NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1239, 25 February 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Panobama of the Fbanco-Pbttssian Wab.—Messrs Smith and Co.'s panorama of the Franco-Prussian War is advertised to open at the Colonists' Hall, Lyttelton, this (Mondaj) night and to-morrow, (Tuesday) night. New Zealand Blondin.—To-night "the New Zealand Blondin will make his appearanoe in the Oddfellows Hall. The favorable impression which he made at Oxford is a proof that his performances are worth witnessing, His tightrrope performances comprise, among other things; d'ojng Some tricks blindfold, standing on his head, &c. : There will also be a vocal and instrumental concert, under the leadership of Mr Bunz, the programme of which appears elsewhere. ' JTtbe.-—About half-past : five o'clock on Saturday afternoon Jast, smoke was seen issuing v?!?i the western portion/ of the roof of the St.' Asaph' s'tre,et Methodist Free Church sehoG}?apm, * n which the church — -iaea are ftt present being be>4» ft 1"! which Bc,i • , -* the new budding. The alarm is at the rear „ 4 «kcrt!y after the was immediately given, anu - n^ Lichfield street bell had been rung the ±,-' gade were at the scene. By this time one portion of the barge board was on fire, and the flames were running up to the gable. By the aid of a long ladder used at the new church, the roof was ascended, and a number of buckets of waiter handed up in quick succession, aided by the Brigade's "Extincteur," soon put out the fire. The engines and steamers had left the stations, but' were ordered back by Mr Superintendent Harris. It is supposed that as the plumbers at the church were using a fire for their work during the dav, a spark must have lodged under the barge-board of the school building, and smouldered in the very dry wood untji fanned into a (lame. A body of the regular police and several of the fire police were present. Not more than about £5 worth of damage was done. The building was insured in the Standard office for £SOO. Fatal Accident in Poet.—On Saturday, at 1 p.m., a fatal accident occurred at the new G-overnment reclamation works, between the Steamers' Wharf and Gladstone Pier, Lyttelton, by which a man named William John Wearno lost his life. It appears that deceased was employed in connecting the fuse with the charge in a rock which it was intended to blast. In doing this he was using an iron scraper instead of a copper rammer (as usual). He was warned of the danger he ran in using an frqn tool, as a spark might'be struck' from the rock and the powder ignited, but he replied it was handier. Shortly after 1 p.m. the workmen were startled with a loud report, and the unfortunate man was hurled upwards about 50ft, falling in the harbor 150 ft. from the blast. " Death must have been instantaneous, for when he was picked up the body was found to be horribly mangled. The charge appeared to have struck the unfortunate sufferer in the hip and breast, the hip bono being laid bare, and a number of holes drilled in the breast ;> the right arm was broken just above the wrist, hanging by the skin. The other parts of the body were more or less injured, and the clothes were gone, shred to atoms by the force of the blast. Deceased was much respected bv his fellow-workmen and employers. No doubt the explosion was caused by the iron striking a spark from the hard rock and igniting the fuse. We are sorry to state that the poor fellow leayea a F if P acti three children to deplore bis lose. An jnijusflt wjjl be held to-

Rifle Match —A match, between volunteers, non-commissioned officers, and civilians, will be shot off to-morrow at the Hillsborough butts.

Gun Club, —An extraordinary general meeting will be held at the Garrick Hotel this evening. Me Claek.—We hear that Mr Clark, the engineer to whom the question of the Christchurch Drainage system is to be referred, arrived at Hokitika this morning, and will come on to Christchurch by the first coach. Muff Chicket Match. —It is proposed, before the season closes, to get up a Muff cricket match. Last year, some of our readers may remember, those who got up the match not only succeeded in enjoying a pleasant day's sport themselves, but they were the means of amusing a large number of spectators also.

Dk. Somebville's Visit.—ln anticipation of the visit of Dr. Somerville to Christchurch, prayer meetings will be held at the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association every Monday from 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m., and at the Manchester street schoolroom every Thursday evening at half-past seven o'clock. County Elections.—The candidates for the vacancy in the Tennyson Riding of the County of Amuri are Messrs W. Rutherford and J. H. Davison, and the election will take place on March 11th. For the Upper Waimakariri Riding of Selwyn County, Mr John Davis Enys was elected unopposed on Thursdav.

