NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1245, 4 March 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Board of Education.—A meeting of the Board of Education will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday. Sydenham Borough Council. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of this Council will be held this evening at seven o’clock. The Census. —A.n advertisement published elsewhtre requests the occupiers of houses within the boroughs of Christchurch and Lyttelton, &c., at which schedules have not been lett, to communicate at once with Mr Mallet at the Supreme Court office. Californian Salmon. —The last of these fish, numbering about 240, were removed from the gardens last week, and distributed at the confluence of the Heathcote and Cashmere rivers by Sir J. 0. Wilson, chairman of the Acclimatisation Council. Oddfellows’ Hall. —The “New Zealander ” gave two performances at the Oddfellows’ Hall on Saturday, one in the afternoon and the other at night, at million prices. He was well patronised on both occasions, and his feats were loudly applauded. Increase in Customs Revenue.—We called attention in our issue of Saturday last to the amount of customs revenue on 28th February. On further enquiries, we find that the month just ended, as compared with the same period in 1877, shows an increased receipt in round figures of £9OOO, viz.: February, 1877, £14,488 7s 7d; February 1878, £23,465 15s Id. Q-aiety Theatre.—' There was a fair attendance at the Gaiety on Saturday evening, when a fresh programme was submitted. Many new songs and comicalities were introduced, which went exceedingly well and caused plenty of fun. A special programme is advertised for this evening, and another change will be made to-morrow on the occasion of the last appearance of the Minstrels. Coming Picnics. —A preliminary meeting of delegates in connection with the brewers’ and bottlers’ picnic, was held at Radcliffe’s Hotel on Friday evening. There was a large attendance. After some discussion it was decided to bold the picnic at Hillsborough. A finance committee, consisting of Messrs Scarlett, Piper, Stevens, and Thompson, was formed t° wait upon the employers. After some furthep business the meeting adjourned until Wednesday. An adjourned meeting of the painters, to complete arrangements fop their proposed pionio, will be held at the Market Hotel on Wednesday, at 7 30 p.m. Corn Exchange. The usual weekly meeting of the committee was held at the Corn Exchange and Farmers’ Club Rooms, Tattersall’s, on Saturday last, Captain Willis in the chair. It was resolved to adjourn the meeting until next Saturday, so aq to give the members of the committee an opportunity of being present at the opening auction sale of grain and produce to b( held under the auspices of the Corn Exchange. It was further resolved that special circulars be issued to all the members of the committee, calling attention to Mr William Henderson's important motion with reference to the question of making necessary provisions for storage accommodation. A Strange Guest at Breakfast— Qn Saturday morning, as the steward of the Island Lily and some Chinamen, who are going in that vessel to the Chatham Islands, wore having their breakfast in the after cabin they were startled by a crash of timber. The planks between them and thp half deck were displaced and the hoofs of a Cljdesdale mare canie down on the tgble in the middle of the breakfast equipage. The author of the disaster accompanied her gymnastic exhibition with a loud neigh, which rather scared the Mongols Sad to say the table gave way, and the havoc amongst the crockery was worse than if the Maud Lily bad been in a heavy seaway for a month. It appeared that a mare in the lower hold bad broken loose, and clambering over the cargo to the half deck, had burst through into the cabin. There she was jammed, and the boards had to be cutaway ana the cargo shifted before the aniuw.l got back into the bold, none the worse, m §U4 & wy, fat jtipjp

The American White Fish. —The very few out of the late shipment of white fish ova which arrived in good order have all been hatched out, and up to Saturday numbered eighteen in all. One was found dead in the box yesterday morning, but the remaining seventeen are exceedingly lively and seem in good health. The sub- urator’s attention to this little lot has been unceasing, and if the fidi continue to progress as favorably they will be ready for removal to Lake Coleridge in about ten days. Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry.—A meeting of persons interested in forming a troop at Rangiora was held at Lewton’s Junction Hotel on Thursday evening. Cap tain Strouts attended and explained the manner in which contingents were formed. Several names were received, and it was resolved to hold another meeting this evening, and to take steps to enrol members as soon as a fair number of names have been received Captain Strouts was thanked for his kindness in attending and the meeting terminated. The Late Accident in Lyttelton.— lt will be remembered that the unfortunate man William John Wearne, who was killed by a blast on Saturday week at the Government works, Lyttelton, left a wife and three children, and we are sorry to say they are in very bad circumstances. Very great sympathy is felt for them, and a committee, of which his Worship the Mayor of Lyttelton is chairman, has been formed for the purpose of collecting subscriptions. All persons desirous of contributing are requested to communicate with (ho Mayor. District Prize Firing.