NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1251, 22 March 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Ml sic in Lyttelton.—A meeting of those interested in forming a Musical Society, will be held on Monday next in the committee room, ct the Colonists’ Hall. Hon. E, W. Stafford— This gentleman was entertained last evening at the Christchurch Club previous to his departure tor England. Alarm of Fibe. —About twenty minutes to four a quantity of rubbish heaped up at the end of Mr Hale’s manufactory in St. Asaph street caught fire, but tbe fire was fortunately extinguished before it reached the building. Sale of Peeeswick Estate.— Mr C. F. Barker held a sale of Peerswick Estate, Upper Riccarton, yesterday, at which the total amount realised was £11,758 17s, or an average of £126 3s per aero. The land was submitted for sale partly in quarter acre and p irtly in one acre lots. American Whitefish. —The ten whitefish remaining out of the late shipment were taken charge of by Sir Cracroft Wilson on Wednesday afternoon last, for removal to Lake Coleridge. Sir Cracroft left by the 4.20 p.m. train, and would arrive at his destination last night. Canterbury Pigeon Club. —A large number of birds have been secured for the coming club match, which will take place next week. A committee meeting will bo held at the Garrick Hotel on Tuesday evening at half-past eight for the consideration of special business. Gamekeeper foe Christchurch and Suburbs. —The sub-committee appointed to examine the applications received for the above position have recommended the appointment of Mr Douglas, who has for some years been in the employ of the Hon. J. T. Peacock. The recommendation will bo considered at the meeting of the Council to be hold on Tuesday next. Cooper and Bailey’s Circus— The time which was originally fixed for the stay of this mammoth exhibition has been extended from six to nine nights. They will open on the 30th instant in the paddock opposite the Theatre, and during their stay will doubtless, as elsewhere, attract large audiences. In addition to the menagerie and circus, there is a side show, in which is exhibited a learned pig, a fire king, and other wonders. Though only here a day or so, Mr Ball, the enterprising agent of the show, has already billed the entire city with enormous illustrated posters, which in themselves are a feature. Conference, —The conference of Mayors and Chairmen of the County Councils respecting the Hospitals and Charitable Aid distribution, took place yesterday, the Mayor of Christchurch presiding. After some discussion it was resolved to adopt the suggestions of a conference of County Chairmen, held some lime back, as to the administration of hospitals and charitable aid, and the representatives present were requested to bring the resolutions before their respective bodies, with a view to the Government being informed of the conclusions arrived at on the subject by the Conference. Attempted Suicide. — A man named A, Newman attempted suicide yesterday afternoon in Nathan’s salerooms, High street, by drinking some poisonous mixture which he had obtained at the chemists for disinfecting purposes. Newman had been put out of the salerooms previously, as he w’as creating a disturbance. After a short absence he returned, and, in the presence of several persons, drank off the contents of a bottle, saying at the same time that he was done for, He was at once conveyed tq the Hospital, and on the way expressed himself as tired of his life, and hoped he might die. The usual remedies were applied, and last night the man, though suffering from the effects of the dose, was out of all danger. Effects of a Practical Joke. —A man named Stephen Roder, who was riding a horse in front of the Borough Hotel last evening, induced one of the seamen of the Wolverine to get on the animal with him, and then galloped furiously down Manchester street. Approaching Tuam street they came into violent contact with a cab which was being driven from the railway station. Both riders were thrown off, and Roder, who was somewhat under the influence of liquor, fell heavily on the stones, cutting his face severely. He was picked up unconscious, and removed to the Hospital, where his wounds were dressed, and having recovered sufficiently, he was conveyed to his home at Bingslar.d. The front portion of the cab was smashed and damage done to the extent of £5. The off shoulder of the horse was put out.

The Victorian Police and Me Berry.— We have no hesitation, yemai'ks the *' Melbourne Argus,” in saying that the police force, demoralised as it has been by a fear that the arbitrary action of the Government will be extended to it also, is a standing menace to public liberty, and no longer a safeguard of public right. At one time it was a terror to evildoers, and a praise or defence to those that did well, but now, thanks to the reign of terror inaugurated by Mr Berry on Black Wednesday, it is in danger of becoming the subservient tool of a disreputable party. First in the list of offences which the present Administration has committed against society stands its attack upon the independence of the justiciary ; but second, and not very far behind, we place the indirect intimidation of the constabulary. The independence of these two powers in the State is of the utmost importance to the preservation of that wellordered freedom which is supposed to be the birthright of every Briton, and those who have undermined dr threatened it are false to their countrymen and traitors to the traditions of their race.

