NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1253, 25 March 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

City Council. —The usual fortnightly meeting of the City Council will be held this evening at 7 o’clock. Me Stephen Massett, —This composer, vocalist, and elocutionist has arrived in Christchurch, and will probably give one of his popular entertainments shortly in this city. The Late De, Paekeeson.— We are informed that the funeral of the late Dr. Parkerson, will leave his residence, St. Asaph street West, on Tuesday next, at 3 p.m. precisely, iueteafi Pf on Monday as at first intended, *

Sudden Death. —A man named William Coll, collector, who has been residing in Mrs Nankavis’s boarding-house, was found dead in his bed this morning at eleven o’clock. Before retiring to bed last night he complained of pains in his shoulders. He had been attended for some time past for enlargement of the liver. New Board of Education. —School committees who have not yet forwarded the names of those for whom they vote as members of the new Board of Education, are reminded that they must do so before the end of the month. The result of the election will be declared at the Board meeting on April 4th.

The Inspector-General of Schools.— The Press Agency repeats a rumor which has been current for some time, that the above office has been offered to and declined by Mr O’Sullivan, of Auckland. We (the “Press) have good grounds for believing that the appointment was never-offered to him.

The Waimakariri Fatal Accident It was reported last evening at the police depot that the body of Francis Cassidy, who was drowned while bathing in the Waimakariri on Sunday, 17th, had been washed up on a spit opposite Treleaven’s Hotel. Sergeant Hughes and a constable were immediately sent up to take charge of the body. Blocking the Railway.— On Saturday evening the last down train on the Northern line, which was full of passengers, was stopped at a crossing half a mile from Southbrook station by a threshing machine which was on the line. The machine was owned by Mr Protheroe, and the horses had jibbed with it. The train ran to within a few yards of it, and pulled up, when a number of the passengers alighted and quickly removed the obstacle.

Lecture —A lecture was delivered at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Lyttelton, on Friday night, by the Rev. J. Hill. The subject chosen was “ Wickliffe and his Times; or the Dawn of the Reformation in England.” The attendance was good, and those present were much pleased with the able manner in which the subject was treated. At the conclusion of the lecture Mr Fyfe moved a vote of thanks to the Rev. Mr Hill, which was carried unanimously. United Methodist Free Church. —The opening services in connection with the new church were continued yesterday. The morning sermon was preached by the Rev. J. Elmslie, M.A. (Presbyterian), and the evening by the Rev. W. Morley (Wesleyan.) At half-past two a children’s service was held. The church was crowded, those present being from the Bingsland, Spreydon, Addington, and Colombo road schools, in addition to the Christchurch scholars. The service was conducted by the Rev. W. Tinsley, who specially addressed the children. Several hymns and selections were sung during the afternoon, under the leadership of Mr W. Parkes. On Tuesday a children’s concert will be held in the church.

1.0.G.T., Ashley. —A tea meeting and entertainment to celebrate the anniversary of the Rock of Freedom Lodge, Ashley, took place on Thursday. The entertainment was held in the schoolroom, which was crowded. Mr E. R, Good, D.D., occupied the chair, and congratulated the lodge upon their prosperity. Songs were nicely given by Mrs Douglas, of Rangiora, Miss Smith, Mr F. Smith, and Mr Elliot, of Christchurch; part songs by Mr Smith and company; readings by the Rev. J. E. Willmer, and Mr Howard; and a piano solo by Miss E. Smith; Mr J. T. Smith, G.5.1.T., delivered an excellent address, and the Rev. Mr Willmer also expressed his sympathy with the movement. The usual votes of thanks were proposed and carried.