—Elsewhere v/ill be found the complete scores of the carbine matches, and those of the rifle companies, so far as fired off by Canterbury Volunteers, for the district prizes. In the carbine contest, Gunner Staggart, of the Timaru Artillery, and Sergeant Judge, of the 0.Y.C., tied with a score of 59, but as the former made three more points in the longest range than the latter, he takes first prize under the Government conditions. Captain Warner, of the Engineers, has made the highest score so far in the rifles, and Private Ekberg, of the City Guards, the second highest. No. 5 company (Kaiapoi) have yet to fire to complete the hat. Surveys.—lt will be remembered that at the last meeting of the Selwyn County Council, a resolution was carried, on the motion of Dr. Turnbull, affirming the expediency of at once proceeding with the surveys of the branch railways enumerated in the Canterbury Branch Railways Reservation Bill. The resolution was forwarded to the General Government by the County Chairman and we understand that a reply from the Public Works office has just been received. The answer is to the effect that the survey of the proposed Canterbury branch lines will be taken into consideration immediately on the re-assembling of the Cabinet. The Late Shooting Cash.—The man, T. W. G. Butler, who fired at a guard in the south train on Saturday week, was brought up on remand under the Lunatics Act on Saturday last. Butler had been examined by a number of medical gentlemen, who had pronounced him insane. He was very violent while in the precinct s of the Court, and on the medical certificate was committed to the Asylum as a dangerous lunatic. Information Aid been received by the police that for some little time before leaving Invercargill, Butler was in the habit of carrying a gun with him wherever he went, and his conduct had been very eccentric for some while past. Anniversary Sports.—A meeting of the ground committee was held in tne City Council Chambers at noon on Saturday. Present —Messrs S. P. Andrews (in the chair), Hebden, Walkden. and Haskins (hon. sec ). The chairman reported that he had seen Mr Harman, chairman of the Domain Board, who had promised to give the cotnrniMee every assistance, and had informed him that Mr Armstrong would meet Mr Walkden, when he went to select the ground for a course. After some discussion, it was decided to leave the matte r in the hands of Mr Walkden, who promised to submit a sketch plan of the proposed course after he had gone over the ground with Mr Armstrong. The committee then adjourned, to meet again at an early date. Sib G. Bowen’s Modesty.—Our former Governor has some very keen critics on the Melbourne Press. Those who remember Sir George will be able to appreciate the following remarks of the “ Argus ” on a gubernatorial utterance at Ballarat: thoughts of the Governor appear to be centred almost exclusively upon himself. His Excellency was pleased to speak of ‘ one public man who has kept his temper unruffled, his head cool, and his hand firm and steady,’ To their own merits modest men, we are told, are dumb, but to this flattering portrait His Excellency thought fit to append his own name. The public would perhaps be better pleased if the course of events had led some other person to make the remarks, and to draw the picture. There is a suspicion of egotism when any individual, no matter how high his position, accepts the advice of Oliver Wendell Holmes, and, in default of other flatterers, becomes his own Boswell.” Licensing Court.—The quarterly sitting of the Licensing Commissioners for the Christchurch district will take place at noon to-morrow. The following new applications will be made:—Hotel licenses—J. H. Andrews, Ferry road; J. M, Fitzgerald, Harper street, Newtown; John Hughes, Victoria road, North-east belt; W. Letford, Selwyn street, Addington ; John Mumford, Madras street and South belt; C. Klingenstein, Cashel street, Christchurch; P. S. Pryde, Lincoln road, Rio carton; Henry Qnalmer, North-east belt; Harry Stace, Springston; Wm. Savage, Stanmore road. Wine and beer licenses—Thomas Russell, Colombo street south ; John Somers, Colombo and Russell streets. Confirmation of transfers—Waltham Arms, Waltham, J. Carpenter to E. Pargeter ; A 1 Hotel, Christchurch, H. Davies to W H. Bennett; Marine Hotel, Sumner, J. Fitzroy to 0. Klingenstein; Rotherfield Hotel, Christchurch, R. Geddes to Charles Deal; Halkett Hotel, Kalkett, R. Dearsley to J. Morgan j Golden Fleece, Christchurch, T. Pyett to W. H. Kiddy. St. John’s Sunday School Treat.—The annual treat to St. John’s Sunday school children look place on Saturday last The scene selected for the treat was a paddock near Colombo street south, belonging to the Rev- H. B. Cocks, who placed it at the dis posal of the committee, The children were conveyed to the ground in ’busses, which had to return a second time for passengers. One of these vehicles, which rendered good service during the day, was lent to the committee by Mr J. Page. Ample refreshments of uU kinds had been provided through, the liberality of the church congregation, besides a liberal supply of toys, vyhioh were given as prizes to the winn??a of the various events in the long programme got through during the day. A number of gifts were also distributed generally among the children, Afi arrived in town safely at six o’clock, very tired, but with the feeling of haying had a day’s thorough enjoyment. The Sunday school priges were distributed yesterday afternoon by the Rev. H. C. M. Watson, incumbent. The