Westland’s Opinion op the Premier. — The effect of Sir George Grey’s oratory upon the people of Westland appears to have been of a most transitory character. Already there are indications that some of his statements, however placidly or greedily swallowed at the time, are turning on the political stomachs of our neighbouring follow colonists. Thus the “ West Coast Times ” of a late date remarks in an article calling on the members for the district to explain themselves : —We think he (Mr Button) might have embraced an earlier opportunity of appearing on the public platform, to take up, and possibly refute, some of the lame points in the Premier s speech delivered at the Theatre. That there were many weak points in the address, few, we think, will be found to dispute, excepting those who are prepared to swallow wholesale the dicta of the once autocratic, but now great democratic, leader. We would hke, for instance, to hear Mr Button’s opinion on the Premier’s actiop after flip close of fhe session in respect to the Land Bill. Sir George Grey s explanation on this matter, to our mind, was anything but satisfactory, Plaxton School Committer. —At a meeting of this committee on Monday there were present Messrs Evans, Pearson, Waiting, and Mulcock (chairman). The chairman reported that it was necessary, in the interests of the school, to bring the compulsory clauses of the Education Act, 1877, into operation. After some discussion it was decided to deter the matter. It was resolved that Scripture teaching might be given in the school out of tluhprescribed school hours. The candidates for the new Education Board for whom the committee deteimined to vote, were Messts Bowen, Duncan, Cunningham, Leo, Inglis, Tancred, Montgomery, Turnbull, and Saunders. Oxford Presbyterian Picnic. —On Wednesday morning, the children attending the Cast Presbyterian Sabbath school arrived at Oxford by the first train, where those attending the Oxford school were awaiting them. They then formed into marching order about 90 in number —and, accompanied by their p.stor (the Rev. N. McC»l um), the teachers of botli schools, and a large number of friends, proceeded to the grounds of Mr Wil-on Fisher, where an excellent tea war provided, and several hours were most enjoyably spent. Some hymns were sung during the day, and amusements of various kinds indulged in, after which the party reluctantly retraced their steps to the railway station, which they reached in time for the last train to Gust. In connection with the day’s proceedings, special thanks are due to Mr Fisher for kindly permitting the use of his grounds, and to Messrs Woodfield, Petrie, and Aldridge, for driving a large number of the younger children to and fro bttweeo the Railway station swicl the picnic ground.

Billß of Sale.—At the meeting of the CoZr ° f Chamber of 5 VK IT n Act in relation thereto, thls «‘t 7> was laid before the write tone V f Be^. retfll T was instructed to pre Aus japm ’ *' lldDg U “ tW th “ “ d Waikuku School Committee At a reZ\TTu 8 - f th ° District Sch »«l Comm”. tee, the following gentlemen were nominated members of the Board of Education. Sh Canterbury: Charles Christopher Bowen fafwi H rS Cunningham, Andrew Dun’ Wm W M P °l e Cheeßh y re Fendall, John Inglis, Wm. Rolleston, H«W John Tancred, Joseph Yeel Colborne-Veel. Sad Accident in Adelaide,— lntelligence from .Adelaide of March 4th states Son MarlTc' 01 ’ 8 , right j WO sißters of St. Joseph, extinguish!™ f'b T d Marj Ma culator, were extinguishing the kerosene lamns in the Vm-t i™ s P u . ,ts b„ c t :i holio . cl ;" r ; h ' when «"• enveloned n’fl bwLb tho were enveloped in flames Sister Laurent ia died lecoxlr. d the ° tlier i 8 not “looted to Ellesmere Races.-A meeting of stewards d others especially interested in the Ellesr r We a d Ce8 ’ r hdd in tbe Southbridge Ho el fhT P eye Ztz- Mr . w - ocreported The Bubßcri P tion lists wcre r. ported to be progressing favourably The programme was carefully gone and ordered to be printed as amended. Thur-day 18th April, was fixed as the day upon whS to close the general entries list. P Rangioea Wesleyan Sunday School.irfdn!!f U T rSa a J 8 7 yicee of thii Bch ° ol were ford and 7 f ’ he A ‘ Lul ’ li; . •Connell. On Monday evening a public tea was given in the literary institute, pr r ided b J the kd y friends Bcb ° ol - A service of song was perv fnt mi ? S - , Mr W ' H - Foster . , the school, Staled that the sum realised by the services was £l3 2s. The sual votes of thanks terminated the meeting, ° n . Cmdfields Leases. —The Resident Magistrate at Inangahua created Counter 6 ,, -n olllShmenfc in the miads of jA" nty Councillors recently by ruling that rates could not be levied on agricultural land Wm U °f 1 o lf ‘ aSO had nofc is3ued . The have 1° are those which ought to have been issued under the Nelson goldfields gulations. The “ Inangahua Times ” states that m many instances blocks of land are held and, .cultivated u P on 110 better title than an application for a lease.