The Presbyterian Church. —On Thursday evening a meeting of the Presbyterian Church committee was held at Rangiora in reference to'the call made from Kumara for the Rev. Mr McGregor to take charge of that district. It was resolved, after some discussion, that if the morning and afternoon services are held regularly in the church the congregation would guarantee to contribute to an increase of the stipend. At a similar meeting held at Kaiapoi on Friday evening, the Rev. W. Cree presiding, it was decided that the stipend be increased to £350, to be raised by the two congregations, a student to be engaged to assist the Rev. W. McGregor at Rangiora and Kaiapoi. Another meeting will be held to decide the question finally, and hear Mr McGregor’s decision. Found Drowned. Shortly after one o’clock yesterday afternoon the body of a man, lying face downwards, was seen at the bottom of the river, near the Cashel street bridge. The police were communicated with, and the body was taken out and removed to the morgue. The water was only about four feet deep at the spot. No marks of violence were visible on the body, and the pockets contained amongst other articles a pocket book, in which the name “James Bell Wallace, Kaituna, April 2nd, 1877,” was written. On other leaves were “ McGregor, Lake Takepo, Hawkins, T. Johnston, Windwhistle Hotel, Rakaia Gorge.” There were also entries of shearing having been commenced at Kaituna and at Richmond on 16th February, 1878, and a memo, of having received a tentfly, an axe and spade from a Mr Parkinson. In one pocket was a catalogue of the late ram and ewe fair. The body has been identified as that of James Bell Wallace. He had been staying at the Golden Age Hotel. He left there shortly before eleven on Wednesday night. Mr Allen thinking that he had gone up country took no notice of his absence. Wallace was perfectly sober when he left the hotel. Painters and Plumbers’ Picnic. —The first picnic of the painters and plumbers of Christchurch took place on Saturday last. A number of ’busses, expresses, and other vehicles, filled with representatives of the trade and their families, started from the Post-office at an early hour, and preceded by Button’s band drove along Colombo and Cashel streets to Prebbleton, halting in Mr J. N. Tosswill’s paddock, which had been lent for the occasion. Here sports of various kinds filled the time until lunch. Afterwards a large supply of prizes were competed for by the children, while the elders danced. The proceedings were wound up with the principal event, viz., a spin for those over forty years .of age, in which the late Mayor of Christchurch ran a good waiting race, evidently with an eye to next year’s meeting. After three cheers had been given for Mr Tosswill for his kindness, the party returned to town. It is intended to make the picnic an annual affair.

Inquest at Kaiapoi.— -On Saturday an inquest was held at Wearing’s Hotel, before Dr. Dudley, coroner, and a Jury, of which Mr G. H. Blackwell was foreman, touching the death of John Edward Keetley, aged about thirteen, who was killed on the previous day. James Clark stated he was present when Mrs Hicks asked Mr Hicks to allow the boy. to go an errand. She held the horse by the rein while the boy got up. He was holding the rein in his left hand with his left foot in the stirrup leather, as the stirrups were too long. He was just springing into the saddle when the horse made a bolt and dragged Mrs Hicks down. The animal began to plunge, sending the lad out of the saddle two or three times till he fell over his neck. The horse kept plunging and kicked him with his fore foot. As witness saw blood coming from his head Mr Hicks and witness tried to secure the horse. After it got away a few yards it trod on the boy’s Jacket, tearing itaway, and he fell clear of it on his face. Witness turned him over and supposed him to _be quite dead. E. E. Hicks gave corroborative evidence, stating that deceased was in his employ, and regularly in the habit of riding horses. He had that morning ridden the same horse to Woodend and back, and assisted Mr Hicks’ brother to drive in some cattle and horses. Deceased never expressed any objection to riding, or any fear. When the horse was plunging about it struck the boy’s head and trod on his hand, tearing the forefinger away. Dr. Ovenden stated he was called, and on arrival Mrs Hicks supposed the boy still breathed, but on examination he found that life was extinct. The third and fourth cervical vertebi fn were broken, and from the quantity of blood flowing from the right ear the base of the skull appeared to have been broken. The forefinger of tiro right hand was torn off, and the body much bruised about the head and face. Death must have been instantaneous. The Jury returned a verdict that deceased was accidentally killed by the fall and blows inflicted by the Jfo blame was attached to thoge peeeot*

University Degrees.— The Auckland “Herald” of March 19th says:—lt is known that eminent members of the Melbourne University were appointed by the Senate of the New Zealand University examiners for the B.A. degree. We understand that telegraphic news has been received by the Senate, to the effect that the following gentlemen had successfully passed the B.A. degree:— A. R. Fitchett, R. H. Rattray, H. Hill, A. C. Newton, W. St. C. Tisdall.