U.S. Minstbels. —These popular minstrels went through their programme at the Gaiety Theatre on Saturday night before a good audience. As is the rule with this company's performances everything was loudly applauded, and many of the items were imperatively redemanded. This evening the minstrels present an entirely new programme. Fbeight of Gbain.—Settlers along the main line of railway, says the " Ashburton Mail," justly complain that, while an alteration has been made in the freight of grain from Washdyke to Lyttelton, no reduction has been made with regard to the intermediate stations. There is something absurd and unjust in this, which should be remedied at once.

District Pbizb Firing.—The City Guards fired at the butts on Wednesday last, and the Engineers on Saturday. The Kaiapoi rifles have yet to fire, when th e whole of the scores will be published. Very good shooting was made on Saturday, considering the strong wind and unfavourable light. It is stated that, up to the present, Captain Warner, of the Engineers, has made the highest score. The Intebcoionial Cricket Match.— The match between Victoria and New South Wales stood as follows when play was discontinued on Saturday: Victoria, first inniugs, 131; second, 76; total, 207. New South Wales, first innings, 89 ; second (with five wickets down), 31; total, 120. The remaining five men of the New South Wales team have therefore to score 88 to win.

Incident on the Railway.—On Saturday the 6.50 a.m. train started as usual from the Lyttelton end, but after entering the tunnel the carriages became uncoupled from the engine. On arrival at Heathcote Valley the driver of the engine telegraphed to block the tunnel, and proceeding cautiously back, picked up the carriages at the Lyttelton end of the tunnel. Owing to this the first train from Christchurch did not reach Port till 8.20 a.m. instead of 8 5 a.m. as usual.

Changes in the House op Representatives. —Yet another vacancy is likely to occur in the House of Representatives before next session. Mr H. H. Lusk told the electors of Franklyn last week that he thought of resigning, as he did not see how, in justice to his family and profession, he could absent himself for five months, which was the length of last session. He thought constituents would soon hav to pay their members a salary instead of an allowance for their expenses. City Council. —A special meeting of the City Council was held at 7 pm. on Saturday, at which all the members were present. The business was confined entirely to the consideration of the finance committee's objections to the recent assessment, and in a xerj large majority of the cases considered, it was determined to sustain the objections in the Revision Court. It was found that the work of considering each case in detail was very much greater than had been anticipated, and at half-past ten the Council adjourned. The ordinary meeting will be held this evening, when the assessment will no doubt be further referred to. Swimming Matches.—The second contest for the amateur championship belt, presented by Mr A. Jardine, came off on Saturday afternoon at the Corporation baths. The attendance was fair, but not so large as on the previous occasion. The distance was, as before, 500 yards, and three competitors put in an appearance, viz., Messrs M. Smith, G\ Clarkson, and T. Parsons. The result wis an easy win for Mr Smith, who, having won the first event, now beoomes the absolute owner of the belt. Mr Parsons gave up in the third length, and Mr Clarkson by going the distance secured a silver medal. A Boys' 100 yards handicap race, for silver medals, followed. For this there were six entries, and after an excellent contest the race was won by A. Plank, of Oamaru, who received lOsecs. start.

