NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1254, 14 March 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

C.V.E.—A general meeting of the Engineer Volunteers will be held in the orderlyroom this evening. H.A.C.B.S. —The quarterly meeting of the Christchurch branch of this society will be held this evening. The society intend celebrating the anniversary of the birth of St. Patrick on Monday next by a dinner. City Assessment. —A notice appears elsewhere requesting ratepayers who have received objection forms, and who do not object to the assessed value made by the Council, to return them as soon as possible endorsed “ do not object.” Value of Christchurch Property.— Yesterday Mr Aikman let by auction a number of sites in the Triangle. An average rental of £lO 10s per foot per annum was realised. A report of the sale appears elsewhere. New Passenger Platform. —A petition is in circulation, and has already been largely signed, asking the authorities to erect a platform mid-way between the Addington and Christchurch stations for the accommodation of passengers coming by South trains who live in the south-west portion of the city. Fire near Papanui. —Last night a stack of hay, containing about four tons, was destroyed by fire at Norman’s crossing, Papanui. Mr McMillan, to whom it belonged, on getting up this morning about four o’clock found the stack on fire, but nearly completely consumed. Everything was right the previous night at ten o’clock. Had the wind been blowing in the direction of the house, it would most likely have been destroyed, as the burning stack was only about a chain distant. The English Salmon.— lt is not unlikely that a further shipment of English salmon ova will shortly be received in the colony. An extract from “ The Field” of 22nd December last, forwarded by Mr J. 0. Boys to the Acclimatisation Society, and read at yesterday’s meeting, showed that at a quarterly meeting of the Eden Board of Conservators it was agreed to permit Mr Frank Buckland to take salmon ova from the River Calder during the following month (January, 1878) for transmission to New Zealand. Coal-mining Industry.— lt is stated that preliminary arrangements have been made for calling a meeting of those interested in the various coal-mines in Canterbury. _ The object is to appoint a deputation to wait upon the Premier while in Christchurch, and lay before him a statement of the difficulties experienced in executing orders, owing to the present railway arrangements as regards the supply of waggons. It is said that latterly one mine with a large daily output, has been brought nearly to a standstill through the railway department not forwarding trqcks as promised.

New Q-ijinea Expedition.— We understand that the promoters of the expedition to New Guinea are in treaty for the purchase of a vessel, and in all probability will leave Lyttelton for their destination next week. The number is all but complete, only some eight or ten being required to make up the party, which includes amongst its number a gentleman who has had experience of the coast, A meeting will take place on Friday, the 15th inst., at the Borough Hotel, when the objects and intentions of the expedition will be fully explained to intending voyagers. The Sydney expedition, we may say, leaves on the 20th March.

GaMEKEEPEE FOE GHEISyCHPECIf 4.™ Subuebs. —Eighty-five applications for this post were opened yesterday at the meeting of the Acclimatisation Society. Among the testimonials attached to the applications some were of a very novel character. One, however, gave an exceptional reason for recommending the applicant. The writer observed that, if the principle of setting a thief to catch a thief would be viewed with favor by the society, then he could certainly recommend jfche person in question, ao he was aware that he was the most inyetefafe and successful poacher in the old country. The principle was evidently not appreciated, as the application was immediately disposed

