and it will give power to the Governor to dissolve the Council as well as the Assembly should a disagreement occur between the two Houses. A Duplex Telephone.—Another highly interesting series of experiments was made by Mr W. J. Thomas, at Geelong, bringing out new and still more wonderful powers of the telephone, showing that many messages may be simultaneously transmitted along a single wire, each perfect in itself, and in no w;ay interfering in passing and re-passing with other messages transmitted in a contrary direction. Two instruments were placed at each end of the line, both connected independently with tho earth, both also connected with the line ; a listener and speaker were at each end. Recitations, reading, speaking, singing, successively, were carried on at each end of tho line at exactly the same time ; and the listenerat the north end heard the Bingir g, talking, &c, at the south end at the same time as the listener at the south end heard distinctly all the performances at the north end. The waves of electricity traversing the lino in contrary directions did not affect in tho slightest degree the instrument through which a person was speaking, whilst at the same time every word and every note from the other end was distinctly heard by the listener at the other instrument. Truly, as Professor Bell says, the telephone is yet in its infancy. Working Men's Clubs.—Wellington, six months ago, followed the example of Dunedin by establishing in tho city a Working Men's Club. The first half-yearly meeting of the club has been held, and from the report presented, the institution seems to have been a fair success. In this report the committee said :—" The committee, in laying before you their first half-yearly report, desire to congratulate the members on the steady progress which the club haß made during the first six months of its existence, embracing, as it does, two life-mpmbers, ninety honorary members, and about ISOordinary members. Althoughthe number of ordinary members has not comeup to expectations, your committee fully believe thae as soon as more commodious premises can be secured, and consequently greater attractions held out, the number of ordinary members will be very soon considerably increased. The financial position of tho club is in a healthy state. The assets, which have been set down at a low figure, considerably exceed tho liabilities: and your committee are hopeful that at tho end of the twelve months there will be no liability, and that you will have then all tho furniture, books, &c, to the good." Thb Accident to the Albion. —The breakdown of the steamer Albion's machinery appears to have happened between Hobart Town and Melbourne. She left the former port on January 17fch, but had not gone far beyond tho Iron Pot when the machinery was found to be out of order in some portion, aud as it was not considered safe to proceed on the voyage, Captain Tozer decided to turn back. Next day it was discovered on examination that the crank-pin of the after engine had broken off short at the crank head, and the damage was temporarily remedied by passing a Btrong iron bar through tho crank to brace it. This would, it was thought, give the machinery sufficient strength to enable it to work at half speed till the arrival of the steamer at Melbourne. During the passage from New Zealand to Hobart Town very heavy westerly gales were experienced, and it is probable that the severe straining which the vessel received had caused the injury. On arrival at Melbourne Captain Tozer was presented with a handsome testimonial. The Fall or Plevna Predicted. —Arecent number of the " Rockhampton Bulletin" is responsible for the following:—On the morning of the 12th the sub editor of this ■journal received from Bishop Bugnion a business letter, written on the 11th, appended to which was a postscript stating that, on the previous day, the 10th, the writer saw the Turks marching out of Plevna, and that it had been captured. The bearer of the letter stated that the bishop had informed him that the time of the capitulation was between twelve noon and two p.m. Just seven days afterwards our cablegrams announced that Plevna was captured about noon on the 10th. In reply to inquiries made from tho bishop afterwards on the subject, he stated that" the angel showed him Osman Pasha surrendering, and the Turkish troops marching out- as prisoners." He also adds that this is but one of many cases in which he haß been caught up and informed upon the mysteries of the future. The bishop is firmly convinced that revelations are made to him periodically for wise purposes, and quotes numerous instances from his own experience in which his "prophecies"— if he may use the word—have been fulfilled to the letter. We can vouch for the bona fides of the Plevna prediction, at any rate. The New Era Political.—The following is a sample of the sentiments and language of Mr Bees, when recently addressing his constituents in Auckland City East:—lt was strange enough that the abolition of provinces did not answer the purpose intended. The large runholders of Canterbury believed that when the political organisation of the provinces was destroyed, the field would be left open for them. They would command a majority in tho House, and perhaps have a pliant Governor, and then, while showing a fair face to the people of the colony, they would aggrandise themselves and their friends. This result was now further off than ever, for while the provinces existed, so long as there was no great reason to complain, and there was money enough to carry on the functions of the Government, the people did not care; but when they were brought face to face with the General Government, when, as in Auckland, they saw that other provinces were enriched, while they were left without the means of existence, whilo there were great demands upon them, then the people began to bestir themselves. A spirit of public and national life arose, and this was a result which the destroyers of the old Constitution never anticipated—(cheers)—and if anything could compensate for the loss of their provincial institutions, it was that the loss bad thus caused the people to bestir themselves. He hoped the reign of selfishness and nepotism had now ceased to exist.