Official Business Circular—An extraordinary statement of the Wairarapa ‘ Standard,” that the Government intended to issue an official business focoyd twice a day has been referred to in our telegrams. The following ys the statement referred to: — The Ministry have in contemplation a project which will have the effect of making a radical alteration in th,e system on which Executive business has been hitherto conducted. To obviate misrepresentation, audio secure publicity of Ministerial transactions, it is proposed to publish twice drily) for the benefit of the morning qnd evening papers, and for transmission throughout the colony, a Government Circular, giving briefly an account of all business transacted, or to be transacted, during the day. The first number of this Circular will probably be issued on the return of the Premier and 'hie eolleagues to Wellington. Had speh an arrangement been in force since Orders in Council have in a great measure superseded Legislative enactments, the discussion of which in Parliament necessarily insures their publicity, public may depend upon it th.ae the JPiako'Swauip, and otner oucsttonafile land transactions, legalised by Orders ip Council, would pever

Durham Street Wesleyan Church.— The thirteenth anniversary of tlie Durham street Wesleyan Church was celebrated yesterday. In the morning, there was the usual service at 11 o’clock, when there was a very good congregation. The Rc-v. W. Morley preached, taking for his subject the parable of the hiring of the labourers, as narrated in the Gospel ot St. Matthew. In the evening, the church was filled to ovei flowing, and a most, powerful sermon on “ The Power of the Holy Spirit,” the text being taken from Acts, chap. 1., v. viii., was preached by Dr, Gervase Smith, representative of the British Conference. The collection amounted to £4l 10s lOd. City Council.—Another adjourned meeting of the City Council lapsed on Saturday night for want of a quorum, the second within the week which ♦ ! ns terminated. The members who attended were the Mayor, Councillors Pratt, Ick, and Briggs. The balance of the schemes for the city water supply were opened, and it was found that, with the exception of four, all proposed to take the water from the Heathcote or Waimakariri. Of those four, two proposed to draw upon the Avon, one upon the Hawkins, and one upon the Okuku. At an interview between the Mayor and Mr Clark, the engineer, the hitter agreed to inspect the schemes, the whole ot which will, therefore, be submitted for his opinion. Harvest Festival Services. The annual harvest festival services at St. Michael and All Angels’ took place yesterday morning and evening. The church, though not decorated very elaborately, presented a pleasing appearance. The Communion table was ornamented with ears of corn and flowers, wreaths of flowers and evergreens being entwined round the uprights of the choristers’ seats. The various pillars of the church were wreathed with flowers. The decoration of the font, though simple, was exceedingly elegant. The basin was filled in the centre with a nicely arranged bouquet of flowers, the surrounding space being filled up with asparagus sprays, and the sides were ornamented with variegated evergreen runners. At each corner of the base was a basket cont-ining fruit, flowers, and ears of corn arranged in pyramidal form. His Lordship the Bishop oliiciated and preached in the morning, and the Rev. E. G. Penny, incumbent, in the evening. Both services were full choral. In the morning the canticles were rung to Garrett in F, and in the evening to Tallis in F. The anthems were respectively, Dr. Greene’s “Thou visitest the earth,” and Goss’s “ Fear not 0 land.” Special offertories towards the building fund were made at each service, and the attendance on both occasions was exceedingly large. It may be mentioned that Friday’s evening service was repeated yesterday at St. John’s Church, the Rev. H. C. M. Watson officiating. Sir John Goode’s Visit.—Respecting the telegram received by the Premier from Sir John Coode, the “ Grey River Argus,” of February 26th, has the following ; —A very important piece of information reached us last evening, to the effect that Sir George Grey had received a telegram from Sir John Coode, the eminent maritime engineer, now in Melbourne, under engagement to the Melbourne Harbor Board, who some time ago prepared a scheme of harbor works for the limaru Harbor Board, and who is likely to come to New Zealand to inspect the harbor works at that port, provided arrangements can be made at once. We have no positive authority for stating that the Premier, after seeing the works here, telegraphed to Sir John Coode, but we have every probable reason to believe that, following out his expressed promise that the harbor works at Greymouth would receive the prompt attention of the Government, Sir George Grey, after consulting with his colleagues, invite'd the mo,-t celebrated marine engineer of his day to come over. It is impossible to over-estimate the importance of having Sir John Goode’s opinion upon the present system of construction, which, to many persons, is not such as to beget confidence. On the same subject the “ Kumara Times” of February 26th says:— “ Y esterday morning Sir George Grey * telegraphed to Sir John Coode, the eminent engineer, at present in Victoria, asking him if he would come to New Zealand to report upon harbor-works, and in the course of the evening receivid a reply in the affirmative, provided arrangements were at once entered into.”