Beewebs and Bottlees’ Picnic.—The above picnic took place to-day, and very complete arrangements were made to render the day thoroughly enjoyable. A start was made from the post office at nine o’clock, and the procession, headed by Button’s band, drove through the streets. The conveyances numbered about thirty, and were gaily decorated. At Sumner a halt was made at the paddock near £h.o church. After refreshment, games and sports ‘of ajj hinds 1 ook place for prizes, which the liberal donations received from various employers allowed in many cases to be very valuable. The catering arrangements were in Mr Carl’s hands. Ceicuet. —The M.C.C.C. are engaged in two iiia'tcHes on‘Sa£u?doy, one with the Hagley Oak Leaf Club on their ground, fcnjd the other with St. Crispin’s on the association ground. Play in both matches will commence early, and the men engaged must be on the ground at 2 p.m. The following will play against St. Cris’.-in’e—Messrs W. H. Atack, Hislop, feow'e, Fairhurst, Baiaircf;, J. Horner, Ashbolt, Parker,'Eeeder, ’W.’Ea'rtland.apd Biiao. The leap,i to play against the H.Q.L'.C.C. consists qf Mpaafg G. Turner, Hunt, Boss, piithbert, §U-irigei'. W- ffoynei-,' Stewart, Allard, Warner, Hi|l, and Bu((. Emergencies— Haddrill and Gray. W.C.O. v C,R.C.p.— The return match between these plut>S w UI h® played on the ground of the former on Saturday, the 16th 'instant, ?l»J to commence at 2.30 p.m, sharp. Meeting of the Bae. — A meeting of the Chfi'sivohii/.oh Ear was held in the Supreme Court Library ycst.epdv7 afternoon, seventeen members being present. Mr saspa attended and made a statement. Before retiring he i requested the meeting to express no opinion as to the merits of his case which would be dealt with at the proper time by the proper tribunal. After Mr Barton had retired, a short discussion ensued, at the ponclusion of which the following resolution was carried without a division :—“ That this mt-eting having heard Mr Barton’s statement, without expressing any opinion upon the circumstances leading to his recent imprisonment, considers that the fact of a severe and degrading punishment having been inflicted upon a member of the Bar for contempt of Court, calls for inquiry.” Steangf, Case of Child Desebtion.— About nine o’clock on Friday evening last, Mrs Harclq, Residing in Moa place, off Madras street, lizard me cries of a cjiild near their bouse, and on opening the front door found an infant on the' doorstep. The child was nicely dressed, wcU'wrapped up, and had a pillow under its head. A feeding bottle containing warm milk, and a parcel of clothes, were placed alongside it. Attached to the hood wao a letter containing a £5 note, and a few lines asking that the child might bo taken enro of for a low weeks, be christened in the Qatholic Church, he culled S'usii, and the writer would let urn at. the time mentioned or send more money. Since Saturday the matter has been in the hands of the police. A young woman was called upon on Tuesday, but her statement as to her child being placed out nursing was found to be correct, The natter i? still investigated,

Volunteer Engineers. —A general meeting of the corps will be held in the orderly rooms this evening at eight o’clock. A full attendance is requested. Sanitary. —The sanitary committee have lately been engaged in drawing up the terms of a proposed contract for the whole of the sanitary work of the city. It is intended that the time shall be for three years. The committee will meet in a few days to complete finally the terms of the contract. The Humble Bee. —Through the interest taken by Mrs Herbert Belfield, of Timaru, when recently on a visit to England, a second attempt to introduce the humble bee into Canterbury seems likely to result more successfully than the attempt made some time ago.

Kaiapoi Volunteer Fire Brigade.— The proprietors of the Canterbury Woollen Factory, in addition to giving a sum of £5 to the persons who assisted in extinguishing the fire at that building, have handed a donation of £3 to this brigade. It m intended to get up an entertainment in aid of the funds of the brigade, of which due notice will be given. Ashley County Council.— lt is intended to hold a meeting of the Ashley County Council at Rangiora on Monday to consider the question of bringing the whole of the Counties Act, 1876, into force. Mr Isaac Wilson, who when elected for the Eyreton riding stated he would oppose the bringing in of the Act till he had consulted the ratepayers, convenes a meeting, to be held at Flaxton on Saturday evening. Rangiora C.C. —At a meeting of the committee of this club held on Tuesday evening, it was decided to decline the invitation of the Lincoln Club to play a match in Christchurch on Thursday, 21st, in consequence of the inability of the players to go to Christchurch. It was resolved that the invitation to play a return match with the Sefton C.C. on the Rangiora ground be accepted, if the date be altered from the 16th to the 23rd. The treasurer was requested to get in all unpaid subscriptions. Rangiora Volunteer Fire Brigade.— A meeting of the committee of this Brigade was held on Saturday evening, Mr Superintendent Lilly in the chair. A letter of thanks from Mr W. A. Burt, also enclosing cheque for £lO, a donation for the Brigade’s services at the late fire, was read. A donation from Mr W. Moir was also received. It was resolved that the receipt of the same be acknowledged. It was resolved to commission the superintendent of the Christchurch Brigade to purchase improved suction hose. After passing some routine business the meeting adjourned. The Cheviot Constituency. —With| respect to the rumour regarding Mr Ward standing for this constituency in the event of Mr Harper resigning, the Marlborough “ Express” has the best authority for stating that the above is all news to Mr Ward, although should Mr Harper resign it is likely that Mr Ward would not only contest the seat, but that he would be elected, as he might have been before had he chosen to exert himself about it. If such an event does occur the Express thinks he would generally support the Grey party, although in some things he would certainly have a way of his own. Ohoka. —A public meeting was held at Loveday’s Junction Hotel, Ohoka, on Monday evening, to consider the question of whether the recreation reserve should be vested in trustees or in the Eyreton Road Board. About forty persons were present j Mr W. Taylor was voted to the chair. It was unanimously resolved—“ That the Government be requested to vest the reserve in the trustees, viz., Messrs Bailey, Hopkins, and Lord, previously appointed.” A memorial, embodying the resolution, was drawn up and signed, and will be forwarded to the Colonial Secretary. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.