The Murderer Winiata.— The “Auckland Herald” says that a European who lately saw Winiata in the King country, had some conversation witli the people among whom he is residing. He pointed out that Winiata’s crime was very different from that of every other Native, and asked them why they should protect him. They quite acknowledged that Winiata had committed a murder, for which there was no palliation or excuse in their minds, but they said that, notwithstanding, they would rather die than give him up. Harvest Thanksgiving Services.—Yesterday thanksgiving services were held in Holy Trinity Church, Avonside. The church was tastefully decorated throughout with sheaves of corn, fruit, flowers, and evergreens. On the transept wall was placed the verse “ The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” The font was decorated with ferns and grass, dotted with dahlias and other flowers, the centre being filled with miniature sheaves of corn. The effect of the whole was much heightened by the fruit suspended from the various corbels of the church". The services were choral. The Rev. Q-. J. Cholmondeley officiated in the morning, and the Rev. the Incumbent in the evening. Victorian Reform:.— The constitutional reform proposed by the Victorian Government is indicated by the following motion, which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly lately —“ 1. That in consequence of the unconstitutional action of the Legislative Council in not passing the annual Appropriation Bill, an alteration of the Constitution Act is imperatively necessary. 2. That the constitution be framed on the model of the British Constitution, and that the present Elective Council be replaced by a second Chamber so constituted, and with such limitation of powers, as to secure to the people of this country that full measure of parliamentary and responsible government enjoyed by the people of Great Britain. 3. That the Govern, ment take all necessary steps to give effect to the above resolution.” The Gathering of Ministers.—lt is expected by the “ Post ” that in a few days the members of the Cabinet will assemble in Wellington, when “the work of perfecting their measures for the approaching session of Parliament will engage their individual attention.” What then about the Hikurangi meeting ? Has the'discovery that Ministers were fed at the late meeting upon cattle stolen from Mr Walker cracked the half-cemented friendship with the King ? Or has the recent arrest of the surveyors at Horohoro led Ministers to think discretion the better part of valor, and so to avoid the possibility of a like imprisonment befalling themselves ? The capture by Tawhiao of a live Premier and Native Minister, with, perhaps, the Hon, J. T, Fisher besides, would be a most amusing and sensational novelty for the colony. Presentation at Lyttelton. —The congregation of St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Lyttelton, have for some years past been greatly indebted to Miss Agnes Stout for the assistance she has rendered towards the musical portion of the service, having nob only presided at the harmonium, but also taken a prominent partjin the singing. It was therefore resolved to present her with some recognition of her services. Accordingly on Friday night, at the conclusion of the Rev. Mr Hill’s lecture, that gentleman, on behalf of the congregation, presented her with a remarkably handsome gold necklace, with a pendant bearing on one side the inscription set in brilliants of “Dinna forget,” and on the other “ St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Lyttelton.” The Rev. J. Hill, in presenting it, dwelt on the very important part borne by music in the services of the church, and of the indebtedness of the congregation to the recipient. The Rev J. Fergusson replied in appropriate terms on behalf of Miss Stout.

Obituary.— The funeral of Mr William J. Smith, of Bellfield, took place on Friday, and was largely attended by residents in the Southbridge and Ellesmere districts, as well as by many friends from Christchurch. The hearse was headed by the members of the Loyal Southbridge Lodge, M.U., 1.0. Oddfellows, No. 6042 (of which association Mr Smith was an honorary member of very long standing), and followed by a long line of friends of all classes. Mr Smith arrived in the ship Canterbury in October, 1851, when he commenced and for some years steadily continued his labors in the neighborhood of Christchurch, affording able assistance in the many improvements which are now enjoyed. About twelve years since he purchased the Bellfield estate, and has, from that time, been a leader amongst those who have promoted the progress of the Ellesmere district. Avoiding political and public position, he was always willing, by practical assistance and kindly advice, to help others. He was a liberal supporter of public institutions, of all local societies, clerical and lay, of all Canterbury industries, as well as an employer of labor. To him, in connection with the late Mr Bridge, is due the present prosperous condition, if not the existence, of the township of Southbridge. The association of Mr Smith with the older colonists was most kindly, and there are many former Canterbury settlers at home who will regret to hear of his death.