1.6. G.T.—The Oxford Perseverance Lodge celebrated their fourth anniversary with a tea and entertainment on Friday, February 22nd. The tea was provided by the members of the order, and the tables were presided over by Sisters Wilson, Bryan, Comyn, and Lep> About 80 sat. down to tea, which was. vp. every way : a success. 'After, tea a very excellent miscellaneous entertainment, consisting of instrumental and vocal music and readings, in which several members of the order, assisted by friends, took part, was given. Bro. G. White, W.G.T., took the chair, and in ; an opening address pointed out the success of the order-and the .amount of good donS by Good Templary. The chairman stilted, a* thp Qonohisibn that the proceeds of the evening were over #lO. A vote of thanks to all who bad helped, and the singing of the dosing ode brought the proceedings to an Picnic —The annual picnic of the employes of the "Press" and Globe with their wives, children, and friends, took place on Saturday last, and waS a molt enjoyable affair throughout. The spot selected was isumner, Mr Geo. Day, sen., having kindly placed his pdddock at the disposal Pf the committee for the purpose.' The paddock wu6 excellently suited for the purposes of the gathering, being shaded with gum trees and well grassed, A start was made from the Pkess office shortly before ten o'clock, the cavalcsde, which comprised three large coaches and a number of private traps, being headed by Mesgrs Toomer's excellent bancf. The weather was all that could be desired, and after a pleasant ride Sumner was reached, When all were assembled some 250 persons were present. A large marquee was erected in one part of the grounds, and here Mr Messenger, of his Lordship's Larder, had provided a really splendid spread for luncheon. Prior, however, to this interesting event, the stewards set to work to get off the various events in a somewhat lengthy programme of races. Under the able supervision of Sinbad a capital course had been secured, and that gentleman was soon engaged in the—to him—congenial occupation of making handicaps and getting refractory feeds up to the start. Meanwhile, in otheiSarts of the ground the stewards were organ* ising races for the little ones for toys of ail descriptions, an art union in which every one got a prize, and last but by no meanß least, a baby show, for which there were a large number of entries. Dancing to the music of the capital band, kiss-in-the-ring, and other games were kept up throughout the day with much spirit, and everyone enjoyed themselves to the utmost. For the various races, the prizes in which were articles of utility and ornament, the fields were large and competitjon keen, and some surprise was manifested by the creditable appearance as pedestrians of some gentlemen ot the literary department, whose prowess in this line had never even been suspected. By common consent all formal speechmaking was tabooed, and the day was entirely given up to enjoyment. After a capital tea had been served by Mr Messenger, the party returned to town shortly after eight o'clotu, having spent a most enjoyabhj jjajr, all t* arrangement* being perfect,

Shee* *rom Auckland— Ry the B .e. Rotorua, arrived sixty-six two-tooth -Lincoln rams, from the celebrated flock of Messrs Maclean and Co., of Auckland. They seem a nice even lot, possessing the true characteristics of the breed, and are, we understand, to be offered for side at the coming ram fair. The Telephone.—Avery successful trial of the telephone was made on Saturday afternoon between Christchurch and Akaroa. After public business on the line was over, a number of gentlemen met at the telegraph office at the invitation of Mr Med dings. At the Christchurch end eight instruments were used, and two at Akaroa. These having been connected, and some preliminary signals made, the Akaroa listeners were treated to a cornet solo by Mr Coombea. In reply, those in Akaroa sang " Rule Britannia." This was easily heard, the different voices being clearly recognisable. " Here's a health to all good lasses" was the next performance in the Christchurch office, followed by applause from Akaroa. After an enquiry aB to who had won the cricket match, and hearty hurrahs when they were told that Canterbury had won, Akaroa treated the Christchurch listeners to a duett, in which the tones of a cornet were very distinct. More music was forthcoming, Christchurch and Akaroa following alternately. During one of the intervals, and in reply to a request from Mr Meddings, the listeners in the Christeburoh office heard with startling distinctness the discordant sounds of laughter, to which they were not slow to reply. More vocal music followed, after which those in the Akaroa office tried the experiment of conveying the Bound of a harmonium. From the difficulty of concentrating the tones of the instrument, this trial was, of course, less successful, and although the music of the harmonium was clearly recognisable, the listeners failed to distinguish the tune which was played. As it was nearly 7 o'clock, and as the Christchurch coach was announced as in sight of Akaroa, upon the arrival of which Mr Robertshaw would be engaged for a time, it was decided to bring the experiment to an end. Before doing so, however, "Cod save the Queen" was sung from both ends alternately, and " good night" said between the two parties who had been spending two pleasant hours in converse, although separated by a distance of fifty five miles. Those in the Christchurch office then separated, greatly pleased with the success of Mr Meddings' experiment. ____-