Theeshing Machines. —After the varied contests between agricultural machines of foreign manufacture, the decided success of a threshing machine from the foundry of Mr John Anderson, and worked in the neighborhood of Southbridge by Mr John Smith of Beljfield, is to be noticed. The machine is entirely (iron and wood work) of Christchurch manufacture, and has been worked constantly up to this without one hitch. It is easy of removal, and has turned out first class samples, especially of barley. The working of this machine has fully warranted the judgment which awarded the first prize at the Christchurch Agricultural and Pastoral Show, and is well wortli the attention of farmers.

Non-payment of Bets.—A meeting of stewards of the North Otago Turf Club took place on Tuesday evening, at the Empire Hotel, the president, J. O’Meagher, Esq., in the cl air. Evidence, says the “ North Otago Times,” was taken in the matter of a complaint by Mr Samuel Powell against H. Money, of refusing to pay a bet on the Dunedin Cup, and this being found conclusive, it was resolved —“ That it having been proved to the stewards that Harry Money is a defaulter, to wit having refused to pay a bet of £2OO to £7 (or two bets of £IOO to £4 and £IOO to £3) made with Samuel Powell, about Luna, on the Dunedin Cup, 1878, resolved that the said Harry Money be warned off the Oamaru racecourse, and that all the clubs in the colony be asked to endorse their decision.” Mb Eppsy’s pATES? p.yPEpiE^’T. —Tjie 45th clause of the Victorian'Constitution Apt has been repeatedly referred to in our tejcr grams of the last few days. It has been intimated that by treating that clause as a “special appropriation,” the Victorian Premier sought to get over the difficulties which beset the plan, previously proposed, of paying on the votes of the Assembly alone. The clause referred to is as follows:—“The consolidated revenue of Victoria shall be permanently charged with all the costs, charges, and expenses incident to the collection, management, and receipt thereof; such costs, charges, and expenses being subject nevertheless to be reviewed and audited in such manner as shall 1 ' be directed by any Act of the Legislature.” The opposition papers reasonably maintain that, even if this clausS can be construed into a special appropriation for defraying the charges incident to the collection, Aic,, of revenue, there are numerous Government departments which the utmost violence to ' the meaning of words will fail tb bring within the definition! A 1 ■' ' Maoei Civilisation.—The Auckland “Star” thus sums up some of the latest indications of progress amongst the Maoris • In Napier some of the “ swejl” chiefs keep private cahjages ; on 1 the West (.'oast they have set up tf grand piano, upon which 'q Maori piqsician plays dance musio and operatip selections; anpthpr Maori up N or th haa married a European woman, and writes on social questions to the newspapers ; King Tawhiao and his secretary have lately obtained the privilege of franking telegrams, and up at Ohinemuri the Maoris have got a telephone. But it has been reserved for Maiko Pakeha, a chief of the Waikouaiti district, to lake a far higher flight, even to the ezU ni of emulating the greatest achievements of hii European neighbors. Maiko has shewn his high appreciation ’6f our free pripep institutions by going into the ! Bankruptcy Court. His liabilities are £2OO, and his asstftb £25 j what more need be said ? Is hot thjfi a free country f

Latest feom New Guinea.—The following telegram, received in Sydney from Cooktown on March sth, explains some of our cable messages published last week : —The Ellangowan arrived on Sunday morning from New Guinea, with Chalmers and Dudtield on board. The latter is quickly recovering. Chalmers reports that after May Sth, when they left South Cape, the party had an anxious time. The natives were very threatening, but the friendly villagers th§ others from attacking them. Chamfers his left his wife at South Cape. Thie-fs no other European there. McGorn, muster of the Retrieve, of Captain Redleeks’ beche-le-mer party, is reported killed by the natives of the Engineers Group. The vessel was burnt, and the station ransacked. After landing Ingham at Port Moresby, the Prospect, cutter, with Redleeks, proceeded to ascertain the particulars. Mr Chester writes that he has received a letter from Mr G-oJdiO, in which he deplores the eicitement caufeed by bis gold discovery, and again 'warns people against going to New Guinea. A case of typhoid terminated fatally at Thursday Island. There is no other case. ’ Missionary Maefarlane left Thursday Island in' the Maggie Guinea last week.